One of the few requirements for foreign visitors who wish to drive over the course of their stay in Australia is an overseas drivers’ license.

1. Aries Car Rental
166, Adelaide Terrace
East Perth 6000
08 9218 9944
info@ariescarrental.com.au
How Overseas Driving Licenses
Work in Australia

2. One of the few requirements for foreign visitors who wish to drive over the
course of their stay in Australia is an overseas drivers’ license.
For example, international drivers licence validation is a crucial step before any
car hire service in Australia completes the paperwork for a rental. There are
various rules regarding the use of an international licence that may affect the
type of a vehicle a visitor can rent or where are they allowed to drive the car.
Here are some of the specifics about overseas driving licences in Australia:
Differing Rules in States and Territories
While an International Driving Permit is
recommended, it is a general requirement in
many countries. Australian driving laws and
regulations are different from state to state
for international licenced drivers. The road
authorities will provide the rules that govern
each state and territory while visiting
Australia.
Translated Foreign Driving Permit
According to the Australian government
website, the states may require an
international licence with the foreign
licence while others need to see the
formal translation of the licence in
English on top of these two
requirements.
Non-English foreign licences are required
in most states. The official translated
document can be obtained from the
visitor’s country embassy. They will have
to carry this around and present it
together with their overseas drivers
licence.

3. Updated Licence
Except the Northern Territory,
Australian states and territories allows
driver to rent vehicles and be on the
road as long as the overseas licence is
current. They are only allowed to
drive vehicles covered by the
conditions set by the licence.
No-photo Driving Licence
With regards to the driving licence
photo, Australian shops and road
authorities will look for an updated
photograph. This may be a problem for
some, however, because some
countries do not have photos. The
perfect example of this is the thirteen
of the fifty American states that allow a
no-photo driving licence. Traffic
authorities will only need an overseas
driving licence.
With the complex laws surrounding
Australia’s IDP requirement, visitors
must do their research before getting
an overseas licence or supplementary
requirements. It is important to make
advanced bookings for car rentals as
well. This will help travellers
determine the requirements to drive
legally in the country.

4. SOURCES:
http://www.ariescarrental.com.au/about/cheap-car-hire
http://www.australia.gov.au/content/driving-with-an-overseas-licence
http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/documents/LWVJ.pdf