Getting my Aussie Driving Licence!
Sorry for the anti-climax 😅 but for those holding a Singapore licence and are above 22 y/o, have held your licence for more than 3 years, it’s Full Aussie Licence directly!
✨ I just had to go online to make an appointment to attend at one of the Vic Roads branches and get my licence converted.
🕰️ The appointment slot were hard to get though, with those nearer to the CBD having to wait for up to one month. I decided to drive further and got my appt 2 weeks out.
✍️ At the branch, they verified my SG licence, took an eye test and a headshot, and asked if I’d like to pay for a 3 or 5 years licence. Since I was only going to be there for a year, 3 years was good enough and that was $92!
Yupps, licences expire overseas and it’s a wonder to many foreigners why our licences are for life 😬
They issued me a ‘paper licence’ after payment and two weeks later, the physical card appeared in my mail!
❗️well, if you’re in aussie for <6 months, no conversion is needed. I didn’t have to rush to get it actually, but having an aussie licence serves as
🌟additional proof of identity🌟 which is very important for visa holders here.
If you're planning to drive in Australia with a Singapore licence, it's useful to know that Singapore is a recognised country for licence conversion in Victoria. This recognition makes the process straightforward if you meet certain criteria like age and licence validity. From my experience, booking an appointment with VicRoads can be a bit challenging due to demand, especially for locations closer to the CBD where wait times can stretch up to a month. I found it helpful to book at a branch further from central areas, which offered slots in just two weeks. It’s definitely worth planning ahead. When you attend your appointment, you'll go through a simple verification process, including an eye test and photo capture. You’ll also decide the duration of your licence—3 or 5 years are options, with pricing proportionate to the length, so if you’re only in Australia short term, 3 years might be sufficient. An interesting note is that Australian licences have expiration dates, unlike Singapore's lifetime validity, so it’s important to be aware of this when converting your licence. Also, if you're in Australia for less than six months, licence conversion isn't mandatory, but having an Aussie licence acts as a valuable additional proof of identity, which can be helpful for visa holders like myself. Overall, converting your licence is a practical step that simplifies daily life and driving legality during your stay in Australia. I recommend checking VicRoads’ online resources for the latest application processes and eligibility criteria to make your experience smooth and stress-free.
