JaynBev Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 We're moving across to Perth in Jan 2012 having already been across to vailidate our visa in Dec 2010. We've just had the bombshell dropped on us that if you have a validated visa you get 3months from that date of issue to convert your license across to a WA license otherwise you have to sit the theory test & pass an eyeslght test before they will give you a license. Has anyone else had this & can you still use your UK license to hire & drive a car or are you breaking the law? regards Jay n Bev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest boyllba Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 I would like to know the answer to this also as it looks like we will need to validate in February as no offers on the house yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest simmo Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 i asked this question last week on here, i know it say 3 months from being granted your visa, but apparently this is not correct, its 3 months once activated, or 12 months if you get your license chaged to an international license before you go. look back through the threads and someone gave me the link to the driving agency in wa, it tells you on there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 We are also moving in January after receiving our Visa in September so will be in exactly the same boat. An added complication for us is that we've lived in France for the last 6 years and I exchanged my license for a French one although my husband didn't and I will have to find an official translator on arrival before I can exchange it. It would seem very unlikely that you would be able to hire a car although I don't know this for certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Heathfamily Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Have a look here http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20669.asp I was under the imprestion it is 3 months after emigrating ( I hope ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Have looked at this site before in the hope I could exchange my license before we left France unfortunately not but thanks anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaynBev Posted October 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Folks,<br><br>We rang the Licensing agency on this and they confirmed we need to do the eyetest & theory test but he wasn't clear on whether that was because the visa was over 3 months validated or 3months from issue - I will ring again tomorrow and doublecheck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elsie3 Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 We validated our visas August 09, but didn't emigrate until November last year. We got our WA drivers license with no problems a month or so after moving over, once we had secured a rental. Only had to fill in a form, read the eye sight sign on the wall behind the counter and hand over proof of ID and the money - very easy. No theory test involved. Hope this helps. (Not sure if it's changed in the last 12 months, mind) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 So we can't get a license without property rental address? We are unsure where we are going to settle yet so intended to travel (drive!) around upon arrival before renting anything. Also work dependent of course we can't decide where to settle until we have a job most of which require us to have transport....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druid Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Guys, dont panic, its easy, a UK license is accepted in WA, its a painless process, just walk into any photopoint centre (post office), have a pic taken (its digitally recorded so you dont actually leave with a picture only a number), go to any driver licensing office get your eyes tested, do the 'Proof of Identity' bit, which is the hardest part when you are new, just use your employers address, you could even get your employer to write you a letter, pays your dues and walk out with a license, well a temp one, the original will come in the post. Aus Drivers License Proof of Identity.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 That's reassuring apart from the need of job or address part! fingers crossed we get one sorted before January. We're on loads of job sites - my husband is a qualified Carpenter Joiner with a White card but so far no one has even got back to us about work. Is most peoples experience that its easier to get work once your in the country or is there not really that much work about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druid Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 You can use your short term rental address when you arrive, believe me when I say that you are wasting your time trying to get a job unless you are in country, I dont know what it is with Aussies and employment agencies, but unless you are a brain surgeon or other extremely sought after qualification, trying to get a job while you are in the UK is a waste of time, they wont even talk to you or answer e mails, I have done this twice now and in both cases its like banging your head against a brick wall, its frustrating as you see them advertising, you have the skills, you apply on line, you hear nothing, its normal, just pack up and leave, you will not have a problem when you are there, just look on www.seek.com.au for carpenters, 24 jobs avertised now, I'm sure your hubby will get one of those to keep you going while he finds what he wants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 Thanks thats very reassuring we were starting to think that maybe this skill shortage is nonsense and there aren't really any jobs apart from at the mines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 My understanding is that once you arrive you have 3 months to change your licence, we got our visa in July 2006 and moved in January 2007 and didn't need to do a theory test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Just rang the department of transport in WA about the 3 months you get to exchange your license. It is from the date you arrive in country and validate your license and NOT from the date your Visa is granted. Phew! Expect that's a relief for not just me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Just wanted to throw into the mix that anyone on a 457 does not need a WA License. As a temp visa holder I've no real incentive to get one unless anyone can advise otherwise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brideycollette Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Just rang the department of transport in WA about the 3 months you get to exchange your license. It is from the date you arrive in country and validate your license and NOT from the date your Visa is granted. Phew! Expect that's a relief for not just me! :notworthy:Haha THANKYOU my hubbie owes me £100 quid now yayyy , his employer to be in OZ sent details about changing driving licences and they gave the wrong info, told him nope they are wrong he wouldn't believe me hence i said i bet you hundred quid im right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kclarkethe3rd Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I'm still a bit confused to be honest our agent told us in our Visa grant information pack it was from the date the visa was granted but the lady I spoke to this morning was definite its from the date of entry. Which reminds me that was another piece of mis information from our agent I need to tell him about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brideycollette Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I wonder if they are all using the same print off , ie my hubbies new firm had it in a pack called everything you need to know about moving to oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaynBev Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 It was on the "Everything you need to know" download from the WA gov's website that I first saw it. When I rang the bloke I spoke to had to go off & check. He came back that if you had already got a validated visa then the 3 months had expired and you needed to take the test. However, if they do not know whats on their own Gov'ment website, no wonder everyone else is confused!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druid Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Yes WA Roads are confused, they wont even accept there own DIAC issued Electronic visa system. ..........................mmmmm left hand, right hand, mmmmm....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brideycollette Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 :wacko:i know my friend just had to get a label because they wouldn't accept electronic system visa going to get our labels before we go i think ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaynBev Posted November 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 right to go full circle on this I rang the WA licensing office again this morning & spoke to John there. He confirmed that you have 3 months after you emigrate to Australia to change the license over. When I asked him about the WA Gov'ment document he said he felt it was an error and it would be amended soon. Hope this helps folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Druid Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 We're moving across to Perth in Jan 2012 having already been across to vailidate our visa in Dec 2010. We've just had the bombshell dropped on us that if you have a validated visa you get 3months from that date of issue to convert your license across to a WA license otherwise you have to sit the theory test & pass an eyeslght test before they will give you a license. Has anyone else had this & can you still use your UK license to hire & drive a car or are you breaking the law? regards Jay n Bev We just sorted the drivers license out, you need : your passport with a visa label or the visa grant letter, if you using a visa grant letter make sure its the PDF document printed from the e-mail and not the screen dump print from the DIAC Web site, they wont accept the internet version and as far as they are concerned your visa grant letter is the original. Its 3 months from the day you arrive permanently, they didnt even look in the passport for the arrival stamp, if its a UK license you dont need to do the theory test, you do need the eye test, they do this there and then. You are going to need your Medicare card for ID, so apply for Medicare as soon as possible. You are going to need a Bank statement or similar showing your permanent address and your bank card Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 We had our photo's taken at the licencing office when we did the eye test - have they stopped taking your picture at the licencing centre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.