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Drivers with interstate licences

If you have an interstate driver licence (learner, provisional or full) and you’ve moved to the ACT you will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre.

What you’ll need to do or bring with you will depend on your circumstances.

Until you get your ACT drivers licence, interstate learner and provisional licence holders must follow the rules of their home jurisdiction when driving in the ACT.

Sometimes interstate checks need to be made so allow plenty of time for a transfer to be processed.

Getting an ACT provisional driver licence with your interstate learner licence

If eligible, Access Canberra may recognise the period of time you’ve held a learner driver licence interstate.

Complete the learner period

You need to hold an active (not expired, suspended or disqualified) learner driver licence for:

  • a minimum of 12 months, or
  • 6 months if you’re 25 or older at the time you got your learner licence.

You will need to get an ACT learner driver licence if:

  • you’re not aged 17 yet, or
  • you’ve held the licence for less than 12 months (less than 6 months if you’re aged 25 or older), or
  • you don’t want to take the practical driving assessment

Read more about getting your learner driver licence in the ACT.

Complete the required driving hours and hazard perception test

To get your Ps you need to practice driving, not only to get the required hours, but to make sure you’re a safe and confident driver.

The number of hours depends on your age:

  • A licence issued before you turned 25 years old: 100 supervised driving hours including 10 hours at night
  • 25 or older: 50 supervised driving hours including 5 at night

You will need to complete the Hazard Perception Test from the state or territory that issued your learner licence.

Obtain a licence history

You will need to provide a licence history from the state or territory that issued your learner licence:

This history is only valid for 7 calendar days.

Book a driving assessment

Visit an Access Canberra Service Centre to book your practical driving assessment.

You will need to bring:

  • A valid licence history dated within 7 calendar days
  • provide evidence of your completed supervised driving hours from your home jurisdiction (for example, a logbook app printout or physical logbook)
    • If you are under 25 years old: 100 hours, including 10 hours of night driving
    • If you are 25 years old or older: 50 hours, including 5 hours of night driving.
  • provide evidence you have completed a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) interstate
  • bring your proof of identity and proof you live in the ACT
  • a debit card or credit card to pay the booking fee.

Access Canberra will give you a checklist. You must bring this checklist to your assessment.

Read about the practical driving assessment.

If you pass

You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre to apply for an ACT provisional licence.

To do this you will need:

You will need to provide your proof of identity and proof you live in the ACT.

All cards issued by Access Canberra are posted to you and cannot be collected from an Access Canberra Service Centre. You will be issued a temporary licence to use until your physical card arrives.

If you don’t pass the assessment

If you don’t pass the practical driving assessment you will need to apply for an ACT learner driver licence.

You must complete the Pre-Learner Licence Course and Road Rules Knowledge Test before attempting another practical driving assessment.

Read more about getting your learner driver licence in the ACT.

Getting an ACT equivalent of your provisional interstate or New Zealand driver licence

If you have moved to the ACT, have a provisional interstate driver licence and you intend to drive in the ACT you need to get an ACT driver licence within 3 months of moving here. If eligible, Access Canberra may recognise the period of time you’ve held a provisional driver licence in New Zealand or interstate.

What you’ll need to do:

You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and bring:

You must attend the Access Canberra Service Centre within 7 calendar days of getting this history.

If your interstate licence has expired, there is a fee.

New Zealand licence holders also need to pay a fee.

All cards issued by Access Canberra are posted to you and cannot be collected from an Access Canberra Service Centre.

If you’re under the age of 25 you’ll be mailed a P1 driver licence.

If you’re aged 25 or older, you’ll be mailed a P2 driver licence.

You’ll be issued a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days.

Read about licence classes and conditions.

Getting an ACT equivalent of your interstate or New Zealand full driver licence

If you have moved to the ACT, have a full interstate driver licence and you intend to drive in the ACT you need to get an ACT driver licence within 3 months of moving here.

What you’ll need to do:

You will need to visit an Access Canberra Service Centre and bring:

You must attend an Access Canberra Service Centre within 7 calendar days of getting this history.

If you have a medium rigid (MR) or higher class of licence, you must bring a Commercial Driver Health Assessment completed by your general practitioner.

For interstate driver licences, you will be issued an ACT licence with the same expiry date as your interstate licence for no fee. If you need to renew your licence, a fee applies.

All cards issued by Access Canberra are posted to you and cannot be collected from an Access Canberra Service Centre.

You’ll be issued a temporary licence which you can use until your physical card arrives, which can take up to 21 business days.

For New Zealand driver licences, there is a fee.

Medical conditions and driving

If you are applying for or currently hold an ACT driver licence you must tell Access Canberra if you have a permanent or long-term illness, injury, or incapacity that might impair your driving ability.

Access Canberra may ask you to demonstrate your fitness to drive to ensure you can safely operate a vehicle. This may involve one or both:

  • a medical examination
  • a driving assessment by an occupational therapist

Read about fitness to drive.