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There are three licence categories for overseas driver licences:

  • Licence from a recognised country
  • Licence from an experienced driver recognition country
    • Important update 
      • Note that from 1 May 2025, the experienced driver recognition category will cease. Licence holders from these countries will be required to pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules, a Hazard Perception Test, and a practical driving assessment to get a Tasmanian licence, regardless of their age.
      • Up to and including 30 April 2025, existing arrangements for transferring a licence from an experienced driver recognition country to a Tasmanian licence will continue unchanged.
      • Further information regarding these changes.
  • Licence from another country (non recognised)

Learn how to convert your overseas licence to a Tasmanian licence

1. How do I convert my overseas licence?

To convert your overseas licence you will need to:

  1. Go to Service Tasmania.
  2. Provide full evidence of identity (PDF 101.5 KB).
  3. Provide your overseas licence (and international driving permit or English translation if necessary).
  4. Complete a licence application form.

If your licence is not current, or your licence is not from a recognised country or experienced driver recognition country, you’ll also have to:

  1. Pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian road rules. through the Plates Plus course or at Service Tasmania. Obtain a learner licence if your licence is not current or you are advised by us that you require a learner licence
  2. Pass a Hazard Perception Test (for car class).
  3. Pass a practical driving assessment.

To prepare for the driver knowledge test you can:

You can choose to complete the knowledge test at home as part of the Plates Plus course or sit the test in Service Tasmania.

The Plates Plus course

  • this is available on computer, mobile or tablet
  • the course must be fully completed before you can sit the test online
  • we encourage you to complete the course with someone who can translate or interpret for you
  • you are more likely to pass the knowledge test if you complete the Plates Plus course and sit the test online
  • see the frequently asked questions for more information.

The knowledge test at Service Tasmania

  • you do not need to complete the Plates Plus course before the test if you take it at Service Tasmania
  • you are more likely to pass the knowledge test if you complete the Plates Plus course and sit the test online
  • you can access a free translation or interpreting service if you complete the knowledge test at Service Tasmania.

Once you are approved for the issue of a licence you will need to have your photo taken and provide a sample signature.

If you do not have your overseas licence you will need to provide written evidence from the licensing authority in the country you had a licence in, or their consulate.

Even if you have your licence you may be asked to get more information from the licensing authority to assist us to transfer the licence over.

2. What countries are recognised countries for licence conversion?

For certain countries, you will not have to undertake a road rules knowledge test or a driving assessment before converting your car or motorcycle licence, as long as your licence is current. This is for countries that have similar licensing standards to Australia. These countries are:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Guernsey
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man (if licence first issued after 1 April 1991)
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta (if licence issued on or after 2 January 2004)
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

You will need to go to Service Tasmania to convert your overseas licence from a recognised country.

3. What countries have experienced driver recognition status?

Important update

  • Note that From 1 May 2025, the experienced driver recognition category will cease. Licence holders from these countries will be required to pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules, a Hazard Perception Test, and a practical driving assessment to get a Tasmanian licence, regardless of their age.
  • Until and including 30 April 2025, existing arrangements for transferring a licence from an experienced driver recognition country to a Tasmanian licence will continue unchanged.
  • Further information regarding these changes

If you hold a current licence from any of the following countries, what you will need to do depends on your age.

Experienced Driver Recognition Countries:

  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Hong Kong*
  • Hungary
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Poland
  • Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Romania
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Slovakia
  • South Africa
  • Taiwan
If you are: 
Under 25 years of age You will have to go to Service Tasmania with your evidence of identity, pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules (PDF 11.9 MB), an online Hazard Perception Test, and an overseas conversion driving assessment.
 
If you successfully complete these assessments, you will be issued a:
  • full licence if you have held your overseas licence for more than three years
  • P2 licence if you have held your overseas licence for less than three years but more than one year
  • P1 licence if you have held your overseas licence for less than a year.
Over 25 years of age You won’t have to undergo any testing*, and when you go to Service Tasmania with your current driver licence and evidence of identity you will be issued a:
  • full licence if you have held your licence for three or more years
  • P2 licence if you have held your overseas licence for less than three years but more than one year
  • P1 licence if you have held your overseas licence for less than a year.
*if you have held a Hong Kong licence for less than a year, you will have to pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules (PDF 11.9 MB), an online Hazard Perception Test, and an overseas conversion driving assessment. You can practice the driver knowledge test on our website.

4. Can I convert my overseas motorcycle learner or provisional licence?

Learner motorcycle licence

Overseas learner licences are not recognised in Tasmania.

Full and provisional motorcycle licences

You can be issued with an equivalent licence by visiting Service Tasmania. Overseas licences are only recognised in Tasmania if the licence is:

  • Current,
  • From a recognised country, or
  • From an experienced driver recognition country and you are over 25 years of age.

Non-recognised country or no experienced driver recognition

You must pass a driver knowledge test and be issued with a non-novice learner. You must then pass a pre-provisional assessment to be issued with a full motorcycle licence.

Expired licence

If your full or provisional overseas motorcycle licence has expired, you must start the motorcycle licence process from the beginning.

5. What if my licence is not from a recognised country or an experienced driver recognition country?

If your car licence is not from a recognised country or a country with experienced driver recognition status, you will have to pass a knowledge test on the Tasmanian Road Rules (PDF 11.9 MB), an online Hazard Perception Test, and an overseas conversion driving assessment to be issued a Tasmanian licence.

If you have a current full motorcycle licence from a non-recognised country or have experienced driver recognition but are under 25 years of age, you must successfully pass the road rules knowledge test at Service Tasmania, and the pre-provisional assessment. Once complete, you will then be issued with a full Tasmanian motorcycle licence.

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