Aussie licences

**Forest** · 28th October 2010, 18:44

Originally Posted by Spazman727

Na, I have to convert my NZ licence to a Victoria licence (which requires no test) if I'm gonna be there more than 3 months. This means that I will have a full Australian car licence. You can drive there for 3 months with an NZ licence but after that you have to apply for an Australian licence. From what I can see you can get a full Au licence by filling out some forms and showing your NZ licence. And then once you have a full AU car licence, you can get a full bike licence. Unless I'm mistaken. I have emailed the motorcylce section of the Vic Road dept (which I assume is the same as out LTNZ or whatever it is they call themselves this month)

I haven't lived in Australia for the last 18 months. So this might no longer be true.

But one thing to watch out for is that when you convert your NZ license into an Australian license in Victoria, you have to surrender your NZ license to VIC roads.

The reason for this is that they don't want you to continue driving on your old NZ license should your new Australian license ever be canceled.

I'm sure there's a tonne of information about license transfers on the web if you're interested. As others have pointed out, each state has a different licensing system so make sure that you look at the rules for the state you intend to settle in.

**Spazman727** · 28th October 2010, 18:47

Originally Posted by Forest

I haven't lived in Australia for the last 18 months. So this might no longer be true.

But one thing to watch out for is that when you convert your NZ license into an Australian license in Victoria, you have to surrender your NZ license to VIC roads.

The reason for this is that they don't want you to continue driving on your old NZ license should your new Australian license ever be canceled.

I'm sure there's a tonne of information about license transfers on the web if you're interested. As others have pointed out, each state has a different licensing system so make sure that you look at the rules for the state you intend to settle in.

That's annoying if I ever want to move back to NZ. I can see where they're coming from though/
Yeah there's quite a bit but of info online it's kinda hard to make head or tail of.

**bsasuper** · 28th October 2010, 20:47

If you dont have a FULL NZ licence, then you wont be able to just change your restricted licence over.

**Spazman727** · 28th October 2010, 21:08

Originally Posted by bsasuper

If you dont have a FULL NZ licence, then you wont be able to just change your restricted licence over.

I have a full NZ car licence, but the Vic Roads website implies that I can also get a full bike licence if I want to. It doesn't really make much sense.

**spajohn** · 29th October 2010, 10:46

Originally Posted by Spazman727

That's annoying if I ever want to move back to NZ. I can see where they're coming from though/
Yeah there's quite a bit but of info online it's kinda hard to make head or tail of.

Sounds like you're onto most of it. Check out this website for bikes: www.justbikes.com.au

I lived in NSW and did have to sit a theory test to change my drivers license over, however I had heard from mates in Melbourne they didn't. They do destroy your kiwi license (punch a hole in it and give it back). I had a major drama renewing my expired kiwi license while I lived in the UK so was reluctant to do this, so gave the Aussies my expired one and they didn't notice / or have a problem with it.

NSW is stricter and more expensive, so learning to ride involves 2 days training, and a third day going between Learners to Restricted. I met a foreigner there who turned up for the road test for the Restricted which was required to transfer his overseas license, not sure if you will need to do that in Vic.

As for stamp duty and rego, yep sucks. My bike used to cost close to $700 aussie for rego, and don't get me started on the insurance!

Forgot to add that in NSW you can go straight to your full from learners if you are over 30. A bit like the UK system, although theirs is much younger. May also pay to check on what Vic's stance is for that.

**spajohn** · 29th October 2010, 11:32

Hey mate,

Some more sites for you...from a mate in Melbourne:
bikesales.com.au, bikepoint.com.au, tradingpost.com.au

"and if he wants to transition to an aussie motorbike forum, he wants to join www.netrider.net.au" "

cheers,
J

**Spazman727** · 29th October 2010, 12:17

Ok, it seems that I may not be able to automatically get a full Victoria car licence because I haven't had my NZ full for 3 years. Which means I go onto a P licence for abut a year and a half. Then when I get a motorbike licence I have a learner licence for 3 months then got onto a P licence until my P licence for the car runs out and I get a full. And I thought New Zealand's licence rules were confusing.

**stjimyth** · 29th October 2010, 18:20

i was in queensland and found out that they are on our old rules for motorbike full licences ie if you have had your restristicted for more than a year or 18 months then you are automatically entitled to a full bike licence there then if you come back home you can transfer it to a kiwi full licence
but the aa need you to have the aussie one for 2 years(there is always a catch)

good luck with the aussie burocrats they are nastier than here

**Spazman727** · 29th October 2010, 18:53

Originally Posted by stjimyth

i was in queensland and found out that they are on our old rules for motorbike full licences ie if you have had your restristicted for more than a year or 18 months then you are automatically entitled to a full bike licence there then if you come back home you can transfer it to a kiwi full licence
but the aa need you to have the aussie one for 2 years(there is always a catch)

good luck with the aussie burocrats they are nastier than here

Yeah, it seems that way. These rules are so confusing. Cheers.