Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme 2026: Which Countries Can Convert to an Australian Licence Without Tests

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Short answer: only licence holders from countries on Australia's Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme (ROLS) can swap their car or motorcycle licence for an Australian one without sitting a knowledge test and a driving test. The list covers New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore and most of Western Europe. In 2026 Austroads added 14 more, including South Korea, Taiwan, Poland and Hungary. If your licence comes from anywhere else, including Latin America, South Africa, Hong Kong, mainland China, India or Vietnam, you can still drive on it for a while as a visitor, but to get a local licence you will usually need to pass a knowledge test and a practical driving test.

This guide explains who is on the list, how long you can drive on an overseas licence in each state, and what the test route looks like in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. It is based on Austroads and state transport agency pages accessed on 15 November 2026. Licensing is run by each state and territory, so always check the rules where you live.

1. What is ROLS and who runs it?
2. Which countries are recognised?
3. How long can you drive on an overseas licence?
4. Not on the list? How to get a licence in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA
5. Translations and International Driving Permits
6. Step-by-step: converting a non-recognised licence
7. FAQ

1. What is ROLS and who runs it?

Austroads, the association of Australian and New Zealand transport agencies, manages the administrative side of the Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme. It gives licensing authorities a consistent way to decide whether an overseas licence can be recognised. Austroads notes that ROLS applies only to licences for light vehicles, so heavy vehicle licences always need testing.

The scheme replaced the older Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) arrangement, which let drivers aged 25 and over from certain countries skip testing. Austroads says EDR ended in all states and territories in early 2026. Each state and territory then decides when to put newly recognised countries into effect, which is why start dates differ.

2. Which countries are recognised?

Long-standing recognised jurisdictions

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man (licences first issued on or after 1 April 1991), Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta (licences first issued on or after 2 January 2004), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Added in 2026

In July 2026 Austroads announced 12 newly recognised jurisdictions: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea and Taiwan. Hungary and the Republic of Cyprus followed on 15 September 2026, according to Transport WA. These take effect state by state:

State or territory	Start date for the 2026 additions
Western Australia, Queensland	From 31 October 2026 (in effect)
New South Wales, South Australia, Northern Territory	From 1 January 2027
Tasmania	From 1 February 2027
Victoria, ACT	Not announced as of 15 November 2026

Hong Kong and South Africa were on the old EDR list but are not among the 2026 additions. NSW states that Hong Kong has been on its non-recognised list since 1 February 2026. No Latin American country appears on the Austroads list.

3. How long can you drive on an overseas licence?

ROLS only decides whether you are tested when you convert. How long you may keep driving on your overseas licence is a separate rule, and it depends on your state and your visa.

State	Temporary visa holders (students, working holiday makers, visitors)	Permanent residents
VIC	Must convert once you have lived in Victoria for 6 months (counted from the day you start living there)	Same rule
NSW	Up to 6 months; if you intend to live in NSW longer, get a NSW licence within 6 months	3 months from arrival
QLD	Can drive while the licence is valid	3 months after living in QLD (or after getting the visa)
WA	Treated as visitors; no need to transfer while the licence is current	Apply to transfer within 3 months
SA	Can drive while the licence is current	Within 3 months
ACT	Optional to get an ACT licence	3 months
NT	Must transfer after living in the NT for more than 3 months	Same rule
TAS	Check with Transport Tasmania	Check with Transport Tasmania

4. Not on the list? How to get a licence in VIC, NSW, QLD and WA

Victoria (VicRoads)

VicRoads sets your requirements based on your licence type, your age when it was first issued, how long you have held it and the issuing country, and asks you to use its online requirements checker. Holders from non-recognised countries generally sit a knowledge test, the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) and a Drive Test, and your licence may be verified. Since 1 May 2025 even drivers aged 25+ from the former EDR countries (including Hong Kong, South Africa and the 2026 additions) must do the Learner Permit Test, HPT and Drive Test until Victoria implements the new list. Fees: overseas licence verification and appointment AUD 20.90, in-person Learner Permit Test AUD 48.00 (first online attempt free), HPT first online attempt free, Drive Test AUD 71.20.

