Driving in Australia

Left

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Right

Where the limit is over 80 km/h or a sign says keep left, you must not drive in the right lane except to overtake.

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 100 km/h The default outside built-up areas where no sign is posted. Motorways are signed up to 110. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 50 km/h The default in built-up areas where no sign is posted. School zones are 40. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 0.05 % BAC Under 0.05 for a full (unrestricted) licence. NSW sets three limits by licence type and vehicle class, not one. Checked 19 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 0 % BAC Zero for learner, P1 and P2 drivers. It also applies to a visiting driver holding an overseas or interstate learner or provisional licence, so the limit follows the licence you arrived on rather than your age. Checked 19 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 0.02 % BAC Under 0.02 for vehicles over 13.9 tonnes gross vehicle mass, vehicles carrying dangerous goods, and public vehicles such as taxis and buses. Checked 19 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 17 years The P1 provisional licence, which is the first one you may drive on alone. A learner licence comes at 16, but only with a full licence holder beside you. P1 drivers must not exceed 90 km/h. Checked 16 Aug 2026 · official source
• Queensland 17 years The P1 provisional licence, which is the first one you may drive on alone. A learner licence comes at 16, but only with a supervisor. Checked 16 Aug 2026 · official source
• Western Australia 17 years Set by regulation 15(1)(a) of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014, which puts the minimum age to hold a driver's licence at 17. A learner's permit comes at 16. Checked 16 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Depends on where your licence is from A current overseas licence in English is accepted on its own. A licence not in English needs an English translation or an International Driving Permit. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 6 months As a temporary overseas visitor. After that, a NSW visitor licence is needed. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Not allowed Touching the phone at all is illegal while driving, including at lights. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Allowed, with restrictions Full licence holders may use a cradle or hands-free. Learner and provisional drivers may not use a phone at all. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Only where a sign allows it Only at intersections with a "left turn on red permitted after stopping" sign, after a complete stop, giving way to traffic from the right. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 7 years Under 7 needs an approved restraint for their age and size; 4 to 7 a forward-facing seat or booster. Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Required for rider and passenger The law requires all motorcycle riders and their pillion or sidecar passengers to wear an approved helmet. It must meet AS/NZS 1698 or UN ECE Regulation 22 and carry the compliance mark. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Queensland Required for rider and passenger All motorcycle riders and passengers must wear a helmet that meets AS1698, AS/NZS1698 or UN ECE 22.05 or 22.06. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Western Australia Required for rider and passenger Regulation 244 of the Road Traffic Code 2000: a motorcycle, including a moped, must not be ridden unless the rider wears an approved helmet, and any passenger must wear one too. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales None — you need a motorcycle licence You need a rider licence to use any motorcycle, trike or motor scooter on NSW roads. The page gives no engine size below which a car licence is enough, and does not say whether overseas licences differ. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Queensland
  • Engine up to 50 cc
  • Top speed up to 50 km/h
  A class C car licence covers a moped: an internal combustion engine of at most 50 mL (the page's unit, equal to 50 cc) or an electric motor, and in either case a manufacturer's top rated speed of at most 50 km/h. The page gives no power figure for the electric version. On a car licence you must not carry a passenger. The page does not say whether overseas licences get the same allowance. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Western Australia
  • Engine up to 50 cc
  • Top speed up to 50 km/h
  An unrestricted C class licence also authorises R-N mopeds: a motorcycle designed not to be capable of exceeding 50 km/h that either has an engine of at most 50 cc or is not powered by a piston engine. The speed limit applies to both; the engine limit only to piston engines, and the page gives no power figure for the electric version. It does not say whether interstate or overseas licences get the same allowance. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales 17 years NSW has no separate moped licence. The P1 rider licence is the first one you may ride on alone. It needs age 17 and 3 months on a learner rider licence, which starts at 16 years 9 months. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Queensland 17 years Queensland has no moped licence. A moped may be ridden on a class C car licence, whose P1 stage starts at 17. The RE motorcycle licence needs a car licence already held for a year, so it cannot come earlier. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Western Australia 16 years Regulation 15(1)(b) of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014 sets 16 for a moped licence, which is class R endorsed N. A moped learner's permit comes at 15 years 6 months. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales
  • Gloves
  • High-visibility vest
  Only for learner and provisional riders. Learner riders must wear an approved hi-vis vest or jacket. Learner, P1 and P2 riders must wear approved protective gloves from 1 July 2026. The page sets no gear rule for full licence holders. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

No single national answer — it depends on the region:

• New South Wales Allowed, with restrictions Only fully licensed riders, and only below 30 km/h through stopped or slow traffic. Not next to the kerb, next to parked vehicles or in school zones. Passing traffic at over 30 km/h is lane splitting, which is an offence. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Queensland Allowed, with restrictions Only open (full) licence holders, at 30 km/h or less, between stopped or slow vehicles going the same way. Not in school zones during school hours, not where a no filtering sign applies, and not between a vehicle and the kerb. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source
• Western Australia Allowed, with restrictions Legal since 2021 at 30 km/h or less, between lanes of stopped or slow traffic going the same way. Not for learner permit holders. Not where the speed limit is 40 km/h or less, in school zones, at crossings, beside the kerb or parked cars, in bicycle or bus lanes, next to heavy vehicles, or on roundabouts. Checked 2 Sep 2026 · official source

000

112 also works from mobile phones and reaches the same service.

Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source