Major change for one group of drivers on Australian roads

Many drivers could be deemed unlicensed without even realising it after a major change takes effect on Australian roads.

Permanent residents in Australia who use their overseas licence on Aussie roads may soon face harsh penalties, as a major change could mean they are driving illegally within days.

Many international citizens will need to resit a drivers exam to be officially licensed on Australian roads, as their experienced driver recognition status is phased out.

The EDR allowed international citizens permanently residing in Australia to transfer their overseas licence to an Aussie one without sitting further exams.

However, this will end in most states and territories across Australia on Wednesday.

A major licensing change could mean thousands are driving illegally within days. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Drivers from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Republic of Serbia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Taiwan will all be required to pass an Australian drivers test if they want to keep driving on Aussie roads.

Those on a temporary resident status will be allowed to continue using their overseas licence.

The new rule will come into force on Wednesday across all states and territories except Queensland – where it will kick in mid-year – and Western Australia, where it will end on October 31.

Originally published as Major change for one group of drivers on Australian roads