How to convert PH Driver's License to AU Driver's License?

Cassey · January 2017

Hi all! Just wanna share a good news, I just passed my driving test and got my full license. By the way, I'm in Melbourne. I did my test in Sunshine. I'm a beginner driver kaya sa mga katulad ko na nagsisimula pa lang, may pagasa po tayong makapasa, hehe Just a week before coming over to Australia (dahil gahul na sa oras), i got my Ph license. Netong PR na kami, i decided to convert mine. Yung Ph license ko was expired but was accepted by Vicroads. If I'm not mistaken, sabi sa Vicroads okay lang na expired as long as its not past 12mos. I did 3 tests for the conversion of my Ph license.

1) Knowledge test - pag nakapasa rito mabibigyan ka ng Learner's Permit. The LP will allow you to drive provided that you are with someone who's got a full license. For this one, i called to book in for the test. At the test date, i brought my passport with me, Medicare card, a bill with our address on it and the Form which i downloaded from the VicRoads website. The tests costs $40.90. If you pass, may babayarang $23.70 for the LP card. Madali lang yung test. It's a computer-based test, multiple choice. May downloadable na handbook sa VicRoads website and an online practice test.

Here is another website where you can do your online practice aside from the VicRoads website:
http://aussie-driver.com/

2) Hazard Perception Test - It's also a computer-based exam. It's basically a driving simulation. You will be asked to watch videos and from there you'll be asked when to stop, turn, move off and slow down by clicking the mouse button. At the start of the test, may 2 practice tests, be sure to remember the answer kasi it may appear on the test itself. Don't be a click-happy because not all the time na kailangan mong pumindot. The tests costs $35.50. You can review HPT through these websites:
https://drivesmart.vic.gov.au/
http://mylicence.sa.gov.au/hazard-perception-test

3) Drive test - I paid $60.70 for the test and $78 for the license card (valid for 3yrs). You can opt to get the 10yrs validity which costs $270+. Because I didn't have much experience in driving, i did 20 driving lessons here in Au. I had 3 instructors. I failed my 1st drive test because I forgot to signal and i lightly hit the kerb. That's when I decided to change my instructor. I would suggest na kung kukuha kayo ng instructor make sure na he's with a driving school and it's his fulltime job. It really makes a big difference. After failing the test, I stopped doing the lessons not until a week before my test. The last one was with an RACV driving instructor. I would say that out of all the instructors that I had, siya yung malinaw magexplain and napoint out niya lahat ng iniexpect na gagawin ko sa test. We drove thru the test routes din. I paid $297 for a 5 hr lesson (RACV member so we had discount) and for the test date itself i paid $230 for a 90min practice before the test + the test itself. Mahal pero sulit. 6 days before my driving test, everyday for an hour akong nagpractice. With the drive test, its more on the technical side of driving. You are expected to obey and put into practice ALL the rules. I have a PDF file, on how they are going to mark/assess the applicants. If you want a copy just let me know and I'll email them to you. Before starting the test, may pre-drive check. The testing officer will ask you to identify some vehicle controls. There are 2 stages for the driving test. 1st stage ay sa quieter envt. They will either asked you to do a reverse parallel parking or a 3 pt turn. If you can't do it, then the test ends in stage 1. 2nd stage ay sa areas where the speed is in 60-80km/hr. They will ask you to do lane changes, u turn, and turning in the median, etc.

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: Don't rush, take your time. On my first try, i was rushing kasi i want to finish the task given by the testing officer straight away which didn't do me any good. Remember, they say "when safe" so do it only when its safe. Pag hindi ka sure sa speed just stay on 50km/hr except of course sa mga permanent 40signs and during school times. Before turning into an intersection, make sure to check the sign where you're heading to like STOP sign, SPEED, or if you need to MERGE later on. Pag may STOP sign make sure to STOP for 5seconds. Check and give way to pedestrians when required and when you’re in a shared lane. Turn slowly. Check the gear before you move. Always do mirror checks. INDICATORS! Its a critical error if you forgot to put them on. Sometimes, they trick you into changing lane sa may white solid line (near traffic lights) so watch out for this.
Lastly, Pray hard. To God Be The Glory! Goodluck to all.

