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

pinoytalker · September 2018

Hi Just want to know if anyone of you tried to apply for a driver's license in VIC after more than 6 months of staying in Melbourne. I know that there is a rule that you should apply for a Driver's license within 3 or 6 mos. Failing to do so would mean you would undergo Ls and Ps before getting the full license. Is this true?

Or baka meron namang driver's examiner in a suburb na lenient to still give you full license right away kahit na mroe than 6 mos ka na nagstay sa Melbourne bago ka nag-apply.

Cassey · September 2018

@pinoytalker You can apply whenever but you can’t drive with your Ph license after 6mos if you’re on a PR visa. If you want to convert your DL from Ph, you have to undergo 3 tests and during this transition, you can’t drive by yourself. You have to have someone with a full license every time that you drive. Now they have also added verification of license.

pinoytalker · September 2018

@Cassey

Cassey said:
@pinoytalker You can apply whenever but you can’t drive with your Ph license after 6mos if you’re on a PR visa. If you want to convert your DL from Ph, you have to undergo 3 tests and during this transition, you can’t drive by yourself. You have to have someone with a full license every time that you drive. Now they have also added verification of license.

Thanks for replying. Does that mean, hindi na ko mag-uunder go ng "L" or "P" but I just need to pass 3 tests?

Cassey · September 2018

@pinoytalker You are considered “Learner” when you start the transition then once you pass the 3 tests Full licensed na uli. Hindi ka na magaundergo nung matagalang process na from Ls to P1 to P2 to full kasi may Ph license ka.

pinoytalker · October 2018

Maraming salamat @Cassey you are a big help.
Magsisimula na kong mag-aral.

Cassey · October 2018

@pinoytalker No worries, kailangan mo rin ng few lessons here in Au to familiarize yourself sa mga road rules tsaka dito we drive on the left side of the road,

All the best on your driving.

You can read on my experience din if you have the time,
http://pinoyau.info/discussion/550/how-to-convert-ph-drivers-license-to-au-drivers-license/p31

oIp · October 2018

May validity po ba yung certificate of authentication ng LTO/DFA? May nabasa ako 6mos lang e.

Captain_A · October 2018

@oIp vicroads do not acknowledge yung certificate of authentication ng LTO/DFA unless my old Phil DL ka, based on my experience.

rhoran · October 2018

Hi tanong lang po same process po ba ang PH drivers license na non pro at professional in getting a aus license??salamat po ☺☺ PR visa po pala

rainybrainy · October 2018

rainybrainy said:
Sharing my experience...

I'm currently a temporary resident (457 visa holder). I have a PH non-pro license since 2013. I have with me both the expired and current license cards from PH. This month, my current license is expiring and that would mean I won't be able to drive anymore unless I renew my license.

Since renewing my PH license would mean I need to go back to PH, I called RTA and asked what I need to do in order to get a full driver's license here in Sydney. Here is their advice:
- book a DKT (driver's knowledge test)
- once you pass the DKT, book a practical/driving test
- If you are successful on the driving test, you will be issued with a full license but with a letter Q indicating that you are a temporary resident

Since my license is expiring soon, I booked the DKT. Unfortunately, the only session available is 2 days prior my license expiry date. I passed the DKT and was issued a Learner License since my current PH license is expired.

Here are the fees I incurred:
- DKT - AUD 46
- Learner's License/Card - AUD 25
- NSW Photo ID - AUD 5
- Driving Test - AUD 57

I was advised that I don't need to do any hours/log book since I ave a full license for more than 3 years. However, I need the learner license so that I have something to use when I do my driving test (since my PH license is expired). I'm also no longer allowed to drive on my own and I should always put up the L sign whenever I'm driving with a full license holder always with me in the car.

I'm yet to get the driving test. I will post the updates once I'm done.

Adding my updates here...

I passed the driving test in Ryde RMS and got the unrestricted driver's license which is sent via mail. I paid AUD 184 for the 5 years license.

rainybrainy · October 2018

@rhoran Yes, same lang. I have a non-pro license and is now converted to an Unrestricted DL here in Sydney.

bettyboop · November 2018

Hi po sa lahat, pwede po ba magamit ang expired licence last year w receipt of renewal?nasa amin pa po ang expired plastic card.

Cassey · November 2018

@bettyboop Yes you can. Just bring the expired card plus the renewal receipt. They do verification so it’s okay.

bettyboop · November 2018

@Cassey salamat. So pwede kami mag drive gamit nito?or need pa epa verify sa vicroads before kami mag drive?

