Guide to Driving In Australia - Drive Safe in Australia

Always know where you are going to get fuel when you set out on overnight drives and be aware of the fact that fuel stations may close late at night or Sundays. Cell phones may not work in some parts of Australia. Always tell someone if you are making an off road trip and give them your planned itinerary. If your vehicle breaks down in the Outback stay with it and do not attempt to walk.



Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Do not overtake on the left hand side and do not overtake if there are solid white lines. At roundabouts give way to vehicles already on the roundabout and select your lane early.



In Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide there is a tram system so look out for signs and tram tracks. Trams usually have right of way. A solid yellow line means trams are not allowed to drive in the tram lane. A special 'hook turn' is used by traffic in Melbourne to get around the problem of trams. It involves approaching an intersection in the left lane and signaling right. Approaching the intersection as far left as possible until you are perpendicular to the traffic heading in the direction that you want to be. They should be waiting at a red light. Then you follow the traffic lights to your right.

Watch out for animals such as kangaroos on the roads. If you do hit a marsupial you are legally required to stop and check whether or not they had any young in their pouches.
When driving on highway you should stay on the left unless overtaking. At T junctions the motorist going straight through has right of way.

You should be aware that there are massive driving times between the Australian cities. There are 860 kilometres between Sydney and Melbourne on the Hume Highway, 964 kilometres between Sydney and Brisbane on the Pacific Highway and 2695 kilometres between Adelaide and Perth on the Eyre and Great Eastern Highways.

Some roads which are ok in the dry season may become impassable in the wet season.

You are legally required to stop and help if you have been in an accident where someone has been hurt or injured. Phone the police on 000. Leaving the scene could land you with 10 years in jail. You are protected by law from legal recrimination should something go wrong if you try to administer first aid in good faith at an accident.

All passengers must wear seatbelts while children should have safety harnesses. Penalties for not having seat belts can be a fine of $250. Penalties are applied to the driver.

Motorways are signposted with an M such as the M1, the Sydney to Newcastle freeway. The signs have a green background.

For fuel prices in West Australia try www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au. It is about $1.50 per litre in South Australia though this varies day by day, state by state and station by station.

The drinking limit is 0.05% throughout Australia, but is lower for learner and professional drivers. Random breath tests are carried out even if you have not behaved suspiciously. Random drug testing also takes place in many Australian states.

If your driving licence is not written in English then you need an international driving permit or a translation of your licence. Driving licences from foreign countries are valid for three months from the time of entry.

Yes as long as it is written in English and you have not been in the country for longer than three months.

Motorway – Freeway, Highway
Petrol – Gasoline
Asphalt – Bitumen
Windscreen -Windshield
Bonnet – Hood
Boot - Trunk

Look out for toll roads in major cities at motorways and bridges. Tolls can cost up to $8, but it normally costs more in time and petrol trying to avoid them. Ask our staff for more information before you set off. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Harbour tunnel are both toll roads.

50 kilometres per hour in built up areas.
100 – 130kms on freeways.
If there is no speed signposted the speed is 100km.
School zones have their own speed limits in various states which should be signposted. Foreign nationals who are fined for speeding will have the fines sent to their home address.

The conversion from kilometers to miles per hour is one kilometer = 0.62 miles per hour. 

Car rental companies may require you to be over 25 years of age, though some rent to 21 year olds and even 18 year olds.

The emergency services number is 000, though 112 also works. The Australian search and Rescue team, who can find you if you are lost in the Outback, are on 641. The United States Embassy in Canberra is on +61 (0) 2 6214 5600 and the British High Commission is on +61 (0) 2 6270 6666. For more embassy numbers visit www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Australia/Contacts.

Parking can be difficult in the touristy areas and major cities. Local councils do operate on street parking meters though. There is a $100 fine for parking illegally and this is well monitored. Parking in a clearway will lead to towing and it costs a lot to retrieve your car.