How can I drive in Australia? Is a domestic driver’s license acceptable?

Legality of driving in Australia

In principle, you can drive in Australia with an international driver's license. Since China is not a member of the FIA, we do not recognize international driving licenses, and we do not have international driving licenses. For most Chinese (mainland) people, they only hold a mainland Chinese driver's license. Let’s start with the Mainland China driver’s license. Mainland driver's license + NATTI English translation = it is legal to drive in Australia, but the policies of each state are a little different, especially the Northern Territory. Most of my friends have English documents translated through Taobao, and there are many fake ones. If you hold such a translation, there is no problem in theory, because in Australia, neither the road bureau nor the police can distinguish the authenticity, so if nothing happens, it will be fine. But if there is an accident or something, it will involve When checking the legality of your driver's license, your fake translation may have an impact.

Victoria (Melbourne)

You must have a translation from a NAATI translator (or Australian consulate) to drive legally, or hold a qualified international driver's license. Driving in Victoria with a Chinese notarized translation may not be accepted! It’s even worse to translate it yourself.

New South Wales (Sydney)

It is legal to drive with an English translation or an international driver's license. When driving in NSW you must carry your overseas driver license. Your license must be written in English or, if the license is not in English, you must either carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit. There is no mandatory requirement for a driver’s license translation agency. Chinese notarized documents may be used (it does not rule out that there are more detailed regulations that do not allow the use of notarized documents)

South Australia (Adelaide)

NAATI translation or consulate , translation from the Immigration Bureau. Driver's license translations will only be accepted if they are: an original document (photocopies, faxes and certified copies are not acceptable) from a consulate office in Australia, signed by a consulate officer, and on official consulate letterhead, or authorized by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).Translations are also acceptable if they have been provided either directly by or with the endorsement of the South Australian Government Interpreting and Translating Center or interstate equivalent or the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).< /p>

Queensland (Brisbane)

Approved translation required. Regarding "recognition", the official one is NAATI. If your license is in a language other than English, you should carry a recognized English translation of it when you are driving. You should show this translation to police when you have to show your driver license.

TAS Mania

Requires an official translation or international driving license.

If your license is not in English, you must also carry either an official translation of your license or a current International Driving Permit

Western Australia

An international driving license or a recognized translation is required pieces. Regarding "recognition", the official explanation is translation by a consulate or a NAATI level three or above translator. If your overseas license is not in English, you must carry an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation of your license (if you have either of these) with you when you drive.

Summary

To sum up, regarding translations, the safest approach is to hold translations from NAATI Level 3 or above translators. NAATI driver's license translation on Taobao, 40-100 yuan. Please go to the NAATI website to verify the authenticity of the translator's qualifications.

Note:

1. When renting a car and driving, you need to bring the original with the translator's stamp and the original price of the driver's license.

2. Permanent residence visa (PR) holders have additional time limit requirements for driving with an overseas driver's license, which is beyond the scope of this article. Chinese driver's license + English translation, you can drive in places except the Northern Territory. Next, let’s talk about the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory

I asked both at the police station and the MVR and got different conclusions. Police Department: Chinese (Mainland) driver's license cannot drive in the Northern Territory. MVR: A Chinese (Mainland) driver's license + English translation can legally drive in the Northern Territory, and it cannot exceed 3 months. Chinese Embassy in Australia: The Northern Territory allows short-term foreigners to drive in Australia with a valid foreign driver's license within 3 months. For more than 3 months, you must apply for a local driver's license or a local driver's license exemption certificate. If the driver's license is not in English (such as our domestic driver's license), you must also bring an English translation of the official driver's license. It is recommended that holders of Chinese driver's licenses have the translation notarized in China in advance. If you need to translate your driver's license after arriving in Australia, please contact a qualified translator for translation.

Conclusion: Chinese driver’s license + English translation = legal driving in the Northern Territory for 3 months MVR: Motor Vehicle Registry, the meaning of the Vehicle Management Office. The following is an English translation template: the price generally ranges from 40 to 100 RMB. Taobao has translations, so be careful to check the authenticity.

How to drive in the Northern Territory for more than 3 months

There are two methods: obtain a (Hong Kong) international driver's license and obtain a Northern Territory driver's license.

Hong Kong International Driving License

First, translate the Chinese driving license into a Hong Kong driving license, and then translate the Hong Kong driving license into an international driving license. Translating directly from a Chinese driver's license to an international driver's license is illegal and useless. You can go to Hong Kong to apply, or go through Taobao, and pay attention to distinguish the authenticity. Average cost: ranging from 900-1500 yuan.

Northern Territory Driver's License

First of all, you can use the Chinese (Mainland) driver's license, go to the local MVR, fill in the application form, and take a simple written test (questions on Ipad), you need to pay Written test fee of $20. Written test: 30 questions. You must answer at least 26 questions correctly to pass. There is only one chance. Mock written test address: https://transport.nt.gov.au/motor-vehicle-registry

After passing the test, you need to pay the fee for a Learner Driver License, which is about 23 Australian dollars. In principle, you can hit the road after getting your L driver's license. You can't drive more than 80KM/H. It's best to have an experienced driver with a Full license sitting in your car.

After passing the written test, you can pass the road test within one year and get a Full license. The road test is conducted by a third-party driving school instructor, and MVR recognizes the instructor's test results.

I wish you all a happy driving in Australia!