Driving in Australia: the road rules for visitors

Checked 15 October 2026 against official sources

In Australia you drive on the left, with the steering wheel on the right, and roundabouts go clockwise. At junctions without signs or road markings, traffic from your right goes first, even from a small side street.

Watch for fixed, mobile, average speed and red light cameras, and for cameras that catch drivers holding a phone or without a seatbelt.

LeftSide of the road
50km/h in towns
100km/h on country roads
100km/h on motorways
0.05blood alcohol limit
If signpostedturning left on red
000emergency number

The rules that catch visitors out

The most important first.

  1. Give way to the right at unmarked crossroads

    At an intersection with no lights, signs or roundabout, a driver going straight ahead must give way to any vehicle approaching from the right. Turning right, you also give way to oncoming traffic going straight ahead or turning left. Some intersections have no signs at all, so watch for traffic from the right.

  2. The road that ends gives way

    At a T-intersection, the driver on the road that ends must give way to every vehicle on the continuing road, unless a sign says otherwise. This holds even when the continuing road bends around the corner.

  3. Hook turns in central Melbourne

    Where a RIGHT TURN FROM LEFT ONLY sign is shown, mostly in Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs, you turn right from the far left lane. Indicate right and move forward along the left side of the intersection, clear of the pedestrian crossing, until you are near the far side of the road you are turning into. Wait there until the lights on that road turn green, then turn right.

  4. Stop behind trams at tram stops

    In Melbourne, when a tram stops at a stop without a safety zone or island, stop level with the back of the tram. Wait until passengers have crossed and the doors close. Overtake trams only on the left.

  5. Cameras catch phone use and seatbelts

    Holding a phone is illegal even when stopped at lights, and cameras in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT photograph drivers using one. They also check seatbelts. In Queensland each offence costs $1,295, and the driver is fined again for each unbelted front passenger.

  6. Slow down past emergency vehicles

    In NSW, slow to 40 km/h when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights where the limit is 80 km/h or less, and move over on faster roads. Victoria requires 40 km/h past emergency, incident response and roadside assistance vehicles that are stopped or moving slower than 10 km/h with flashing lights or an alarm.

  7. Animals at dawn and dusk

    Kangaroos, livestock and, in the outback, camels wander onto unfenced roads. They are hardest to see around sunrise and sunset. Slow down and brake firmly in a straight line. Never swerve, because swerving at speed can roll the car or put you into oncoming traffic.

  8. Long distances and fatigue

    Fatigue is a factor in about 20 per cent of road deaths in NSW. Towns can be hundreds of kilometres apart. Stop for 15 minutes every 2 hours and share the driving.

  9. Road trains in the outback

    In the Northern Territory, road trains can be up to 53.5 metres long and travel at up to 100 km/h. Overtake only with a long stretch of clear road ahead. Pull back in only when you can see both of its headlights in your mirror.

  10. School zones

    The limit is 40 km/h on school days during the times shown on the sign. NSW school zones have flashing lights and 40 painted on the road. Where: Around schools. Fine: Higher fines and demerit points than ordinary speeding in NSW. A phone offence costs $577 in a NSW school zone instead of $434. The limit applies on every school day during the signposted times, even if you see no children. NSW fixed cameras in school zones work 24 hours a day.

  11. Tolls with no booths

    All of Sydney's toll roads are cashless, and tolls in Melbourne and Brisbane are also charged electronically as you drive. You pay with a tag, a pass linked to the number plate, or online within a few days of the trip. In Sydney, set up a pass before the trip or up to 72 hours after it. Otherwise a Toll Payment Demand goes to the vehicle's registered operator, for the toll plus a video matching fee per trip. Passes are generally valid only in the state that issues them. Linkt is the only provider whose passes work in all states.

4 more rules worth knowing

Roundabouts go clockwise

Go clockwise and give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which comes from your right.

Zero alcohol for new and young drivers

Learner and provisional drivers must have zero alcohol. In the Northern Territory, so must any driver under 25 with less than 3 years' experience, which may include young visitors. Everyone else must stay under 0.05.

