From October 2025 big changes are coming to Australia’s driver licence rules that will directly affect migrants and overseas licence holders. The Experienced Driver Recognition scheme which previously allowed many people to convert their licence without tests is being phased out. Under the new rules more migrants may need to sit knowledge tests practical driving exams and pay additional fees which could also mean facing longer delays due to high demand.
What’s Changing in 2025 for Migrants and Overseas Licence Holders
- End of Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR)
- From 30 April 2025 the EDR scheme ends in most Australian states and territories except Western Australia and Queensland
- WA residents get a transition period until 31 October 2025 to apply for a WA licence under previous rules
- More Tests and Higher Requirements
- Migrants from some countries that were previously covered under EDR will now need to pass both knowledge tests and practical driving tests when converting their overseas licence to an Australian licence
- Stronger verification of overseas licence validity and identity document fraud is being introduced
- Deadlines and Transitional Arrangements
- In WA the deadline to transition under the old EDR category is 31 October 2025. After that both theory and practical tests may be required
- Other states have already ended EDR or are phasing it out
- Wait Times and Delays
- The changes are expected to increase demand for licence conversion tests. This may lead to longer wait times for both theoretical and practical driving tests
- States are preparing for this by increasing testing capacity or opening more testing centres
Who Is Affected
- Migrants international students work visa holders or anyone holding an overseas driver licence who wishes to convert it to an Australian licence
- Particularly people from countries in the EDR category who previously could convert without tests
- Drivers under 25 from those countries might also face stricter tests
What Migrants Must Do
- Check when EDR ends in your state to know if you still have time before stricter rules apply
- If required prepare for a knowledge test and practical driving test when converting your licence
- Begin conversion process early to avoid being caught up in backlog or delays
- Make sure your overseas licence is valid current and properly verified
- Be aware of extra costs that might arise such as testing fees and training