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Queensland Transport
Home > Assistance and services > Visitors and new residents  > International drivers

Driving in Queensland with an international licence

This page will help you understand what you need to do to drive in Queensland with a foreign or an international licence. This information is for both new residents to Queensland and travellers passing through.

What is a foreign driver licence?

A foreign driver licence is a licence to drive a motor vehicle issued to you under the law of another country.

Note: A New Zealand driver licence is also a foreign driver licence.

When can I drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence?

You are only allowed to drive in Queensland on your interstate or foreign driver licence if you:

When am I not allowed to drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence?

You must not drive in Queensland on your interstate or foreign driver licence if:

When would my authority to drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence be suspended?

Your authority to drive in Queensland on your interstate or foreign driver licence will be suspended if you have:

When would my authority to drive in Queensland on my foreign driver licence be withdrawn?

Your authority to drive in Queensland on your foreign driver licence will be withdrawn if you:

I hold a foreign driver licence. How do I get a Queensland driver licence?

To get a Queensland driver licence for the same class as your foreign driver licence, you will need to:

Refer to the licensing and overseas licence holders areas for more information about obtaining a Queensland driver licence.

You may also be required to:

I have difficulty understanding or speaking English. What arrangements may be made to help me get a Queensland driver licence?

We can organise an interpreter to assist you during your road rules test if you have a genuine difficulty in understanding or speaking English.

But you will need to tell the licence issuing officer what a number of selected traffic signs mean without the interpreter's help.

How do I learn about the road rules?

To learn about the Queensland road rules and generally driving in Queensland, you may either:

What will happen if I drive in Queensland when I am not allowed to?

If you drive in Queensland when you are not allowed to, you will be charged with unlicensed driving and you may have to appear in court. For more information, see driving without a licence.



Last updated 14 February 2008