Transfer your overseas driver licence

You can transfer to an NT driver licence without passing a theory and driving test if your licence is from:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Canada
• Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey)
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Italy
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America.

If you’re 25 years old or older and have held your licence for more than 2 years, the following countries also apply:

• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Republic of Cyprus
• Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Republic of Serbia
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Taiwan.

If your country is listed above, you only need to complete step 2.

If it's not listed, you must complete step 2, 3 and 4.

Go to an MVR office with your:

• completed L1 application for an NT driver/rider licence PDF (202.4 KB)
• current overseas driver licence in English or if it's not in English, you must also provide one of the following:
  • international driving permit
  • official translation of the overseas licence into English by an authorised translator
  • original letter from the licensing authority in the country of origin - if not in English, you must also provide this with an official translation by an authorised translator.
• evidence of identity and residency.

You must also:

• pass an eye test
• have your photo taken
• pay the licence fee (if your country is listed under step 1) - read 'After you apply' below.

If your country is listed under step 1, you can skip this step.

If it's not listed, you must take the theory test at an MVR office.

Once you pass, you must pay the licence fee and you will get an interim licence valid for one year.

Interim licence

Your interim licence will have conditions applied to it. The licence conditions will appear as codes at the back of  your driver licence card.

Depending on the class of interim licence, you must follow the below conditions applied to it.

Class C

If you have a class C interim licence, you:

• can only drive with a full NT licence holder in the front passenger seat - XH
• can't exceed 80km/h - XI
• can only drive with zero blood alcohol concentration - XJ.

Class R

If you have a class R interim licence, you:

• can only ride with zero blood alcohol concentration - XK
• can't exceed 80 km/h - XM
• can't carry pillion passengers - XN
• can only ride a learner approved motorcycle - XS.

To get the list of learner approved motorcycles, go to the New South Wales Government's website.

Find out more about driver licence classes and conditions.

If your country is listed under step 1, you can skip this step.

If you're issued an interim licence, you must pass the relevant practical:

• driving test (driver licence)
• riding test (motorcycle licence) through the pre-provisional rider training course.

After you pass

You must submit your test sheet to an MVR office. The MVR will then upgrade your interim licence.

When you upgrade your interim licence, you will receive a provisional licence if:

• MVR can't determine how long you've held your overseas licence
• you failed two or more practical tests.

Your provisional  period will be :

• 2 years if you're under 25 years of age
• 1 year if you're 25 years or older.

If the MVR can’t determine how long you've held your overseas motorcycle licence for, you may receive a restricted rider licence for 12 months.

If your interim licence expires

You will only be eligible to apply for a learner licence.