Hey, you have the exact same title as mine (blog I mean) except I got my UAE driving license on 17 Dec. I was luckier in the sense that I was able to convert my Singapore driving license directly to a UAE one. Malaysians are actually not so lucky. If I didn't have a Singapore DL, I would have to first, bring my M'sian DL to the consultate here to get it certified and translated to Arabic, take an eye test, then the theory test followed by driving test. One of my colleague just failed her driving test yesterday. On the other hand, I've shared to rent a car with another colleague and with his guidance, I've been doing a bit of driving and getting used to the left-hand drive.

What a coincidence! It's pretty much the same here, where they don't recognise our Malaysian d/l for a direct conversion, whereas holders of licenses from the US and UK (not sure about Singapore) can just go in, snap a photo, and walk out with a Victorian license. Over here, each state has it's own road transport authority, and with its own state-specific license, so even if you move to Sydney, for example, you'd need to change your license over to the NSW one.

Thankfully, they drive on the same (left) side of the road here in Australia!

many many moons ago, all a Malaysian needed to do was take a written exam and then have their license converted... sigh.... I suppose thy Vic goverment has had too many bad experiences with Malaysians.

GET A BIKE MAN!!!! Have you seen the SWEET SWEET BIKES here? :D

I have a mountain bike here ;) but i'm guessing you mean a sporty motorbike.. don't have a bike license, but you are right, though.. they are very cool... might even consider it at some point!

Yea man! Went to Apollo Bay today, saw a guy with a BMW K1200RT.... WAHHHHH!!!!

Wow..Jon, the biker. That'd be awesome. Get those bikes with the huge tires, like the one always parked infront of Coles.

Just when you thought it was safe to visit Melbourne, this happens. LOL. Seriously, congrats on being deemed a safe and legalized driver. And remember, don't space out and drive - it gets in the way of drinking and making left turns. :D

How much are cars over there by the way and how does financing work and all that jazz?

I guess the licence (and car) are useful if you wanna traverse across the wilderness known as Australia, but if you're not leaving your homesphere of influence (about a 2 mile radius, give or take a few miles) then of course getting a car isn't a pressing need. Though at least now you can rent one if you need to pick up a date from her home (as cool as the mountain bike sounds...)

So since they don't recognize our Malaysian licences (and with good reason. There are maniacs out there on our roads... and some of them drive!) does that mean I couldn't rent a car if I was there working illega... I mean visiting?

Good to see that you're still getting mileage out of the bike and hope to see you if/when you come... up for CNY - if that's still on. Take care dude, and keep on trucking...

I did some research. You CAN drive in Victoria with a malaysian License, but with 2 conditions. 1) That your visa is temporary, like a Student Visa and 2) You have it translated to English by a certified translator (AUD 40 fee.)

Yes, that is what I found out too. I'm on a permanent visa that's why I had to get my victorian license.

Hi guys, I have a question on converting our Malaysian license in UAE-Duabi, I hope somebody can advise on this matter. I'm holding an international license that converted in Malaysia before I came, but I think I have to go thru some procedure like, take an eye test, theory test and followed by driving test as mentioned by yeekor dd 24-dec. Can I know how much would it cost for this? or who can introduce me a good driving instructor? thanks.

Stupid UAE.... Driving for the past 15 years still need to take theory, driving lessons, test and somemore fail and fail and fail.