It is important to note that there are two core changes to the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017 that will
impact overseas drivers from 1 July 2023.
The first change is a 6-MONTH RESIDENCY
RULE whereby temporary visa holders
who intend to reside continuously within NSW for 6 months or longer will need
to convert to a NSW licence within 6 months if they
wish to continue to drive.
The second change is a WITHDRAWAL OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES,
a new arrangement that will start for all persons in NSW driving on an overseas
driver’s licence.
Through this change, Transport for NSW will permanently withdraw a
person’s visiting driver privileges if they:
- Accrue
13 demerit points, or
- Are
convicted of a serious driving offence (listed under section 224 of the
Road Transport Act 2013), or;
- Are
suspended or disqualified from driving a motor vehicle in any part of
Australia or another country; or
- Are
convicted of a drug or alcohol-related driving offence.
If these overseas licence holders wish to drive again in NSW, they will
be required to obtain a NSW driver licence once they
have completed their suspension or disqualification period (whatever is
applicable). They will not be permitted to drive again in NSW using their
overseas licence.
Why are these overseas licence
policy changes being introduced in NSW?
The policy changes will help to improve road safety
as overseas licence holders will learn about the NSW road transport system.
They will also complete theory and driving tests to ensure they have the skills
and knowledge to be safe on NSW roads.
By capturing their details in our statewide
database DRIVES, we will also be able to better regulate their driver
behaviour.
6-MONTH RESIDENCY RULE
What penalties will apply to
overseas licence holders who continue to drive on their overseas licence beyond
the six-month residency rule?
From 1 July 2023, penalties will apply to a
temporary visa holder who has resided in NSW for a continuous period of 6
months or more, and who continues to drive in NSW on their overseas licence.
They will be considered to be driving a vehicle
unlicenced.
It is proposed that a fine of $603 will apply for a first offence and a
fine of $924 will apply for a second or subsequent offence. A maximum penalty
of $2200 (20 penalty units) may be imposed by a court.
Can you provide a scenario of
what this 6-month residency rule means if I arrive from 1 July 2023?
In this scenario, Person A arrives in NSW on 1 July
2023. Person A resides continuously in NSW from 1 July 2023 and intends to stay
longer than 6 months. To continue driving in NSW, they are required to obtain a NSW driver licence by 1 January 2024.
If Person A does not convert their overseas licence to a NSW licence by 1 January 2024, they will not be licenced
to drive on NSW roads and penalties will apply.
Does the 6-month residency
requirement impact overseas licence holders who were residing in NSW on a
temporary visa prior to 1 July 2023?
Overseas licence holders on a temporary visa who
are residents of NSW prior to 1 July 2023 can continue to drive on their
overseas licence as long as it remains current. They would not be required to
meet the new requirements:
- if
they have not accrued 13 demerit points
- are
not convicted of a serious driving offence or
- have
not had their licence suspended or disqualified.
Do overseas licence holders who
have resided in NSW prior to 1 July 2023 need to convert to a
NSW driver licence?
Scenario: Person B arrives in NSW on 1 March 2023 prior to the introduction of the
6-month residency rule. Person B can continue to drive in NSW on their overseas
licence until such time as they obtain a permanent visa under the Migration Act or their overseas licence expires or is otherwise
suspended or disqualified.
Do overseas licence holders on a
temporary need to convert to a NSW licence if they
arrive from 1 July 2023, but intend to reside in NSW for less than six months?
No. The regulatory change is only relevant for
overseas licence holders on a temporary visa who intend to reside in NSW for
six months or longer.
WITHDRAWAL OF DRIVING PRIVILEGES.
How will I know if my visiting
driving privileges will be withdrawn?
A ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Visiting Driver
Privileges’ (Notice) is sent by post to the last known mailing address of a
driver whose privileges are to be withdrawn. The Notice advises of the
commencement date of the withdrawal and how long the withdrawal.
I accrued 13 demerit points
before 1 July 2023. Will my visiting driver privileges be revoked immediately
on 1 July 2023?
A withdrawal of NSW visiting driver privileges
issued by TfNSW is sent to a customer five weeks
before the withdrawal period commences. This is to allow customers time to make
any necessary arrangements for the non-driving period or to progress towards
obtaining a NSW driver licence.
ALL
information was taken from the NSW Government website and for more information,
please be sure to visit:
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*This article correctly reflects the Laws of NSW as at 19th September 2023.
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