Contents
8.1 Driver licences
As of 1 July 2025, Austroads has released new arrangements for the transition of overseas issued licences to Australian licences. More information about the changes can be found on the website Austroads
For a foreign official to be accredited as a driver at a mission or post, the sending State's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will need to provide evidence of at least five years' driving experience in the sending State.
8.1.1 Canberra missions
In the ACT, diplomats and their dependants from both non-recognised counties and recognised countries, are not required to obtain an ACT full driver licence and may legally drive using a valid overseas full driver licence.
If you choose to voluntarily apply for an ACT full driver licence, please see below:
- if you have a full overseas drive licence from a country that holds ‘recognition status’, you can get an ACT full driver licence without doing any extra training or tests.
- If you are a holder of a licence from a country that does not hold 'recognition status', additional training and testing will be required before being issued an ACT full driver licence.
- All applicable provisions under both recognised and non-recognised licensing rules will apply.
For further information on ACT licenses and the full list of countries with recognition status please refer to Drivers with licences from overseas - Access Canberra
If you have any questions, please visit Access Canberra in Woden or contact Access Canberra directly ruscss@act.gov.au
8.1.2 Consulates in the states and the Northern Territory
For the updated information on driver licensing regulations in Australia, please refer to Austroads
8.2 Traffic and parking infringements
In accordance with Article 41.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) and Article 55.1 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), all diplomatic and consular staff and their dependants are expected to familiarise themselves with and abide by Australia's road rules. See the ACT Road Rules Handbook.
State and territory police and traffic services issue traffic or parking infringement notices, which can involve fines and licence demerit points. Such notices indicate that the recipient appears not to have complied with traffic or parking laws; they do not violate diplomatic or consular immunity.
Unless they intend to contest the infringement with state or territory authorities, missions, posts and their staff are expected, in accordance with Article 41.1 of the VCDR, to pay all fines promptly. DFAT cannot intervene to seek a waiver or cancellation of infringement notices.
The Chief of Protocol informs heads of mission and posts of all serious or repeat traffic infringements involving their staff or staff dependants.
For details of outstanding fines in the ACT, missions and staff can call Access Canberra 13 22 81.
8.2.1 Licence suspension
Licences held by mission and post staff and their dependants can be suspended if the licence holder accumulates sufficient demerit points or traffic or parking fines remain unpaid. Continuing to drive on a suspended licence would demonstrate a serious disregard for Australia's traffic rules and could lead to a request for the individual's withdrawal from Australia. For further information on the infringement regime see the Access Canberra website.
8.2.2 Breath and drug testing
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence in Australia.
Police have the authority to stop any motor vehicle and request the driver, including diplomatic agents and consular officials and their dependants, to undertake an alcohol or drug screening test. In Australia's view, a request to stop and submit to a screening test is consistent with Australia’s international obligations, including those contained in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The immunity of consular officials is limited to acts performed in the exercise of their consular functions. In Australia's view, driving a motor vehicle is outside the scope of consular functions and so consular immunity does not apply. Dependants of consular officials have no immunity and can be arrested or detained. Consular employees (administrative or technical service staff) have less immunity than consular officers; they can also be arrested or detained.
8.3 Parking
The Diplomatic and Consular Corps is expected to observe parking regulations and to pay fines promptly for any violations. Any vehicle, including those with diplomatic or consular plates, may be towed if it is parked in a way that causes danger to other road users. A consular vehicle parked unlawfully can be towed away in some jurisdictions.
8.3.1 In the ACT
There are a limited number of parking spaces reserved for official use by diplomatic missions. These are signposted and vehicles with DC or DX registration plates are eligible to use these spaces.
Members of the diplomatic community should use normal commercial parking facilities for private use.
8.3.2 At Parliament House
There are no reserved parking spaces for diplomatic vehicles at Parliament House. The main public car park is in the forecourt basement (entry from the northern side of Parliament House).
8.3.3 At airports
Airports in Australia are privately operated. Except at Canberra Airport (see section 8.3.3.1) there are no special arrangements for access to airport parking for missions and posts.
8.3.3.1 Canberra Airport
Canberra Airport has an 'Express Passenger Pick-Up' parking area. The parking area is located on the ground floor of the green covered carpark and is about 20 metres from the arrivals hall. A waiting room is attached to the car park, which drivers and other staff may use. Canberra Airport has designated five vehicle parking bays for the exclusive use of the diplomatic corps in this car park. There are no time limits when parking in the Express passenger pick-up area however there is a parking fee.
The open-air car park at Canberra Airport is available for up to 10 minutes without charge. Information on both of these parking options can be found on the Canberra Airport website.
