International students: have you converted your driver’s licence yet?
In October 2019, a change in the law required all overseas licence holders (regardless of your visa type) and interstate licence holders to obtain a Victorian licence within 6 months of living in Victoria. This requirement, which was suspended due to the impacts of COVID-19, has now recommenced.
What does this law mean for me?
It means if you fail to do convert your licence within the required timeframe and continue to drive, you will be breaking the law as your overseas or interstate licence will cease to be valid authority for driving on Victorian roads. Driving without a valid licence is a serious offence under Victorian law.
If you’re an overseas or interstate licence holder and you wish to convert to a Victorian licence, you are encouraged to act now to ensure you have enough time to make any appointments necessary to complete all requirements before your conversion date.
- If you are an overseas or interstate licence holder who was residing in Victoria on 29 October 2019, you had until 30 October 2021 to convert to a Victorian licence.
- If you started living in Victoria after 29 October 2019, you will now have longer to convert your licence, based on your arrival date.
- Anyone taking up residence in Victoria from 1 November 2021 will have six months to convert to a Victorian licence.
All overseas licence holders and interstate licence holders can use the VicRoads online tool to work out the date by which you will need to convert to a Victorian licence and the type of licence you will get.
Is there anything else I need to know?
- Until your conversion due date, if you are an overseas or interstate driver you can continue to use your overseas or interstate licence to drive in Victoria as long as it is still valid.
- Overseas or interstate drivers who are disqualified from driving or have had their overseas or interstate licence suspended or cancelled are no longer authorised to drive in Victoria.
- Medically unfit drivers or overseas drivers who have failed a practical Victorian test are also not permitted to drive using their overseas licence.
What if I need to convert to a Victorian licence for work but the necessary licence test appointments aren’t available before my conversion date?
- If you need to convert your overseas or interstate licence for your work, you may be eligible for a priority test under VicRoads’ hardship and special circumstances policy. More details can be found on the VicRoads Hardship and special circumstances appointments webpage.
- If you need to complete a learner or hazard perception test to convert your licence, you can now complete the Learner Permit Test Online and the Hazard Perception Test Online.
- VicRoads Customer Service Centres continue to offer appointments for those of you driving with an overseas or interstate licence to convert to a Victorian licence, once any licence testing requirements have been completed.
Want more information?
Visit the VicRoads website for more information about the process of converting to a Victorian driver licence.
If you would like to talk to someone at Deakin to help you understand these driving requirements and laws, please contact Student Central for advice.