If you’re a visiting car licence holder, you can drive those vehicles covered by a NSW class C driver licence: up to 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass, and seating up to 12 adults including the driver.
Once you’ve been issued with a NSW licence, including a learner licence, it becomes the authority under which you can drive or ride on NSW roads. Your overseas licence is not recognised and has no authority while you hold a NSW licence.
When driving or riding in NSW, you must comply with all the road rules and laws in NSW. If the NSW Police ask you to produce your licence in relation to a driving matter, you must provide your NSW licence.
The NSW Police may also ask you to prove your overseas visitor status.
Renewing a temporary overseas visitor licence
Roads and Maritime Services will send you a renewal notice around six weeks before your licence expiry date.
If your NSW licence expires, you must renew it. If you still meet the requirements of a visiting driver, you cannot resume driving under the authority of your overseas licence, unless you hand in (surrender) your NSW licence. This is provided your NSW licence is not suspended or cancelled and you have not failed a driving/riding test.
If you hold a learner licence with a Q condition and you need to renew your licence, a new licence will be issued for five years.
To renew your temporary overseas visitor licence, you need to attend a registry or service centre in person, pay the required fee and have your photo taken. You can use a photo-kit for one licence renewal if you are temporarily out of NSW.
Replacing a temporary overseas visitor licence
If your licence is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement online, in person at any registry or service centre, or by using a photo-kit if you are temporarily out of NSW. You can only order one replacement licence online in a 12 month period.
For more information, see Moving to NSW website >>