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 (unrestricted) Australian driver licence
- have held the equivalent class of unrestricted licence in which you want to instruct, for a minimum of 3 of the last 4 years
- hold, or have evidence you are applying for, an employee WWCC number (if wanting to instruct Class C or R licence applicants)
- be a fit and proper person – PDF
- have a safe driving record (parking offences excluded)
- be medically fit to drive.
What you need
You'll need:
- to have successfully completed, for the class of licence you wish to instruct, the instructor knowledge test. The test is in English, consists of 90 questions and interpreter assistance is not permitted.
- 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' and 'criminal conviction history' (New Zealand applicants only)
- 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).
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), as long as you've held an unrestricted equivalent class of licence for at least 3 of the last 4 years.