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Driving Tips in Australia

Car Hire Depots
Driving Distances
Driving Licence
Driving Age
Driving Rules
Child Safety Seats

Speed Limits
Drink Driving
Tolls
Road Signs
Parking

Car Hire Depot information in Australia

DriveAway Holidays offers the best rates and choices with reputable suppliers, such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty & Red Spot. Our Suppliers are located throughout major and remote areas of Australia. Airport collections offer convenience with depots located in the airport terminal or shuttle services are available.

Car Hire Driving Distances in Australia

Sydney to Melbourne – 880 km’s (10 hours / 15 mins)
Melbourne to Adelaide – 730 km’s (9 hours / 30 mins)
Adelaide to Perth – 2696 km’s
Perth to Geraldton – 425 km’s (5 hrs / 30 mins)
Geraldton to Broome – 1930 km’s
Broome to Darwin - 1875 km’s
Darwin to Alice Springs – 1500 km’s
Alice Springs to Adelaide – 1530 km’s
Sydney to Wollongong – 85 km’s (1 hr / 25 mins)
Wollongong to Coffs Harbour – 645 km’s (8 hrs)
Coffs Harbour to Brisbane – 400 km’s (5 hrs / 30 mins)
Brisbane to Rockhampton – 620 km’s (8 hrs / 35 mins)
Rockhampton to Townsville – 720 km’s (9 hrs)
Townsville to Cairns – 400 km’s (5 hrs)

Driving Licence

A full valid driver’s licence is required for a minimum of 1 year. An international drivers licence is required for all non-English licence holders only.

Age Restrictions

Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check Terms and Conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

Road Rules, Laws and Driving Regulations

General road rules and regulations while driving in Australia:

Vehicles in Australia are right hand drive and must driven on the left hand side of the road
Seat belts are compulsory
Drivers must carry a valid licence while driving
It is against the law to operate a mobile phone while driving
Obey road signs and traffic signals
When approaching a roundabout, Giveway to traffic on the right at roundabouts
'U' turns are not permitted at traffic lights, or where displayed
Giveway to pedestrians when approaching a zebra crossing
Always use your indicator lights when turning

Child Safety Seats

Children aged 7 or under must be seated in an appropriate child restraint in the rear of the vehicle.

Speed Limits

Speeding is very strict in Australia, anyone caught may face heavy fines, loss of licence/vehicle and possible imprisonment. Speed Cameras and speed traps are in heavy use throughout Australia to catch speeding motorists.

City Roads: 40-60km/h
Residential Areas: 40-60km/h
Highways: 90-110km/h
Freeways: 90-110km/h

Drink Driving

Driving Driving in Australia is a serioues offence. Police in Australia have the authority to stop any vehicle and conduct a breath test with the driver. Full licence holders in Australia have a legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.05 g/100ml. Provisional and Learner licences have a zero BAC level. For a safe trip it is best advised not drink and drive.

Being in possesion or under the influence of illegal drugs is stricly prohibited - heavy fines apply and possible imprisonment.

Tolls

Tolls are located along the eastern states of Australia; New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Tolls are generally collected electronically by an electronic tag (E-Tag) fitted to the front window screen. Fee's are then collected from the toll holders account when passing a toll collection point. Fee's may vary in price depending on either the time of the day, distance travelled or size of vehicle.

Road Signs

Australian Road Signs are in english and are easy to understand. All motorists must obey road signs. Regulatory Signs (eg. Speed Limits) instruct motorists what they must and should not do. These signs will vary in shapes, sizes and colour.Warning Signs (eg. Changes in road conditions) informs motorists of any potential hazard, obstacale or condition up ahead. These signs are generally yellow in colour with a black symbol in the middle. Information Signs (eg. Direction signs) provides motorists with direction information, such as streets/roads name/number, places of interest...etc. Signs with a green background provide information to roads/streets, suburbs and cities, while brown signs are tourist attractions. Construction Signs will have an orange background with information in the middle.

Parking

There are two forms of parking in Australia, which are either paid or free. Parking within the cities are mostly timed and attract a fee, while in the suburbs and rural areas parking is free but may be timed. Make sure to check signage before leaving your vehicle.