Driving in Australia
Before you pick up your car hire in Australia, it is worth noting some of the rules and regulations about driving in Australia.
Driving license requirements in Australia
The authorities do not recognise drivers licenses in languages that do not use Roman letters and numbers.
Holders of licenses that are not in English must also show an International driving permit in English + an official translation of the original drivers permit. (available through motoring organisations such as AAA, AA, RAC etc).
Original drivers license should be kept at all times with the international driving permit. The Australian authorities require that you carry your drivers license with you at all times.
Speed Limits on Australian roads:
| Motorways | 110 km per hour |
| National Roads | 100 km per hour |
| Urban Areas | 50 km per hour |
Age requirements for driving in Australia
Car hire companies in Australia employ age restrictions, which can vary across companies. Please check your quotation for exact restrictions, as there may be an extra fee for drivers below the minimum age or over the maximum age.
Tips for driving your hire car in Australia
- Drive on the left hand side of the road.
- Over take on the right.
- Seatbelts must be worn at all times (front and back seats)
- Children under 12 must not sit in front seats - except for infants or young children in baby or booster seats
- All children must wear the right size restraints and are compulsory for every child.
- Do not drink and drive. If caught with a Blood / Alcohol level exceeding 0.05, you may face a fine and/or imprisonment.
- Do not speed - laser and radar checks by police are frequent
- On a T-crossing the traffic that goes straight through has the right of way.
- Only use the horn for emergency purposes
- Keep your driving license with you at all times.
- When passing roadtrains, (trucks of 50m length) take extra care
- Keep any paperwork relating to the vehicle that you are driving with you at all times.
- Use of warning triangles is recommended.
In rural areas be aware of the following:
- Wildlife or farm animals on the road
- Potholes or other dangerous road obstructions
- Single lane bridges
Fuel types available in Australia
- Unleaded Super 95/98 Petroleum (gasoline)
- Diesel
- Check carefully before filling whether your rental car uses petrol or diesel. If you make a mistake do not start the vehicle as severe damage may result and you will be liable for repair costs. Inform service station staff who will assist in arranging for the tank to be drained and refilled with the correct fuel
- Service stations are generally open 07.30 - 20.00hrs. Times vary particularly in rural areas. There are 24/7 service stations in most major cities. Service stations are generally self-service
- Most credit cards are accepted for fuel payment - check before filling the car
Parking in Australia
- Parking restrictions are shown on roadside signs
- Do not park where there are yellow lines on roadside
- Parking metres and disc systems are in use. Maximum time is usually 2 hours
- Clamping and on-the-spot fines are common in major cities
- Severe penalties may be incurred for dangerous parking
