Whether you’re a beginning driver or a tourist, it’s important to know how to make the driving experience safe, smooth and fun. This way, you can better focus on your journey and get the most out of the experience.
Driving in Australia
When you’re about to drive, it’s good to remember or think about the following:
- Drive on the left
- Give way to the right in traffic circles and intersections
- Your foreign drivers licence (you can use it up to 3 months as long as it is in English; if not, you should have an Internation Driving Permit or IDP first)
- Seatbelts are a must
- It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, if you’re using your phone for navigation, you should use a hands-free cradle
- Police conduct random breath and drug tests all across the country
- About speed limits, note that Australia uses the metric system
- Petrol stations (service stations or “servos”) are available at regular intervals on all major highways
- Most fuel pumps are self-service
- Travel with a map, especially outside of cities and big towns because mobile phone coverage might be unreliable
- Familiarise yourself with the toll roads
Making sure your car is safe to drive
In addition, you have to ensure that your car is safe to drive. If you’ll rent a car, ask the provider if it has undergone recent maintenance. If you’ll use your own car, it’s good to have it inspected first especially when you’re about to go for a long drive.
To ensure your car is safe to drive, the mechanic will likely check the following:
- Brake system
- Steering and suspension
- Transmissions
- Radiator and cooling
- Headlights and overall lighting system (especially if you plan to travel at night)
If you want your car to undergo detailed inspection before you drive, you can contact us here at CMR Automotive. We have service centres at Leichhardt and Marrickville.
