AustraliaAustralia

Drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Normally overtake on the right. Passing on the left is permitted in certain situations, such as on multi-lane roads where vehicles are travelling in marked lanes.

Call 000 (Triple Zero) for police, fire or ambulance assistance in a life-threatening or time-critical emergency.

For most fully licensed drivers, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.05% or higher. Learner and provisional drivers must generally have zero BAC, while lower or zero limits can also apply to certain professional and heavy-vehicle drivers.

Not completely. Road law is made by the states and territories. Most jurisdictions closely follow the Australian Road Rules model, but there are differences in areas such as speed limits, licensing, mobile-phone restrictions and some local driving rules.

In most states and territories, the unsigned default in a built-up area is 50 km/h. The Northern Territory is an important exception, where the default in many built-up areas is 60 km/h. Always follow posted limits.

There is no single nationwide rural default. It is 100 km/h in many jurisdictions, but Western Australia and the Northern Territory generally use 110 km/h outside built-up areas. Tasmania uses 100 km/h on sealed rural roads and 80 km/h on unsealed rural roads unless signed otherwise.

Follow the posted speed limit. High-standard freeways commonly have limits of 100 or 110 km/h, while some sections of Northern Territory highways are signed at up to 130 km/h. There is no single nationwide motorway speed limit.

No. School-zone limits, operating times and days vary between states and territories. Follow the school-zone signs at the location rather than assuming a particular national limit.

No. Australia has no nationwide road vignette. Most roads are free to use, while particular urban motorways, bridges and tunnels are tolled.

Australian toll roads use electronic tolling rather than cash booths. Drivers can generally use an electronic toll account or arrange a temporary pass or number-plate-based payment, depending on the operator.

Toll roads are concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne and southeast Queensland, including Brisbane and the Toowoomba Bypass. Large parts of Australia have no toll roads at all.

Yes. Drivers and passengers must use an approved seat belt where one is provided, subject to limited legal exemptions.

Yes. Children under 7 years old generally require an approved restraint appropriate to their age and size. Babies under 6 months use a rear-facing restraint; children from 6 months to under 4 use a rear- or forward-facing restraint; and children from 4 to under 7 use a forward-facing restraint or booster seat.

In a vehicle with two or more seating rows, a child under 4 years old generally cannot travel in the front row. A child aged 4 to under 7 may normally sit there only when all suitable rear seats are occupied by younger children, subject to applicable exemptions.

Yes. Motorcycle riders and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that is securely fitted and fastened.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Rules for mounted devices, hands-free functions and novice drivers vary between states and territories, and learner or provisional drivers often face much stricter restrictions.

At an uncontrolled crossroad, you must generally give way to a vehicle approaching from your right. Different rules apply at T-intersections and where signs, signals or road markings control priority.

A driver entering a roundabout must give way to every vehicle already in the roundabout. It is not simply a rule to give way to traffic approaching from the right.

Yes. Drivers must give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and must approach at a speed that allows them to stop safely.

You must give way and keep clear of police and emergency vehicles displaying the required warning lights or sounding a siren. Move out of their path safely and obey any directions given.

On a multi-lane road where the speed limit is over 80 km/h, or where a Keep Left Unless Overtaking sign applies, you must generally keep out of the right lane unless overtaking or another permitted exception applies.

Visitors can generally drive using a current overseas licence for the vehicle class it covers, but the permitted period and conversion requirements vary by state and territory. If the licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit or approved English translation may also be required.

Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the state or territory and the language of the overseas licence. Drivers with a non-English licence should carry an IDP or an accepted English translation together with the original licence.

There is no general nationwide requirement for an ordinary private car to carry warning triangles or a first-aid kit. Warning-triangle requirements under the Australian Road Rules apply particularly to heavy vehicles, while additional requirements can exist under state or vehicle-specific rules.

Road trains are extremely long heavy-vehicle combinations found particularly in regional and remote Australia and can reach around 60 metres in length. They need much more room to stop, turn and be overtaken, so allow a large safety margin and only pass when there is ample clear road ahead.

Animals such as kangaroos can enter rural roads unexpectedly, with the risk particularly significant around dawn and dusk. Reduce speed where wildlife is likely and watch the road edges carefully.

Remote journeys can involve very long distances between fuel, water, services and mobile-phone coverage. Check road conditions, fuel range and weather before departure, carry adequate supplies and obey road-closure signs, especially when travelling on unsealed roads.

There is no nationwide winter-tyre requirement, but snow-chain rules apply in some alpine areas. For example, 2WD vehicles must carry chains on specified roads in Kosciuszko National Park during the winter period, while vehicles entering Victorian alpine resorts can also be required to carry and fit chains.

Road signs use standardised symbols and English for written regulatory, warning and direction information.