Changes to Licensing Regimes – Effects on Overseas License Holders

Written By Ndi Ruppert

Effective as of July 1, 2023, the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2017 (NSW) has been amended to ensure that overseas license holders comply with NSW road regulations. The changes are as follows:

  • The first change will require any temporary visa holders who visit NSW after 1 July 2023, and wish to remain in NSW for longer than six months to convert to a NSW license if they wish to continue driving. For overseas license holders who do not convert to a NSW license and continue driving in NSW after the six-month period, they will be deemed unlicensed by NSW police and will incur significant fines and penalties.

  • The second change will allow the NSW government to permanently strip drivers of their driving privileges if they accrue 13 demerit points or are convicted of speeding, drug and alcohol or serious driving offences. For individuals who have their driving privileges stripped, they will have to apply for an NSW driver’s license once their suspension or disqualification period has finished.

Since the beginning of this regulatory change, there have been over 20,000 overseas license holders convert to an NSW license.

If you hold an overseas license and have been in NSW for six months or longer, we urge you to convert your license immediately to avoid significant fines and other consequences. Ruppert Legal acknowledges that this can be an uncertain time for visa holders. If you need any advice or assistance, please contact us using our contact details.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact us at info@Ruppertlegal.com.au.

Ndi Ruppert
Qualifications

Ndi Ruppert is the principal and founder of Ruppert Legal, a boutique immigration law firm based in the Hunter region. She holds a Bachelor of Business and Law, a Diploma of Legal Practice, and a Master of Laws with Distinction majoring in Human Rights and International Business from the University of Newcastle.

Experience

Ndi has been admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor for over 13 years. Before establishing her own legal immigration practice in 2021, Ndi was responsible for the immigration division at Hicksons Lawyers, a large international corporate law firm with offices in Sydney and Newcastle. As evidenced by her continued listing on the Doyles List of Leading Immigration Lawyers in New South Wales, Ndi has become a sought after and highly regarded Australian immigration advisor with clients ranging from individuals, families, entrepreneurs and small businesses, through to large multinational corporations.

With a special interest in human rights & immigration, Ndi has a passion for helping those in need and being a voice for the vulnerable, having previously worked as an advocate for people with disabilities, including assisting them with NDIS appeals. At Ruppert Legal, Ndi continues her dedication to supporting victims of domestic family violence and is committed to ensuring that clients have access to justice through Ruppert Legal’s pro bono service in collaboration with Mosaic Multicultural Connections.

https://www.ruppertlegal.com.au/bio-ndi-ruppert
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