By car in Australia
Australia
Visa
eVisa (electronic visa)
Phone code
+61
Language
English
Currency
Australian Dollar
Car traffic
Left-hand
Insurance policy
Insurance policy recommended
Minimum passport validity
at least 6 months
Visa
eVisa (electronic visa)
Phone code
+61
Language
English
Currency
Australian Dollar
Car traffic
Left-hand
Insurance policy
Insurance policy recommended
Minimum passport validity
at least 6 months
Traffic rules in Australia
Left-hand traffic
- In Australia, traffic drives on the left, and the steering wheel is on the right.
- Be especially careful at intersections — the habit of “looking right” can play a nasty trick on you.
Right of way
- Roundabouts: the driver already in the roundabout has the right of way. When entering a roundabout, yield to all traffic on your right.
- At intersections without traffic lights, the rule is to give way to traffic on your right.
- Pedestrians always have the right of way at pedestrian crossings.
Speed limits
- In cities and residential areas — 50 km/h (sometimes 40 km/h near schools).
- On interurban roads — 100–110 km/h.
- Speed is strictly controlled by radars, including mobile cameras and automatic control devices.
Parking
- Parking is prohibited on yellow or red lines, as well as in “Clearway” zones at certain times.
- Many areas have time-restricted parking — follow the signs.
- Park on the left side of the road in the direction of traffic.
Driving under the influence
- The legal limit for experienced drivers is 0.05 per mille.
- For novice drivers under the age of 25 or commercial drivers, the limit is 0.00 per mille.
- The police may stop you for a breathalyzer test without cause.
Phones and seat belts
- It is prohibited to use a phone while driving, even in hands-free mode without a holder.
- All passengers must wear seat belts. Children under 7 years of age must use a car seat.
Wild animals
- Kangaroos, wombats, and emus are often found on Australian roads, especially in rural areas.
- The greatest danger is at night, when animals are active and headlights can disorient them.
- Insurance should cover damage caused by animals (check the terms and conditions).
Toll roads
- In cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, there are toll roads.
- To use them, you need to register electronically with the e-Tag system or obtain a temporary pass (Pass).
- If you rent a car, the company often provides an e-Tag or automatically charges your card.
Fines in Australia are high: speeding, running a red light, or parking illegally can cost $200–1000 AUD or more. They may be sent to the rental company's address and then charged to your card.