Applying for a temporary overseas visitor licence

Visiting NSW for more than 6 months? If you hold an overseas licence and wish to continue to drive in NSW, you will need to obtain a temporary visitor’s licence within 6 months.

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Who is eligible for a temporary (Q condition) licence

If you’re a temporary overseas visitor who arrived in NSW on or after 1 July 2023 and intend to reside in NSW for longer than six months, you will need to obtain a temporary NSW driver’s licence within six months if you wish to continue to drive.

If you’re a temporary overseas visitor who arrived in NSW before 1 July 2023 and will continue to reside in NSW after 1 March 2025, you will need to obtain a temporary NSW driver’s licence before 1 March 2025 if you wish to continue to drive.

A temporary visitor licence is equivalent to a NSW driver or rider licence, but the letter Q will appear in the licence conditions. The words ‘Evidence of permanent residency status not provided’ will also be printed on the back of the licence.

You cannot apply for a temporary visitor licence if:

you have been issued a NSW licence in the past, or
you're a New Zealand citizen or licence holder.

If you're visiting from New Zealand and you plan to stay in NSW for longer than three months, you must apply to transfer your licence to its NSW equivalent.

To help you prepare for applying for a NSW driver’s licence, complete our quiz on the process based on your current overseas licence.

How to apply for a temporary visitor licence

Complete a Licence Application form (PDF 222.41KB) and take it to a service centre along with:

your overseas licence or an authorisation letter from the country it was issued in
proof of identity
pass an eyesight test (unless exempted)
pass a knowledge test if applicable (unless exempted)
pass a driving and/or riding test (unless exempted)
your payment.

Documents not in English

If any of your documents are not in English, you'll need to bring an English translation with you.

What types of vehicles can I drive?

Driver licence holders

Temporary visitor licence holders can drive vehicles covered by a NSW class C driver licence:

4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass or less, and
seating up to 12 adults including the driver.

Make sure you get to know the current road rules for NSW. Read our Road User Handbook.

Motorcycle licence holders

Temporary visitor licence holders can ride motorcycles covered by the NSW licence class equivalent to their overseas licence.

Make sure you get to know the current road rules for NSW. Read our Motorcycle Rider's Handbook (PDF 2.53MB).

Heavy vehicle licence holders

Temporary visitor licence holders can drive the same kinds of heavy vehicles that are covered by their overseas licence.

Make sure you get to know the current road rules for NSW. Read our Heavy Vehicle Driver Handbook (PDF 3.56MB).

Conditions of use

Once you’ve been issued with a NSW licence, it becomes the authority under which you can drive or ride on NSW roads. You can no longer use your overseas licence as it is not recognised while you hold a NSW licence.

When driving or riding in NSW, you must meet all the conditions and restrictions that apply to your NSW licence.

You must carry the licence while riding or driving and show it to police if they ask you. They may also ask you to prove your overseas visitor status.

Suspension, cancellation or failing a test

If your temporary visitor licence is suspended or cancelled, or if you fail a NSW driver or rider test, you cannot resume driving with your overseas licence.

You must not drive on NSW roads unless you earn your NSW licence back.