The following are considered to be members of the consulate.
- Consul General, Consul, Vice Consul or Consular Agent and their spouse and dependants
- Honorary Head of Post (but not their spouse or dependants)
- Consulate technical or administrative staff (but not their spouse or dependants)
- Representatives of declared missions (eg. Taiwan)
Guidelines are issued by the Australian Office of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Canberra). Members of the Diplomatic Service receive privileges for driver licensing matters from the ACT Driver Licensing Authority. VicRoads conforms with these guidelines by extending these privileges to members of the Diplomatic Services of Victoria
Immunity from prosecution varies with the status of the Consul member. The extent of the privileges are given in brief on the Diplomatic Consular Identification card. Generally, privileges do not extend to driving offences and consul members can be issued traffic infringement notices.
Personnel in the Diplomatic Corps who hold a current and valid overseas licence may drive on this licence provided it is written in English, or is accompanied by an English translation.
In this case, there is no need to convert to a Victorian licence unless they hold a permanent visa issued by the Commonwealth. In these circumstances the person concerned may drive on their overseas licence for six (6) months, from the date they arrived in Australia, if the visa was issued when the person was outside Australia, or if the visa was issued when the person was in Australia, from the date the visa was issued.
Conversions would normally only occur
- if a Victorian licence is specifically needed, or
- a learner permit applicants wants to obtain a licence.
You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a Victorian driver licence. A car learner permit can be obtained at 16 years of age and a motorcycle learner permit 18 years of age.
When applying for a Victorian licence the consul member must produce their identity card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Identity cards are normally:
- Red - Diplomats
- Dark Green - Consuls
- Pink - Declared Missions
- Blue or Yellow - technical and administrative staff
Where an Identity card is not held (eg. spouse or dependant) VicRoads must be satisfied that the person is eligible.
All tests are waived for eligible consul members who hold a current overseas licence or permit and want to obtain an equivalent Victorian licence or permit. An eyesight test will be conducted and a medical report may be necessary if the person has a medical condition of concern.
Tests will also be waived where the consul member can produce an overseas licence or car learner permit which has not expired by more than five years or an expired motorcycle learner permit which was issued in the least 15 months.
If the licence or permit has expired by more than the specified time or the consul member has never been licensed, then normal tests and fees apply.
Consulate members that meet the eligibility criteria do not pay any fees.
A car learner permit is issued for 10 years, a motorcycle learner permit is issued for 15 months and licences are issued for 3 years only.
On the day of your appointment you need to bring original evidence of identity documents. You must have:
- your overseas licence and an English translation
- one primary evidence document (eg. birth certificate or passport)
- one secondary evidence document with your Victorian address (eg. credit/account card, phone bill, bank statement)
- evidence of Victorian address if not included on secondary evidence document (eg phone bill, bank statement)
One of these documents must have your signature on it.
If your overseas licence is not available you can provide a letter from either:
- the issuing country’s driver licensing authority confirming your licence details, or
- the issuing country's consul in Australia where the consul has verified your licence details with the issuing country’s licensing authority
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