NSW – DRIVERS HOLDING OVERSEAS LICENCE

DRIVERS HOLDING OVERSEAS LICENCE

If you have a current overseas licence and a permanent resident visa, you are
allowed to drive or ride in NSW on your current overseas licence for a maximum
of three months after arriving in Australia.
To drive with your current overseas licence during the three-month period, you must
not be disqualified from driving or riding and your licence must not be suspended or
cancelled.
You must obtain (not just apply for) a NSW licence within this three-month
period if you wish to continue to drive or ride.

Please note that if your overseas licence is not in English, you must also carry your
International Driving Permit or an English translation with your licence when
driving.

Getting a NSW licence

You must be aged 17 years or over to get a NSW driver licence. If you hold an
overseas licence to drive or ride (including a learner licence) and want to get a
NSW licence, you must go to a registry or service centre and:
• If your licence is in English, present your overseas licence.
• If your overseas licence is not written in English, provide:
– Your overseas licence and an official translation from the NSW Community
Relations Commission or the Commonwealth Department of Immigration
and Citizenship (DIAC).
– Where extra licence information is required (for example, about the first issue
date or the validity period of the licence or where the type of vehicle authorised
to be driven or ridden is not shown) a letter from a relevant consulate or
diplomatic office.
• If you cannot produce your overseas licence, provide:
– A letter from the overseas licence issuing authority confirming your licence
details and status, or,
– A letter from a relevant consulate or diplomatic office, based on information
received from the overseas licence issuing authority, confirming your licence
details and status.
Any letter provided to confirm licence details or status should be in English or
have an official English translation as described above.
Before you first attend the registry or service centre, you may wish to obtain a
letter from the driver licence issuing authority (on its letterhead), or from your
relevant consulate or diplomatic office, confirming your licence details, including
the first issue date.

You must also:
• Prove your NSW address.
• Prove your identity.
• Pass an eyesight test.
• Pass a knowledge test for each class of licence required.
• Pass a driving test for each class of licence required.
• Provide documents proving the first issue date of your licence, if it is not displayed on the licence.
If you fail the driving test, your visiting driver privileges will be withdrawn. To
continue driving in NSW you must then get a learner licence that will allow you to
drive (while supervised by a person who has an Australian full licence) and then go
for another driving test.

Recording overseas licences
Under Australian licensing laws only one licence can be used for driving in
Australia. Before a NSW licence will be issued, you must present your overseas
licence so that the details can be verified and recorded. Your overseas licence will
be returned to you unmarked.

Exemptions from tests
You may be exempt from some tests if:
• You have, within the last five years, held an Australian driver licence which can
be verified by the issuing authority, or,
• You hold a current New Zealand driver licence, or,
• You are applying for a Class C (car), or,
• Class R (rider) licence and you hold a current overseas rider licence, or one that
expired within the past five years, from a country recognised as having comparable
licensing standards to Australia.
Note: Roads & Maritime reserves the right to require a driving or riding test. A licence may
not be issued unless Roads & Maritime is satisfied that the overseas licence is valid.

What NSW licence you are eligible for
The length of time you have held an overseas car or rider licence will determine
the type of licence that you are eligible to hold.
• If you have held your overseas car or rider licence for less than
one year, you will only be eligible for a P1 licence.
• If you have held a car or rider licence for more than one year but less than
three years, you will only be eligible for a P2 licence.
• If you have held a driver or rider licence for more than three years,
you will be eligible for a full licence.
To apply for a class of licence other than one you already hold, you must pass the
appropriate knowledge test and driving test (taken in a vehicle of that class).

TEMPORARY OVERSEAS VISITING DRIVERS
From 18 April 2008, new licensing rules apply to visiting drivers who want to
obtain a NSW licence for the first time.
Information for visiting drivers can be found on our website or in the brochure
Guide for international drivers.

road_users_handbook-english

29/11/2015

NSW Driving Test Pass

Hi Cameron

Campbell passed his P test today with flying colours. He had Brian as his examiner, a very competent gentleman. Thanks you and best regards for all of the work you have done for both ours kids, cheers Alister.

