TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Starting May 2025, drivers from Taiwan will no longer be able to transfer their licenses to Australia.
Under Australia’s new overseas driver's license conversion standards, permanent residents holding a Taiwan driver's license will need to pass a driving test to convert their license to an Australian one.
On Oct. 21, the Australian road authority, Austroads, announced changes to the "Recognized Country Scheme," which has been in place for 20 years. This scheme includes two categories of certification—"Recognized Country status" and "Experienced Driver Recognition status"—to apply appropriate management measures for license holders from different countries.
Under the current scheme, motorists with a license from a country with Recognized Country Status are exempt from undergoing knowledge and driving or riding tests when applying for car or motorcycle licenses in Australia. Drivers who hold licenses from countries with Experienced Driver Recognition status and are 25 years or older are also exempt.
Foreign residents from a country with Experienced Driver Recognition status under 25 must pass knowledge and driving examinations.
According to the latest changes, on April 30, 2025, Australia will terminate the Experienced Driver Recognition status. Holders of driver's licenses from countries on this list like Taiwan, South Korea, and South Africa will need additional training and testing to convert their license to an Australian one.
Austroads CEO Geoff Allan said, “If an overseas license holder does not apply to transition to an Australian license before the Experienced Driver Recognition Scheme ends, they are likely to have to undertake further training and testing before they can be issued with an Australian license.”
He advised Australian residents aged 25 and above, who hold overseas licenses and meet the Experienced Driver Recognition criteria, to apply early to avoid missing the deadline and facing additional tests.
However, Allan emphasized that this change does not apply to tourists. “These changes do not apply to visitors to Australia who will continue to be able to drive on Australian roads if they hold a valid overseas license and comply with all conditions of that license,” said Allan.