Driving in Australia: Using your Philippine licence in Victoria

Your driver’s licence should be proof that you can drive. Sure, you can use your licence in the Philippines; but does it give you permission to operate a vehicle in Victoria?

Using your Philippine license in Autralia

Can you use your Philippine license in Australia? Source: AAP

According to Victorian driving instructor Noel Tolentino, “If you [have] a permanent visa…PR, you can use your Philippine licence for 6 months before you convert it to a Victorian licence…after 6 months, you won’t be able to drive using your Philippine licence."

Same rule applies to temporary visa holders including tourists and international students. You can use your overseas licence for your first six months of living in Victoria (after that, you need to get a Victorian licence instead)

However, Mr Tolentino emphasises that while using your Philippine driver’s licence is legal in some cases, you put yourself and others at risk if you are not familiar with the laws and driving culture and attitudes in Australia.

It is important to note that you can only use your Philippine licence if it is valid.

Philippine licenses cannot be renewed in Australia.

According to the website of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra, applicants need to apply to renew their licences through a representative in the Philippines or via a postal application sent to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines.

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