Australia traffic rules and self driving car rental tips

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Do not overtake on the left-hand side and do not overtake if there are solid white lines. At roundabouts, you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout and select your lane early.

Speed Limit

There are speed limits of 100-130 km/h on freeways and 50 km/h in built-up areas.

Traffic Signs

These are some specific signs you may encounter and be unfamiliar with when driving in Australia. Even though most of them are self-explanatory, it is strongly advised to make sure you can understand them before taking the road.

Australian regulatory signs have different shapes.

Give Way

Stop

No U-turn

50 km/h Speed Limit

Speed Derestriction

Warning signs are diamond-shaped and mostly with a yellow background.

Speed Limit Ahead (Used in Western Australia)

Steep Descent

Two-way Traffic Ahead

Pedestrians

Railway Level Crossing on Road Ahead

Railway Level Crossing on Road Ahead (Skewed) (Left)

Railway Level Crossing on Road Ahead (Skewed) (Right)

Information signs are rectangular with red or green backgrounds.

Exit	Reduce Speed Now

For a complete traffic and road signs, you may refer to this Australia road user handbook.

Seatbelt and Child Safety

Seatbelt Laws

All passengers are required to have their seatbelt fastened at all times when the vehicle is moving. Failure to do so can result in a fine of AU$250.

Booster Seat Laws

Babies up to 6 months must be installed on a rear-facing car seat, and children from 6 months to 4 years are allowed on both forward and rear-facing seats.

Please be aware that children up to 4 years old cannot travel on the front seat unless the car is a two-seater.

Finally, a booster seat or forward facing seat must be used for children between 4 and 7 years old. A child of this age is only allowed on the front seat if there is no other seat available for them.

Parking, Fuel and Toll

Parking

· Forbidden Parking

Cars are not allowed to be parked on the following spots as doing so can result in a fine:

- On the footpath or nature strip as these places are for people.

- On a yellow line.

- In a way that blocks other cars from entering or exiting the driveway. In an emergency, the car may be towed away.

- Less than10 metres (approximately 2 large car lengths) from an intersection so that other cars can safely pass without causing danger.

- In a place that has been marked with ‘No Stopping’ or ‘No Standing’. A ‘No Standing’ sign indicates motorist may not park a car unless they remain in the vehicle and for no more than three minutes.

· Parking Signs

Parking signs in Australia may specify multiple times, places, durations, restrictions and vehicle categories in a condensed form on a single sign. Letter P signs are 'permissive' parking signs where parking is permitted for the time specified. A guide to the most common parking signs is below:

- '1/2P', '1P', '3P': Vehicles can be parked here for half an hour, one hour, or three hours.

- '630AM-730 PM Mon-Fri': Vehicles may be parked here only at the specified times - in this case, between 06:30 and 19:30 from Monday to Friday.

- 'P'(no number): Permissive parking zone

- '15 minute', '20 minute', '45 minute': Vehicles may be parked here only for the specified number of minutes

· Paid Parking

There are municipal parking garages and lots, metered parking alongside the road and ticket machine parking in most towns and cities.

Australia Parking Metre (Image from alphaairportparking.com.au)

Fuel Prices

The average value for Australia gasoline price during July to October 2017 is AU$1.26, while diesel is 3 cents higher.

Toll

Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne are the only three cities in Australia featuring toll roads. Toll roads in Australia use free-flowing tolling, with no toll booth along the entire length of the system to optimize traffic flow. An electronic toll collection system is usually used instead.

If you plan to use toll roads in Australia, we suggest you rent an e-toll/e-pass device from the car hire company, enabling an automatic payment of the toll fee directly from your credit card. Please note that e-toll/e-pass devices are subject to availability at the rental desk. Australia E-Toll Device (Image from australiahereandnow.com)

If you have any question related to your toll fee billing, feel free to contact QEEQ' 24/7 customer service team for assistance.

Traffic Violation

DUI Laws

In all states of Australia, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers is below 0.05%. Drink driving is treated as a major offence and any person driving a vehicle over the legal limit may face penalties ranging from the suspension, disqualification or cancellation of their licence, fines to imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offence.

