Driving in Australia: What International Visitors Need to Know
Left-hand driving, vast distances, wildlife on the road, and speed cameras that don't forgive. Here's everything you need to know before getting behind the wheel in Australia.
By Cooee Tours12 min read
Driving in Australia gives you a freedom that public transport can't match — especially outside the capital cities. But the conditions are different from what most international visitors are used to: left-hand traffic, enormous distances between towns, wildlife that wanders onto highways, and an outback that punishes poor preparation. Here's the practical stuff you need to know.
Left-Hand Driving — The Adjustment
If you're from a country that drives on the right (US, Canada, most of Europe, most of Asia), switching to left-hand traffic is the biggest adjustment. The steering wheel is on the right side of the car. You drive on the left side of the road. Indicators and wipers are swapped on the steering column.
Where people make mistakes
The most dangerous moments come at intersections and when turning — particularly right turns, where instinct pulls you to the wrong lane. Roundabouts (very common in Australia) go clockwise. Car parks, petrol station exits, and quiet residential streets are where visitors most often drift to the wrong side, because there's no other traffic to follow.
Practical advice: Practice in a quiet area before driving in traffic. Stick a note on the dashboard reminding you "keep left." Take it slowly for the first few hours. After a day or two, it becomes natural — but that first morning is the riskiest.
Licences & Requirements
English-language licenceIf your licence is in English, you can drive in most Australian states for up to 3 months on your overseas licence. No International Driving Permit needed.
Non-English licenceYou need either an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained before leaving home, or an official NAATI-accredited English translation carried alongside your original licence.
Minimum ageYou must be at least 21 to hire a car from most rental companies. Under-25 surcharges are common ($15–30/day extra). Some premium vehicles require age 25+.
Always carry your licenceYou must have your physical licence (and IDP/translation if applicable) with you whenever driving. Digital licences from other countries are not accepted.
Key Road Rules
Zone
Speed Limit
Notes
Urban/suburban
50 km/h
Default in built-up areas unless signed otherwise
School zones
40 km/h
During signed hours (usually 8–9:30am, 2:30–4pm school days)
Main roads/highways
80–100 km/h
Always follow posted signs
Freeways/motorways
100–110 km/h
Some NT highways: 130 km/h
Rules that catch visitors out
Seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers, front and rear. No exceptions. Mobile phones must not be touched while driving — not even at red lights. Use a hands-free mount or don't use it at all. Fines are severe ($500+). Blood alcohol limit is 0.05 — roughly one standard drink for most adults. Designated driving or taxis are safer bets. Roundabouts: give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Traffic flows clockwise. Hook turns exist in Melbourne's CBD — a unique left-lane right-turn manoeuvre at signed intersections.
Enforcement is strict. Speed cameras are widespread and automatic — there's no warning or leniency for visitors. Red light cameras, mobile phone detection cameras, and random breath testing are all common. Fines are mailed to you via the rental company and added to your credit card.
Car Hire Tips
Book early, compare widelyUse aggregators (RentalCars, DriveNow, CarHire.com.au) and compare with direct booking. Airport locations charge a premium — city depots are often cheaper.
Insurance mattersBasic rental includes insurance with a high excess (often $3,000–5,000). Pay for excess reduction ($15–30/day) or use a third-party excess policy. Read the policy on unsealed roads — many standard policies don't cover damage on gravel.
Automatic vs manualMost rental cars in Australia are automatic. If you want manual (cheaper where available), specify when booking. Automatics are easier for left-hand-drive adjustment.
One-way feesDropping a car in a different city incurs a one-way fee — sometimes $200–500+. Factor this into your budget or plan a return trip.
Fuel policy: Most rentals are "full to full" — you pick up with a full tank and return it full. Fill up near the airport or depot on your return day. Pre-paid fuel from the rental company is always overpriced.
Fuel & Running Costs
Fuel in Australia (called "petrol" for unleaded) is priced per litre, not per gallon. Prices fluctuate but as a rough guide for 2026:
Unleaded 91$1.70–2.10/litre in cities. Significantly more in regional and remote areas — expect $2.20–2.80/litre in the outback.
Diesel$1.80–2.20/litre in cities. More widely available in remote areas than unleaded. Most 4WD rentals run diesel.
For reference: A$2.00/litre is roughly US$4.80/gallon or £1.00/litre. Comparable to UK prices, more expensive than the US. Use apps like FuelMap or PetrolSpy to find cheapest stations near you.
Outback & Regional Driving
Driving between Australian cities — or into the outback — is a fundamentally different experience from urban driving. Distances are vast, services are sparse, and the consequences of poor preparation are serious.
