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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 10 Apr 2009
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licence for U500 in Oz?

I plan to ship my U500/Unicat to Australia in Jan 2010. It has a placarded GVM of 15 tons. If I were an Australian citizen I would be required to get a Medium Rigid licence even though it's an RV.
Does anyone know if possession of a US drivers' licence and possibly an international licence valid for this vehicle (in the US a normal drivers' licence is sufficient for an RV of whatever weight) is sufficient?

Thanks,

Charlie
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  #2  
Old 10 Apr 2009
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I think you'd better get some advice direct from the traffic authority in the State that you will land your vehicle - and that might change from State to State as well. There might be a different view in each State

If you post which port you will land I can give you a weblink.

I would doubt very much that your licence will be sufficient unless you can get the IDP stamped to include a truck and only present the IDP if stopped. Motorhome owners in Australia have to comply with licence, record keeping and driving hours restrictions based on the weight of their vehicles, but you need to get something in writing to show in the event of being stopped.
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Old 10 Apr 2009
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Driving in Queensland on a foreign licence
Is the link for drivers in Queensland.

Elsewhere on the website they refer to testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles who want to swap over an international licence - ordinary car licence can be swapped without a formal test, truck licences require the full test for residents.

Just chatting with my son in law (a policeman) and his view would be that you would need to hold a US truck licence for you to drive the vehicle legally in Australia.
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Old 11 Apr 2009
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"only the class of motor vehicle authorised on that licence". This is verbatim from Qsld. Transport regs on that link.

I can obtain, from my motor vehicle dept., a letter, or copy of the regulations, stating that under my class of licence I am authorized to drive an RV of any size and weight.
What do you think?

Charlie
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Old 11 Apr 2009
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Its the class of vehicle in Australia that you have to comply with. If your driver's licence states "authorised to drive a non commercial vehicle of any weight" then only a minor problem, if it says "a motor car" then you are in strife as there are definitions of what maximum weight a car licence covers - generally upto 4 tonnes tare weight (but varies slightly from State to State).

I would imagine that the compulsory 3rd party insurers will insist on you providing evidence of having an appropriate licence as well.

Your case is just rare enough as to make sure that everyone checks that they have it correct.

Really best to shoot off an email and ask for a determination in writing.
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Old 11 Apr 2009
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For New South Wales, you might like to look at RTA Home Page however I've had a quick look and couldn't find the answer to your question.

The answer may well depend on whether you are planning to stay in Australia, or are just passing through.

And have you investigated the cost of fuel in Australia? It's not as expensive as Europe but you may get a surprise. Personally I wouldn't want to be paying the fuel bill for a vehicle like that.
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