Traffic Fines

Failure to pay the road or parking violation fines can have some long-term consequences, especially for international travellers. Not paying fines could affect your next visit to Australia as infringement notice are inserted into the Police Central Names Index (CNI) and the National Names Index (NNI).

However, paying fines is not a challenge for renters since the car hire company will pass on the offence information to the authorities and a post or email notification will be sent to you if some traffic laws have been breached. Note that the fine usually comes with a service/administration fee as well.

It is advisable for you to contact EasryRentCars' 24/7 customer service team if you have any question on this matter.

Driving Licence and Age Requirements

Foreigners on short-term visit may rent a car and drive with a valid foreign driving licence for up to 3 months in Australia. Longer than that, you need to get an Australian driving licence from an Australian state. To drive in Australia, the licence should be a full driving licence held for at least 2 years with no major endorsements.

To hire a car in Australia you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category). If you are 21-25, you are likely to have to pay a young driver fee. There is no maximum driving age in Australia.

Guest reviews

1 /

Ian

May 27, 2022

Destination: Cairns

7Reliable

Value for money and hassle free.

C.Turner

Destination: Sydney

8.7Wasn’t expecting it to be so good but was pleasantly impressed!

Surprisingly excellent!

H.VU

May 26, 2022

Destination: Melbourne

10great service, will book again

friendly staff, quick process

Destination: Gold Coast

10Was fast and seamless. Will use QEEQ & Europcar again.

Service staff was very detailed and good.

M.Pecic

May 23, 2022

9.3Business made easy

have a business and wanted to try an independent provider to compare with the big providers. Other then the short wait for transport to an offsite location from the airport, the service and vehicle were at the same standard as the big provider just at a better price. Will be having staff use East Coast more often.

P.Thompson

May 20, 2022

10Very easy and inexpensive car rental.

The people at Apex were awesome, the car was lovely. The whole process was too easy.

May 18, 2022

Destination: Brisbane

8.7The vehicle was awesome and the service was fantastic but when they question my payment I don't like

The trip and the vehicle was excellent but the East coast Rental question me about where I paid money too. Even now they contact me that they are having an investigation upon my rental. They said that if they won't get their money from you guys they will charge my credit card with a full amount of $300+. If you could please sorted it out. Thanks

Daniela Faden Yaksic

Destination: Cessnock

10I got a Corolla Hybrid really easy to drive and comfortable. I'm very happy with the experience over

As It was the 1st time I rent a car with Hertz, I had to pay a $500 deposit that was returned to my account 2 days after I'd returned the car.

R.Stevenson

May 17, 2022

Destination: Perth

9Perfectly adequate - excellent car.

Counter staff was excellent, but there was no one there briefly when we arrived to drop the car off early. They weren't long, but a key drop off box or a note on their door would have been good. If we had waited longer I think we might have been cross.

Destination: Exmouth

8Very Good

I did ring and ask if they offered discount to Rio Tinto staff and I was told no. I wasn't aware that Europcar was previously thrifty, and we previously got a Rio discount via Thrifty

B.Clarke

May 13, 2022

Destination: Dee Why

10Easy booking procedure, good choice of vehicles with great rental prices.

The car was a larger SUV than expected and was beneficially also a hybrid also, these were both excellent benefits.

Gilles Marguier

10no worry

Very good service

May 12, 2022

7.3Very disappointing with regard to Jucy.

Pick up at Brisbane airport was not available, had to go back to airport and queue for taxi. Cost was reimbursed which was OK. After leaving Jucy Depot discovered that vehicle was almost empty of fuel. Sent details and photo to Jucy, advised Cairns Depot on dropoff of situation. Still charged for fillup ($146), still awaiting refund!

R.Martinussen

May 11, 2022

10Excellent

The car was of good quality, low mileage. It was comfortable.

9.7Excellent

Fantastic service at the pick up.

6Average

The vehcile had a lot of damage & was very smelly.

Destination: Hobart

8.7Very Good

The drop off location is extremely confusing, no signage & quite a walk from the airport. The staff were leaving the carpark as I arraived, so I had to hand them the keys & find my way back to the airport. a little confusing as you have to go down a side street that has no mention that that is the way to the terminal

G.Ward

May 10, 2022

9.7Highly recommend Bargain Car Rentals!!