Captain_A · January 2017

@Cassey congrats!! tanong lang..

1. tama ba na unawa ko na you started from learner's permit tama ba?
2. if yes, how long mo required magpractice as learners permit holder? nabasa ko kasi sa vicroads, 3mons if above 25yo kana before ka proceed sa P1/P2 license
3. ilang months or yrs kana may ph license?
4. dumaan ka paba sa P1/P2 license?
5. ilang months ang total duration mula knowledge test?

salamat, sorry dami tanong..

search na ng murang kotse..

Cassey · January 2017

@Captain_A Thank you,

1. Tama, from a non-pro Ph license. Pag once na nagpaconvert ka dito sa Au ang magiging hawak mo na Learner's Permit. Once na converted na siya into Learner's Permit ibig sabihin hindi mo na magagamit yung Overseas license mo at di ka na allowed magdrive magisa dito sa Au.
2. Yung LP ko nakuha ko nung July 2016, ang expiry niya is 2026.
3. 3yrs na yung Ph license ko bago ko pinaconvert.
4. Hindi na ako dumaan sa P1/P2. Diretso na siyang naconvert into Full license.

I think as long as hawak mo na yung Ph license for 3mos diretso na siyang magiging Full license dito sa Au. (need to confirm though)
5. Ang Knowledge test at HPT ay valid lang for 12mos so bago matapos ang 12mos ng bawat test dapat makapagexam na for the next test.

Nauna na actually yung kotse hehe

During that time kasi we are allowed to drive for 6mos using the Ph license so we decided to get one para makapagpractice na rin. Yun yung kagandahan dito sa Au. As long as may full time/part time work ka kahit wala kang pang deposit for a new car, they will approve you (pero siyempre depende pa rin sa amount ng kotse).

Pag may gusto kang patanong sa VicRoads just let me know. I can ring them for you.

Captain_A · January 2017

@Cassey maraming salamat..

makikisuyo ako vicroads, kasi ang case ko ay kukuha p lng ako PH license, so mga 1month old p lng ang license ko when i move. tapos nag initial entry na ko last Nov.

Can i still use the overseas license for 6mons to drive/practice? nabasa ko kasi somewhere yung 6mons validity is from the first entry to oz.

also, in my case, dadaan pa kaya ako sa P1/P2 if plan ko mag learner's permit mga 6months from moving to oz ( mga 7months old na nun ang ph DL).

maraming salamat @Cassey to any reponse.. all the best

Cassey · January 2017

@Captain_A Sige, I'll call Vicroads and I will let you know.

Captain_A · January 2017

@Cassey maraming salamat..

Cassey · January 2017

@Captain_A Nakatawag na ako ng Vicroads, sabi nung kausap ko yung 6mos is from the initial entry which is yung sa inyo November regardless kung short visit lang siya. Ang sabi niya pag full license yung Ph license mo then converted din into full license (depende pala sa age).

inhinyero_sg · January 2017

Hi po @Cassey. What if po pag sa ibang state ka nag initial entry, same rule pa rin ba un 6 months?

engineer20 · January 2017

inhinyero_sg said:
Hi po @Cassey. What if po pag sa ibang state ka nag initial entry, same rule pa rin ba un 6 months?

@inhinyero_sg same rule applies kasi isang AU immigration stamp lang naman makikita sa passport. sa ibang state ay 3 months lang allowed gamitin ang overseas DL.

inhinyero_sg · January 2017

@engineer20 Thanks sa reply sir. However, dun sa immigration stamp, nakaindicate naman un port of entry kaya baka pwede pa rin (cross finger)...

Captain_A · January 2017

Cassey said:
@Captain_A Nakatawag na ako ng Vicroads, sabi nung kausap ko yung 6mos is from the initial entry which is yung sa inyo November regardless kung short visit lang siya. Ang sabi niya pag full license yung Ph license mo then converted din into full license (depende pala sa age).

maraming salamat po sa info..

