Europcar

6 Australian road rules to tame the Aussie wilderness

Scattering Rays, Roos And Rosella

How could you not fall in love with Australia while driving around so many splendid landscapes? A word of caution, though; driving your rented car Down Under means you will have to become familiar with local driving rules before embarking on a road trip of a lifetime.

Be prepared and get your licence to drive

Before packing your brand-new hiking boots, don’t forget that a driver’s licence in English or an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) will be required to drive a vehicle. So, make sure you have one of those with you before getting on a plane flying you off to the other side of the world. To be eligible to rent, you must be no less than 21 years of age and a young driver surcharge applies for specific vehicles and drivers under the age of 25. 

 

High Angle View Of Suspended Highway Along The Coastline

Behave and fasten your seat belt 

Don’t be fooled by the huge deserted areas. Remember to always wear your seat belt no matter where you are, because the Aussie legislation for compulsory wearing of seat belts is implacable. It also applies to you, yes, you, the enthusiastic snoozer in the back of the car. 

No Need for Speed: Respect the limits

Australians don’t kid around the fast and furious. Down there, restrictions are strictly enforced and fines are steep. Speed limit is 50 km/h in cities and 100 km/h on motorways. There are also many fixed and mobile speed cameras especially on motorways. Do pay attention to road signs! You would not want a close encounter with a police officer, would you? Bear in mind Australian cops are unfazed by exotic accents and will issue you a ticket without a second thought. 

Phone in your bag and hands on the wheel

While driving in Australia, it is illegal to be on and even touch your mobile phone. So please, don’t try to call that cute pearl diver you met the day before, don’t text your mother who worries about sunburns, and don’t even think about watching that cute cat video either. Keep your eyes on the road. The diver, your mother and the cat, can have your attention later. 

The Nullabor Plain

Stack some cash in the car before you hit the road 

Right. Road signs are more difficult to decipher than hieroglyphs. To crack their codes and better understand them, you might want to look at the government website. Australia makes you pay by the rules: you must pay at parking meters and also on motorways around major cities. 

If you are the kind of person who does not like to hang around with cash, no need to worry. The e-TAG pass lets you pay toll fees on all Australian motorways. And you don’t have to bother to purchase one either: all our cars come equipped with the pass. 

Enjoy your ride and get ready for some wild up-close encounters 

While on the road, from kangaroos to koalas, cattle and whatnot, youwill certainly spot some wildlife.

That is at least one reason you should always be travelling at a safe speed. 

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