Car Hire in Australia: What to Know Before You Drive

Drive on the left

Traffic drives on the left throughout Australia. This is one of the most important adjustments for visitors from continental Europe, North America and many other countries.

• After turning: consciously return to the left side of the new road.
• Leaving car parks and fuel stations: these are common places for visitors to instinctively choose the wrong side.
• Multi-lane roads: keep left where required and use the right-hand lane mainly for overtaking or where another permitted reason applies.
• Overtaking: normally pass on the right, although passing on the left can be permitted on multi-lane roads.
• Roundabouts: traffic circulates clockwise. Give way as directed by local rules, signs and road markings.

Speed limits vary by state and territory

Australia does not have one single national speed limit for every road. Limits are set by each state or territory and by signs on the individual road.

• Built-up areas: a 50 km/h default is common in several states unless another limit is signed.
• Major urban roads: signed limits may be 60, 70, 80 km/h or another value.
• Rural highways: 100 or 110 km/h limits are common.
• Northern Territory: the default outside built-up areas is 110 km/h, with some signed sections of major highways allowing 130 km/h.
• School and work zones: temporary or time-based lower limits can apply.

Always follow the posted sign rather than assuming the limit from the appearance of the road.

Using an overseas driving licence

Short-term visitors can generally drive using a valid overseas licence, but the detailed requirements are set by each state and territory.

• Carry your original, current overseas driving licence.
• Drive only the class of vehicle that your licence authorises.
• Follow any restrictions or conditions attached to your licence.
• If your licence is not written in English, carry an approved English translation or an International Driving Permit as required by the jurisdiction.
• An International Driving Permit does not replace your original licence; carry both where an IDP is required.
• Check the rental provider's documentation requirements as well as the legal rules of the state or territory.

Alcohol limits depend on your licence

For a typical fully licensed private-car driver, a blood alcohol concentration below 0.05 is the general limit in jurisdictions such as Queensland and Victoria.

• Learner and provisional drivers can be subject to a zero BAC requirement.
• Drivers of certain heavy or commercial vehicles can also be subject to zero BAC.
• Police conduct roadside alcohol testing.
• The legal limit is not a safe drinking target.
• For a visitor, the simplest approach is not to drink alcohol at all before driving.

Wildlife is a real road hazard

Kangaroos and other animals are not just something seen in remote national parks. Wildlife can appear unexpectedly on regional roads.

• Dawn and dusk: wildlife is particularly active around these times.
• Slow down: reduce speed when warning signs indicate animals are common.
• Watch the road edges: an animal beside the road can move suddenly into your path.
• Avoid violent swerving: losing control can create an even more serious collision.
• Livestock: cattle and other stock can also appear on rural roads.

Think carefully before driving remotely at night

Night-time driving can combine several Australian hazards at the same time: wildlife, fatigue, long distances and limited lighting.

• Reduce speed where visibility is limited.
• Expect wildlife near regional roads.
• Do not continue simply because the destination is only another hour away if you are becoming tired.
• Plan overnight stops rather than pushing through an excessively long journey.
• Where practical, complete unfamiliar remote sections during daylight.

Unsealed roads can change the trip completely

Gravel, dirt and sand roads are common in regional Australia. Their condition can change quickly with weather and traffic.

• Reduce speed on loose surfaces.
• Increase the following distance behind other vehicles.
• Dust can reduce visibility dramatically.
• Gravel can reduce tyre grip, especially when braking or cornering.
• Check whether your rental agreement allows travel on unsealed roads.
• Some remote routes may require a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Remote-area preparation

Outback journeys need more preparation than ordinary city-to-city driving.

• Tell someone where you intend to travel and when you expect to arrive.
• Check current road conditions before leaving.
• Carry drinking water and basic emergency supplies.
• Download maps for areas where mobile coverage may be limited.
• Keep the fuel tank comfortably above empty.
• If a vehicle breaks down in a remote area, staying with the vehicle can make you much easier to locate than walking away from it.

Driving in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Large Australian cities can involve dense traffic, multi-lane motorways, electronic tolls and complicated junctions.

• Set navigation before leaving the rental location.
• Position yourself in the correct lane well before an exit or turn.
• Watch carefully for buses, cyclists, motorcycles and pedestrians.
• Allow extra time when returning a car to a major airport.
• Do not assume a motorway is free simply because there is no toll booth.

Parking signs can be very specific

Australian city parking restrictions are often shown with signs specifying exact days, times, vehicle types and maximum stays.

• Read the entire sign rather than just the largest symbol.
• Paid parking may use meters, ticket machines or mobile apps.
• Clearways and no-stopping zones can have strict enforcement.
• Do not block driveways, pedestrian crossings or intersections.
• Check whether parking restrictions change at different times of day.

Rules visitors should take seriously

• Seat belts: drivers and passengers must use the fitted seat belts.
• Child restraints: children must use an appropriate approved restraint for their age and size under the rules applying in that jurisdiction.
• Mobile phones: do not use a hand-held phone while driving. Detailed device rules vary between states and territories.
• Speed cameras: fixed, mobile and average-speed enforcement is widely used.
• Red lights: stop behind the stop line and do not assume that turning on red is permitted unless specifically signed.
• Rail crossings: obey lights, barriers and stop signs and never enter unless you can completely clear the crossing.

Breakdown and emergency numbers

• Move the vehicle away from moving traffic if this can be done safely.
• Switch on the hazard warning lights.
• Keep passengers away from live traffic.
• Contact the roadside-assistance service supplied with the rental.
• Do not arrange repairs yourself unless authorised by the rental provider.
• For police, fire or ambulance emergencies in Australia call 000.