Passing on the left is legal

On multi-lane roads, cars can pass on either side, so check both mirrors before you change lanes.

What the car must carry

The car must carry a child car seat and snow chains (in some areas). Hire cars should have them, but check before you drive away, because the driver gets the fine.

Speed limits

Where no sign says otherwise, in kilometres per hour.

50
Towns and cities
Applies in built-up areas, meaning roads with street lights or buildings alongside no more than 100 metres apart. In the Northern Territory the built-up default is 60 km/h, though many NT towns are signposted 50 km/h or lower. Many streets are signposted lower, such as 40 km/h local streets and shopping areas.
100
Country roads
The default outside built-up areas when no sign is shown. In the Northern Territory the default is 110 km/h.
100
Dual carriageways
There is no separate default for divided roads. The 100 km/h default applies only where no sign shows another limit.
100
Motorways
Motorways and freeways have no separate default. Victoria's highest limit is 110 km/h, on freeways outside built-up areas. In the Northern Territory, sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem Highways are signposted 130 km/h. Electronic signs on motorways, on bridges and in tunnels change the limit with conditions, and the limit shown is the legal one.
  • A town name sign does not set a limit. The built-up default depends on street lights or buildings along the road, and speed signs show any other limit.
  • An End speed limit sign means the default limit applies again. In NSW, a State Limit 100 sign means the 100 km/h default applies.
  • Regulatory speed signs are white with the limit in a red circle. Yellow speed signs are advisory: they suggest a safe speed for a bend or hazard and are not legal limits.
  • Learner and provisional drivers have lower maximum speeds. In NSW, learner and P1 drivers may not exceed 90 km/h and P2 drivers 100 km/h. In the Northern Territory, learners may not exceed 80 km/h and provisional drivers 100 km/h.
  • On roads with a limit over 80 km/h in NSW, slow down and move over, changing lanes if safe, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
  • Speed limits are strictly enforced.

Who goes first

Look right first

YouFrom your rightFrom your left
You stop at the stop line.
Traffic keeps to the left here, so the lane nearest you carries cars coming from your right. Look right, then left, then right again before you pull out.

Priority to the right

YouGoes first
Both cars arrive at a junction with no signs or lines.
At a junction with no signs, signals or road markings, the car coming from your right goes first, even from a small side street.

Roundabouts go clockwise

YouAlready on it
You arrive at the give way line.
Go clockwise, keeping the island on your right. Give way to cars already on the roundabout, which come from your right.

The app animates all 7 junctions for Australia, including the ones above.

Open it in the app

Signs to know

GIVEWAYGive way (yield)GIVE WAY

You must give way to all vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection.

STOPStopSTOP

You must stop completely, then give way.

50Speed limitSpeed limit sign

The maximum speed in km/h.

School zoneSCHOOL ZONE

A 40 km/h limit applies on school days during the times shown.

T-INTERSECTIONAHEADT-junction ahead, your road endsT-intersection ahead

The road you are on ends at a T-intersection ahead.

Roundabout, give way to vehicles on itRoundabout (give way)

Roundabout. Give way to all vehicles already on it.

RIGHT TURNFROMLEFT ONLYHook turnRIGHT TURN FROM LEFT ONLY

To turn right here, you must make a hook turn from the left lane.

RIGHTON REDAFTER STOPLeft turn on red allowed after stoppingLEFT TURN ON RED PERMITTED AFTER STOPPING

At these traffic lights you may turn left on a red light, after stopping.

KEEP LEFTUNLESSOVERTAKINGKeep left unless overtakingKEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING

Stay in the left lane except to overtake.

KEEPLEFTKeep leftKEEP LEFT

You must pass to the left of the sign.

No entryNO ENTRY

You must not drive into this road.

Kangaroos aheadKangaroo warning sign

Kangaroos may be on or near the road.

