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Driving in a foreign country means adhering to the specific road rules of that jurisdiction. When expats land in Australia, often one of the first things they do is hire a car, but whether in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, there are some major differences between driving in Australia and other western nations. These tips will help expats navigate the roads so they can drive confidently, safely and legally while in Australia.
Driving in the Wrong Lane
Motorists drive on the left hand side of the road in Australia. For expats this may take a few days to adjust to so it’s important to pay extra attention when turning. Also when crossing the road as a pedestrian be sure to look both ways. When driving on multi lane roads, be sure to stay in the left lane unless overtaking.
Exceeding the Speed Limit in Specific Areas
In built up areas, unless otherwise signed speed limits are often 60km/hr. In quieter suburban streets many states including New South Wales and Victoria now observe a 50km/hr speed limit and these may not be signed. During morning and afternoon school hours, a 40km/hr speed limit is enforced and these zones will be sign-posted. On country roads, unless otherwise signed, the default speed limit is 100 km/hr.
Using a Mobile Phone
Using a mobile phone while driving is not permitted in Australia and fines do apply, including when using a phone when stopped at traffic lights. Be sure to pull over before answering a phone or use a hands free device instead.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
The legal blood alcohol limit in Australia is 0.05 which applies to all drivers except those on a provisional or restricted license where a zero blood alcohol volume is enforced. Drink driving is enforced with random breath testing and random drug testing may also be administered. To avoid having to enlist the help of a legal service, it’s important all international license holders understand their responsibilities in Australia regarding driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Not Planning for Long Driving Distances
Many tourists and new arrivals to Australia run into trouble by failing to anticipate the long distances between cities and destinations. It’s important to understand distances between rural communities are often vast and finding places to obtain petrol and water can be difficult. Always carry a spare tyre, plenty of water, and be aware that rural roads are often unsealed. It’s important to plan a trip properly and ensure you set rest stops at each leg of the journey, and this goes double in Australia’s remote areas.
Getting Fined for Not Paying Tolls
Many motorways in Australia have toll points, and motorists who use them will incur a fee. Most of these are fully electronic and toll booth free, but this can make it easy to forget to pay outstanding tolls, which then results in hefty fees. To avoid your credit card being later charged by your car hire company or receiving late payment fines in the mail, ensure you set up an e-tag which will automatically deduct the toll amount as you drive through tollways. Check the relevant in each state and territory for more information.
These are just a few of the important considerations for expats and visitors to remember before taking to Australian roads. What other tips and advice should foreign drivers remember before driving in Australia? Share your tips with a comment.
