United Kingdom → Australia
Driving in Australia when you know the United Kingdom
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (1)
Emergency number
Good to knowUnited Kingdom · home999112 also works and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destination000112 also works from mobile phones and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (27)
Speed limit on the motorway
United Kingdom · home70 mphChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Speed limit on country roads
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · home60 mphSingle carriageway roads.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales100 km/h — about 62 mphThe 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 regionUnited Kingdom · home30 mphEngland and Scotland. Wales uses 20 mph as the default in built-up areas.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Wales20 mphThe default in built-up areas. Some roads are signed back up to 30.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales50 km/h — about 31 mphThe default in built-up areas where no sign is posted. School zones are 40.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
How much alcohol you may have in your blood
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · home80 mg/100mlEngland and Wales. Scotland uses a lower limit.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Scotland50 mg/100mlChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · homeNot requiredA full foreign licence is accepted on its own for visits.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesDepends on where your licence is fromA 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
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
United Kingdom · home70 mphChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan
United Kingdom · home
- Motorway — 60 mph
- Dual carriageway — 60 mph
- Country roads — 50 mph
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Youngest age you may drive
United Kingdom · home17 yearsChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Holding a phone while driving
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · homeNot allowedApplies to holding any device that can send or receive data, even at a red light.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesNot allowedTouching the phone at all is illegal while driving, including at lights.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
Turning at a red light
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · homeNot allowedRed means stop for every direction. A separate green arrow is the only exception.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesOnly where a sign allows itOnly 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
Who must wear a seatbelt
United Kingdom · homeEveryone, in every seatA seatbelt must be worn in any seat that has one.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · home12 yearsUntil age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales7 yearsUnder 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
Height below which a child needs a child seat
United Kingdom · home135 cmUntil 135 cm tall or age 12, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
What the lines and painted kerbs mean
United Kingdom · home
- Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
- Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
- Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
- Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
- White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Winter tyres
United Kingdom · homeNot requiredChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
How you pay for motorways
United Kingdom · home
- Toll booths
- City charges
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
How long you may drive on your own licence
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · home12 monthsCounted from when you last entered Great Britain.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales6 monthsAs a temporary overseas visitor. After that, a NSW visitor licence is needed.Checked 3 Aug 2026 · official source
When you must switch your headlights on
United Kingdom · homeNot requiredHeadlights are required at night and when visibility is seriously reduced.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Hands-free phone calls
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · homeAllowedThe phone must be in a holder or fully hands-free, and must not block your view.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesAllowed, with restrictionsFull 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 has priority at a roundabout
United Kingdom · homeTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstGive way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Parking on the pavement
Varies by regionUnited Kingdom · homeNo single national answer:
EnglandAllowedExcept London, where it is banned. Discouraged everywhere, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026
ScotlandNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026
WalesAllowedDiscouraged, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Parking facing against the traffic
United Kingdom · homeAllowedBy day only. At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
United Kingdom · home
- A junction — 10 m
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Low-emission zones
United Kingdom · homeIn many citiesLondon has its own ultra low emission zone. Clean air zones operate in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, and Scottish cities have separate low emission zones. Most only charge vehicles that miss emissions standards.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Congestion charges
United Kingdom · homeIn some citiesLondon and Durham.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Whether police can fine you on the spot
United Kingdom · homeYes — visitors must pay at the roadsideFixed penalties are normally paid later, not at the roadside. A driver who cannot give a UK address must pay a deposit on the spot.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Typical fines
United Kingdom · home
- Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)
Australia · destinationNot yet verified
Same in both (2)
- Which side of the road you drive on — Left official source
- Which side you overtake on — Right official source