Image: Wikimedia Commons
by GRACE JOHNSON
The Minns Government has cracked down on foreign drivers in New South Wales, seeing almost 20,000 overseas licence holders convert to NSW licences in the past four months.
Drivers will now have to convert to a NSW licence six months after arriving in Australia.
However, not all foreign drivers will be treated equally.
Drivers from certain countries (non-recognised) will have to take the same knowledge and practical tests as locals, meanwhile drivers from recognised countries will still have to convert their licences, but will be exempt from taking the test.
Recognised countries include the Western and Central European countries, Singapore, Japan, and New Zealand. However, all drivers who have arrived from China, India, Pakistan, or Nepal after July 1st will have to take the test.
According to Austroads, people from Eastern Europe, as well as the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Taiwan, will be able to exchange their overseas licence for an Australian issued driver licence without driver testing if they are over 25 years old.
Loopholes in previous system
The new regulation means that overseas drivers will be stripped of driving privileges if they accrue 13 demerit points, or are convicted of serious driving offences, such as speeding or driving under the influence.
Previously, there were loopholes in the system which allowed overseas drivers to rack up serious losses of demerit points, but continue to drive on the road.
Minister for Roads John Graham said, “It will be a relief for the nearly 7 million drivers in NSW on a state licence that we are seeing the beginning of a long overdue rollover of foreign licences. This will improve the overall standard of driving in NSW and therefore safety in general.”
“It is frightening to say the least that some drivers on overseas licences have been able to chalk up demerit points almost with impunity.”
In the past four months, some of the drivers hit with suspensions include: a driver who accumulated 37 demerit points since 2021 in 7 speeding offences and 3 mobile phone infringements, and a driver who had 33 demerit points, was caught speeding at 30 km/h-plus over the limit, as well as multiple other speeding and mobile phone offences.
At the moment of publication, City Hub is awaiting comment from NRMA.
