Driving with a full UK passport?

Question

Hi, my daughter is moving to Brisbane, Australia in September, she is 18 and passed her driving test in April this year. What will she need to do to be able to drive in Brisbane? Any help will be really useful, because we won't be able to follow her until we've sold our house in the stagnant uk housing market...and she'll be on her own until then..thank you xx

Answer 1

Laws may vary slightly depending on which state you're in.

So it's always best to go to the relevant state site, in this case Queensland Transport.

There is no need for your daughter to obtain an international licence.

By the way, good luck with your house sale and move to Australia.

For Queensland visit the Queensland Transport site (Licencing).

"Driving in Queensland with interstate or foreign licences."

On this page there are also links (on the top right-hand side of the page) for:

Driving rules and laws in Queensland.

Information on obtaining a Queensland driver licence.

And other important information.

I've included the link below.

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Lic...

Also information on "Queensland's graduated licensing system recognises the need for drivers and riders to hold a particular class of licence for a set period of time before being able to upgrade to the next class of licence."

Is available at:

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Lic...

P1 licence - issued to people under 25 years.

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Lic...

Answer 2

Has she obtained the 'permanent resident' status? If so, she can drive for three months before she has to "convert" to an Australian license.

Temporarily (i.e. if she's not a permanent resident), she'll be able to drive in Australia for one year with an internationalized driver's license. You can do that in the UK.

UK citizens don't need to pass a practical or theory test. All she'll need to do is go to a local driving center and change the license. She'll need to show her UK license, provide proof of her identity, residency, address, and a pay a fee.

Answer 3

Hi, everything that Blue kitten has said is correct.

I hope you all enjoy Australia, it is beautiful.

Happy travelling.

Answer 4

Permanent Resident  -  A Permanent Resident is normally allowed to drive for 3 months before needing an Australian Licence, after that period they would be classed as driving without a valid licence.

Visitors    -   A person on a Visitors Visa does not have to abide by the same rules, and would be allowed to drive a private vehicle on a valid CURRENT driving licence from their own country, indefinitely.

Visiting motorists are required to carry their licence (and English translation if applicable) at all times while driving and produce it to Police on request. Production of their temporary visas may also be required as evidence of their temporary residential status.

As from March 2006, the requirement for UK Licence holders to take the Queensland written theory test has been removed.  

A fully licensed, newly arrived migrant, can now visit the local Queensland Motor Registry Office and obtain an equivalent Queensland Drivers licence on production of their UK licence together with the relevant forms and payment, without taking any tests, other than an eyesight test.

This MUST be done within THREE MONTHS of arrival, otherwise you would be classed as "Driving without a valid licence" and subject to Police Prosecution if caught.

EDIT

Looking at the rules it does appear that she will get a P1 licence, and need to display red P-plates.

This applies to Drivers who have held a licence for less than one year from 1 July 2007.

I would be interested to hear from someone who goes through this process, as it is not 100% clear on the QLD Transport website how it affects a UK licence holder at that age.

Answer 5

If moving to Australia permanently, under the provisions of the Warsaw Convention she can drive on the UK licence for a maximum of 3 months (calendar) from date of entry. In this time she needs to exchange her UK licence for an Australian one. If she goes beyond 3 months she will need to obtain a provisional Australian licence and pass her driving test in Australia. If she is in the armed forces or holds a diplomatic passport slightly different rules apply.

As a visitor you can drive for a maximum of 1 year on a full UK licence.