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Driving Tips in Australia
Click on one of the options below to view more information:
- Car Hire Depots
- Driving Distances
- Driving Licence
- Driving Age
- Rules and Regulations
- Equipment
- Child Safety Seats
- Speed Limits
- Drink Driving
- Tolls
- Road Signs
- Parking
- Winter Driving
- Driving in the Outback
Depot Information
We search & compare the lowest rates on a range of car hire from the best suppliers throughout Australia. Our Suppliers are located throughout major and remote areas of Australia. Airport collections offer convenience with depots located in the airport terminal or shuttle services where available. Click here for more informationDriving Distances in Australia
- Sydney to Melbourne - 880 kms (10 hrs / 15 mins)
- Melbourne to Adelaide - 730 kms (9 hrs / 30 mins)
- Perthto Geraldton - 430 kms (5 hrs / 30 mins)
- Sydney to Wollongong - 85 kms (1 hr / 30 mins)
- Coffs Harbour to Brisbane - 395 kms (5 hrs / 30 mins)
- Townsville to Cairns - 385 kms (5 hrs)
Driving Licence
A full valid driver's licence is required for a minimum of 1 year. An international drivers licence is required for all foreign licence holders that are not in English.
Age Restrictions
Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check terms & conditions when making an enquiry or booking.
Rules and Regulations
General driving rules, laws and regulations in Australia:
- Vehicles are right hand drive and motorists must drive on the left hand side of the road.
- Seat belts must be worn by all passengers and driver.
- You must carry your licence with you at all times.
- Mobile Phones are not permitted while driving.
- Obey road signs and traffic signals.
- Give way to traffic on the right at roundabouts.
- U-Turns are not permitted at traffic lights, or where displayed.
- Motorists must give way to pedestrians at pedestrians crossings.
- Always use indicator lights when turning.
Equipment
Whilst there are no laws regarding equipment you must carry with you in the vehicle; it is important to make sure you are prepared for whatever driving conditions you may endure.
Child Safety Seats
Children under the age of seven must be seated in the back seats of the vehicle in either a booster seat or child restraint seat.
Speed Limits
Speeding is taken seriously in Australia, if caught heavy fines apply, loss of licence/vehicle and possible imprisonment. Speed Cameras are used throughout Australia to catch speeding motorists.
- City Roads: 40-60km/h
- Residential Areas: 40-60km/h
- Highways: 90-110km/h
- Freeways: 90-110km/h
Drink Driving
Australia has strict laws about drinking alcohol and driving. Police in Australia have the authority to stop any vehicle and conduct a breath test with the driver. Full licence holders in Australia have a legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.05 g/100ml. Provisional and Learner licences have a zero BAC level. The best advice when driving is to have a zero BAC level. Police will also perform regular roadside Random Breath Testing (RBT) of drivers in metropolitan and rural areas.
The use and possession of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited; heavy fines apply and possible imprisonment.
Tolls
Tolls are found along the eastern states of Australia; New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Tolls are mainly collected electronically by an electronic tag (E-Tag) fitted to the front window screen, which debits the fee from the toll holders account when passing the toll collection point. Temporary passes can be purchased, or you can go online or call after using the toll and advise your vehicle registration.
Fee's may vary in price depending on either the time of the day, distance travelled or size of vehicle.
Road Signs
Australian Road Signs are in English and are quite easy to understand. Motorists must obey all road signs.
- Regulatory Signs (eg. Speed Limits) instruct motorists what they must and should not do. These signs will vary in shape, size and colour.
- Warning Signs (eg. Changes in road conditions) warn motorists any potential hazard, obstacale or condition up ahead. These signs are generally yellow in colour with a black symbol in the middle.
- Information Signs (eg. Directions) provides motorists with direction information, street/road name/number, places of interest etc. Signs with a green background provide information to roads/streets, suburbs and cities, while brown signs are tourist attractions.
- Construction Signs will have an orange background with information in the middle.
Parking
There are many various forms of parking in Australia, both paid and free parking exist. Parking within the cities are mostly timed and attract a fee, while in the suburbs and rural areas parking is free but may be timed. Be sure to check signage before leaving your vehicle.
Winter Driving
For traveling through the Australian snow fields you may need some extra information and equipment.
Driving in the Outback
The Outback is filled with lots of space but few people and services, so there may be a substantial amount of time before anyone will pass you should you break down. It’s a desert after all and during peak summer months temperatures can reach 45°C (113°F) and over 50°C (122°F). Always carry at least 10L of drinking water and additional food. Take advantage of truck stops and roadhouses for an overnight stay or simply pull over to take a nap if you feel drowsy.
All information provided is to be used as a guide only. Distances and time may very according to the route taken. The information shown on this page may have changed since the date of publication. Please refer to the countries local tourist office for up-to-date advice. Last updated: November 2016