• Staying more than 6 months? You must convert your overseas licence to a Victorian one.
• Staying less than 6 months? You can drive on your overseas licence, as long as it’s valid and either in English or carried with an accredited translation or International Driving Permit.
• You cannot drive in Victoria on an overseas licence if you’ve been disqualified or suspended anywhere, have already failed a Victorian driving test, or already hold an Australian licence from another state.

VicRoads treats licences differently depending on where they were issued:

Recognised countries (e.g. UK, Canada, most EU/similar-standard countries)

Most drivers can convert directly with no practical or written test — though a knowledge test may be required if your licence has been expired more than five years.

Non-recognised or assessed countries

You may need to complete a Road Law (Knowledge) Test, a Hazard Perception Test, and in some cases a full practical driving test before you’re issued a Victorian licence.

• Your original overseas driver’s licence
• An English translation (NAATI-accredited or via your country’s consulate) or a compliant International Driving Permit, if your licence isn’t already in English
• Proof of identity (passport plus supporting ID documents)
• Proof of your Victorian address — a bank statement, utility bill, or lease agreement, generally dated within the last three months
• Any relevant medical reports, if you have a condition or take medication that could affect your driving

1. Use VicRoads’ online requirements checker to confirm exactly what applies to your licence and country.
2. Get an accredited English translation organised early if your licence isn’t in English — this can take longer than people expect.
3. Book your VicRoads appointment, and bring every document above plus payment for the licence fee.
4. At the appointment, VicRoads verifies your documents, checks your licence against their recognised-country database, and completes an eyesight test and photo.
5. You’ll be told on the spot whether you can convert directly, need to sit a knowledge/hazard perception test, or need a full practical test.
6. Once approved, you surrender your overseas licence — Victoria doesn’t allow holding both at once — and your new licence typically arrives by mail within about 10 business days, with an interim receipt valid in the meantime.

Even confident, experienced drivers from overseas often struggle with the practical test — not because they can’t drive, but because Victorian roads and rules are genuinely different from what they’re used to:

• Roundabout give-way rules that differ from many countries’ systems
• Driving on the left, if you’ve only driven on the right
• Tram tracks and tram-stop road rules, unique to Melbourne
• Victoria-specific road signs, speed zones, and school-zone timing
• The specific expectations VicRoads testers look for — observation habits, mirror checks, and hazard responses that differ from other countries’ test standards

This is exactly why a short block of local lessons — even for an experienced driver — makes the difference between a stressful surprise and a confident pass.

• Assessment lesson — a single lesson to identify exactly which local rules and habits need adjusting before you book any test
• Mock Driving Test package — a realistic VicRoads-style test with detailed feedback, so nothing on test day is a surprise
• Intensive Driving Package — a fast, focused block of lessons for drivers who are already skilled but need to adapt quickly
• Test-day package with car included — practice on the real test route, then sit your test in the same car

We provide driving lessons across Melbourne, including:

Blackburn, Box Hill, Burwood, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Forest Hill, Mitcham, Mount Waverley, Nunawading, Ringwood, Glen Waverley, Vermont, Vermont South, Wantirna and surrounding suburbs.

Looking for driving lessons near you in Melbourne? We’ve got you covered.

📞 Call or text: 0481 582 320 📍 Serving Blackburn, Box Hill, Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Mitcham, Nunawading, Ringwood, and all eastern Melbourne suburbs.