Driving in Tasmania on an interstate or overseas licence

You can drive in Tasmania using a current interstate or New Zealand licence for up to six months. You will still have to abide by the Tasmanian road rules and any conditions on your licence.

If you continue to drive after six months on your interstate or New Zealand licence, you’ll be considered to be driving unlicensed unless the Registrar of Motor Vehicles approves an extension of time. See here to find out how to transfer to a Tasmanian licence, or see here to find out how to apply for an extension of time.

You can’t drive in Tasmania using an interstate or overseas licence if you have been issued a Tasmanian licence.

Australian Armed Forces exemptions – if you are a member of the Australian Armed force, you do not need to transfer your interstate licence to a Tasmanian licence.

See Visiting Drivers on the Road Safety Advisory Council website for lots of useful information and tips to help visitors drive safely in Tasmania.

You can drive/ride in Tasmania using your overseas licence if you are a visitor or have a temporary visa (for example international students, refugees, working, holiday).

You can drive in Tasmania using your overseas licence as long as:

• your overseas licence is current and remains current during your stay here
• your visitor’s exemption (right to drive/ride in Tasmania using your overseas licence) has not been terminated
• your permanent visa has not been issued for longer than six months (otherwise you will be considered unlicensed unless the Registrar of Motor Vehicles approves an extension of time)
• you have not been issued a Tasmanian licence
• you are not disqualified from driving in Tasmania or anywhere else in the world
• your licence has not been suspended or cancelled
• you only drive the type of vehicles and size of vehicles you are licensed to drive. You must have a motorcycle licence to ride a moped, scooter, trike or motorcycle
• you carry your licence with you. If your licence is not in English you must also carry an official translation or international drivers permit.

You must follow the Tasmanian road rules. See Visiting Drivers on the Road Safety Advisory Council website for lots of useful information and tips to help visitors drive safely in Tasmania.

See here to find out how to transfer to a Tasmanian licence or see here to find out how to apply for an extension of time.

If your overseas driver licence is not in English, you must carry your licence and:

• an international driving permit
  OR
• an English translation of your licence by a person accredited to translate.

To apply for an extension to the six month conversion period please email roi@stategrowth.tas.gov.au with the heading “Request to extend visitors exemption” before the six month period is up.

You will be notified in writing if an extension is approved or not.

Your email must state why you need an extension and how long for, and must include the following information:

Personal details:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Tasmanian residential address
• Tasmanian postal address
• Telephone number
• Date of arrival in Tasmania
• Date permanent residence granted
  (if applicable)

Licence details:

• Where you hold a licence (Australian State or Territory), or overseas country
• Licence number
• Licence expiry date
• Licence classes

If you do not have access to email, or have any questions, please ring Service Tasmania on 1300 135 513.

Overseas car Learner Licences

You must obey the Tasmanian learner licence conditions.

Overseas car Provisional Licences

You must obey the Tasmania P1 licence conditions.

You can drive a heavy vehicle if your licence allows you to drive that class of vehicle.