The critical rule: Never assume your phone will have coverage. Mobile signal drops out within 30–60 minutes of most regional towns. Download offline maps before you leave. Carry a physical road atlas. For remote outback travel, consider hiring a satellite communicator or PLB (personal locator beacon).
Extra water — minimum 5L per person
Offline Google Maps downloaded
Physical road map or atlas
Fuel — fill up at every opportunity
Basic recovery gear (for unsealed roads)
Spare tyre checked and inflated
Tell someone your route & expected arrival
Food and snacks for the journey
Hat and sunscreen (in case of breakdown)
Torch/flashlight with batteries
Fatigue is the real danger
Long, straight roads through repetitive landscape are hypnotic. Driver fatigue causes more outback accidents than speed. Stop every 2 hours, swap drivers where possible, and never drive tired. If you feel drowsy, pull over and rest — there's no deadline worth risking your life for. Plan realistic driving days: 4–5 hours of driving is enough in the outback.
Wildlife on the Road
Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and emus are all road hazards in regional Australia. They're most active at dawn and dusk — the "golden hours" for wildlife collisions.
The safest approach: Avoid driving in rural areas between dusk and dawn whenever possible. If you must drive at night, reduce speed significantly, use high beams when no oncoming traffic, and watch for eye-shine on the road edges. If an animal appears ahead, brake firmly in a straight line — do not swerve. Swerving to avoid a kangaroo has caused more serious accidents than the collision itself.
Tolls & City Driving
Sydney and Melbourne have extensive toll road networks. Brisbane has some toll roads. Most other cities have none.
How tolls work
Australian toll roads are cashless — there are no toll booths. Cameras photograph your number plate and charge your account electronically. As a visitor in a rental car, you have two options: register for a temporary toll pass (Linkt, E-Way) online before your trip, or let the rental company handle tolls (they charge an administration fee on top of the toll). If you do nothing, the fines arrive weeks later and they're expensive.
For short visits: If you're only in Sydney or Melbourne for a few days, register for a casual toll pass online (Linkt.com.au) and link a credit card. It takes 5 minutes and avoids the rental company markup. You can also choose toll-free routes in Google Maps to avoid them entirely — it may add time but saves money.
When to Skip the Car Entirely
Hiring a car isn't always the best or cheapest option. There are situations where other transport — or a guided tour — is the smarter choice:
City-only tripsSydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane all have good public transport. Driving in Sydney in particular is stressful, expensive (tolls + parking), and unnecessary if you're staying in the city.
Day trips from a baseIf you want to see the hinterland, rainforest, or coast around the Gold Coast, Brisbane, or Cairns, a Cooee Tours day trip includes transport, local knowledge, and no navigation stress.
Alcohol is involvedWine regions, brewery tours, and evenings out all require a non-drinking driver. Guided tours solve this problem entirely.
Your first dayJet-lagged, tired, and adjusting to left-hand driving is a risky combination. Use a taxi or transfer from the airport and start driving the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the road does Australia drive on?
The left side. Steering wheel is on the right. The biggest adjustment for right-hand-drive visitors is at intersections, roundabouts, and turning. Practice in a quiet area first.
Do I need an international driving permit?
Only if your licence is not in English. English-language licences are accepted for up to 3 months in most states. Non-English licences require either an IDP or an official translation alongside the original.
How much does car hire cost?
Budget compact cars start around $40–60 AUD/day. Add fuel ($1.70–2.10/litre), insurance excess reduction ($15–30/day), and tolls in Sydney/Melbourne. Book early and compare on aggregator sites for best rates.
Is outback driving safe?
Yes, with preparation. Carry extra water, fuel up at every opportunity, download offline maps, carry a physical map, and tell someone your route. Avoid driving at night in rural areas (wildlife). Plan realistic driving days of 4–5 hours.
What are the speed limits?
Urban: 50 km/h. School zones: 40 km/h during signed hours. Highways: 100–110 km/h. Some NT roads: 130 km/h. Speed cameras are widespread and fines are mailed to you via the rental company.
Skip the Driving Stress — Join a Day Tour
Cooee Tours handles the driving, the navigation, and the local knowledge. You just enjoy the scenery. Small groups, expert guides, and no car hire bills.
Driving in Australia is straightforward once you adjust to left-hand traffic and respect the distances. The key is preparation: understand the road rules before you go, carry what you need for regional travel, avoid driving tired or at night in wildlife zones, and don't underestimate how far apart things are. Which brings us to the next topic most visitors need — just how big Australia actually is.