Driving in Australia is easier than you think
Driving in Australia is easier than you think!
As an international student studying in Australia, understanding the country’s traffic system is essential. With Australians driving on the left side of the road, it can be a challenging adjustment for Canucks who are used to driving cars on the right side. When OzTREKK staff and students head to Australia for the first time, getting used to looking right then left can become a bit tricky, but everyone gets the hang of it!
In all Australian states and territories, you are able to drive on a overseas license as long as it is current and you haven’t been disqualified from driving anywhere else. You can only drive vehicles which your overseas license authorizes you to drive and you must drive according to any conditions on your overseas license.
If your license isn’t in English, you must also have an official English translation. These can be obtained from an embassy, consulate, Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators (AUSIT), or the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
Each of the states and territories has different rules and regulations for driving with a foreign license. Here’s a general breakdown:
New South Wales
You can drive in New South Wales if you have a valid overseas license. As you will be in NSW for more than three months, you can be issued with a Temporary Overseas Visitor license. If you’ve been driving for more than three years, you’ll be issued an unrestricted license. If you’ve been driving for fewer than three years, but more than 12 months, you’ll be issued a Provisional P2 driver’s license. However, with both, driving and knowledge tests may be required.
Also keep in mind that you cannot, by law, hold more than one license at a time in Australia. Once you’ve been issued with a NSW license, including a learner license, it becomes the authority under which you can drive or ride on NSW roads. Your overseas license is not recognized and has no authority while you hold a NSW license.
Your overseas license is valid for 3 months.
Queensland
You can drive in Queensland if you have a valid overseas license; however, it is important to understand the state’s rules. Be sure to contact the Queensland Government for restrictions and other important info.
Your overseas license is valid for 3 months.
South Australia
Like other states, temporary visa holders can drive in SA but must only drive the type of vehicle authorized by their license. You must carry your current Canadian driver’s license at all times. If the license is not in English you must carry an International Driving Permit or an English translation. If the license expires while you are in Australia, you must apply for a SA driver’s license. Learn more about driving rules in South Australia.
Your overseas license is valid for 3 months (90 days).
Victoria
You can use your overseas license while studying in the state of Victoria—for up to 6 months. You’ll need an English translation of your license or an international driving permit (if your license isn’t in English). If you wish to drive after 6 months, you are required to get a Victoria driver’s license. Depending on your age and how long you’ve been driving, you’ll either get a full or probationary license. Read more about driving with in international license in Victoria.
Western Australia
If you’ve got a license, you can drive in Western Australia. You may drive only those vehicles that you are authorized to drive on your overseas license, for as long as it remains valid in the country of issue. If your overseas license is not in English, you must carry an international driving permit or an approved English translation of your license with you when you drive. To be able to drive on WA roads with your overseas driver’s license you must always carry your Canadian license with you at all times while driving and show it to a police officer if asked to do so. If your overseas license ceases to be valid, you must apply for a WA license if you wish to continue driving. Read more about driving with an international license in Western Australia.
Your overseas license is valid for 3 months.
Driving tips
Here are some tips on navigating your vehicle in Australian traffic and knowing what to look for as a pedestrian:
Insurance
This is a no-brainer. Like Canada, car insurance is compulsory for all drivers in Australia.
In the driver’s seat
When driving on the left, you’re going to be tempted to inch away from the right-hand side in an effort to stay clear of the oncoming traffic. While it’s good to be cautious, you may find yourself inching too far to the left, either on the shoulder or a neighbouring lane. To ground yourself, place your right foot straight. This will help you understand where your right tire is located, thus giving you a better idea about spacing.
Roundabouts
We’ve got a quite few in Canada now, and we’re getting more every year! Roundabouts are extremely common in Australia and Europe. If you don’t understand how roundabouts work, you will! Roundabouts keep the flow of traffic going and don’t depend on lights to navigate traffic.
- Cars already in the roundabout have the right of way.
- Traffic in a roundabout flows in a clockwise direction in Australia.
- In a two-lane roundabout, you keep to the left lane if you’re turning left or going straight ahead.
- You keep to the right lane if you’re turning right. You can also use the right lane in a two-lane roundabout if you’re going straight ahead.
- You use your left-turn signal for a left turn, the right-turn signal for a right turn. If you’re turning right and are on the right lane, switch on your left-turn signal when exiting. It has become law in New South Wales that motorists must signal left, in every instance, whenever exiting from a roundabout.
Crosswalks
When crossing the street in Canada, we look left then right. You have to change your mindset for life Down Under. You must look right first, as the cars will be coming from this direction. International visitors often look left and inch out onto the road without realizing the traffic is coming from the opposite direction. Before you get confident crossing the road, get into the habit of looking both ways.
No distractions
Like Canada, you are not permitted to use a handheld mobile phone when driving in Australia. This includes making or receiving calls, sending a text message, playing games and/or web browsing. The only instances where you are permitted to use your phone is if it is set up with hands-free (Bluetooth) functionality and it is properly mounted and secured. Be sure to check the rules in place for the state in which you’ll be living, just to be on the safe side.
Easy-peasy
We know it seems intimidating, but before long, you’ll be whizzing around like a local and forget that traffic is opposite in the Great White North. Just ask OzTREKK Director Jaime Notman. She only turned her wipers on 56 times before she remembered the indicator switch was on the right.
Updated January 3, 2023
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