Hiring a car, caravan or campervan is relatively easy. Major international rental companies operate here and there is no shortage of local companies – some offering very low rates.
Many national driving licences (including Canada, UK, USA) are accepted but, if they are not in the English language, a certified translation is required. For details visit http://www.austroads.com.au/overseas.html.
If your licence is in a language other than English I recommend that you obtain an international driving licence before leaving home.
Driving in the more settled parts of Australia is little different from other developed countries. The same can’t be said for outback driving and I will speak about that in a later blog.
If you come from a country that drives on the right, remain acutely aware that we drive on the left. One of my hostel guests died in a head-on collision when he strayed onto the wrong side of the road just north of Townsville. Another was killed when he looked the wrong way when stepping off the pavement. Be particularly careful when approaching roundabouts. Go round in a clockwise direction. It’s appallingly easy to get it wrong – as I know from driving in Europe.
Passengers and drivers must wear seatbelts.
Most intersections are regulated by Stop and Yield signs. Where there are no signs, the driver on your right has right of way – except at T-intersections. At T-intersections, the driver who is proceeding straight on has right of way. When you leave the bitumen (tarmac) and drive on dirt roads, you won’t see many road signs so bare these rules in mind. In country areas you may come across railway crossings without gates. Make sure you stop when the warning lights show red or you may add to an alarming list of casualties. And don't forget to lookout for wildlife.
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