Getting a driver’s licence in Australia

While Australian cities have robust public transportation networks, the country's sheer size makes it a must for those who want to explore to have a driver’s licence. Besides, driving skills grant the freedom of movement many seek. Here are the basics of getting a driver’s licence in Australia.

Australia driver’s licence age eligibility

The minimum age to apply for a licence is practically 16 years old in all states, except for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), in which it is 15 years and 9 months.

Steps to get a driver’s licence in Australia

Here are the general steps to get a licence in Australia:

Pass a theory test and get a learner’s licence

You will have to answer multiple-choice questions on road safety and rules in this test. To pass the test and get a learner’s licence, you must get at least an 80% score. You can do it at a Driver and Vehicle Services Centre.

Learn to drive under Australian regulations

After you have obtained your learner’s licence, you can now learn to drive. You can learn from driving instructors or take classes at registered driving schools.

Take the Practical Driving Assessment (PDA)

After you’re sure of your capability to drive under Australian regulations, take the practical test. You will be driving next to an examiner, who will tell you whether you pass at the end of the PDA.

Get a Red P or P1

If you pass the PDA, you will need to practise driving with some limitations, such as maintaining a blood alcohol level of zero, a speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour and the ability to pull trailers weighing up to 250 kgs.

P1 drivers only have a few demerit points. You will have to hold this licence for a year before moving on to the subsequent licence.

Get a Green P or P2

P2 drivers also have limitations: a blood alcohol level of zero and a speed limit of no more than 100 kilometres per hour.

After six months of P2, you can apply for a full licence.

Get a Full Licence

You can drive on the maximum speed limit and have all the demerit points with a full licence.

Documents needed to apply

To apply for a learner’s licence, you will have to provide your Department of Transport with certain documents.

The documents you use to apply to have to fulfil a 100-point check. This means that a document is worth a certain amount of points, and you must provide as much paperwork as needed to pass the 100-point check.

There are two kinds of documents: primary (worth 70 points) and secondary (worth different amounts of points). Only one primary document is needed, while multiple secondary documents are allowed. If you cannot present your primary documents for any reason, you must submit at least one secondary document with your picture on it, as primary documents are photo identifications.

Primary documents

Birth Card;
Birth Certificate;
Expired passport (not cancelled and expired in previous two years);
Current passport;
Citizenship Certificate;
Documents that serve the same function as a passport (documents granted to refugees for identification purposes and diplomatic documents).

Australian driver’s licence photo requirements

The picture must be in colour and of good quality. The lighting and contrast must be even. No blurred, pixelated, or otherwise distorted photos may be accepted;
The photo background must be white;
The photo size is 3.5x4.5 cm;
The height of your head in the picture (from crown to chin) should be about 35 mm;
Your face must be fully visible, and your eyes must look straight into the camera. Keep a neutral facial expression;
Your face must be centred in the picture;
If glasses are to be worn for driving (i.e. the licence shows an ‘S’ condition), the photo image must be taken without your glasses;
Permanently worn facial piercings (nose rings or studs) can be worn but must not cause a reflection;
Headdresses are only allowed for religious reasons but may not obscure facial features.

Here is an example:

Get an Australian driver’s licence photo online

Do you want to get your licence done as quickly as possible? Then don’t waste your time where you can save it. Get your driving licence application photo done professionally to ensure it will be accepted upon submission.

Visafoto has been editing photos for documents worldwide since 2013. It can adjust your image to follow the requirements, such as background and size, including subtler ones like the head size in the picture and even head tilt.

To use Visafoto’s services, just upload your portrait to the tool below. Don’t worry about sizing and background; simply make sure your photo has good lighting and you follow the required dress code and posing rules.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.

Upload photo & Continue

Source

Result

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Whether you’re applying online or offline, Visafoto has your back! You will get a file containing your digital photo and a ready-to-print template so you can just print your photo without fussing about paper formatting.