Arriving on Wednesday - Getting NSWdriving license

Arriving on Wednesday - Getting NSWdriving license

Author
Discussion

TVP993

Original Poster:

419 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Hi All,

Just 2 days before we arrive to our new life in Sydney. Can anyone tell me how I get a NSW driving license?

Keen to get one since we're going to be living in Oz for good but will I need to take a driving test or can I just obtain one due to having a british license?

Many thanks for your help.


Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/inter...

Try and avoid them punching a hole in your UK one. I don't know how this works but I know they did this to an Indian friend's licence, rendering it invalid. They didn't with mine. I'm not sure if I was just lucky or it depends where the licence is from but I believe it's illegal to have 2 valid licences.

Edited to answer; no you won't have to take a test as long as you get it done within 3 months. While at the RTA they'll give you an eye test, take your photo and issue your card on the spot. As long as you're not blind.

Edited by Google [bot] on Monday 29th November 02:35

7805

139 posts

212 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
They didnt put a hole in mine either, just did the eye test and smiled (well looked as I was told not to smile) for the camera...Agree, I think it's a little random if they punch the hole in it or not...

Bob the Planner

4,695 posts

274 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Tried to get mine and was turned away as I had not been in NSW for 6 months. Go out the country and the time starts again. Hopeully will go for a replacement in January.

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Good point Bob, I guess that depends on your residency/visa status?

TVP993

Original Poster:

419 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Thanks Google.

Will they transfer my existing points from my UK license?

I hope not as I have 9 points!

I need to go to the RTA anyway to get my customer number so will get my license at the same time.



Google [bot] said:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/inter...

Try and avoid them punching a hole in your UK one. I don't know how this works but I know they did this to an Indian friend's licence, rendering it invalid. They didn't with mine. I'm not sure if I was just lucky or it depends where the licence is from but I believe it's illegal to have 2 valid licences.

Edited to answer; no you won't have to take a test as long as you get it done within 3 months. While at the RTA they'll give you an eye test, take your photo and issue your card on the spot. As long as you're not blind.

Edited by Google [bot] on Monday 29th November 02:35

TVP993

Original Poster:

419 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Why was that Bob?




Bob the Planner said:
Tried to get mine and was turned away as I had not been in NSW for 6 months. Go out the country and the time starts again. Hopeully will go for a replacement in January.

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Monday 29th November 2010
quotequote all
Nah, you'll be starting afresh I'm sure. They can't penalize a NSW licence for indiscretions on the other side of the planet.

Check out Bob's comment though, it will depend on what circumstance you come over on as to whether you can get one.

And hey, catch you on Saturday, have a good flight thumbup

TVP993

Original Poster:

419 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
I'm on a permanent spouse visa so should be ok for a NSW license.

See you on the 18th.

Google [bot] said:
Nah, you'll be starting afresh I'm sure. They can't penalize a NSW licence for indiscretions on the other side of the planet.

Check out Bob's comment though, it will depend on what circumstance you come over on as to whether you can get one.

And hey, catch you on Saturday, have a good flight thumbup

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
TVP993 said:
See you on the 18th.
Yea, sorry, going mad...

randomwalk

534 posts

169 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
might be beneficial to see how long you can drive in oz with your uk licence, then you are immune from losing de merit points. I can drive on my aussie licence in uk for 12mths.

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
3 months and that's a very good idea whilst you get used to how draconian it all is.

Beware the 'Safety Camera'.

randomwalk

534 posts

169 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
I am glad to be away from the hands of the RTA. How strange in a land with pop density of 7/sq mile you can lose your licence in one day for just 2 offences ie like on a double demerit weekend. We have the absurd situtaton of cars on freeways having to creep past slower cars lest they get caught doing 5kph over the limit. In UK pop density is 600/sq mile.

TVP993

Original Poster:

419 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
I know what you all mean. We were there last year for a month and I managed to get a ticket upon my return to the UK.

Luckily only had to pay a fine that time.

Thanks for all the advice.

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
We didn't have safety cameras last year...

Google [bot]

6,686 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
Or mobile speed cameras

Wanchaiwarrior

364 posts

219 months

Tuesday 30th November 2010
quotequote all
randomwalk said:
might be beneficial to see how long you can drive in oz with your uk licence, then you are immune from losing de merit points. I can drive on my aussie licence in uk for 12mths.
Dont know about NSW, but in Queensland if driving on a say UK license, say you get done twice for 9 points, you dont get the points until you transfer to a Qld license, they are quietly expiring in the background, then they come into effect until they are due to run out, 3 years after offence.
You can quess how I found this out.
Here (Qld), you can drive on a UK license for the length of your temporary residence (eg 457), then for upto 3 months after getting PR