Rules of the road
Driving in Australia
Every value below links to the official source it was checked against, with the date it was checked. What is not verified yet says so.
Which side of the road
Which side you overtake on
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
Speed limits
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionNo 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
Speed limit in towns and cities
Varies by regionNo 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
Your licence and age
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Varies by regionNo 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
How long you may drive on your own licence
Varies by regionNo 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
Phones at the wheel
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionNo 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
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionNo 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
Who goes first
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionNo 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
Seatbelts and children
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Varies by regionNo 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
If something goes wrong
Emergency number
000
112 also works from mobile phones and reaches the same service.
Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Not yet verified for Australia
These rules exist, but no value has been checked against an official source yet. Missing beats wrong.
- Speed limit on the motorway
- Speed limit on a dual carriageway
- Speed limit in living and residential zones
- Speed limit in rain or snow
- Speed limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
- How much alcohol you may have in your blood
- Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
- Alcohol limit for professional drivers
- Youngest age you may drive
- Youngest age you may rent a car
- What you must carry in the car
- What you should carry, but do not have to
- When you must switch your headlights on
- Headlights in tunnels
- Who has priority at a roundabout
- Priority to traffic coming from the right
- Who must wear a seatbelt
- Height below which a child needs a child seat
- Youngest age a child may sit in the front
- What the lines and painted kerbs mean
- How you pay to park
- Parking on the pavement
- Parking facing against the traffic
- How far you must park from a junction or crossing
- What happens if you park wrongly
- Winter tyres
- When winter tyre rules apply
- Snow chains
- How you pay for motorways
- Low-emission zones
- Congestion charges
- Typical fines
- Whether police can fine you on the spot