If you come to live in NSW from another Australian State or territory and have a current licence (or one that expired less than five years ago) that is equivalent of a NSW provisional or unrestricted licence, you will be eligible to be issued with a NSW licence. There is a free transfer system for current interstate provisional and unrestricted licences. You are required to get a NSW licence within three months of making this State your home. The NSW licence will be issued to the expiry date of the interstate or territory licence up to a maximum of five years.
Interstate licences which are the equivalent of the NSW learner, provisional P1 or provisional P2 types of licences will be converted to NSW licences in line with the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme for New Drivers.
If you have held your driver licence for less than 12 months, you will be issued a NSW provisional P1 licence. If you have held your driver licence for more than 12 months but less than three years, a provisional P2 licence will be issued. If you have held your motorcycle rider licence for less than 12 months, you will receive a NSW provisional P1 rider licence.
What do I need to do?
When you apply for a NSW licence, documentary proof of the first issue date of your interstate licence from the relevant issuing authority must be shown if it is not displayed on your licence. Before you first attend the motor registry, you may wish to obtain a letter from the interstate licensing issuing authority (on their letterhead) confirming your licence details (including first issue date) and status. Alternatively, the motor registry may obtain the first issue date from the interstate licensing authority, but, as the information may not be available immediately while you are at the registry, you may be required to return to the registry on another day.
You need to:
- Take your interstate or territory licence to an RTA Motor Registry or agency.
- Provide proof of identity.
- Provide proof of your residential address.
- Complete an application form.
- Pass an eyesight test.
- Have your photo taken.
- Pay a licence fee if you have an expired interstate or internal territory licence
You will then be given your NSW photo licence.
As you cannot have more than one Australian licence, the RTA will provide you with a receipt for your old licence and then destroy the licence before notifying the issuing State or Territory to cancel it.
If you have a current interstate or territory learner licence and you take up residence in NSW, you must pass the eyesight test and provide proof of identity before you can get a free NSW learner licence. You should discuss your licensing options with the motor registry staff, however, as you may be eligible to undertake a driving/riding test on your interstate learner licence.
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