[steswallow]

Hi all,
I am led to beleive that as I have a permanant residency visa, when I land in Aus I only have 3 months to drive wether I have a uk licensee or an international licensee, is this true? Also, I was told that if I have a motorbike licensee in the UK, which I have, I can drive a bike in Aus without taking my test, is this true?
I'm moving out to Aus, Melbourne, in a few months from the UK and would really appreciate your help and advice on these matters.
Thanks in advance
Steve

lane:

 

[steswallow]

Hi all,
I have just heard back from the licensee comittee of Victoria roads, they confirm that all I need to do is an eye test. No driving test necessery, brilliant.

 

[tctassey]

Hi all,
I have just heard back from the licensee comittee of Victoria roads, they confirm that all I need to do is an eye test. No driving test necessery, brilliant.

I was wondering some of the same things. I will be moving to Perth from the USA in June. I have a commercial (truck) license along with a motorbike certification. What is the process for an Australian license with a 457 visa?

 

[saback]

Hi all,
I have just heard back from the licensee comittee of Victoria roads, they confirm that all I need to do is an eye test. No driving test necessery, brilliant.

What is your visa type?

 

[Jayceee]

Hi all,
I have just heard back from the licensee comittee of Victoria roads, they confirm that all I need to do is an eye test. No driving test necessery, brilliant.

You'll still need to answer the 32 road rules questions, you can get up to 7 wrong and still pass. Most of the questions are just common sense so you should have no problem. Just focus on bringing yourself up to date on rules that are unique, for example what you do and don't around Trams. In particular "hook turns", you'll be questioned on your understanding of them.

 

[steswallow]

Hi again,
I have a 176 visa if that makes any difference. As long as it's a permanent resident visa, you'll be ok

 

[Guest]

Jaycee I don't think you need to do theory if you have a full UK licence, it can be swapped right over mine was, just paid the fee, checked my eyesight & walked out with a new licence.

 

[Maz25]

I swapped my UK license and only needed to do an eye test. For light vehicles (cars, motorbikes), it's as Shel has stated. I'm in WA - the license gets posted to you after a few days.

I do believe though that for heavy vehicles, everyone has to pass a full test. Only New Zealanders are allowed to do a straight swap in this case.

 

[Jayceee]

Jaycee I don't think you need to do theory if you have a full UK licence, it can be swapped right over mine was, just paid the fee, checked my eyesight & walked out with a new licence.

Shel are you in Victoria ?

It may have changed since I did it but Vicroads are absolutely obsessed with making sure you understand the rules around Trams as no other State has them, in particular "Hook turns" which are not performed anywhere else in Australia, or the World AFAIK.

 

[Jayceee]

I swapped my UK license and only needed to do an eye test. For light vehicles (cars, motorbikes), it's as Shel has stated. I'm in WA - the license gets posted to you after a few days.

I do believe though that for heavy vehicles, everyone has to pass a full test. Only New Zealanders are allowed to do a straight swap in this case.

Maz25 I knew that was case in WA, we're talking about Victoria here.

 

[Guest]

What the heck is a hook turn?

It must have changed since you did it Overseas drivers - licences : VicRoads

Exemptions from licence tests
If you hold a driver licence from a recognised country you are not required to undertake any tests provided your overseas licence is current or not expired by more than five years. However, you still need to make an appointment to changeover your licence if you are from a recognised country.

Apart from HGV licences that is but thats not surprising!

 

[Jayceee]

What the heck is a hook turn?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoUPGLn38-A&sns=em