15/10/201513/01/2022

Blacktown Driving Test Pass

Hi Cameron,
Thanks again for the quick lessons I had with you.
The feedback that you provided during and after the two-hour lessons helped me regain my confidence and be comfortable during the driving test today which I passed with only one error.
I will surely recommend my friends to do driving lessons with you.
Thank you.

09/09/201513/01/2022

NSW Driving Test Basic driving techniques

NSW Driving test Basic driving techniques

The key to good driving technique is smoothness, and the secret to smoothness is good preparation.

DRIVING POSTURE
When you first get a car take the time to adjust the seat and controls to suit your
height and build. Correct driving posture reduces fatigue, improves your control
and allows the safety features of the vehicle to operate effectively.

SEATBELTS
For seatbelts to work effectively they should be adjusted ‘low, flat and firm’.
• Low – placed below your hips to fully secure your body weight.
• Flat – no twists, turns or folds.
• Firm – about every 15 minutes when you drive pull the belt firm to remove any
slack.

AIRBAGS
Airbags are a supplementary restraining system (SRS) designed to be used in
conjunction with seatbelts. To get the most benefit from the driver’s airbag the
steering wheel should be adjusted low, facing the driver’s chest rather than the face.

BRAKING TECHNIQUE
Correct braking is done in two stages, first put light pressure on the brake pedal
and pause (set up the brakes), then progressively apply the necessary braking
pressure (squeeze).
Two-stage braking (set up and squeeze) improves braking effectiveness, reduces
the likelihood of skidding and provides better control.
Harsh or excessive braking pressure may cause skidding and a loss of control,
particularly on wet or gravel roads.

STEERING TECHNIQUE
There are two main steering techniques, ‘push/pull’ and ‘hand over hand’.
Regardless of which method is used some general rules apply:
• Steering must be smooth and progressive.
• Reduce speed before steering and wait until the vehicle begins
to straighten before accelerating.
• When steering keep both hands on the outside of the steering wheel and
thumbs along the rim.

18/08/201513/01/2022

Driving Lesson testimonial from Deidre.

Driving Lesson testimonial from Deidre

TXT from Deidre 18/8/15.

Hi Cameron

I just want to thank you for taking a chance on me to help me 2 drive again.

Being disabled with above knee amputation is hard .

When you came today you made me feel so comfortable and I was no different than anyone else.

If you are disabled need driving lessons give Cameron a call.
Have a nice day Deidre.

Deidre lost her right leg, so driving a standard car on the streets of Sydney took a lot of guts.

Well done Deidre.

Cameron Lata, Camber Driving School, Sydney.

13/08/201513/01/2022

NSW DRIVING LICENCE RESTRICTIONS FOR P1

NSW DRIVING LICENCE RESTRICTIONS FOR P1 LICENCES
Automatic You are restricted to driving an automatic vehicles transmission vehicle if tested in one.

Blood Alcohol Your BAC must be zero.
This means your Concentration (BAC) cannot have any alcohol in your system when you
drive a vehicle.

Demerit points Your licence will be suspended if you incur 4 or more points.

Display of P signs P signs (red P on a white background) must be clearly displayed on the front and back of the exterior of the vehicle.

Licence class You cannot learn to drive for a higher class licence.

Mobile phone You must not use any function of a mobile phone, including loudspeaker devices when driving.

Passengers P1 drivers under 25 years of age are restricted to carrying one passenger under 21 years of age between 11pm and 5am.

Seatbelts You must ensure all occupants are properly seated and restrained by seatbelts or approved restraints.

Speed limit You must not drive faster than 90 km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 90 km/h.

Your licence will be suspended for at least three months for any speeding offence.

Supervising a learner You must not supervise a learner driver.

