Indtroduction

The basics of driving in Australia are no different from the rest of the world. Here anyone operating a car must have a valid driver’s license. This includes international students and anyone else who is just here for a short time.

To guarantee the safety of people who drive and commute in a vehicle, Australia takes its traffic regulations very seriously. As a result, the penalties for driving without a legal license are severe. 

Who needs to get a driver’s license in Australia

If a visitor is on a student visa and has a valid overseas driver’s license, he does not need to obtain an NSW driver’s license as long as he meets the following criteria:

• He is still a visitor.
• His international driver’s license is still valid and active.
• He has not been banned or disqualified from driving in NSW or elsewhere.
• His license has not been suspended or revoked, nor have his visiting driving privileges been revoked.

Distinct states, however, have different legislation in this area. For example, if the international student’s studying in Victoria, he’ll need to convert his foreign driver’s license into a Victorian driver’s license within six months of arriving in the state. Furthermore, his license must be written in English or include an official English translation if it is not written in English.

Driving without a valid, approved driver’s license is a severe offense in any Australian state or territory. The following are the punishments in each state:

• Victoria — depending on several criteria, the penalties can be very different. Drivers without a valid license, on the other hand, might face fines of up to $38,000 and prison sentences of up to two years!
• New South Wales – a fine of up to $5,500 and six to twelve months in prison are possible penalties in NSW.
• Queensland – Driving without a valid license in Queensland can result in a fine of up to $5,500 and a sentence of up to twelve months in prison.
• South Australia — The penalty in South Australia is a $2,500 fine, with reoffending resulting in a prison term.
• Western Australia — Driving without a license can result in fines of up to $600 and 18 months in prison in Western Australia.

Licensing in Australia

Students must contact the applicable state body for driving and licensing to apply for an Australian driver’s license. This can be done online, in person, or over the phone. They’ll have to show up in person once they’ve scheduled an appointment to finish the test. A computer test on road rules and laws will be part of the driving test. They’ll also be required to take a driving test, if appropriate.

It’s a good idea to call one of the state licensing authorities and double-check the criteria in your situation, as they can be pretty complicated.

• Australian Capital Territory — Road Transport Authority
• New South Wales — Roads and Maritime Services
• Northern Territory — Department of Transport
• Queensland — Department of Transport and Main Roads
• South Australia — Department of Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure
• Tasmania — Department of Infrastructure, Energy, and Resources
• Victoria — VicRoads
• Western Australia — Department of Transport 

The fees for each state or territory are as follows: 

• New South Wales – $232
• Victoria – $21
• South Australia – $254
• Western Australia – $133
• Tasmania – $250
• Queensland – $251
• Northern Territory – $102
• Australian Capital Territory – $232

A temporary overseas visitor (i.e., not an Australian citizen and not a permanent resident of Australia) can apply for an NSW license if they are in NSW for more than three months. 

Note: These licensing requirements do not apply to those already given an NSW license. People who transfer an Australian interstate or New Zealand license to an NSW license or visitors who do not have overseas permission apply for an NSW learner license.

Buying a car

For overseas students, purchasing, operating, and maintaining an automobile in Australia can be costly. It is not required to own a car in cities such as Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne because everyone in Australia has access to public transportation, making it simple to get around.

According to the RACV study from 2018, the average cost of owning, operating, and maintaining a car in Australia is AUD $10,894 per year and AUD$209.50 per week.

It’s also worth noting that overseas students are not permitted to take out loans, so you may need to find another source of income to cover the costs of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle.

Car insurance process

To drive in Australia, everyone must have car insurance to cover any costs that may arise from traffic incidents that damage their car or the automobile of another party or cause harm. In Australia, there are a few different forms of auto insurance to choose from:

• Compulsory third party insurance 
• Comprehensive insurance 
• Third-party property, theft, and fire insurance 
• Third-party property insurance

CTP (Compulsory Third Party) Insurance is required while driving and registering an automobile in NSW. This insurance is also known as a ‘green slip,’ and there are no time extensions, so everyone must pay their CTP insurance fee when it is due. If they plan to drive in NSW, it is strongly advised that they additionally acquire third-party property damage or comprehensive insurance for their vehicle.

Importance of road rules and laws of driving

International students in Australia face some challenges when driving because they must be familiar with the country’s basic road rules. Here are some fundamental guidelines to follow:

• Always carry a driving license. 
• The driver, including the passengers, needs to wear safety belts in the car.
• Littering and throwing anything out of the car is strictly prohibited. 
• Be cautious of speed limits and make sure to follow them. 
• Never use a mobile phone while driving. 
• Kids younger than seven years must be seated in their car seats. 
• Last but not least, don’t drink and drive.

Conclution

It’s critical to understand our responsibilities for keeping our car or motorcycle roadworthy. Each state in Australia has its own set of rules, tests, and other requirements. However, their sole purpose is to determine whether or not someone can drive safely. The road rules in Australia are the most similar to those in New Zealand. Knowing the road regulations makes you a safer driver and contributes to the safety of other road users.

Every driver is allowed to accumulate a maximum of 12 demerit points on their license over three years. These demerit points are received for speeding, running a red light, talking on a cell phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. If a person obtains 12 demerit points, their license will be suspended, and they will have to pay a hefty fee. In some areas, someone may even be sentenced to prison.