Every Australian
Licence Class.
Explained.
Know exactly what tests, documents and steps you need before walking into any transport agency. The 2026 Austroads reforms changed the rules for 40+ countries overnight.
Car & Small Van (up to 4.5t)
Standard passenger vehicles and vans up to 4.5t GVM. The most common overseas licence conversion type in Australia. Rules differ significantly depending on your country of origin under 2026 reforms.
2026 Austroads Reform — Class C
UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium
India, South Africa, Philippines, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and 25+ more
All other countries not listed above — full theory AND practical test required regardless of driving experience or years held
How the Conversion Works
5 steps from overseas licence to Australian licence — we handle all of them.
Eligibility Check
We confirm your country classification under 2026 rules and your visa/deadline situation.
Theory Test Prep
State-specific study materials. DKT/VicRoads/TMR/Service SA/DoT WA — all different.
Documents Ready
Original licence, NAATI cert, 100pts ID, address proof, visa docs. We checklist everything.
Practical (if needed)
We book, coach on local routes, and accompany you. 97% first-attempt pass rate.
Agency Lodgement
We attend with you. Overseas licence surrendered, Australian licence issued same day.
Restricted Motorcycle (LAMS)
Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme. Power-to-weight restricted bikes only. This is the mandatory starting point for most overseas motorcycle riders converting in Australia — experienced or not.
Full Open Motorcycle
Full open licence — no power or engine size restrictions. After completing the RE phase and the minimum holding period, you upgrade to full Class R. We manage the upgrade process.
Many experienced overseas riders are surprised to learn that 10+ years of riding experience does not exempt them from the RE/LAMS phase in most Australian states. The pathway exists for road safety reasons and cannot be bypassed. Plan for a minimum 12-month RE period before upgrading — we'll make that period as smooth as possible.
Light Rigid Truck
Vehicles over 4.5t GVM with 2 axles. Common for delivery drivers, tradespeople and courier companies. Full theory test and practical road test required from all countries — no exemptions.
Medium Rigid Truck
2-axle rigid trucks over 8t GVM. Common in trade and transport sectors. Full theory test, pre-trip vehicle inspection, and practical road test. State testing vehicle rules differ significantly.
Heavy Rigid Truck (3+ axles)
Required for large commercial vehicles in logistics, mining and construction. Professional standard test. We provide ADR-compliant test vehicles in all 5 states — most foreign trucks don't qualify.
Heavy Combination (Semi-Trailer)
Articulated semi-trailers and B-doubles. The highest road licence in Australia. No country holds any exemption. HR licence is a prerequisite. We have HC-specialist assessors and vehicles in all 5 states.
Heavy Vehicle — What We Provide
We provide compliant LR, MR, HR and HC test vehicles in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA. Your overseas truck won't pass ADR checks.
Our instructors know each state's test routes, assessor expectations, and the specific pre-trip inspection protocols that trip up overseas drivers.
If you need HR before HC, or LR before MR, we map the full sequence and minimise the total time to your target licence.
Forklift Licence
Forklift and order-picker licences are High Risk Work licences — entirely separate from road licences. Regulated by SafeWork Australia. Overseas certificates are not recognised anywhere in Australia regardless of country or experience.
Other HRW Licences
Crane operator, dogging, rigging, scaffolding, pressure equipment and other High Risk Work licences all follow the same rule — overseas certificates are not recognised. Each requires its own Australian accredited course and assessment.
Road Licence + HRW Together
Many clients need both a Class C or HR road licence and a forklift or crane HRW licence. We coordinate both processes simultaneously — saving weeks and reducing the number of agencies you need to deal with.
Many migrants confuse forklift licences (HRW) with road licences. They are completely separate — different authority, different legislation, different process. A Class C road licence does not allow you to operate a forklift. Contact us to coordinate both at the same time.
What Does Your Country
Status Mean in 2026?
The 2026 Austroads reforms changed everything. Check where your country sits — this determines exactly which tests and steps you need.
| Country | 2026 Status | Theory Test | Practical Test | NAATI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK, USA, Canada, NZ | ✓ Recognised | ✓ Required | ✗ Exempt | ✗ Not needed |
| Germany, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore | ✓ Recognised | ✓ Required | ✗ Exempt | ✓ If non-English |
| Nordic countries, Switzerland | ✓ Recognised | ✓ Required | ✗ Exempt | ✓ If non-English |
| India | ⚠ Exemption Removed | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Philippines | ⚠ Exemption Removed | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✗ Not needed |
| South Africa | ⚠ Exemption Removed | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✗ Not needed |
| China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka | ⚠ Exemption Removed | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Pakistan, Bangladesh | ⚠ Exemption Removed | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ Required |
| Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana | ● Full Testing | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✗ Not needed |
| All other countries | ● Full Testing | ✓ Required | ✓ Required | ✓ If non-English |
Country classifications can differ between states. NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA each maintain their own recognition lists with subtle differences. Our quiz maps your exact country and state combination in 60 seconds.
Not Sure Which Class or Tests Apply?
Our 2-minute quiz maps your overseas licence to the correct Australian class, tests and steps — personalised to your state and visa type.