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 application online or at a Service NSW Centre.
Note: If you want to work in NSW on a temporary basis only and your instructor licence is from another state/territory (excluding Queensland) you 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 need:
- proof of identity documents
- copies of your current interstate or New Zealand driving instructor licence or equivalent
- your interstate or New Zealand driver licence
- your traffic record details for the last 5 years
- the PDF form 'Notice for Registration of Equivalent Occupation Driving Instructor's Licence'
- a digital photo (if applying online):
- front facing, with head and shoulders visible
- at least 246 pixels and height 246 pixels resolution
- no headgear, unless for religious purposes
- JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP or TIF format
- your payment.
If applying at a service centre you also need:
- the PDF form 'Application for Licence under Driving Instructors Act 1992'
- 2 colour current passport photos
- front facing, with head and shoulders visible
- 5cm by 4cm
- no headgear, unless for religious purposes.
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).