Captain_A · January 2017

nag double check ako sa vicroads site.. nakalagay nga if 21yo or older at meron full license, after ng exams victorian full license agad.. maraming salamat @Cassey

Getting your Victorian driver licence
Step 1: Check your eligibility to qualify for a Victorian driver licence Hide
You must be at least 18 years of age to get a Victorian driver licence. Whether you are issued a full or probationary licence will depend on your age and how long you have held your overseas driver licence.
-You will be issued a P1 probationary driver licence if you are under 21 years of age and have held an overseas driver licence for less than 12 months from your 18th birthday.
-You will be issued a P2 probationary driver licence if you:
are under 21 years of age and have held your overseas driver licence for more than 12 months, or
are 21 years of age or older and have held your overseas probationary driver licence for less than three years.
-You will be issued with a full Victorian driver licence if you are 21 years of age or older and:
have held your overseas probationary driver licence for at least three years, or
hold or have held an overseas full driver licence.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/renew-replace-or-update/new-to-victoria/overseas-drivers

Cassey · January 2017

@inhinyero_sg I think same rule will apply, ang titignan kasi is yung date of entry,

Cassey · January 2017

@Captain_A You're welcome,

inhinyero_sg · January 2017

@Cassey thank u po.

thegreatiam15 · January 2017

engineer20 said:

inhinyero_sg said:
Hi po @Cassey. What if po pag sa ibang state ka nag initial entry, same rule pa rin ba un 6 months?
@inhinyero_sg same rule applies kasi isang AU immigration stamp lang naman makikita sa passport. sa ibang state ay 3 months lang allowed gamitin ang overseas DL.

dito sa ACT 3 months lang pwede gamitin kapag nahule ka magkaka fine ka sa access centers hindi ka pageexamin worse case scenario sususpindihin lisensya mo

telly_doo · January 2017

@Cassey pwede bang pasend ng PDF file, on how they are going to mark/assess the applicants. Email ad is [email protected]

Salamat!

Cassey · January 2017

@telly_doo Already sent

jandm · January 2017

hello! i have a ph "temporary" non pro license in paper form ksi nung nagrenew ako yr 2007 walang available na card. it expired on 2010 and hindi ko na narenew because i moved to outside ph. pwede kaya ihonor ng nsw roads and maritime services ung certificate from LTO stating ung first issue date ng ph license ko without the actual ph license card?

i also have jp drivers license kso 15mos pa lng so probably they will give me P2 lng.

was thinking kung jp license plus ph license e they could give me full license na without taking any exams ksi kasama sa recognised country ung jp.

any thoughts/advice?

thanks in advance

elleb1 · January 2017

@Captain_A yung php driver's license mo is non-pro or pro? Madali lang ba kumuha sa atin? Hindi pa kc ko nakakuha sa Pinas and balak namin asikasuhin next month during our vacation.

Captain_A · January 2017

@elleb1 non-pro lng.. sa pag uwe ko p lng din kukunin.. hopeful lng ako na sana may cards pa din once kumuha ako

elleb1 · January 2017

@Captain_A same tayo..sana nga makakuha tayo. God bless on your big move!

Captain_A · January 2017

@elleb1 kaya yan.. manalig tayu hehe

flynn_10 · January 2017

@elleb1 helloh pU.. Got my Non-pro driver's license yesterday pU s LTO-Batangas... perO before kw mkakuha nun non-pro license you need to have student permit muna for at least a month, if professional at least 6 months pU..

flynn_10 · January 2017

hello pU! ask KO lng if okei b n kumuha ng international license dito s pinas thru AAP( automated Automobile of the Philippines). advantage b xah if kuha kw ng license s OZ? thanks pU!

elleb1 · January 2017

@Captain_A Hahaha agree :-D

elleb1 · January 2017

@flynn_10 thanks for this info! hindi naman mahirap kumuha? sana kayanin ko ma process lahat during my vacation.

flynn_10 · January 2017

@elleb1 di bale if meron ka n nmn student permit at kukuha n lng ng non-pro madali lng..kelngn lng nun studen permit, medical (cost PHP 300) . s NP my written and practical exam. passing rate/point on written exam is 30 out of 40. keri mu yn ma'am or sir.....

agentKams · January 2017

@flynn_10 sayang lang gastusin mo for that license hindi naman ata iyan recognised here. Ok na iyang Philippine license mo if your on student visa, that's what I'm using at the moment.