Driving interstate
If you hold a South Australian driver's licence and have moved interstate, you must apply for a driver's licence in that state or territory within 3 months.
If you live in South Australia and are visiting another state or territory for a period of less than 3 months, you can drive using a valid South Australian driver's licence.
Driving overseas
If you intend to drive in another country, you may be required to apply for an international driving permit (IDP) or obtain a record of your licence so that you can apply for an overseas licence.
An IDP enables motorists to drive overseas without further tests or applications. They are required when renting a motor vehicle in many countries and are proof that you hold a valid driver's licence in your home country.
International driving permits:
- are only valid for 12 months
- contain a translation of your driver's licence in nine languages - English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Italian, German, Arabic, Swedish and French
- must be accompanied by a valid driver's licence at all times
- must be applied for before leaving Australia.
Applying for an international driving permit
You can apply for an international driving permit online or in person at an RAA office.
Note, the RAA cannot issue an IDP for an overseas licence holder. An IDP must be issued in the country where the licence was issued and should be applied for before coming to Australia.
Obtaining a record of your licence
If you plan to live overseas and wish to obtain that country's licence, you may need to get a driver licence report.
A driver licence report provides current licence status, issue date, classes, demerit points, offences and any licence enforcements - eg disqualification or suspension.
Example reports (340.5 KB PDF).
Before purchasing a Driver Licence Report, please check with the overseas licensing authority regarding its specific requirements for accepting documents.
Replacing a licence while interstate or overseas
If you're a South Australian licence holder currently located interstate or overseas and can't apply for a replacement licence online you need to apply for a photo-kit by writing to:
Service SA
Licence Services
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
Email: photolicenceclerk@sa.gov.au
Fax: 8226 7556 (from overseas +61 8 8226 7556)
Need help?
Contact Service SA
Online
Only send general enquiries online. Service SA will respond within 3 working days.
If the matter is urgent or is specifically about your current licence or registration, phone or visit a Service SA centre instead.
Phone
Call Service SA between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays:
- 13 10 84
- +61 8 8226 0206 (overseas callers).
In person
Service SA centre locations and opening hours.
