Drivers License Requirements in Australia

Just what driving licence is required for you to be able to legally hire a car and drive around in Australia?

Valid Licence: First and foremost, you must hold a valid full driver’s license. As tourists, visitors to Australia are allowed to drive with their existing driving licence for up to three months. Beyond that, an International Driving Permit (IDP) will be required.
Full Licence: All the major companies require that you have a full license to rent a car. Learner’s permits, provisional and/or probationary licenses are not accepted.
Duration held: Some car hire companies may impose a minimum duration for which you must have held your current licence e.g. Avis and Hertz expect a one-year minimum.
Licence Language: Any valid drivers license in English is accepted. This means if your licence is issued in e.g. UK, USA, New Zealand, etc. you’re set. For licenses in other languages, you should have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany your current driver’s license.

Extra Notes for Specific Countries
United Kingdom: If you hold one of those new photo driving licences, you’ll have to bring along your paper licence too.
China: A China Notarial Certificate is accepted as an alternative to the International Driving Permit as long as you have your original Chinese licence with you too.

The International Driving Permit (IDP)
An IDP is required for anyone whose drivers license is not in English, or intends to stay and drive in Australia for longer than three months. The IDP is in effect a legal translation of your current valid driver’s licence that remains valid for 12 months. It resembles a passport-sized booklet with translations into 9 international languages. It does NOT constitute a licence on its own and rather must be carried around together with your actual valid drivers licence. The IDP is recognized by a large list of countries (over 150), including Australia.

Be careful when applying for your IDP online. There are many versions of sites claiming to offer IDPs for a whole range of prices (up to the hundreds!) yet many of these sites aren’t officially government sanctioned. To avoid being scammed, go to the sites of government-approved and well-established automobile associations within your country. As an indication of the price to expect, in the UK it currently costs about £8, USA US$15, Germany €16, and in Australia A$25-30.

In Practice
These are the official rules you should abide by to ensure you have no problems renting and driving. It is, however, not uncommon for car hire company employees to close an eye if you try to rent with a country licence they are familiar with even though it’s not in English. Your success will depend on your luck whether the person serving you is feeling flexible or in a good mood. But remember that even if you do manage to hire your car, if you get stopped by the Police, you may be fined for not carrying the appropriate documents. In summary, it’s better to be properly prepared!