Early renewal of licences
Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) can process an application for early renewal of a licence up to six months before the expiry date of the licence.
Renewal of licences within five years after the expiry date
If a customer applies to renew a licence within six months after the expiry date of the previous licence, the licence is backdated, provided the previous licence had not been cancelled or that the customer had not been disqualified from driving since the issue of the previous licence.
Licences that are expired for more than six months but less than five years cannot be renewed, but may be reissued. This is because the tenure period is broken. A fresh licence is issued commencing from the date of application.
Reissue of licences expired five or more years ago
If a customer reapplies for a licence five or more years after the expiry date, he or she must pass eyesight, knowledge, driving or riding tests for the class of licence previously held. Such customers are exempt from knowledge, driving or riding tests if they can prove that they hold an Australian licence, or have held one in the previous five years, for the same class of vehicle. If an overseas driver licence is currently held, or has been held in the previous five years, an exemption from the driving test is allowed for the same class of vehicle. If the licence is a class C (car) licence and is from a Recognised Country, no knowledge or driving test is required.
An applicant seeking a licence of a class higher than the one previously held must meet age and tenure requirements and pass the appropriate eyesight, knowledge and driving tests.
If an applicant applying for reissue of an expired licence fails the first driving or riding test and still wishes to get a licence, it is necessary to apply for a learner licence. A learner rider is required to complete the pre-learner course in the Motorcycle Rider Training Scheme if he or she lives in an area covered by the scheme.
Renewal requirements
Depending on whether the previous licence is current or has expired, there are different licensing requirements before renewal.
However, 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 Roads and Maritime Services 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, silver or magenta licence).
- Pass an eyesight test.
- Be photographed.
- Pay the cost of a licence (unless eligible for a concession).
- Surrender of old licence.
Surrender of old licence
A licensee must surrender the old licence when renewing. Roads and Maritime Services 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 can be used for proof of identity purposes by Roads and Maritime Services.