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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For more information regarding applying to renew your Philippine licence, visit the Embassy of the Philippines, Canberra website.
For information regarding using your overseas licence in Australia, visit VicRoads and Transport Roads and Maritime Services.
