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NSW driver licences

Information about NSW driver licences, Digital Drivers Licence, and driving in NSW on an international licence.

  • This topic covers

    • NSW driver licences
    • Digital Driver Licence

Time limitAction
After three monthsIf you have an interstate driving licence and you move to NSW, you must get a NSW driver licence.
After three months

You must apply for a temporary overseas visitor's licence if you will be in Australia for more than three months, except if you:

  • hold a New Zealand driver licence
  • are a permanent Australian resident or hold a permanent visa and have a current overseas licence.

If either of these exceptions apply, you must get a NSW licence to keep on driving after three months. 

Organisation

OrganisationResponsibilities
Transport for NSWThe driver licensing authority for NSW. They can issue and suspend driver licences and record demerit points for licence holders.

Legislation

AuthorityCovers
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW)Establishes a driver licensing system, including a demerit points system and providing for the issue, suspension, cancellation and renewal of driver licences and the classes of driver licences.

Common termDefinition
Good behaviour licenceA licence offered to an unrestricted licence holder when they exceed their demerit point threshold.
Learner licenceA licence issued to a person who is at least 16 years of age allowing them to drive a vehicle for the purpose of learning to drive. They must have an unrestricted licence holder with them at all times when driving.
Professional driverA person who has an unrestricted driver licence and who drives to transport goods either inter and/or intra-state or drives a bus, taxi or hire car for work.
Provisional licence

There are two types of provisional licences:

  • P1 licence (red Ps) - a licence issued to a person, who is at least 17 years of age, for a period of up to 18 months. The licence is given to someone that has completed the relevant tests and requirements. If a person is under 25 years of age, they must have held their learner licence for 12 months (not including any period of suspension) and completed 120 driving hours (including 20 hours of night driving).     
  • P2 licence (green Ps) - a licence issued to a person for a period of 36 months, who has held their P1 for at least 12 months, who has held their P1 for at least 12 months periods and who has passed the relevant tests and requirements.  
Unrestricted licenceA licence that allows a person to drive a vehicle in NSW without any of the specific restrictions placed on learner or provisional licence holders. The demerit threshold for an unrestricted licence is 13 demerit points or 14 for professional drivers when applied for with Transport for NSW

Frequently Asked Questions

NSW driver licences FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about NSW driver licences, Digital Drivers Licence, and driving in NSW on an international licence.

Our services

Contact us

Call us on 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

More services

Community Legal Centres NSW

Community legal centres give free and confidential legal help to people in need.

Service NSW

Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your nearest Service NSW Centre about transferring to a NSW driver licence, temporary overseas visitor’s licences, and Digital Driver Licences.

Solicitor Referral Service

If you need legal help and are looking for a law firm, the Law Society of NSW Solicitor Referral Service (SRS) can provide you with a referral.

Last updated: December 2024