Australian Driver's License???

Question

I am about to move to Australia with my company and my US driver's license is suspended for 3-6 more months in the US (not for a DUI or anything serious) My question is, can I get an Australian Driver's License without having my US license when I arrive in Australia. I'll probably have a photo copy of my US Driver's license. Any help would be great. Also could anyone provide me with a phone # of an Australian license branch where I could call with this question?

Answer 1

I think that you'll find that you won't be able to apply for a license until your suspension is finished, because your US license is *linked*. They WILL check with your issuing State to check for things like whether you're suspended or not.
I know that they had to put off my licensing, because the computers were down and they had to check the validity of my California license before they would issue me an Aussie one.

General info :
You may need to do a practical test unless:

you hold a current licence issued by an overseas country - including most of the European Union nations, Canada, the USA and Japan - whose licensing system is recognised as similar to Australia's. All Australian states and territories are moving to grant this exemption - as of May 2002 it has been implemented in WA, Victoria and Queensland, with NSW set to follow on 20 May 2002.
If you are moving to another state/territory you will need to check with the government directly as to whether they have implemented this scheme or not.
http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Drivers_Licence/127

You didn't say what area you were moving to, so this listing is for NSW I believe, but they may be able to head you in the right direction.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/index.html

I hope this helps...

Answer 2

If you drive on a suspended licence from anywhere, you commit an offence in Australia. If you apply for an Australian licence, you are asked if you are currently prohibited from driving anywhere, if you lie on the form, you commit an offence and any licence issued is invalid.

Driving without a licence is a serious offence because, among other things, insurance does not cover you. If your licence has been suspended in the US it would have been done so for something serious - like breaking the laws. DUI is only one of many offences for which licences can be suspended.

Your driving licence is a privilege, not a right. Police in Australia have the power to stop any vehicle at any time and check the driver's licence, the registration of the vehicle, the roadworthiness of the vehicle and breath test the driver. The police do not need a reason to stop you. This is different from the USA where they must have a reason to stop you.

Answer 3

The police obviously thought the offence was serious enough to suspend your drivers licence.

It would help to know which state you're going to be living in to provide you with the correct authority to contact. From what I've found, below, you won't be entitled to drive until your suspension is over. By then you'll have been here over 3 months and you'll need to get a local licence.

Queensland:
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assistance_and_services/Visitors_and_new_residents/International_drivers/

When am I not allowed to drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence?
You must not drive in Queensland on your interstate or foreign driver licence if:
you have been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence by an order of any Australian court
your authority to drive on the licence has been suspended or withdrawn.

South Australia:
http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licences_certification/drivers/overseas_residents.asp

Overseas licence holders.
If you hold a current overseas Driver's Licence of a particular class you may drive a vehicle of an equivalent class in South Australia if:

you also hold a current international driving permit
your foreign licence is written in English or is accompanied by an English translation of the details on the licence
you are not disqualified from driving in South Australia or elsewhere.

New South Wales.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/international_drivers.html

If you cannot produce your overseas licence, provide:

A letter from the overseas licence issuing authority confirming your licence details and status, or
A letter from a relevant consulate or diplomatic office, based on information received from the overseas licence issuing authority, confirming your licence details and status.
You must also:

Provide proof of your NSW address.
Prove your identity.
Pass an eyesight test.
Pass a knowledge test for each class of licence required, unless exempt.
Pass a driving or riding test, unless exempt.

Answer 4

When I moved to Australia a few years ago, I had to produce my US license, and they kept it. I had to take a written test, but not a driving test. When I moved back to the US, they did not take my Australian license, but did examine it. Since I moved to the same state, they looked up my old state license and re-issued a new one with the same number. RE the phone number, use an online search to find the number of the local (not state) police station in the city you're moving to. They can answer your questions there.

Answer 5

... just to add.
Australian transport does ask for your USA drivers license details ... and gets a fax sent through from the issuing office to confirm everything and it will show you are suspended. No way out of this I am afraird - they even do this with New Zealand ones.

I'm afraid you will have to get a mate to drive you around until you get your USA one back - then transfer it over to a Aussie one, or go for a drivers license test here ..

Answer 6

My NZ licence was never checked when I came to Australia - in fact, kiwis don't have to have an Australian licence unless you reside for more than 12 months in Australia.

I have Canadian and American friends who are temporary entrants to Australia (2-3 yrs only) - they had no problem getting a licence; though from memory they had to produce their CURRENT American/Canadian licences to verify they were actually drivers.