Thousands could now be driving illegally in Australia following major licensing change

A large group of people could now be driving without a valid licence on Australian roads following a major change to licensing laws that came into effect yesterday, May 1.

Permanent residents in Australia who use their overseas driver’s licence may be deemed unlicensed without even realising it, after their ‘experienced driver recognition’ status ended in several Australian states and territories on April 30.

Under the EDR arrangement, international citizens permanently residing Down Under were allowed to transfer their overseas licence to an Australian one without sitting further exams.

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With the end of their EDR status this week, many international citizens will need to resit a driver’s exam to remain officially licensed on local roads.

The new requirement came into force yesterday in all states and territories except Queensland, where it will come into play mid-year, and NSW and Western Australia, where it will begin on November 1.

People with a temporary resident status will be allowed to continue using their overseas licence.

However, drivers from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Hong Kong, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, South Korea, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Taiwan will all need to undertake and pass an Australian driver’s test if they want to keep driving here.