All 29 road signs in Australia, explained

Speed cameras

NSW, Victoria and Queensland use fixed, red light, mobile and average speed cameras. NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT also use cameras that catch phone use and unworn seatbelts. NSW puts warning signs before its fixed cameras, at red light camera intersections and around its marked mobile camera cars. Victoria's mobile cameras can work from unmarked cars and have no warning signs.

A white Gatso fixed speed camera housing on a pole
CanberraPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0

Fixed speed camera

Sometimes signposted

Fixed speed camera

Looks like: A permanently installed camera at the roadside or at an intersection. In NSW, sensors in the road surface measure the speed.

Catches: Speeding. NSW fixed cameras can measure traffic in both directions and every lane.

In NSW, every fixed camera has three advance warning signs. They are used at high-risk places such as tunnels. Fixed cameras in NSW school zones work 24 hours a day and enforce the 40 km/h limit during school zone times.

Red light camera

Sometimes signposted

Red-light speed camera

Looks like: A camera usually on a pole or other structure, a few metres back from the stop line.

Catches: Crossing the stop line after the light turns red, and in NSW and Queensland also speeding through the intersection whether the light is red, yellow or green.

NSW signposts intersections with red-light speed cameras. If one camera catches both offences, NSW issues two fines.

A white SUV with a raised roof sign saying your speed has been checked, parked at the roadside
Lake Albert Road, Wagga Wagga, New South WalesPhoto: Bidgee, CC BY-SA 3.0 AU

Mobile camera

Sometimes signposted

Mobile speed camera

Looks like: In NSW, a car with speed camera livery and a retractable sign on the roof that is raised during a session. In Victoria, an unmarked car, and from 2026 also unmarked trailers. In Queensland, marked or unmarked vehicles parked at the roadside, or a camera on a tripod run by police.

Catches: Speeding. Victorian units detect traffic in both directions across up to 6 lanes.

NSW places two portable warning signs before the camera car and one after it in every session. Victoria uses no warning signs and publishes a list of approved mobile camera locations each month. Queensland has up to 3,500 approved mobile camera sites.

Every camera type in Australia, the warning signs and how fines reach you

Licence and International Driving Permits

Licence fromPermitNotes
AustraliaNot neededAn Australian licence is valid in every state and territory. Anyone who moves to another state must switch to a local licence, within 3 months in NSW and the Northern Territory.
New ZealandNot neededNew Zealand licences are in English and can be used as they are. NSW lets New Zealand licence holders drive on them for up to 3 months.
United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, CanadaNot neededThese licences are in English and can be used as they are while you are a visitor and the licence is current.
the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, JapanRequiredIf the licence is not in English, you must carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation with it. Irish and Maltese licences are in English and need neither. In Victoria, driving without one can be fined as unlicensed driving and may affect your insurance.

What to carry

  • Your current driving licence
  • An International Driving Permit or official English translation, if your licence is not in English
  • Your passport, as proof that you are a visitor

Zones and tolls

School zones

The limit is 40 km/h on school days during the times shown on the sign. NSW school zones have flashing lights and 40 painted on the road. Where: Around schools. Fine: Higher fines and demerit points than ordinary speeding in NSW. A phone offence costs $577 in a NSW school zone instead of $434.

Tip: The limit applies on every school day during the signposted times, even if you see no children. NSW fixed cameras in school zones work 24 hours a day.

Tolls

All of Sydney's toll roads are cashless, and tolls in Melbourne and Brisbane are also charged electronically as you drive. You pay with a tag, a pass linked to the number plate, or online within a few days of the trip.

