Drivers with interstate licences

If you have an interstate driver licence (learner, provisional or full) and you’ve moved to the ACT you will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.

What you’ll need to do or bring with you will depend on your circumstances.

Until you get your ACT drivers licence, interstate learner and provisional licence holders must follow the rules of their home jurisdiction when driving in the ACT.

Getting an ACT provisional driver licence with your interstate learner licence

If eligible, Access Canberra may recognise the period of time you’ve held a learner driver licence interstate.

Recognition of how long you’ve been a learner

If you hold a valid interstate learner licence from another Australian state or territory and:

• you’re not aged 17 yet, or
• you’ve held the licence for less than 12 months (less than 6 months if you’re aged 25 or older), or
• you don’t want to take the practical driving assessment

then you will need to get an ACT learner driver licence.

• you’re aged 17 or older
• you have held the licence for 12 months or more (6 months if you’re aged 25 or older)
• you pass the practical driving assessment with an ACT Government Licence Examiner

you can apply for an ACT provisional driver licence.

What you’ll need to do

To do this you need to:

• get a licence history from the state or territory that issued the learner licence:
  • NSW: www.transport.nsw.gov.au
  • NT: www.nt.gov.au/driving
  • QLD: www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/history/licence - (both a licence and traffic history are needed for Queensland licence holders)
  • SA: www.sa.gov.au
  • TAS: www.transport.tas.gov.au
  • VIC: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
  • WA: www.transport.wa.gov.au

  If you don’t pass the assessment

  If you don’t pass the practical driving assessment you will need to apply for an ACT learner driver licence.

  Getting an ACT equivalent of your provisional interstate or New Zealand driver licence

  If you have moved to the ACT, have a provisional interstate driver licence and you intend to drive in the ACT you need to get an ACT driver licence within 3 months of moving here. If eligible, Access Canberra may recognise the period of time you’ve held a provisional driver licence in New Zealand or interstate.

  What you’ll need to do:

  You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and bring:

  • your proof of identity and residency
  • your current interstate provisional driver licence. Access Canberra will notify the issuing jurisdiction so they can cancel your licence on their register.
  • your licence history from the state or territory that issued it:
    • NSW: www.transport.nsw.gov.au
    • NT: www.nt.gov.au/driving
    • QLD: www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/history/licence - (both a licence and traffic history are needed for Queensland licence holders)
    • SA: www.sa.gov.au
    • TAS: www.transport.tas.gov.au
    • VIC: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
    • WA: www.transport.wa.gov.au

    You must attend the Access Canberra Service Centre within 7 calendar days of getting this history.

    If your interstate licence has expired, there is a fee.

    New Zealand licence holders also need to pay a fee.

    If you’re under the age of 25 you’ll be mailed a P1 driver licence.

    If you’re aged 25 or older, you’ll be mailed a P2 driver licence.

    You’ll be issued a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days

    Getting an ACT equivalent of your interstate or New Zealand full driver licence

    If you have moved to the ACT, have a full interstate driver licence and you intend to drive in the ACT you need to get an ACT driver licence within 3 months of moving here.

    If you started living in the ACT between 1 April 2022 and 25 January 2023 you can continue to drive on an interstate Australian driver licence or a New Zealand driver licence for up to 12 months.

    What you’ll need to do:

    You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and bring:

    • your proof of identity and residency
    • your current interstate full driver licence. Access Canberra will notify the issuing jurisdiction so they can cancel your licence on their register. If you can’t provide your interstate driver licence, or it’s been expired for more than one month, you will need your licence history from the state or territory that issued it:
      • NSW: www.transport.nsw.gov.au
      • NT: www.nt.gov.au/driving
      • QLD: www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/history/licence (both a licence and traffic history are needed for Queensland licence holders)
      • SA: www.sa.gov.au
      • TAS: www.transport.tas.gov.au
      • VIC: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
      • WA: www.transport.wa.gov.au

      you must attend an Access Canberra Service Centre within 7 calendar days of getting this history.

      For interstate driver licences, there is no fee for this transaction if you’re issued an ACT licence with the same expiry date as your interstate licence. You’ll be issued a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days.

      For New Zealand driver licences, there is a fee.

      Medical conditions and driving

      If you hold an ACT driver licence you must tell Access Canberra if you have a permanent or long-term illness, injury, or incapacity that might impair your driving ability.

      Access Canberra may ask you to demonstrate your fitness to drive to ensure you can safely operate a vehicle. This may involve one or both:

      • a medical examination
      • a driving assessment by an occupational therapist