Counter staff SO helpful and allowed us a few extra hours rental for free when our flight was deferred to a later departure time.

N.Wrobel

10Great australian drive

Almost brand new car, very impressed, smooth rental process slightly slowed by small IT issues at pick up

Destination: Newcastle

7.3Ok experience

Waited a while after finally finding pick up point by accident and walking a fair fistsncr

M.Tiute

10Superb

Counter staff were helpful

W.Bruce

May 9, 2022

10Straightforward and convenient.

Car excellent, easily accessed location with courtey van to airport.

D.Wilson

Destination: Townsville

10Excellent service

Alamo staff were excellent. Quick and easy collection and drop off. We were upgraded in vehicle class at no extra cost. This was perfect for our trip. Would highly recommend

P.Edmonds

9.7Experience the most with East Coast

The car was ready when we arrived & was a Hyundai I30 in spotless condition. There was no discrimination regarding age, relating to extra costs for insurance. Emma the lady who handed the car over was friendly & informative & was a joy to deal with. Would certainly use East Coast again if visiting Queensland.

Ron

10Great service of highest quality

Was given a free upgrade to an SUV instead and pleasantly surprised at the quality and cleanliness of the car.

April 29, 2022

8.3Very Good

Suzuki Baleno is not a good car.

barry

The car had rubbish under seat and in back

I.Graham

April 28, 2022

Very quick pickup and prompt travel from and to the airport.

R.Van Heerden

10Hassle free

The lady who helped me was extremely friendly, a complete joy to deal with

H.Simpson

10Hassle and worry free experience

We received a free upgrade. The staff member (Lake) at Cairns pick up was fantastic; brilliant customer service. No hard sell on extras etc, explained everything thoroughly, very friendly.

April 27, 2022

Destination: Canberra

Car was not cleaned from earlier booking.

Destination: Ballina

Seamless pick-up and collection, staff were friendly and helpful

C.Samuelu

10It was amazing

Enjoyed our car rental.

J.Gray

10Smooth

The people were lovely and helpful. I do think I was double charged for the excess reduction though.

J.Sharp

9Excellent

The car was smaller than expected.

T.Cousins

April 26, 2022

10The car was perfect for our needs and the price through QEEQ was by far the best price.

The car was perfect for our needs and the price through QEEQ was by far the best price we received for a comparable vehicle. The staff at Alpha were great, very efficient and very friendly.

B.F

9Good

Everything was fine

H.Mulder

10Too easy

The whole experience was seamless from start to finish. All the staff were friendly, welcoming and jovial. And this isn't a bot writing this; I'm not even joking, they were nice:)

G.Campbell

April 25, 2022

10I'd buy the same vehicle we hired - awesome!

The Avis team stayed behind to welcome us and our booking into Sydney as we arrived with 10 mins till the car hire place closed. We were tired and worried that we missed it, but they were amazing and supportive.

S.Pendl

10Excellent experience

Everything went smoothly as expected.

D.Merchant

10Great first experience

B.Goergen

April 20, 2022

10Smooth and easy.

Everything was really good.

Stephen

Destination: Adelaide

7.7Expensive.

The Kia we were provided was not v fuel efficient. Car hire cost more than our accommodation.

Peter Smith

April 15, 2022

Hobart Airport has changed the Avis car pickup location. Currently there is no signage for the new Avis location

A.O'Keefe

9.3Excellent customer seevice.

Great customer service. Very accommodating after we had multiple flight delays. So appreciated during a stressful day. Thank you so much.

S.Bell

April 13, 2022

10Great value and excellent experience

Fantastic car and great value for money

Santi

8.7Good

Little more clean, much more appreciate.

Keryn Staley

April 12, 2022

10Perfect vehicle for our family of four

We were pleasantly surprised with the vehicle a being a relatively new car which was perfect for our needs.

K.Manekshaw

Good car and mileage. Used it to travel around Barossa quite a bit and used just over half a tank for 4 days.

Lee

8.7Easy rental. Great experience.

Car got substituted to a Kia Rio (hatchback rather than saloon). We had two large luggage. Managed to fit one plus our backpacks in the boot and the other in the back seat. Customer service was excellent and drop-off was super easy.

Australia Car Rentals

The Complete Australia Driving and Rental Guide