Input sought on overseas-licensed drivers

Overseas-licensed heavy-vehicle drivers provide valuable skills and help address current industry shortages. However, there have been concerns raised recently about the road safety risk of these drivers.

While not dismissing these concerns, Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Roads Safety and Design Program Manager, says: “The available evidence is that there are relatively few heavy-vehicle crashes which involve overseas-licensed drivers.

“Despite this, licensing authorities understand that while in Australia, overseas-licence holders may face driving conditions, and a road-use and safety culture which differs from their country of origin.”

Currently, overseas-licence holders can drive the same class of vehicle as in their home country, and the period people can drive on their overseas licence, before transferring to an Australian licence, varies between states and territories.

To obtain a heavy-vehicle licence in Australia, an overseas-licence holder must complete the same learning and assessment required of an Australian-licence holder.

In response to industry concerns and recognising the differences between driving in Australia and overseas, Austroads, on behalf of its eight state and territory member agencies, is seeking to understand whether changes should be made to the management of overseas-licensed heavy-vehicle drivers.

Austroads is inviting heavy-vehicle drivers, heavy-vehicle operators, individuals and businesses who rely on heavy vehicles to undertake a short survey to share their insights and experiences.

The survey will take a few minutes to complete, is anonymous and will provide Austroads with valuable information about community and industry views to inform policy review and decision making.

Complete the survey here by the end of Friday, July 12, 2024.