Australia is planning to make changes to the way migrants and permanent residents exchange overseas driver’s licenses for Australian ones starting in 2025. These changes will directly impact the holders of licenses from countries with “Experienced Driver Recognition” (EDR) status. These countries can skip the testing as certain drivers do not need additional testing. Austroads and the other Australian transport authorities want to use these changes to strengthen national driving standards and to improve road safety.
End of Experience Driver Recognition Status
Most Australian states and territories will no longer recognize the EDR status as of April 30, 2025. This means drivers from certain countries will no longer be able to skip parts of the licensing procedures. Other territories, including Western Australia and Queensland, will close their borders to these countries and their less stringent rules on October 31, 2025, and at the end of 2025, respectively. Under the EDR, drivers who were over 25 years of age could obtain the Australian license without completing any additional tests. These drivers will be required to complete the necessary tests to change their license once the EDR is no longer in effect.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| EDR Status End Date | April 30, 2025 (most states) |
| Transition Deadlines WA, QLD | WA: Oct 31, 2025; QLD: after April |
| Countries Affected | 16 countries under EDR |
| Visitor Licenses | Not affected, valid overseas licenses allowed |
| Required Tests After EDR Ends | Knowledge test and practical test |
Impact on Countries and Conversion Requirements
The EDR now includes Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, South Korea, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, and Taiwan. Nationals from these countries will now face more stringent licensing requirements, needing to undertake additional training and evaluation unless their country successfully applies for the Austroads Recognised Country status by the set deadlines. People who do not migrate and fail to convert before the EDR ends will have to comply with full testing procedures.
Extensions and Temporary Visitors
Such of gaining the Austroads Recognised Country status will take several more years, and by that time, the individual’s circumstances will have changed. People are not children, things from their country, such as the education system, change and improve as time goes by. Current legal Austrailian citizens who were born in countries with the EDR are still required to complete these additional steps.
Application for and Submission of Documents
Migrants wishing to convert their driver’s license will be required to submit identification documents to show proof of their identity and the documents must have their name aligned and all documents translated into English, if the license is not already in English. The period within which applicants are allowed to convert their licenses is very strict. Late applicants will face the consequences of taking the fundamental theory and driving tests. The authority on licenses sets a standard minimum period within which applications are to be submitted in order to qualify for an application review, and will aim to avoid offering additional courses and evaluations.
Suggestions for Residents and Migrants
Migrants coming from the countries under risk are willingly advised to approach the local authorities in their state or territory to begin the process as soon as they can. Assembling the required documents and arriving for the tests in a timely manner will alleviate some of the transitional constrictions. Furthermore, countries under the EDR system are recommended by Austroads to seek Recognized Country application status in order to reduce associated licensing processes in the future.
FAQs
Q1: Who is required to complete the new driving tests?
Migrants from the countries in the Experienced Driver Recognition System who do not convert their license in time to meet the deadlines will have to complete a driving theory test and a driving test.
Q2: Do the changes impact visitors to Australia?
Visitors who hold valid overseas driver’s licenses are still able to drive in accordance with the current rules without needing to convert their license.
Q3: What should migrants do to avoid extra testing?
Getting an Australian license with no additional training and assessments should be pursued as early as possible before the EDR status ends. This is the optimum time to submit an application.