Cassey · November 2018

@bettyboop Just bring the license and the receipt with you all the time. Are you on PR Visa? If you are you’re only allowed to use it within 6mos from your initial entry since becoming a PR.

bettyboop · November 2018

@Cassey yes, we are on PR visa. Thanks for info :-)

pinoytalker · December 2018

Hi guys and @Cassey ,
So nagaaral na ko for my exam sa Driver's Knowledge Test..
I noticed in their website that if you want to convert your Ph License to Vic License need mo pa pala ipaverify sa kanila yung PH license mo (cost: 18.50) at may schedule.

pinoytalker · December 2018

Pede bang mag-walk in na lang for driver's license verification on the day you take
your DKT exam?

Cassey · December 2018

@pinoytalker Hi, yes. Verification started October last year if I’m not mistaken. Try other branches baka may earlier slots sila.

PitMb · December 2018

@pinoytalker yeah you can have the verification after taking the exam. I just did mine, in NSW though. Unfortunately for me, i renewed my Phil. license last May and new licences from Phil. is not included on RTA database so they cannot verify it, they're requiring confirmation letter from the consulate now.

patpapat · December 2018

^ Yep. And before you go to the consulate in Sydney, you have to bring your License Certification from LTO that is authenticated by DFA (so it’s a 3-step process). And you can only get this from the Philippines. This is just because of the new license design.

michaelguanzon_ust · January 2019

Good day guys, sorry for the noob question. If meron ako non-pro license dito sa Philippines for 7 years and mag apply ako ng Australian DL and I'm a PR, anong benefits? I mean may ma-sskip bang process sa application ng Australian DL kung may license ka na dito sa Pinas? Thank you so much!

leadme · January 2019

@michaelguanzon_ust same question bro. Kaso wait, 7 years? You mean validity or been using it for 7 yrs? I renewed mine last year with the new 5-yr validity. I'm also thinking kung ano advantage sa application ng Aus DL kung meron na tayo non-pro or wala rin ba?

Captain_A · January 2019

@michaelguanzon_ust ang alam ko is depende s state kung san magpaconvert.

dito s VIC, basta meron kang ph DL card,u skip some steps and take the drive test.
if you pass the test, then get Au full DL since 7 yrs ka na driving.

ang benefits is u save time and money from skipping some steps.

michaelguanzon_ust · January 2019

@leadme bali 7 years total driving bro, hehehe buti nga naabutan ntin yung 5yrs validity. kakarenew ko lang din

@Captain_A thanks sa inputs bro.

bali sa NSW kami, i guess sa rules ng NSW ako maghanap hanap. question din kasi sa akin yung case ng fiancee ko, new license ksi sya as in bago talaga wala pa 1 year. since factor ang number of years of driving, tama ba baka hindi nya din makukuha yung exceptions? thanks again!

leadme · January 2019

thanks @Captain_A sa reply! may minimum ba no. of years of driving para maka skip ng steps?

@michaelguanzon_ust bro paano maprove na 7 yrs na? Kailangan ko ba hanapin yung luma kong PH DL? tapos yung recent natin?

flaming_vines · January 2019

@leadme Pedeng option mo kun iwala kang makitang evidence ng first issue. Mag pa certify ka na lang sa LTO. Meron silang Certification document kun kailan first issue ng license mo. Then pa red ribbon sa DFA.

leadme · January 2019

thank you batchmate @flaming_vines ! may minimum ba na no. of years of driving for VIC? tanong ko lang in case may idea ka. Try ko magbasa mamaya sa thread na 'to.

leadme · January 2019

Yun lang pala, BM na ako next week, haha. Sayang di ko nalaman to agad.

flaming_vines · January 2019

@leadme ayun lang sayang. Baka naman may expedite sila sa LTO at DFA para mahabol mo pa bago ka umalis. mura lang naman un doc mismo. Kung inde aabot, I suggest ipasuyo mo nlang sa kakilala or company such as "Pakisuyo". Inde ako stockholder ng company na yan ha. hehe. Sila kasi nagayos ng certification ko at mail nila papunta saken yun doc mismo. I suggest iwan ka na authorization letter kun kanino man. Kasi kun based ka na dun at mag pa authorization letter papa notarized mo pa sa PH embassy tpos saka i send sa Pinas. Mas magastos at matrabaho. hehe. Regarding number of years sa VIC, sorry no idea ako kasi iba sa case ko dahil may SG license ako e.

Goodluck and God bless batchmate sa BM!