Driving Permit for Australia
Driving in Australia on a foreign licence? An IDP is required only if your licence is not in English, otherwise your valid overseas licence is enough. Australia drives on the left.
- Drive on
- Left
- Convention
- 1949 Geneva
- IDP validity
- 3 months (varies by state)
- Processing time
- 2-4 business days
Do you need an IDP to drive in Australia?
Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road, and it recognises the International Driving Permit (IDP) under the United Nations conventions on road traffic. But before you order one, it helps to understand exactly when an IDP is needed. If you are a tourist or short-term visitor, you can generally drive in Australia on your current, valid overseas driver's licence. The key rule, applied across the states and territories, is language: if your foreign licence is written in English, you generally do not need an IDP at all. Holders of US, UK, Irish, New Zealand, Canadian and other English-language licences can typically drive on the licence alone.
The IDP becomes important when your licence is not in English. Australia's road agencies advise that a visiting driver must carry their overseas licence together with either an International Driving Permit or an accredited English translation if the original is not in English. An IDP is a recognised, multilingual translation of your licence — it is never a standalone document, so it is only valid when carried alongside the original national licence that it accompanies. For travellers whose licence uses a non-Latin script (such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Thai or Cyrillic), an IDP is a straightforward way to satisfy this requirement, and it is what many car-rental companies expect to see at the counter.
On the ground, the reality is straightforward. Police may ask to see your licence, so carry it whenever you drive. Rental firms generally accept a valid foreign licence held for a required minimum period, but for non-English licences they will typically ask to see an IDP or an accepted translation. How long you may keep driving on a foreign licence varies by state: several jurisdictions allow it while your overseas licence remains valid, but New South Wales and Victoria generally limit visitors to around six months, and the Northern Territory to three months, after which you must obtain a local licence if you continue to drive. New and permanent residents are also expected to convert to a local licence.
Australia recognises the IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Australia is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Australia, plan on 3 months (varies by state).
What you need to drive in Australia
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Original license.
IDP (if not English).
Visitors may generally drive on a valid overseas driver's licence; if it is not in English, you must carry either an IDP or an accredited English translation alongside it.
An IDP is a translation of your licence only — it is never valid on its own and must always be presented together with your original national licence.
An IDP must be issued in the country that issued your driver's licence, and under the relevant convention is generally valid for up to 12 months from arrival.
Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road, and seatbelts are compulsory for all vehicle occupants.
Car-rental companies typically require the driver to have held a full licence for a minimum period (commonly around 12 months) and usually set a minimum rental age of 21, with young-driver surcharges for those under 25.
Police can ask to see your driver's licence, so carry your licence (and IDP or translation where required) whenever you drive.
What to know before you turn the key
Australia drives on the left — the driver sits on the right, and roundabouts flow clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Drive on the LEFT.
State rules vary slightly.
Australia applies a general blood-alcohol limit of 0.05 for full-licence drivers nationwide, and driving without a licence you are entitled to use (or beyond the permitted visitor period) can result in fines and penalties under state road-transport law.
Local rules to watch in Australia
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Time limits vary by state: New South Wales and Victoria generally allow visitors around six months of driving on a valid overseas licence, after which a local licence is required to keep driving.
The Northern Territory has a stricter rule — you may generally drive on an overseas licence for a maximum of three months from arrival, regardless of visa status.
For non-English licences, an accepted English translation typically must come from a NAATI-accredited translator (or an equivalent government or consular service); an IDP is the common alternative.
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Australia keeps.
Common questions about driving in Australia
Drive Australia, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.