Driving and Cars
Information Courtesy of Bayside Honda
Speed Limits and laws
Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and speed and distance is measured in Kilometers.
It is compulsory in Australia to wear seatbelts.
A 50km/h speed limit exists in most urban areas in all states and territories, though signs will advise where this is different. Quite often there will be a 40km/h limit outside schools.
In Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, the default speed limit for country areas is 100km/h, however some major highways in the northern territory have a limit of 130km/h.
Driving Conditions
Most Australians live on the coast . Roads within and between the cities and towns are generally reliable and in good condition, as are the main highways that join the state and territory capital cities.
Although highways between major cities are well-maintained, motorists may travel for hundreds of kilometers between towns or road houses, with no opportunities to re-fuel, purchase refreshments, or use toilets.
In remote, large and less populated areas in the middle of Australia road conditions can be difficult. Permits may also be required to travel through certain remote locations.
Some motorways, bridges, and tunnels in major cities require payment of tolls of up to AU$8. In some cases, a cash payment can be made at tollbooths on the road, but there is an ongoing trend to automating toll collection with the use of radio transponders installed in vehicles.
Obtaining a drivers license in Australia
Australian driver licences are administered at state/territory level, and regulations vary as a result.
How do I get an Australian drivers licence?
You will normally need to obtain a state licence within 3 months of taking up residence in the state.
You may need to do a practical test unless:
- you have a New Zealand licence; or
- you hold a current overseas licence and have previously held an Australian licence - the exact regulations in this area can be complex and vary from state to state
- You hold a current licence issued by an overseas country - including most of the European Union nations, Canada, the USA and Japan - whose licensing system is recognised as similar to Australia's.
In Australia you are required to carry your driving licence with you at all times.
For more information visit the Australian Governments immigration website
Buying a car in Australia
Bayside Honda & Kia Located in Brisbane Bayside Honda's manager is Expat Mark Stott who knows just how difficult it can be buying your new car when you arrive in Oz. Bayside Honda can supply New Hondas and Kias and have access to 1000s of used vehicles from every make and model. Visit their website for more details.
Bayside Honda http://www.baysidehonda.com.au/
Bayside Kia http://www.baysidekia.com.au
Car Hire
These companies offer car hire across Australia.
www.carhire.com.au/ Cheap car hire across Australia. Compare prices from Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty and Red Spot on one site.
www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/ - Compare car hire prices from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty.
Car insurance
Find out how much you will pay for car insurance in Australia. Here are a few companies offering quotations online:
www.ing.com.au/ing-insurance/car-insurance.asp
www.justcarinsurance.com.au/ - Just Car offers car insurance for young drivers, womens car insurance and owners of high performance and modified cars.
Fuel prices
http://motormouth.com.au/ - Records and publishes daily petrol prices for suburban Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.
