Convert an Overseas Licence in Queensland

Recognised vs non-recognised countries

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) publishes its own list of recognised countries and jurisdictions for licence transfers: Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, the Isle of Man (licences issued on or after 1 April 1991), Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta (licences issued on or after 2 January 2004), the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (external territories of these countries and jurisdictions are excluded). New Zealand has its own separate arrangement rather than sitting on this list. If you hold, or have held within the last 5 years, a car or motorcycle licence (other than a learner licence) from one of these countries, you can transfer to an equivalent Queensland car or motorcycle licence without a road rules test or a practical driving test. Heavy vehicle classes (LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) need both tests regardless of country.

If your licence is from a country or jurisdiction that isn't on this list — which includes India and the Philippines — you must pass both the road rules test (a written test, or the online PrepL course) and the practical driving test to obtain a full Queensland licence. TMR's list is reviewed and can change, so check the current version on the qld.gov.au transfer page before applying.

The 3-month rule

You must apply for a Queensland licence once you've been living in Queensland for 3 months, if you are: an Australian citizen; someone who held a resident visa before moving to Queensland, once you've lived in Queensland for 3 months; or someone who was granted a resident visa after moving to Queensland, once it's been 3 months since you got the visa. A resident visa here means a permanent visa or special category visa under the Migration Act 1958 — it doesn't include temporary, business or guardian visas. Once you're issued a Queensland licence, your authority to drive on your overseas licence is withdrawn.

If you are still a temporary visa holder (student, skilled worker, visitor), you can continue driving on your valid overseas licence for the duration of your stay, and you do not have to convert while you hold a temporary visa. Confirm with Transport and Main Roads if you're uncertain about your visa status and what it means for your driving rights.

Documents you'll need

To convert your overseas licence to a Queensland licence, Transport and Main Roads requires:

• Your original overseas driver's licence (not a photocopy or certified copy — originals only)
• Original proof of identity documents, including proof that you live in Queensland
• Your official English translation if your licence is not in English — this must be a NAATI-certified translation (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters)
• A declaration that you are medically fit to drive the class of vehicle you're applying for; TMR may ask for a medical certificate if you have a condition that affects your ability to drive safely, and drivers aged 75 or over need one regardless

TMR may keep a copy of your identity documents to verify them with the issuing agency, and may ask for more information if it can't confirm your licence details or vehicle class.

Non-English licences and international driving permits

If your overseas licence is not in English, you have two options: carry an official NAATI-certified English translation with your original licence, or carry an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is a standardised multi-language translation that supplements your original licence and is recognised by Queensland authorities. Both documents are valid while you drive on your overseas licence before you convert.

When you submit your application to Transport and Main Roads, only NAATI-certified translations are accepted — other translations are not valid.

Road rules and practical tests for non-recognised countries

If you hold a licence from a country or jurisdiction that isn't on TMR's recognised list (which includes India and the Philippines), you must pass:

1. Road rules test — either a written test at a TMR service centre, or the online PrepL course
2. Practical driving test — an on-road assessment of your driving skills

These are the same tests taken by new drivers in Queensland, and you can sit them on your overseas licence without first getting a Queensland learner licence. If you fail the practical test, your authority to drive on your overseas licence is withdrawn, and you'll need a Queensland learner licence to keep practising before your next attempt. Tests are booked through Transport and Main Roads and fees apply — check the TMR website for current fees and available test dates.

How to apply

You can apply to convert your overseas licence through Transport and Main Roads (TMR) at a transport and motoring customer service centre, a participating Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office, or a licence-issuing police station in rural or remote areas. At a customer service centre you don't need to complete a paper application form; at a QGAP office or police station you'll complete a driver licence application (form F3000). Processing time depends on whether you need to sit tests — check the TMR website for current timeframes.

Provide clear, complete original documents with your application to avoid delays.

Moving interstate

If you move from Queensland to another Australian state, your Queensland licence will no longer be valid in that state. You will need to transfer to the new state's licence system. Similarly, if you are moving to Queensland from another country, Queensland rules apply from the date of your residency in the state.

Do I need to sit a test if I have a UK driving licence?

No. The United Kingdom is on TMR's recognised-country list, so UK car and motorcycle licence holders are exempt from the road rules and practical driving tests. You can transfer to an equivalent Queensland licence by providing your original licence and proof of identity and residency, and declaring you're medically fit to drive. Confirm the current arrangement with Transport and Main Roads.

I'm from India. Will I need to sit both tests to convert my licence?

Yes. India isn't on TMR's recognised-country list, so Indian licence holders must pass both the road rules test and the practical driving test to obtain a full Queensland licence. You can continue driving on your valid Indian licence (with an official English translation or IDP) until you're required to hold a Queensland licence.

What is the deadline for permanent residents to convert their licence in Queensland?

You must apply for a Queensland licence once you've been living in Queensland for 3 months — whether you're a citizen, held a resident visa before moving, or were granted one after moving (3 months from the visa date in that case). After that, your overseas licence is no longer valid to drive on in Queensland.

What is a NAATI translation?

A NAATI-certified translation is an official English translation of your overseas licence produced by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Transport and Main Roads only accepts NAATI translations — other types of translation are not valid.

Can I drive on my overseas licence while waiting for my conversion to be processed?

Yes, as long as your licence is valid and you carry a NAATI translation or International Driving Permit if it is not in English. Once you're issued a Queensland licence, though, your authority to drive on the overseas one is withdrawn.

How long does the conversion process take?

Processing time depends on whether you need to sit the road rules and practical driving tests, and on current demand. Check the TMR website for current estimated timeframes.