  • In Sydney, set up a pass before the trip or up to 72 hours after it. Otherwise a Toll Payment Demand goes to the vehicle's registered operator, for the toll plus a video matching fee per trip.
  • Passes are generally valid only in the state that issues them. Linkt is the only provider whose passes work in all states.
  • Tags and toll accounts issued in Australia work on every toll road in the country.
  • Melbourne has three toll roads: CityLink, the West Gate Tunnel and EastLink. A Linkt Visitor's Pass costs $3.50 to open online and covers CityLink trips made up to 5 days earlier and EastLink trips up to 3 days earlier.
  • In Queensland, visitors without a tag can pay through Linkt on 13 33 31 up to 3 days after using a toll road. After that, the registered owner receives an unpaid toll notice, which may include extra fees.
  • In a hire car, ask how the hire company handles tolls before you drive onto a toll road, and note the number plate if you pay yourself.
  • Since July 2026, NSW vehicle owners can no longer nominate another driver for toll trips, so a hire company is liable for your NSW tolls and recovers them from you directly.

Fuel and parking

At the pumpMeans
PetrolGasoline
  • Park facing the same direction as the traffic on your side of the road, parallel and close to the kerb. On a one-way street you may also park on the right.
  • Leave at least 1 metre in front of and behind other parked cars.
  • Do not park within 20 metres of an intersection with traffic lights, or within 10 metres of one without lights, unless a sign says you can.
  • Do not stop within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a pedestrian or children's crossing, or park within 20 metres before or 10 metres after a bus stop, unless a sign says you can.
  • A red NO STOPPING sign means you must not stop at all, except in an emergency. A continuous yellow edge line means the same.
  • Clearway signs ban stopping and parking during the times shown. The tow truck symbol warns that cars left there can be towed.
  • A sign reading 2P means you may park for up to 2 hours. 'Meter', 'Ticket', 'Phone' or 'Coupon' on the sign means you must pay.

Seasons and weather

  • In NSW, two-wheel-drive vehicles entering Kosciuszko National Park between the June and October long weekends must carry snow chains on Kosciuszko Road to Perisher Valley, the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin, and Island Bend/Guthega Road.
  • Cars with snow tyres must still carry chains in Kosciuszko National Park and fit them when told to. Four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles do not need chains there, but carrying them is recommended.

Driving in the cities

Sydney

All toll roads are cashless. Set up a pass before the trip or within 72 hours after it, or a Toll Payment Demand follows with a video matching fee.

Since July 2026, NSW vehicle owners can no longer nominate another driver for toll trips, so hire companies recover NSW tolls from renters directly. Ask at the desk how they charge.

Clearways ban stopping during the signposted times, and cars left there can be towed.

Bus lanes and transit lanes (T2, T3) are reserved at signposted times. You may drive in them for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road.

Mobile speed camera cars are marked and signposted, but phone and seatbelt cameras can be anywhere.

Melbourne

Hook turns are required at intersections with a RIGHT TURN FROM LEFT ONLY sign, mostly in the CBD and inner suburbs.

Trams share many streets. Stop behind a tram at a stop without a safety zone, and overtake trams only on the left.

CityLink, the West Gate Tunnel and EastLink are tolled. A Linkt Visitor's Pass covers CityLink trips up to 5 days after travel and EastLink trips up to 3 days after.

Mobile speed cameras can work from unmarked cars, and from 2026 unmarked trailers, with no warning signs.

Brisbane

Tolls are charged electronically. Without a tag, pay Linkt within 3 days of the trip, or an unpaid toll notice follows with extra fees.

Phone and seatbelt cameras use artificial intelligence to spot offences. Each offence costs $1,295 and 4 demerit points.

Mobile speed cameras work from both marked and unmarked vehicles.

Darwin and the Northern Territory

The default limit is 60 km/h in towns unless signposted lower, and 110 km/h outside towns.

Sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem Highways are signposted 130 km/h.

Road trains up to 53.5 metres long use the highways, and cattle, kangaroos and camels wander onto unfenced roads, especially at dawn and dusk.

Visitors can drive on an overseas licence for 3 months.

Drivers under 25 with less than 3 years' experience must have zero alcohol.

Questions people ask about driving in Australia

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

The left. The driver sits on the right, roundabouts run clockwise and you overtake on the right.

Can I drive in Australia on my overseas licence?

Yes, as a visitor, if it is current. If it is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit or an official English translation with it. You can use it for up to 6 months in NSW and Victoria and 3 months in the Northern Territory. The other states set no limit while it stays current.