New South Wales (Service NSW)

If your country is not listed, you must pass the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) and a driving test. NSW matches your experience to a licence level: under 12 months gets a P1, 12 months to 3 years a P2, and more than 3 years an unrestricted licence. Temporary visa holders get a licence marked with a Q condition. Fees: DKT AUD 58 (online, unlimited attempts), driving test AUD 72 per attempt, then the licence fee (for example a 1-year unrestricted licence is AUD 74).

Queensland (TMR)

Queensland names China, India and Vietnam as examples of non-recognised countries. You pass a road rules test (written or PrepL online, AUD 29.70) and a practical driving test (AUD 69.40). You do not need a learner licence first. Be careful: if you fail the practical test, your authority to drive on your overseas licence is withdrawn, and you will need a Queensland learner licence to practise.

Western Australia (Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure)

You must pass the computerised theory test (CTT, AUD 22.40) and then a practical driving assessment. The transfer application where a driving test is required costs AUD 150.80, plus the licence fee (1 year AUD 49.40, 5 years AUD 172.00).

In South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT the route is similar (a theory test plus a practical assessment; Tasmania also requires the HPT); check the local agency for details and fees.

5. Translations and International Driving Permits

Driving: if your licence is not in English, NSW, SA and the NT accept an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) carried with the licence. Victoria accepts an IDP only if it is issued by the same country as your licence and is carried with it. Queensland says you should carry a recognised English translation and show it to police with your licence (NAATI has a list of approved translators). Transport WA's visitor page asks visitors to carry their current licence and does not set a separate translation rule for them.
Converting: rules are stricter. NSW only accepts translations from Multicultural NSW or the Department of Home Affairs (plus the Korean consulate for Korean licences and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office for Taiwanese licences). Victoria, Queensland, SA and the ACT accept NAATI-certified translators; WA has its own approved list.
An IDP is a translation, not a licence. You cannot convert using an IDP alone.

6. Step-by-step: converting a non-recognised licence

Work out your deadline using the table in section 3.
Get an accepted translation for your state and keep the original.
Gather documents: passport, overseas licence, proof of address and, for permanent residents, proof of residency.
Study the state handbook (NSW's Road User Handbook is published in several languages, including Spanish) and book the knowledge test.
Take the HPT if your state requires it, then book the practical test in a roadworthy, registered car.
Pay the licence fee and receive a full or provisional licence based on your experience.

7. FAQ

Q1: Is my country on the Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme?

Check the Austroads list or your state agency. It covers New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore and most of Western Europe, plus 14 jurisdictions added in 2026, including South Korea, Taiwan, Poland and Hungary. No Latin American country, South Africa, Hong Kong, mainland China, India or Vietnam is on the list.

Q2: I am from a newly recognised country. Can I convert without tests now?

It depends on your state. Western Australia and Queensland started on 31 October 2026, NSW, South Australia and the Northern Territory start on 1 January 2027, and Tasmania on 1 February 2027. Victoria and the ACT had not announced a date as of 15 November 2026, so tests still apply there.

Q3: I am a student or working holiday maker. Do I have to convert?

Only in some states. In Victoria you must convert after living there for 6 months, in NSW you need a NSW licence within 6 months if you intend to stay longer, and in the NT after 3 months. In Queensland, WA and SA temporary visa holders can keep driving on a current overseas licence, and in the ACT converting is optional.

Q4: Which tests do non-recognised licence holders take?

Usually a knowledge (road rules) test and a practical driving test. Victoria and Tasmania also use the Hazard Perception Test; check your own state. Your experience decides whether you receive a full or provisional licence.

Q5: Can I use an International Driving Permit instead of a translation?

For driving, several states accept an IDP carried with your licence, but Victoria requires it to be issued by the same country as your licence. For converting, you need a translation from a provider your state accepts, such as Multicultural NSW in NSW or a NAATI-certified translator in Victoria and Queensland.

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