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Road rules abroad

United States → Australia

Driving in Australia when you know the US

Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.

What to check before you drive in Australia

These are the key destination rules to check first. The comparison below shows every verified difference. Follow local signs and instructions on the road.

Which side of the road do you drive on in Australia?
In Australia you drive on the left.

Read the full driving rules in Australia .

Looking to rent a car? Rental agencies often have their own rules on driving ages and equipment, make sure you check with them before you travel.
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What's different (2)

Which side of the road you drive on

Critical
US · homeRightThe same in every state. Road traffic law is state law, so the citation is Californian: the Vehicle Code requires a vehicle to be driven on the right half of the roadway. No state differs.Checked 9 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationLeftChecked 3 Aug 2026 · official source

Emergency number

Good to know
US · home911Checked 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 (20)

Speed limit on the motorway

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
Texas75 mphThe commission may set 80 or 85 where the road is designed for it — the highest signed limits in the country.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California65 mphThe general maximum unless 70 is posted.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified

Speed limit on country roads

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
Texas70 mphThe statutory maximum unless the commission raises it for a numbered highway.Checked 3 Aug 2026
California55 mphOn a two-lane undivided highway, and for anything towing a trailer.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales100 km/hThe 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 region
US · homeNo single national answer:
Texas30 mphThe default through an urban district unless zoned otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales50 km/hThe 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 region
US · homeNo single national answer:
California0.08 % BACChecked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales0.05 % BACUnder 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

Whether you need an International Driving Permit

Varies by region
US · homeDepends on where your licence is fromDepends on your licence country and on the state. Not every state requires an International Driving Permit, and the US does not issue them to visitors — get one at home before travelling. Check the destination state's motor vehicle department.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

Which side you overtake on

US · homeNot yet verified
Australia · destinationRightWhere 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

Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently

Varies by region
US · homeNot yet verified
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales0 % BACZero 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

Youngest age you may drive

Varies by region
US · homeNot yet verified
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales17 yearsThe 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
Queensland17 yearsThe 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 Australia17 yearsSet 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

Holding a phone while driving

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaNot allowedChecked 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 region
US · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowedAfter a complete stop at the limit line, yielding to pedestrians, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.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

Age below which a child needs a child seat

Varies by region
US · homeNot yet verified
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

Helmets on a motorbike or scooter

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
TexasRequired for rider and passengerRider and passenger. A person aged 21 or over may ride without a helmet only if they have completed an approved motorcycle safety course or hold health insurance that covers motorcycle injuries. Police may not stop a rider just to check this.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaRequired for rider and passengerDriver and any passenger, on a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle or moped.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesRequired for rider and passengerThe 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
QueenslandRequired for rider and passengerAll 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 AustraliaRequired for rider and passengerRegulation 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

Largest motorbike or scooter you may ride on a car licence

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
Texas
  • Engine up to 50 cc
  • Power up to 5 hp
  • Top speed up to 30 mph
Texas does not count a moped as a motorcycle, so any class of driver licence covers one; that rule is Transportation Code 521.085, which takes its meaning of motorcycle from this definitions chapter. A moped must sit inside all three limits: it cannot reach more than 30 mph in a mile, its engine cannot produce more than five brake horsepower, and if it has a combustion engine that engine is 50 cc or less and drives through a transmission with no gear shifting. Only the horsepower and speed limits apply to an electric machine. Anything larger is a motorcycle and needs a Class M licence.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaNone — you need a motorcycle licenceA car licence (Class C) covers no moped or motorcycle. A moped (top speed 30 mph, under 4 brake horsepower) needs a Class M2 licence or endorsement; anything larger needs Class M1. One exception: the holder of a California licence of any class may ride a rented moped for up to 48 hours without the M2 endorsement.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesNone — you need a motorcycle licenceYou 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

What a rider must wear or carry

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaNothing beyond a helmetThe DMV Motorcycle Handbook says the only item required by law is a DOT-compliant helmet. Eye protection, jacket, gloves and boots are recommended, not required.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
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

Alcohol limit for professional drivers

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
California0.04 % BACCommercial vehicles, and passenger-for-hire driving.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales0.02 % BACUnder 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

How long you may drive on your own licence

Varies by region
US · homeNot yet verified
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

Hands-free phone calls

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
CaliforniaAllowed, with restrictionsAdults may use hands-free mode. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all.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

Youngest age you may ride the smallest class of scooter

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
Texas15 yearsFrom 15 a person may hold a restricted Class M licence for motorcycles of 250 cc or less, which also covers a moped. The restriction lifts at 16. An ordinary car licence, which covers mopeds too, is issued from 16.Checked 2 Sep 2026
California16 yearsRiders under 21 must first complete a training course and hold an instruction permit for six months.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South Wales17 yearsNSW 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
Queensland17 yearsQueensland 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 Australia16 yearsRegulation 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

Riding between lanes of slow traffic

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
TexasNot allowedSince 1 September 2023 a motorcycle may not be ridden between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, or pass a vehicle inside the same lane. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaAllowedLane splitting, riding a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles, is legal. The Highway Patrol publishes safety guidelines, which are advice rather than law.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNo single national answer:
New South WalesAllowed, with restrictionsOnly 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
QueenslandAllowed, with restrictionsOnly 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 AustraliaAllowed, with restrictionsLegal 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

Headlights on a motorbike in daytime

Varies by region
US · homeNo single national answer:
TexasRequired at all timesAt least one headlamp must be lit whenever a motorcycle is ridden. Motorcycles made before model year 1975 are exempt.Checked 2 Sep 2026
CaliforniaRequired at all timesA motorcycle first registered from 1978 must have a headlamp that switches on with the engine and stays lit while the engine runs.Checked 2 Sep 2026
Australia · destinationNot yet verified