How to Get an International Driver's License in Australia

An international driver's licence allows you to drive throughout Australia. In theory, it would be possible for people from all over the world to have an international driver's licence. However, these licences are available in limited numbers and limited locations.

A visitor to Australia planning on renting a car can avoid expensive one-week car rental fees by simply renting the vehicle using their international driver's licence. The only problem is that a driver's licence from anywhere but in Australia will not be accepted during the rental period.

So, you must convert your international driver's licence into an Australian one. This can be done by applying for an International Driving Permit in Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are the only Australian cities that allow you to apply for an International Driving Permit. If you are outside these cities, you must return to Sydney or Melbourne to get an IDP.

Components Of An International Driver's Licence

Australian authorities expect International Driving Permits (IDPs) to have all the following for acceptance.

International driving permit number

An International Driving Permit is a kind of identification document that cannot be duplicated. Hence, if you have more than one International Driving Permit, the number will always differ from one to another.

The number of your IDP is written on its reverse side in large letters. It means that if your international driver's licence is lost or stolen, the police will be able to identify it immediately.

Photo of the holder

Australian authorities are prohibited from sharing any photo of you with other countries by their international agreement with those countries regarding reciprocal access to information exchange between their law-enforcement agencies. So they cannot include the photo in your IDP.

Translation of the text

For your IDP to be accepted in Australia, the information regarding your international driver's licence should be translated into English. The translation process is self-explanatory, but a Chinese student from Australia needing an IDP, for example, could have difficulties with this step.

Signature and stamp

Like any official document that you submit to the government, your International Driving Permit needs to be signed by an official of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and stamped by the office in which you apply for this document, i.e., at least one stamp must appear on the reverse side of your IDP.

Expiry date

Your International Driving Permit should have an expiry date. Otherwise, it will be considered invalid and rejected in Australia. Then, the holder must apply for an IDP at least 30 days before departing to Sydney or Melbourne.

Where To Obtain An International Driver's Permit

The Australian Automobile Association

The Australian Automobile Association is a national roadside assistance service for all Australian drivers, especially from non-Australian countries. The only requirement to become an affiliate of A.A.A. is to be a member of the A.A.A. in your own country. Once certified as an affiliate of the A.A.A., you can apply online for an international licence via their website.

The RACV

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria also assists drivers from non-Australian countries, but their website does not provide online assistance in determining whether you need an IDP. If you are still deciding whether you need an IDP, the RACV website will provide you with a list of motor vehicle departments in your country, contact numbers, and additional requirements.

The National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA)

The NRMA also provides roadside assistance for non-Australian drivers. Still, their website does not offer online assistance in determining whether it is necessary to apply for an IDP. Like the RACV, the NRMA website will provide a list of motor vehicle departments in your country, contact numbers, and any additional requirements.

The Overseas Drivers Licence Service (O.D.L.S.)

The Overseas Drivers Licence Service is a government service that provides drivers from non-Australian countries with an International Driving Permit. The only information on their website is the application process and how to contact them if you need additional help.

Independent Passenger Transport Agents

An independent passenger transport agent is an organisation that offers the service of getting an international driver's licence. The application process and requirements will vary from one agent to another, so it is recommended that you thoroughly check the details of each organisation before making a decision.

Applying For An International Driver's Licence In AUS

The application process for an international driver's permit in Australia will vary from one organisation to another, so it is recommended that you check with each organisation for the specific details of their application process. However, the general steps include the following:

Visit an IDP service centre

You can only apply for an IDP in Australia in Sydney and Melbourne. You cannot apply for an IDP anywhere else in Australia. If you are not in Sydney or Melbourne, you must return to one of these cities to apply for a permit.

Fill out the application form

The A.A.A. and the RACV IDP service centres require you to fill out a four-page application form, which will ask you for your name, date of birth, country of origin, address in Australia, passport details, and other information. They will also ask for your car's make, model, and registration number.

Attach your photos and submit your application fee

The service centre will take three photos of you, attach them to the international driver's licence along with your payment, and send it all off to Canberra for processing. Once it is processed, they will send an IDP back to one of the service centres where you can pick it up. The IDP has a three-year validity period.

Receive a membership card

When you submit your application, the service centre will give you a membership card valid for three years. This membership card will allow you to drive outside of Australia as long as it is accompanied by your international driver's licence and a translation of the IDP. The IDP will enable you to travel to countries outside Australia, including New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and Norway.

Verify your I.D.L.

Once you receive your IDP, it should be accompanied by a confirmation letter. If this letter is not received, you can contact the bureau directly to confirm that your licence has been issued. Before driving anywhere in Australia, you should also check your international driver's licence for errors or misprints.

Ways To Use Your International Driving Licence

To buy car insurance

You can use your International Driving License as proof that you can drive legally in Australia. If you are in an accident and need to buy car insurance, you can choose an insurance policy that will not charge you the international rate.

To get through border crossings

The Australian government requires all individuals entering Australia to have a current International Driving License. The I.D.L. can be either attached to your windshield or on your person as long as it has not expired. You will be required to show the I.D.L. when you enter Australia and when you leave Australia if you are driving a rental car.

Roadside assist

If your vehicle breaks down and you find yourself a tow truck, the tow truck driver will need to see that you have a current International Driver's License. He won't be able to give you a ride anywhere until he sees it. Don't ever think about just using your regular licence for this purpose. International driving permits can save you if you get into an accident or breakdown.

For renting a car

If you're thinking about renting a vehicle in Australia, you must present your International Driving License at each rental company when requesting a car rental. Your I.D.L. will ensure you do not have to pay the international rate.

For travel insurance

If you want to purchase travel insurance for a trip to Australia, your international driving licence will prove that you can drive in the country. Therefore, you don't have to worry about not being covered because your regular driver's licence will not be enough.

For car loans

If you go to a car dealership and ask to apply for a car loan, the bank will want to see your International Driving License before they give you the loan. If you don't have an I.D.L., they may require that you pay more money down because they will think there is a higher risk of you getting in an accident without an I.D.L.

For work visas

Many work visas require you to prove that you have a valid driver's licence in the country where you are currently living before applying for a work visa. If your resident country uses an I.D.L., it is sufficient proof of your licensing credentials (at least to the Australian government). It can be used as part of your visa application.

Get Yourself An International Driver's Licence

To drive in Australia, you must get your International Driver's Licence. While it can be a complicated process to apply for an I.D.L, the short version is that you need to make sure that you have a valid driver's licence from your country of origin, get it translated into English, and have it notarised and apostilled.

Then you can drive legally in Australia and any other country that permits IDPs. Getting a car in Australia requires having a valid licence to go with it. So once you've sorted out your licensing, you can check out dealerships to buy that car you've had your eye on.