International Drivers Permit

[SYD]

That's today but what about applying for a driver's license in Australia in 1949? Was the validity 5 or 10 years? Part of me suspects it was less. The reason why it's limited to 1 year and not longer is because Australia is a signatory to the Geneva Convention and not the Vienna Convention. Indeed most countries in the world have ratified the Geneva Convention which stipulates this 1 year validity (and was created in 1949). Back in 1949 I think the idea of driving internationally overseas in a foreign land was quite the novel concept, and the thought that you would need to have a permit that last more than a year was unheard of. I mean if the ferry boat takes you several weeks to get to Australia, and several weeks back, it's not like you have much time to go out exploring.

1949 is hardly relevant to current licences….

Anyway, NSW “paper licences” used to be 1 yr. We went to 5 yr licences a while back and then 10 yr. But there’s a max age to get a 10 yr one. I’ve never had one and never will now….

Even 2yrs or life of DL (like a US ESTA) would be better.

Anyway, it is what it is.

Plenty of peeps never get one. But some don’t get TI also. The poo hits the fan when you need them….

 

[kangarooflyer88]

1949 is hardly relevant to current licences….

Anyway, NSW “paper licences” used to be 1 yr. We went to 5 yr licences a while back and then 10 yr. But there’s a max age to get a 10 yr one. I’ve never had one and never will now….

1949 is relevant for the discussion because the Geneva Convention which was the last driving convention Australia signed was created in 1949. So there is a lot of language in the treaty that has exceeded its use by date. If Australia wanted to, they could go to 3 years provided they ratify the Vienna Convention of 1968. But that will require updating licensing laws in the several states and territories to comply with it.

For instance do all states and territories require drivers pass both theoretical and practical driving tests to receive a license?

Plenty of peeps never get one. But some don’t get TI also. The poo hits the fan when you need them….

 

[Scarlett]

Was looking at my IDP last night whilst packing for a current trip. I notice it only has a date of ‘being scammed ’ by the NRMA on the front and nothing obvious about expiry. It was produced more than a year ago, but I’ve packed it for this trip anyway. Only have hire cars booked in countries with English as the main language so shouldn’t have any need to show it anyway.

What got me thinking, based on other posts up thread, is how many languages does it actually have in the booklet. I think it was about 10 and I don’t recall Korean. How can it be used as an official language reference if that language is not featured?

 

[p--and--t]

Many years ago, the first time I drove a rental was in Samoa. I did not have an IDL.

The rep said no problem and made a phone call. A few minutes later a police officer picked me up and drove to the station.

$10 and after signing a form he gave me and I was good to go for the rest of my 10 day holiday driving around the islands.

 

[Brissy1]

FWIW My QLD digital licence has an option to show international categories on the licence display.

Wow so it does. I wonder whether the qld licence is now actually an id licence. A sticking point (as mentioned in the disclaimer) being some jurisdictions don't accept digital.

Edit... the grammar mistake in the 2nd last sentence makes it look like a scam!