Towing You are allowed to tow light trailers up to 250 kilograms unloaded weight.

Vehicles You must not drive any vehicle with:
• Eight or more cylinders, (diesel powered engines exempt)
• A turbocharged or supercharged engine (diesel powered engines exempt).
• Modifications that increase engine performance.
• Any other vehicle identified by Roads and Maritime
– details available on Roads and Maritime website.
Please note exemptions may apply.

06/08/201513/01/2022

NSW Driving Test. 2. Why You Might Fail Your Driving Test.

2. FAILING TO GIVE WAY WHEN NECESSARY
Examples of this fail item include:
Not giving way to any vehicle that has priority over you
at an intersection.
Not giving way to pedestrians at marked crossings
and intersections.
Not giving way if required when entering a traffic stream,
merging or lane changing.

3. COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE, PEDESTRIAN OR OBjECT
This includes mounting or straddling (one wheel either side of) a traffic
dome and mounting the kerb or roundabout.
You will not fail if you touch the kerb face with your wheels.
4. PERFORMING AN ILLEGAL ACT OR MANOEUVRE
An illegal act or manoeuvre is anything contrary to the Road Rules where a
regulatory traffic sign, signal or road marking is not present. Examples of
this fail item include:
Unnecessarily driving on the wrong side of the road
on unmarked roads.
Turning from the incorrect position. For example,
starting a left turn from the right lane, or
When turning left or right in an arrowed lane,
you do not exit to a permissible lane.
Stopping on a pedestrian crossing or stop line
when giving way to pedestrians.
Not driving in the left lane when required to do so.
Making an unlawful U-Turn.
Not using the correct lane to turn at a roundabout.
Overtaking or passing a stationary vehicle at
a pedestrian crossing.
Entering a level crossing when unsafe to do so.
Not wearing a seatbelt.
Answering or using a mobile phone.

05/08/201513/01/2022

NSW Logbook 19. City and motorway driving

Learning Goal
Gain experience driving in complex and busy city traffic and motorway environments

Learning Content
Driving in the city – busy commercial centres
Driving on motorways including –
Using tool booths, e-tags etc
Using on and off ramps
Driving in tunnels
Following direction signs
Electronic signs – variable speed limit signs
Low risk driving on freeways including increased following distance for speed and avoiding blindspots of other drivers

Facts and Tips
Learner drivers must not drive faster than 90 Km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is below 90 Km/h
Take advantage of situations like family holidays to get some experience driving on motorways

20/07/201513/01/2022

NSW Log Book 18. Country Driving

Learning Goal

Gain experience driving in rural environments

Learning Content

Sealed highways and country roads

Driving on various road surfaces { sealed and unsealed }

Road rules, signs and traffic marking not previously encountered, for example, narrow bridge, railway and stock crossings

Using overtaking lanes

Applying low risk driving in rural environments { managing speed, position, decisions and responding to hazards }

Driver fatigue

Sharing the road with heavy vehicles

Risk of encountering wildlife when driving at dawn or dusk

Facts and Tips
Take advantage of situations like family holidays to get some experience on country roads.
Remember to share the driving. As this is a new experience greater levels of fatigue may be experienced, so change drivers more often.

16/06/201513/01/2022

NSW Log Book 17. Driving In Adverse Conditions

NSW Log Book 17. Driving In Adverse Conditions

Learning Content
Gain experience driving in adverse conditions such as wet weather, fog, snow and ice

Learning Content

Review use of windscreen wipers and demisters

Give extra attention to road surface conditions

Increase following distance from three seconds to four or more

Reduced visibility

Reduced tyre grip requires smoother acceleration, braking and cornering

Increased oberservation of pedestrians required

Increased crash avoidance space required to respond to hazards so set up earlier

Reduce speed to repond to the changing conditions

Facts and Tips
A common crash for provisional drivers is to leave the road on a curve. This can occur in wet weather when tyre grip is reduced. Take extra care when driving on wet roads