Government crackdown on foreigners driving in NSW with international licenses

Foreign drivers who disregard NSW road rules while using overseas licenses will soon face tougher regulations in a new government crackdown.

The state government has announced that drivers from certain countries will have to take the NSW driver’s licence tests. This measure will close a loophole that enabled some drivers to retain their licences despite receiving 13 demerit points or being convicted of a severe road offence.

Although the previous government had tried to address this problem, the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in delays administering driver’s licence tests.

However, after making amendments to state regulations, the government has decided to proceed with the changes. Temporary visa holders from selected countries such as India and China, who have lived in NSW for at least six months, will have to take the same knowledge and practical test as locals.

The National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) has praised this common sense approach, saying that it closes a loophole and provides consistency for everyone.

Foreigners arriving after July 1st from non-recognised countries such as China, India, Pakistan, or Nepal will be affected. Those coming from recognised countries such as Japan, Singapore, or Germany will still have to convert their licence but won’t have to take the test.

“What you want is consistency, the same rules for everyone,” NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said via the Daily Telegraph.

“There was a loophole that the previous government acknowledged needed to be closed.

“You can’t have a situation where someone had demonstrated very serious poor behaviour behind the wheel, and continued to be able to drive on their overseas licence.”

According to a Transport for NSW spokeswoman, overseas drivers will lose their visiting driver privileges if they receive 13 demerit points, are convicted of a severe driving offence, are disqualified from driving by a court, or commit specific speeding or drug and alcohol-related driving offences.

Currently, overseas licence holders who receive 13 demerit points or commit a serious driving offence can continue to drive using their overseas licence after completing any relevant suspension or disqualification period. However, with the new policy in effect, visiting driving privileges will be permanently withdrawn from these licence holders.

Offenders will have to apply for a NSW driver’s licence if they want to drive again in NSW.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury has stated that most people will welcome the changes as commonsense and that consistency and the same rules for everyone are essential. He also remarked that it is inappropriate to have a situation where someone who has exhibited dangerous behaviour behind the wheel is still allowed to drive on their overseas licence.

“Under the new arrangements, temporary visa holders will need to convert to a NSW licence if they have resided continuously in NSW for six months and wish to continue driving,” a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.

Since 2020, over 2,000 overseas drivers have had their visiting driver privileges withdrawn due to poor behaviour on the roads.

There are roughly 220,000 individuals driving on an overseas licence who live in NSW.

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