| Check whether your current license is okay in the
countries you plan on visiting. You will need an
International Driving Permit to drive in another country. These
are generally issued from the auto club or association
in the country where your license is current.
- Budget to insure for yourself, your passengers,
the vehicle and for third party liability.
Do not get a driving permit via the Internet
- they are illegal. Renting a car usually
requires a credit card as a credit card impression
is often required for the bond and insurance.
Australia has a good network of well-maintained
roads and highways, and for the more adventurous quite
a few dirt roads leading into the outback, accessible
only by four-wheel drive vehicles... Although distances
between gateway cities in Australia may seem large,
the good road network allows an enjoyable self-drive
holiday with the opportunity to stop as long as required
at points of interest.
Car-hire companies may restrict vehicle movements
in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.
There are few restrictions on where 4WD vehicles may
go, but to avoid unnecessary risk to the renter's safety
and damage to the vehicles, renter's are commonly required
to stay on recognised tracks.
License requirements for visiting
motorists
A person who is the holder of a current foreign driver's
licence of a particular class may drive a vehicle of
that class in Australia on the foreign driver's licence if:
- they also hold a current International Driving
Permit; or
- the foreign licence is written in English or is
accompanied by an English translation of the details
on the foreign licence;
AND
- the person does not hold a current permanent visa
and is not disqualified from driving in Australia
or elsewhere.
Students, tourists and persons who are working in
Australia on current temporary visas are permitted
to drive on their foreign licences, as above only while
the foreign licence is current.
Temporary visas usually do not exceed 4 years. If
the foreign licence expires you will be required to
obtain an Australian driver's licence.
Visiting motorists are required to carry their licence
(and English translation if applicable) at all times
while driving and produce it to Police on request.
Production of their temporary visas may also be required
as evidence of their temporary residential status.
For further information regarding international licences
in Australian states and territories and New Zealand,
click through to the appropriate internet site:
- Australian Capital Territory
- http://www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencemoveact.htm
New South Wales- http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/hubpages/hub_overseasvisitors.html
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/
international_drivers.html
Northern Territory- http://www.nt.gov.au/ipe/dtw/aboutus/branches/transport/
roadtransport/licensing.shtm
Queensland - http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/index/
licensing_interstate_foreign
South Australia- http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licences_certification/drivers/
overseas_residents.asp
Tasmania- http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information/
overseas_licence.html
Victoria- http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrne5nav.nsf/
Western Australia- http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/mylicence/1365.asp
Seat belts and helmets
It is compulsory for drivers and passengers including
children to wear seat belts at all times... motor cyclists
and cyclists are required to wear a helmet.
Which side of the road?
Australian's drive on the left side of the road.
Roads are mostly of good design and repair. The Northern
Territory contains 1/6th of Australia's total area,
but has only 1% of its population. As a result, there
are vast areas with few people and few roads. In the
populous south-east roads are plentiful, though many
are 'unsealed' (dirt roads.)
City driving
Road regulations differ from state to state and
even from city to city... Watch out for signs that
read... right hand turn from left lane only...
meaning you must get into the left lane to make a right-hand
turn... Roundabouts (or traffic circles) are widely
used at intersections throughout Australia...cars that
have already entered the circle have right-of-way.
Pick up a copy of the Highway Code of the state
or territory in which you plan to drive. These are
available from the Australian Automobile Association
which has branches in each state.
Freeways/Major routes
Driving in the outback has its own risks. You can
get to most places without a 4WD, as long as you don't
mind a dirt road and don't plan travelling in our tropical
north during the rainy season... Night driving can
be a risk depending on where you are, with kangaroos,
emus and cattle having the potential to cause a collision...
Keep your car's petrol tank topped up as fuel is often
unavailable late at night and there can be long distances
between petrol stations..
The majority of highways are two-lane roads with
frequent passing lanes. Australian cities are not linked
by expressways but the major highways are usually paved
and well maintained.
- Caution!...'Road trains' are unique to Australia's
highways and can freight anything from sheep to timber.
When overtaking, bear in mind that these articulated
lorries can average 50 metres (150ft) in length.
...Although traffic is light in the outback, temperatures
can be extreme during the day. Always carry plenty
of water. Let someone know your travel itinerary
and schedule when travelling in remote areas.
...Sudden rain showers can cause flash floods. Don't
try to out drive them - get to higher ground immediately
when it rains.
...Drive more slowly at night in remote area, as
you will not be able to see wild animals or wandering
stock until you are very close.
Driving in isolated areas
- When travelling independently in isolated areas
plan your trip with the aid of a good map, stay on
recognised routes and take note of the distance between
petrol (gasoline) stops.
- Carry ample supplies of drinking water...at least
4.5 litres per person per day.
- If driving on unsealed roads for the first time
slow down and stay on the left hand side of the road.
- If your car breaks down in an isolated area, stay
with your vehicle for shade and protection from the
heat... don't leave your vehicle.
Telephone the Australian Automobile Association on
(06) 247 7311 to obtain further information and advice
on driving regulations and licence's.
Hitch-hiking
- Hitch-hiking is illegal in some states of Australia
and is strongly discouraged.
- Budget price fares exist for travel, particularly
by bus, and represent affordable and safe alternatives
to hitch-hiking.
- Don't pick up hitch-hikers.
Speed limits
Speed limits on the open highways are 100-110 km/hour
(60-66mph). The maximum speed limit in cities and towns
is 60km/hour (35 mph) and 100 km/hour (60mph) on country
roads and highways (where there is no street lighting)
unless signs indicate otherwise. All speed signs are
in metric as will be the speedometer in your car...
There are no speed limits on the open road in the Northern
Territory.
Police use radar, laser and spotter planes plus
concealed remote speed cameras to check speeding motorists.
The use of speed cameras in Australia is amongst the
most sophisticated in the world, and you could be caught
without knowing it and receive a large fine on returning
home!
If you are caught speeding, or receive a parking
ticket, your fine will be sent to the car rental firm
who will charge you as the renter for any traffic infringement
notices.
Alcohol
Strict drink-driving laws apply and random breath
testing for the checking of blood-alcohol levels is
conducted in all Australian states. Insurance is invalid
if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit (currently
0.5 mg per litre of blood.)
Car rental information
The minimum age for renting is 21 years for passenger
cars and minivans, and 24 years for 4WD vehicles...
Specific insurance conditions apply to renters between
21 and 25 years.
A state government stamp duty applies to all rental
agreements. This is approximately 2% of the total rental
value. It includes additional charges such as insurance,
fuel, child safety seats, etc. A goods and services
tax (GST) of 10% will be included in your hire rate.
General information
Petrol (gasoline) in Australia comes in unleaded and
leaded grades and is sold by the litre. In July 2005
petrol and diesel fuel costs were between AUS$1.15
and AUS$1.30 per litre and can be higher in country
and remote outback areas... Petrol stations are plentiful,
but close early in the country and remote areas, so
maintaining a full fuel tank is essential. Most, if
not all, service stations accept Mastercard and Visa
credit cards. When travelling in remote areas, check
the availability of service stations at the car-hire
pick-up point. |
