Advocating for Defence families

Driver Licence and Registration

It was our first posting and it was a huge one from Brisbane to Perth. A long flight over with two small children, stuck in an apartment for two weeks trying to scramble for things to keep the little people entertained. And let’s not forget the never-ending, tedious task of unpacking and assembling all of our belongings I thought the worst was over. Little did I know the nightmare was just about to start……The nightmare of registering the car and changing my licence interstate.

For those of you who have been through this in the past I’m sure you can relate to how painful at times this can be. From waiting at the transport centre for an eternity with your toilet training toddler, to scrambling for a screwdriver to change over your licence plates in the car park on a scorching hot day and let’s not forget the sometimes-multiple trips because “You need this document and not that document.” Where you then go home to try and find your document box in amongst your tower of other boxes.

The good news is if you can go in prepared for battle and armed with all the facts you may just be able to save yourself a headache.

Prepare Schitts Creek GIF by CBC - Find & Share on GIPHY

Each state and territory have their own set of policies and provisions so it’s important and highly recommended to do your research into your posting locations requirements before you move. This way you can get together all the required documents and keep them in your luggage rather than packing it away to be put on the removal truck.

Driver Licence Transfer

WA Members and recognised partners do not need to transfer their licence until it expires.

https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/visiting-moving-from-interstate.asp

NT Licences must be changed within 3 months. No fee as long as licence is current.

https://nt.gov.au/driving/driverlicence/new-licences-and-visitors/transfer-your-interstate-or-overseas-licence

QLD Due to COVID you don’t need to transfer until your licence expires. (Normally, you would need to change within 3 months of arriving)

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/driver-licensing/overseas/transfer

NSW Licences must be changed within 3 months. No fee as long as licence is current.

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/transfer-interstate-driver-licence

VIC Members and recognised partners do not need to transfer their licence until it expires.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/new-to-victoria/defence-force-personnel

ACT Needs to be converted within 3 months

https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1581/~/act-driver-licence-information#!tabs-8

TAS Needs to be converted within 3 months

https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licensing/interstate_or_overseas_licences/converting_an_interstate_or_nz_licences

SA Needs to be converted within 3 months

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/licences/interstate-and-overseas/drivers-licence-transfer

I have done more heavy clicking for you and below is a quick link to each state and territories step by step guide for registering a vehicle new to the state/territory.

WA – https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/license-a-vehicle-new-to-wa.asp

NT – https://nt.gov.au/driving/rego/check,-renew-or-transfer-your-registration/transfer-your-interstate-registration

QLD – https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/registration/register/vehicle

NSW – https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/get-nsw-registration/index.html

VIC – https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/renew-update-or-cancel/register-an-interstate-vehicle

ACT – https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/kw/interstate%20

TAS – https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/registration/buying-selling/ex-mainland_vehicles

SA – https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/registration/vehicle-registration/driving-an-interstate-registered-vehicle

If anyone can navigate through the sometimes labyrinth of paperwork, policies and procedures and roadblocks it’s the resilient ADF families.  

GIF by MOODMAN - Find & Share on GIPHY

We believe in you, good luck & as always travel safely!

Trish Dodds

DFA National Delegate for Western Australia

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