Western Australia - Convert or Exchange Foreign Driver License

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Procedure

1. Check if your current overseas driver's licence is from a recognised country and if you meet the age and experience requirement for the classes of licence you are applying for.
2. Gather documents you will need to present or submit for the procedure.
3. Submit an application: You must submit your application in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent. Make sure that you bring the following documentation with you:
   1. Current overseas driver's licence.
   2. Proof of identity.
   3. Proof of your WA residential address.
   4. One document that shows your signature.
4. Pay the application fee.
5. Eyesight Test: All applicants will be required to take an eyesight test which will be conducted at the Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional agent when you apply for your licence. If you use any visual aids to pass the eyesight test, your licence will be endorsed to show that you must wear those aids when driving.
6. Medical test (if necessary): When applying for your licence you must declare on your application whether you have any medical conditions and/or take any medication that may affect your ability to drive. The licensing authority will let you know if you need to undertake a medical examination.
7. Other Tests: Applicants may also need to take a theory and practical test in order to obtain a driver's licence. The test you will be required to take will depend on where your foreign licence was issued. See link to know more: Theory and practical test by country
   Note: If your driver's licence has expired by more than 5 years, you must complete any theory tests and practical driving assessments that are applicable as well as comply with the above requirements.
8. Upon passing the necessary theory tests you will be issued with a learner's permit (L plates) until you pass a practical driving assessment.
9. Pass the practical driving assessment (if required).

Note: To those who have not held their overseas driver's licence for more than 2 years, or are under the age of 19 years of age, you are considered a Novice Driver. You will be issued with a provisional licence (P plates). Your new driver's licence will show when the provisional driving period ends.

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Required Documents

Proof of identity:

The name on the document must provide a clear link to the name on your overseas drivers licence; if the name on your overseas drivers licence does not match the name on your identification documents a Western Australian licence cannot be granted.

In case you have changed your name you will need to provide documentation relating to your name change, example: divorce papers, marriage certificate, change of name certificate, deed poll papers or licence to change name documentation.

To know more: Link

• For holders of Non-English drivers licences: If your licence is not in English, you will need to submit an official translation of your original driver's licence document, along with your overseas driver's licence. You must make sure that:
  • A certified copy of your overseas driver's licence is attached to the translation.
  • The translation is certified as being a true and correct translation of your original driver's licence document.
  • The translation was issued by the following:
    • Accredited translators (check National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters NAATI - Link).
    • Official consulates (check list of Consulates in Australia - Link).
    • Department of Immigration and Border Protection (in special circumstances only).

Photographs: Applicants will need to have their photograph taken for their driver's licence. The photo will be taken at a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre or regional agent or PhotoPoint location. The applicant's signature will also need to be captured.

Additional information:

• Holders of drivers licences from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Pakistan and Republic of Ireland will need to have their licences verified by their home countries.
• For driving licence issued by the Republic of Ireland, holders do not need to obtain a verification letter from the Consulate. The Department of Transport will contact the Road Safety Authority in Ireland on your behalf to verify your licence details.
• Drivers licences from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq and Pakistan: If you hold a driver's licence issued in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, or Pakistan you are required to obtain a Letter of Verification from your high commission, embassy or consulate regarding the authenticity of the driver's licence.
  The verification process will take about 4 weeks to complete. Please ensure that this letter of verification has been sent to the Department of Transport before applying for your licence.
  Note: If you have been granted Australian Citizenship - the consulates of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Iraq may not verify the drivers licence issued in that country.

Office Locations & Contacts

Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional agent

Eligibility

• Age and experience requirements for the different vehicle classes: Link
• If you hold a driver's licence from a recognised country, and the driver's licence expired less than 12 months, when you apply for a WA licence:
  • You are exempt from taking the computerised theory test on the road rules.
  • You may be exempt from the requirement to undertake a practical driving assessment.
  • To know more about eligibility: Link

Class conversion allowed (by country):

• New Zealand: All vehicle classes except MC (Multi-Combination) class vehicle
• Non-recognised country: None. Licence holders must pass a practical driving assessment for the classes of vehicle you wish to drive
• Recognised country / experienced driver: Only vehicle classes C and R (if held). Licence holders must pass a practical driving assessment for any other class of vehicle you wish to drive

Fees

Driver licence fees and payments

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Please remove the "&" inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver, 
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required Information

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e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

If you are living in Western Australia and holds a permanent resident visa, you can drive with your current overseas licence for up to 3 months. If you plan to stay in Western Australia for a period longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a WA driver's licence.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

• Department of Transport:

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/transferring-your-overseas-licence.asp

Others

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