What is the speed limit in Australia?

50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h elsewhere, unless a sign says otherwise. In the Northern Territory the defaults are 60 km/h and 110 km/h, and some highways are signposted 130 km/h. School zones are 40 km/h at signposted times.

Can you turn left on a red light in Australia?

Only where a LEFT TURN ON RED PERMITTED AFTER STOPPING sign is shown. You must stop first, then turn when clear, giving way to pedestrians and traffic from the right.

What is a hook turn?

A right turn made from the far left lane, required at signposted intersections in central Melbourne. You move forward along the left side of the intersection and wait until the lights on the road you are entering turn green, then turn right.

What is the drink driving limit in Australia?

Under 0.05 for fully licensed drivers, including visitors. Learner and provisional drivers must have zero alcohol, and so must drivers under 25 with less than 3 years' experience in the Northern Territory.

Are speed cameras signposted in Australia?

It depends on the state. NSW signs its fixed cameras, its red light camera intersections and its marked mobile camera cars. Victoria's mobile cameras can work from unmarked cars and have no signs, and Queensland uses marked and unmarked vehicles.

How do I pay tolls in Sydney in a hire car?

There are no toll booths. Ask the hire company how it charges tolls. If you pay yourself, set up a pass before the trip or within 72 hours after it.

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Australia for drivers from…

The same guide, with only what's different from home.

Sources

Checked 15 October 2026. Official sources first.

  1. Road User Handbook (English) Transport for NSW
  2. Road Transport (Road Rules) Regulation 2017, republication 17, effective 3 November 2025 ACT Parliamentary Counsel
  3. Drivers visiting Australia or New Zealand Austroads
  4. Assessing Fitness to Drive, Appendix 4: Drivers' legal BAC limits Austroads
  5. Driving with an overseas or interstate licence in NSW NSW Government
  6. Convert your licence: new to Victoria VicRoads
  7. Information for tourists about Victorian road rules VicRoads
  8. Driving in Queensland with an overseas licence Queensland Government
  9. Visiting from overseas Department of Transport, Western Australia
  10. International drivers Government of South Australia
  11. Driver licence rules for new NT residents and visiting drivers Northern Territory Government
  12. Speed limits Northern Territory Government
  13. NT Road Users' Handbook, fifth edition, August 2020 Northern Territory Government
  14. Speed limits NSW Government
  15. Speed limits Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria
  16. Mobile phones, digital screens and GPS NSW Government
  17. Road Safety Fact Sheet: Mobile phone use 2026-27 Cumberland City Council
  18. Mobile phone detection cameras NRMA
  19. Is it worth it? (StreetSmarts penalties page) Queensland Government
  20. Mobile phone and seatbelt cameras Queensland Government
  21. Fixed and mobile speed cameras NSW Government
  22. Red-light speed cameras NSW Government
  23. NSW mobile speed camera program now most transparent in Australia (23 April 2023) NSW Government
  24. More than 13,600 speeding infringements recorded between Coolac and Gundagai (5 August 2026) About Regional
  25. Road safety camera types Victorian Government
  26. Mobile road safety cameras Victorian Government
  27. Road safety cameras Victoria Police
  28. Types of speed cameras and red light cameras Queensland Government
  29. Camera Detected Offence Program Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland
  30. Nominate someone else for a fine NSW Government
  31. Using toll roads NSW Government
  32. How to get an electronic tag or pass NSW Government
  33. Paying a toll NSW Government
  34. Pay for tolls (Melbourne) Linkt
  35. Paying tolls Queensland Government
  36. Driving in the snow NSW Government
  37. Hook turns Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria
  38. Making turns RACV
  39. Hook Turn Sign Melbourne (photograph) Wikimedia Commons
  40. Alcohol and road safety VicRoads
  41. Tips for driving in Australia: a visitor's guide Imoova
  42. Speeding offences and penalties NSW Government
  43. The motorway cameras now watching every driver (1 July 2026) YourLifeChoices