Druid Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 Has anybody done the changing over of a drivers license lately, my WA license has expired, no problem, I can just get it replaced If only it was that bl**dy easy, have you seen the Proof of Identity rigmarole you have to go through, one of the main documents they want is a copy of your visa, and I quote ' Not an electronic visa' if its good enough for WA DIAC to issue an electronic visa, why is'nt it good enough for WA Roads to accept it I hate Government departments, accept DIAC that is ' The visa gods' all hail the visa gods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Not sure if it's changed since April, but we just turned up with passport, UK licence and print of the visa grant notice and that seemed fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druid Posted October 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Not sure if it's changed since April, but we just turned up with passport, UK licence and print of the visa grant notice and that seemed fine.T That's what I did on initiall issue now you got to do this (attached), I suppose they should accept the visa grant notice in lieu of a sticker in your passport Aus Drivers License Proof of Identity.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bensdad Posted December 29, 2011 Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 Just done mine, i took passport, uk license, rental agreement, utility bill and bank card $116 later got a 5 year license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest molly58 Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 HI, Wondered if anyone could give any advice? We were informed by our visa agents and have read in lots of places that our UK driving licenses would be valid for 6 months when we emmigrated to Aus, have just had a big shock to see that it is actually only 3 months, we landed here on 25 October so are now over that 3 months and can't get to Driver centre till Wednesday, does anyone know just how strict they are with the rules, what happens if you do go over the 3 months?? We will have to go down asap on wednesday and see!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 The rules may have changed, but when we landed last year it was 3 months if you had a permanent visa eg 176 or longer (6 or 12 months - can't remember) if on a temporary visa eg 457. Check out the WA driver licensing website (although I seem to recall it's not very clear on there - takes a few reads) or give them a call. not sure what the penalties are if caught without a licence but I did hear it's 50 bucks if you hold an oz licence but aren't carrying it when stopped. You may also not be insured if you don't have a valid licence... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lornarees1 Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 you only need wa license if your a (pr ) if u on 457 you don't need it until u become pr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Ah yes, that sounds right. Relevant links are http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20669.asp and http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20668.asp One point that caught my eye that's probably worth bearing in mind - "If you are a visitor to Western Australia (WA), you may drive on your overseas licence, for as long as it remains valid in the country of issue. If your overseas licence ceases to be valid, you must apply for a WA licence if you wish to continue driving." I've no idea when my UK licence runs out, but I've got a WA one now anyway. Has got me thinking though, if my UK one expires and I return to the UK for a holiday, will I be able to drive on my Oz one? Off to check that out now for my own piece of mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 If anyone is interested, it would appear that if returning to the UK for less than 12 months a full valid Aussie driving licence will do http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 One other thing Molly, when you say you were told it was valid for 6 months, that might relate to guidance for states other than WA. Driving licences are issued by the state rather than a national body so it could well be that other states have different rules(?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Well unless anything has changed its always been 3 months. Not sure where you read that it was different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 I renewed my licence on line as I didn't want/need another photo and it was posted out to me. Did you miss the renewal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest4575 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 I have a slightly different problem! My wallet, incuding my "foreign" driving licence, was stolen last Friday evening I'm now wandering round with a colour photocopy of my licence (thank goodness for DropBox!), but its not the original. Will this cause me grief whn I go to apply for a WA licence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Ouch. If you've still got the paper licence and a passport you might be ok. Maybe give them a call before heading down there. And allow plenty of time to be waiting there in either case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest4575 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Ouch. If you've still got the paper licence and a passport you might be ok. Maybe give them a call before heading down there. And allow plenty of time to be waiting there in either case. Thanks Phil Its a Luxembourg licence (had to swap my UK one for it several years back), so there's nothing. Of course I can apply for a replacement Lux one - which involves jumping through a few hoops!!! I think you're right - ask the authoritities here, throw myself at their mercy! (or stop driving..... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kips Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 HI,Wondered if anyone could give any advice? We were informed by our visa agents and have read in lots of places that our UK driving licenses would be valid for 6 months when we emmigrated to Aus, have just had a big shock to see that it is actually only 3 months, we landed here on 25 October so are now over that 3 months and can't get to Driver centre till Wednesday, does anyone know just how strict they are with the rules, what happens if you do go over the 3 months?? We will have to go down asap on wednesday and see!! My husband and I moved to Perth from NSW in September and only swapped the NSW licences last week and you are supposed to change the licence after 3 months. I wouldn't worry too much as you don't get asked when you moved to WA at the Dept of Transport. But I couldn't get my NSW licence changed over on the day I went to Dept of Transport as there was no date of issue on it so they had to contact the Road Traffic Authority in NSW for the info. My husband was fine because he had his British driving licence on him !!! In addition we drove our Toyota Camry from NSW to WA so had to get the number plates changed over and renew my Compulsory Third Party insurance at the same time. Couldn't do this on the day either as I didn't have paperwork showing my husband had owned the car for at least 12 months so they had to contact the RTA for this as well. The lady at the Rockingham branch of the Dept of Transport was very nice (originally from Manchester but has lived here for 20 years) and phoned me back 2 days later saying all the information required had been sent by NSW and I could go back to get my licence and rego plates. Still had to provide all the ridiculous amount of ID ie passport, citizenship certificate, Medicare card, EFTPOS card and proof of address in WA. Honestly, it's like moving to a new country when you move interstate here. The amount of red tape in this country is a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest4575 Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 The amount of red tape in this country is a nightmare. You've never been to Luxembourg!!!!!!!!! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hassan Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I wonder how important is a driving license to have.What if someone doesn't have a driving license at the outset and starts to attain from scratch -the learners permit.Will the unavailability of DL affects the initial settlement in a serious fashion? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I think it will depend where you settle and what you'll be doing Hassan - we personally need transport to get us both to work, as a family and individually, we all have friends who live outside our suburb so a car is essential to us. My son and husband also play soccer (two different clubs), so again tranport essentail for some training sessions and match days. I tend to use the bus to get to Freo (on a great bus route) and the train into the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hassan Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Dear Moderator; Thanks for your feedback! I could understand the importance of the driving license.Actually my intention was to know the consequences of not having one.In addition to that,after getting learner's permit in how much time one could get a full/provisional driving license and able to drive and buy car-assuming that one is passing all exams/tests in first attempt. Thanks I think it will depend where you settle and what you'll be doing Hassan - we personally need transport to get us both to work, as a family and individually, we all have friends who live outside our suburb so a car is essential to us. My son and husband also play soccer (two different clubs), so again tranport essentail for some training sessions and match days. I tend to use the bus to get to Freo (on a great bus route) and the train into the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 You should be able to find out everything you need to now about learners permits etc., from this site: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20399.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest4575 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 A thought? If you have the time, is it worth trying to get some lessons and even test in uk before you fly???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wiersma67 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 When changing your UK licence for a WA one, do they take your UK licence away, or can you keep it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 You keep it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I would imagine (but don't know) that if you'd past your test recently in the UK you'd be classed as a registered driver and wouldn't need to go on P plates as they do here - someone may be able to say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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