29-04-2025
Changes to foreign drivers licene scheme set to make many Australian drivers to be deemed illegal on roads
A major change in rules for permanent Australian residents driving with some foreign licences will see those affected deemed illegal to drive on roads from tomorrow.
The Recognised Country Scheme, managed by Austroads, allows some international drivers living in Australia to convert their foreign licences to Australian ones.
Drivers currently considered for Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) status, who are licence holders from certain countries and are over 25 years old, can sometimes be given an Australian licence 'without further training or assessment,' Austroads' website reads.
But that is all set to change within hours, as Austroads puts an end to EDR status from Wednesday in all states and territories except New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.
EDR status will finish in NSW and WA on October 31, while the deadline for Queensland is likely to be mid-2025.
The list of countries that are in the EDR status category includes Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, South Korea, Republic of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Taiwan.
People from those countries have been encouraged to apply for a different status category.
The sweeping changes to the scheme, which had been in place for nearly 20 years, were announced on October 21 last year.
Austroads chief executive Geoff Allan said at the time that visitors to Australia who hold an overseas licence and comply with conditions will continue to be able to drive on roads.
'If an overseas licence holder does not apply to transition to an Australian licence before the Experienced Driver Recognition Scheme ends, they are likely to have to undertake further training and testing before they can be issued with an Australian licence,' Allan said.
The new process implemented by Austroads had been designed with a focus on a 'Safe System approach'.
'Additionally, given the growing reliance on a licence as proof of identify, as well as the rise in identity theft and document fraud, the changes will introduce a mechanism for applicant countries to confirm the validity and currency of their licences,' Allan said
