The RTA renews licences to ensure that drivers are legally licensed, to maintain a current record of all drivers and their addresses and to maintain up-to-date photographs on the licences.
Some licensees (such as advanced age drivers) must meet medical review and driver testing requirements to ensure that they meet the medical standards and are competent to continue driving.
It is the licensee's responsibility to renew the licence by the expiry date.
The RTA sends the renewal notice as a courtesy reminder and non-receipt of the notice is not an acceptable excuse for a driver or rider to drive or ride after the licence expires.The RTA may also send a further licence renewal reminder if the licence is not renewed within two weeks after the expiry date.
The licensee has a choice of renewing for one, three or five years as indicated on the renewal form.
Renewal requirements
Depending on whether the previous licence is current or has expired, there are different licensing requirements before renewal.
All applicants seeking renewal of their licences must:
- Complete the renewal form.
- Produce their NSW photo-licence or provide proof of identity and proof of residential address to RTA requirements (if a reference statement is required, it must be from a person who has known the applicant for at least 12 months and who holds a current NSW gold or magenta licence).
- Be photographed.
- Pay the cost of a licence (unless eligible for a concession).
- An eyesight test may be required.
Surrender of old licence
A licensee must surrender the old licence when renewing. The RTA will remove the date of birth and a 'V' shaped section from the top middle portion of the old licence before returning it to the licensee together with the new photo-licence. Keep the old licence in a safe place as it may be used for proof of identity purposes when doing business with the RTA.
There are heavy penalties for driving or riding with an expired licence.
Back to top