Guest timtims83 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I have just arrived in Australia having been granted a subclass 309 Provisional Spouse Visa. My partner has a car and i have been driving around the area and decided that i should get a full NSW licence. I have a full UK licence and therefore just wanted to transfer it over. When i went to the RTA to apply for my licence they told me that i would have to wait for 6 months before applying for a NSW licence due to the fact that my Visa is classed as temporary. Under NSW rules, a visitor can drive on a foreign licence for 3 months but then i will have to stop driving and wait another 3 months before i can apply for a NSW licence. Does this seem right or am i missing something? Personally, i think that yes my visa is temporary for 2 years until they grant my permanent Spouse Visa, but my intentions are to live in Australia for ever and therefore the temporary part is a bit misleading! Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated:emoticon-signxmas: Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Faye&Matt Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 That's really interesting. We're going over on a spouse visa too and I was wanting to get an Aus driving license asap too but doesn't look like I'll be able to now. It seems a very silly rule but I can sort of understand it. What a pain to not be able to drive for 3 months. that will make things a lot harder for both of us I'm sure not being able to drive for 3 months, especially with regards to getting to work, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest timtims83 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hmmm, thats interesting... I've just spoken with the RTA in NSW and was told that the 3 month rule is an old rule! The new rules state that if you have a UK licence (or some other foreign licence), you can drive until the expiry date on your current licence. But you still have to wait the 6 months before you can apply for a NSW licence. I'm going to keep looking this matter up as what the guy just said on the phone doesn't quite match what i've seen online. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest timtims83 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hmmm, it's all very contradicting, but i'm taking the first question and answer on this link as my answer! Looks like we'll be okay guys!! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Faye&Matt Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thanks for posting that! It's good to know I'm not going to be stuck on the dodgy central coast public transport for 3 months! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuju Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I have just arrived in Australia having been granted a subclass 309 Provisional Spouse Visa. My partner has a car and i have been driving around the area and decided that i should get a full NSW licence. I have a full UK licence and therefore just wanted to transfer it over. When i went to the RTA to apply for my licence they told me that i would have to wait for 6 months before applying for a NSW licence due to the fact that my Visa is classed as temporary. Under NSW rules, a visitor can drive on a foreign licence for 3 months but then i will have to stop driving and wait another 3 months before i can apply for a NSW licence. Does this seem right or am i missing something? Personally, i think that yes my visa is temporary for 2 years until they grant my permanent Spouse Visa, but my intentions are to live in Australia for ever and therefore the temporary part is a bit misleading! Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated:emoticon-signxmas: Tim Tim, I would advise you to go into a different branch & get your aussie licence, why becuase :- a friend of mine was told that she had to wait 6months (she came over to oz straight as a pr) had a car accident & then the police wanted to sue her as it was after 4months & she was told by the police she should have changed her uk licence to aussie licence in 3 months - luckily she got off with it & all was sorted, I myself applied for my temp spouse visa onshore in oz & before i had put my application in & only a few days after i landed in oz i got my aussie licence with no worries. Hope you get it sorted best wishes stuju :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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