Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the left and overtakes on the right; UK/IE/JP/IN drivers will feel at home, EU drivers must adjust.
← All country guides
Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Australia
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Australia: 8 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
2
Recommended
6
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Australia
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Drive on the left
Traffic drives on the left and overtakes on the right; UK/IE/JP/IN drivers will feel at home, EU drivers must adjust.
Carry your full national licence plus English translation or IDP
UK and most EU licences are valid for short visits if in English; otherwise carry a 1949 Geneva IDP alongside your national licence.
Passport and visa (ETA/eVisitor)
UK and EU visitors need an ETA (subclass 601, ~AUD 20) or free eVisitor (subclass 651) arranged online before flying.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is bundled with rego
CTP injury cover is included in the vehicle's annual registration; rental cars include it, but arrange comprehensive cover separately for damage.
Speed limits 100-110 km/h motorway, 100 rural, 50 urban
Highways 100-110 km/h (NT Stuart Hwy sections 130), rural roads 100, built-up areas 50, school zones 40; cameras are extensive and tolerances tiny (often 3 km/h).
BAC limit 0.05 g/L, zero for learners/probationary
Random breath testing is heavy and routine; full-licence holders 0.05, learner/P-plate drivers must be 0.00.
Seatbelts and hands-free phones strictly enforced
All occupants must be belted; touching a mobile while driving (even at lights) attracts fines of AUD 400-1200 and demerit points, with phone-detection cameras nationwide.
Free-flow electronic tolls in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
No toll booths - cameras read your plate; rental cars are auto-billed with a fee, private drivers need an e-TAG/eMU pass (Linkt, Transurban) or pay online within 3 days to avoid AUD 200+ fines.
Driving rules
Speed limits 100-110 km/h motorway, 100 rural, 50 urban
RequiredHighways 100-110 km/h (NT Stuart Hwy sections 130), rural roads 100, built-up areas 50, school zones 40; cameras are extensive and tolerances tiny (often 3 km/h).
BAC limit 0.05 g/L, zero for learners/probationary
RequiredRandom breath testing is heavy and routine; full-licence holders 0.05, learner/P-plate drivers must be 0.00.
Seatbelts and hands-free phones strictly enforced
RequiredAll occupants must be belted; touching a mobile while driving (even at lights) attracts fines of AUD 400-1200 and demerit points, with phone-detection cameras nationwide.
Country-specific quirks: hook turns, give way to right at roundabouts
Good to knowMelbourne CBD has unique 'hook turns' (right turn from the left lane at marked intersections); at roundabouts give way to vehicles already on the roundabout (coming from the right).
Emergency number 000 (112 from mobile also works)
Good to knowDial 000 for police/fire/ambulance; 112 routes to the same service from any GSM mobile even without a SIM.
Documents
Carry your full national licence plus English translation or IDP
RequiredUK and most EU licences are valid for short visits if in English; otherwise carry a 1949 Geneva IDP alongside your national licence.
Passport and visa (ETA/eVisitor)
RequiredUK and EU visitors need an ETA (subclass 601, ~AUD 20) or free eVisitor (subclass 651) arranged online before flying.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is bundled with rego
RequiredCTP injury cover is included in the vehicle's annual registration; rental cars include it, but arrange comprehensive cover separately for damage.
Tolls
Free-flow electronic tolls in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
RequiredNo toll booths - cameras read your plate; rental cars are auto-billed with a fee, private drivers need an e-TAG/eMU pass (Linkt, Transurban) or pay online within 3 days to avoid AUD 200+ fines.
Toll cost roughly AUD 0.50-1.00 per km on urban motorways
Good to knowA full Sydney/Melbourne cross-city run can cost AUD 15-25 (EUR 9-15); most interstate highways outside major cities are free.
Required equipment
No mandatory hi-vis, triangle or first-aid kit
Good to knowUnlike continental Europe nothing specific is legally required in the car, but a first-aid kit, water and spare fuel are strongly recommended for outback travel.
Environment
Outback driving needs serious preparation
RecommendedCarry 10+ litres of water per person, extra fuel, satellite communicator and tell someone your route; distances between fuel stops can exceed 300 km and mobile coverage drops to nothing.
Wildlife strikes peak at dawn and dusk
RecommendedKangaroos, wombats and cattle on rural roads cause major crashes; avoid driving 5pm-7am outside cities and slow well below the limit if you must.
Emissions / low-emission zones
No low-emission zones
Good to knowAustralian cities do not operate LEZ/ULEZ schemes; any roadworthy petrol or diesel vehicle can enter city centres without stickers or fees.
Money
Currency AUD, fuel ~AUD 1.90/L (~EUR 1.15)
Good to knowPay at the pump or inside; cards (incl. contactless and Apple/Google Pay) are accepted everywhere, tipping is not expected, and AUD 10,000+ in cash must be declared at the border.
Plan your Australia road trip
We'll build the itinerary, estimate fuel + tolls, and show EV chargers along the route, and this checklist appears automatically on every trip that crosses into Australia.
Start planning →Popular destinations in Australia
Places to add to your Australia road trip.
Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the left
RequiredTraffic drives on the left and overtakes on the right; UK/IE/JP/IN drivers will feel at home, EU drivers must adjust.
Speed limits 100-110 km/h motorway, 100 rural, 50 urban
RequiredHighways 100-110 km/h (NT Stuart Hwy sections 130), rural roads 100, built-up areas 50, school zones 40; cameras are extensive and tolerances tiny (often 3 km/h).
BAC limit 0.05 g/L, zero for learners/probationary
RequiredRandom breath testing is heavy and routine; full-licence holders 0.05, learner/P-plate drivers must be 0.00.
Seatbelts and hands-free phones strictly enforced
RequiredAll occupants must be belted; touching a mobile while driving (even at lights) attracts fines of AUD 400-1200 and demerit points, with phone-detection cameras nationwide.