Proof of identity for individuals
Proof of identity is essential in NSW when applying for a NSW driver licence, a NSW Photo Card, Mobility Parking Scheme card, driving instructor licence or Firearms/Security Industry/CAPI licence and when establishing or transferring vehicle registration.
Protecting your identity is important for you and for the RTA. Because a driver licence is used by many groups as a reliable form of identification, the RTA has to make sure the integrity of licences is protected.
Identity fraud is an area of significant criminal activity. If you are a victim of identity theft, your licence or credit card could be used unlawfully and traffic offences and demerit points could be incorrectly assigned to you.
The RTA needs to see documents that identify you and may ask for additional information to verify a document with the issuing authority. In a small number of cases these checks may take a number of days. You will be advised as soon as enquiries are completed.
The RTA has worked with NSW Police and other relevant groups on proof of identity arrangements. While the arrangements may seem strict, they are necessary to protect your identity and privacy, as well as the driver licence system.
To prove who you are to the RTA, you need to provide either a NSW-issued driver photo licence or NSW Photo Card that is current or expired within the last two years (provided it is not recorded as lost, stolen or destroyed), or two other documents - one from List 1 and one from List 2.
IMPORTANT: Identification documents must be originals.
Documents not in English must be accompanied by an official translation from either:
Note: Requests for Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) fee-free translation of personal documents from eligible persons may be lodged at Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) service provider outlets which will then despatch them to a translation service provider.
Eligible persons are defined as:
Persons who were granted Permanent Residence on first arrival in Australia, within two years of the date of the translation request being submitted to the AMEP service provider or were granted Permanent Residence in Australia within two years of arrival, prior to the date the translation request was submitted to the AMEP service provider.
An applicant who is an Australian citizen.
An applicant who is a provisional spouse or interdependency visa holder (subclasses 309, 820, 310 and 826).
For further information please go to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
Your name should be the same on both documents. If the names in the documents differ, see the important notes section of the 'Proof of Identity list 1 and list 2' page. One of your documents needs to show your NSW residential address. See the section on 'Proof of address'.
For information on the proof of identity requirements for companies, government authorities and other organisations, please contact the RTA.
Proof of Australian permanent residency
From 19 November 2007, new licensing rules apply to visiting overseas drivers/riders who want to obtain a NSW licence for the first time. If the proof of identity documents you present do not include a document from the list below, the new rules may apply to you. See Temporary overseas visitors obtaining a NSW licence for more information.
Acceptable proof of Australian permanent residency documents:
Australian full Birth Certificate showing parental details
BDM photo Birth Card
Australian passport
Certificate of Australian Citizenship
Australian Naturalisation Document
Certificate of Aboriginality
Certificate of evidence of residency status
Current ID document from Australian Passport Office
Current Australian Defence Force photo ID
Overseas passport or travel document which includes a valid Australian permanent residency visa.
Proof of identity for organisations
To register a vehicle in the name of a company or organisation, the Director or an authorised delegate must complete and sign the Representative's section on the Application for Registration form, or provide a letter of authorisation on company letterhead and provide proof that the company or organisation is a legal entity.
A company must provide evidence of Australian Company Number (ACN). The following documents may be supplied:
a Certificate of Registration of a company
a current Company Extract
a Certificate of Registration on Change of Name
a printed extract from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) website (see
www.search.asic.gov.au).
A foreign company must provide a Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Company, with an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN).
To register a vehicle in the name of an incorporated association, the public officer must sign the Representative's section on the Application for Registration form.
An incorporated organisation must provide a Certificate of Incorporation issued by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.
Government authorities or organisations incorporated under legislation must provide on letterhead the name of the Act under which they are incorporated.
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