Visiting New South Wales
Driving in NSW on an overseas licence
For visitors driving in Sydney or across New South Wales on a licence from home. We translate the licence into English, delivered digitally, with NAATI certification as an option.
Published 5 September 2026 · Updated 21 September 2026 · Official Translation
Driving in NSW on an overseas licence?
Answer a few quick questions and get your answer in 1 second.
Where it is asked for
What the NSW Government says to carry
Your overseas licence is the document you drive on. If it is not in English, the NSW page names a second document to carry with it.
Driving on the licence you hold
“you can drive in NSW using your overseas licence for up to six months”. That is the NSW Government’s wording for visitors. Nothing replaces your original licence, so keep it with you whenever you drive.
Source: NSW Government, driving with an overseas licence in NSW
If the licence is not in English
“If your licence is not written in English, you must also carry an English translation, or an International Driving Permit. This is issued by the motoring association or embassy of the country that you are licensed to drive in.” It is a choice: one or the other. The words “must also carry” tell you the licence itself still comes along.
Source: NSW Government, driving with an overseas licence in NSW
A permit cannot be arranged in Australia
“Only Australian driver licence holders can apply for an IDP in Australia. If you hold an overseas driver licence you must apply for a permit in the country that issued your licence.” If you are already here without a permit, a translation is the option you can still arrange.
Source: Australian Automobile Association, International Driving Permits
What each state fines, on the spot and in court, when a licence that is not in English has no translation with it: driving without a licence translation: the fine in each state.
Translation or permit
Choosing between the options NSW names
The NSW page treats the permit and the translation as alternatives.
If you already hold a permit
Carry it together with your licence. The Australian Automobile Association says of the permits it issues that one “is only valid if you carry your domestic driver licence photo card”, and NSW takes the same line for a visiting driver: the permit is carried as well as the licence, never instead of it.
Source: Australian Automobile Association, International Driving Permits
If you have no permit
An English translation of your licence is the other document the NSW page names; for driving, choose the NAATI option. Order it before you fly or after you land; it arrives by email. Keep it with the original licence, never instead of it.
Who should prepare it
NSW names no translating body for visitors and does not say who must prepare the translation. Queensland points to NAATI’s list of approved translators, and Europcar’s rental terms name an English translation issued by NAATI too. For driving, choose NAATI certification, a credential others recognise.
Still deciding? Our permit or translation page compares the wording state by state; our rent a car in Australia page covers what hire desks ask for.
What a careful job includes
What our licence translation covers
Both sides of the card, in full
Name, date of birth, licence number, categories or classes, conditions and restrictions, issue and expiry dates, issuing authority, and every stamp or code. Nothing is summarised.
Names as they appear in your passport
Names are romanised to match your passport spelling, so the translation, passport and hire booking all read the same.
Digital delivery, NAATI optional
Delivery is by email; the order page shows the options. The NAATI option is prepared by a NAATI-certified translator and carries a digital stamp with a scannable QR code.
An English translation is what the NSW page names. The NAATI option adds a certification statement and a recognised credential, and it is the one to choose for driving. Moving to NSW rather than visiting? Licence conversion follows different rules — read our NSW licence translation page before you order.
Pricing
The full price on screen before you order
Translation is $39.99 per page into English, delivered digitally. Add NAATI certification for $59.99 per page, prepared by a NAATI-certified translator with a digital stamp carrying a scannable QR code.
Hiring a car in Sydney? Rental companies set their own wording; see our rent a car in Australia page. For other documents, see our driver licence translation service.