Introduction
If you're a permanent resident of NSW and hold a current driving instructor licence issued in another Australian state/territory or New Zealand, you can apply for a NSW driving instructor licence, under mutual recognition.
You can submit your initial application online or at a Service NSW centre and have 6 months to meet the requirements.
Note: If you're only wanting to work in NSW on a temporary basis and your instructor licence is from another state/territory (excluding Queensland) you'll need to apply for Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR).
Eligibility
To be eligible you must:
- hold a current driving instructor licence issued in either Australia or New Zealand
- hold a current full Australian driver licence
- hold, or have evidence you are applying for, an employee WWCC number (if wanting to instruct Class C or R licence applicants)
- have a safe driving record (parking offences excluded)
- be medically fit to drive.
What you need
You'll need:
- to have paid the 5-year non-refundable licence fee at a service centre
- your current interstate or New Zealand driving instructor licence or equivalent
- your current full (unrestricted) Australian driver licence
- a secondary proof of identity document (if you hold an interstate driver licence)
- scanned PDF copies of your driver licence and traffic record details from the original state/territory or New Zealand (if applicable)
- 'certificate of particulars' for your driving instructor licence history (New Zealand applicants only)
Note: A certificate of particulars can be obtained from the New Zealand Ministry of Justice by emailing certificate.ofparticulars@nzta.gov.nz - the PDF forms:
- 'Notice for Registration of Equivalent Occupation Driving Instructor's Licence'
- 'Application for Licence under Driving Instructors Act 1992' (if applying at a service centre).
Note: While you will not need to provide a commercial medical assessment from your doctor when applying for a new driving instructor licence under mutual recognition, Transport for NSW will continue to assess your fitness to drive. After being issued a driving instructor licence, you may be required to undertake medical assessments at regular intervals.
Transport for NSW will also continue to assess your suitability to hold a driving instructor licence against the Driving Instructor and Assessors Fit and Proper Policy.
How to apply
Apply online
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Download and complete the Notice for Registration of Equivalent Occupation Driving Instructor's Licence – PDF.
- Select the 'Apply online' button.
Note: You cannot save and resume your application once you've started. - Follow the prompts to submit your application.
You'll receive a confirmation message with a reference number and a copy of your application via email. If you do not receive the email within 30 minutes call (02) 8848 8700 and quote your reference number.
If your application is successful a driving instructor licence will be posted to you.
If you have not heard from TfNSW after 10 working days, call (02) 8848 8700.
Apply in person at a service centre
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Download and complete:
- Notice for Registration of Equivalent Occupation Driving Instructor's Licence – PDF
- Application for Licence under Driving Instructors Act 1992 – PDF.
Note: Do not sign it – your signature must be witnessed at the service centre.
- Visit a service centre and submit your application.
More information
- Heavy vehicle driving instructors do not need a WWCC. Their instructor licence is endorsed with the condition 'May not instruct C licences'.
- You can apply for more than one driving instructor licence type (car, light rigid, heavy rigid, etc).