Driving on the left in Australia takes concentration if your usual habit is to keep right. Even drivers from other countries that keep left need time to adjust to unfamiliar junctions, signs and vehicles. A prestige hire car can add width, powerful acceleration and unfamiliar controls to the task. Allow time to settle in before joining traffic, especially after a flight.
This guide explains the driving habits to establish before leaving the airport and the situations that need particular care. Check your eligibility separately using the guide to overseas licences and hire cars in Australia. Permission to drive and confidence behind the wheel are separate matters.
Before leaving the airport car park
Sit in the parked car and adjust the seat, steering wheel and mirrors. Make sure you can reach the pedals comfortably and see along both sides of the vehicle. Locate the lights, hazard switch, parking brake, demister and windscreen controls. Set your route before moving, with the screen positioned so it does not obstruct your view.
The indicator stalk may be on the opposite side from the car you normally drive. Check the indicators and wipers while stationary rather than discovering the difference at a busy junction. Find the gear selector and understand how to select drive, reverse and park. With an automatic gearbox, use your right foot for the accelerator and brake; keep your left foot clear.
Check the car's condition before departure, too. The pick-up and return checklist explains what to photograph and what to have recorded. If you are too tired to concentrate after travelling, delay driving and rest.
Keep left, including when the road is quiet
Keep to the left side of the road and overtake on the right when permitted and safe. Follow lane arrows and road markings, and allow time to choose the correct lane. Missing a turn is preferable to making a sudden movement across traffic.
A left turn is usually the short turn into the near side of the road you are entering. A right turn crosses opposing traffic before reaching the left side of the new road. Give way as required by the signs, signals and circumstances. Do not use another vehicle's movement as proof that your path is clear.
Habit can reassert itself after a stop. Leaving a car park, pulling away on a quiet country road or turning into an empty street can feel deceptively simple. Before moving, identify the left side of the road you will enter. Check again after completing the turn, especially where there is little traffic to provide a visual cue.
| Situation | What changes if you are used to driving on the right, or on the left in other countries |
|---|---|
| Leaving a car park | Identify your position on the left before entering the road. An empty street offers fewer reminders. |
| Turning at a junction | Left is usually the short turn; right crosses opposing traffic. Follow markings where the layout differs. |
| Entering a roundabout | Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Check signs and lane arrows before entering. |
| Using unfamiliar controls | Indicator and wiper stalks may differ even if your home country also drives on the left. |
| Driving in Melbourne | Look for signed hook turns and tram passenger stops. Familiarity with left-side driving does not replace checking local rules. |
Roundabouts, hook turns and trams
At roundabouts, give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Approach slowly enough to read the signs, select your lane and assess approaching vehicles. Follow lane markings through the junction and check your exit before changing direction. If you miss an exit, continue safely rather than cutting across another lane.
Melbourne has hook turns at junctions displaying "Right turn from left only". These require a different position and sequence from an ordinary right turn. Read the official instructions before driving through the city; do not improvise a manoeuvre when a sign surprises you.
Trams also require attention. In Victoria, when a tram stops to let passengers board or leave, vehicles must stop behind it. Overtaking a tram is on the left only, subject to the passenger protection rules. Leave room for people whose movement may be hidden by the tram.
Verify with VicRoads for Victorian hook-turn and tram rules, and with the relevant state or territory road authority elsewhere. Local road rules and layouts can differ.
Speed, alcohol and seatbelts
Speeds are shown in km/h. Read the speedometer carefully if your usual car displays another unit. Signs override default limits, and a posted maximum is not a suitable target when visibility, weather or traffic requires a slower speed. A quiet cabin can make speed less noticeable, so check the display regularly.
The Australian Road Rules framework, with state and territory variations, is the basis of this guide's November 2026 summary: the blood alcohol limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and zero for learner and provisional drivers. Verify the rule for your licence and circumstances with the relevant state road authority. Avoiding alcohol before driving removes the need to estimate your level.
Seatbelts are compulsory in every seat. Check that everyone is secured before moving. This is general information, not legal advice; this independent guide does not sell, broker or rank hire services.
Allow for the car and the journey
A wide premium sedan or SUV can feel awkward in airport exits, narrow streets and parking bays. Adjust your position using the mirrors and direct observation. Sensors and cameras can assist, but they do not establish that the path is clear. Stop if you are uncertain about clearance.
On long drives, plan places to rest and stop when concentration fades. Do not rely on cabin comfort to prevent fatigue. On country roads, watch for wildlife, particularly around dusk, and reduce speed when visibility or roadside movement warrants it. Avoid sudden steering movements that could cause loss of control.
Arrange fuel or charging stops before the journey becomes urgent. Check the vehicle's instructions and the contract's return requirements using the guide to petrol and electric hire cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the road should I use?
Drive on the left and overtake on the right when permitted and safe. Recheck your position after turning or leaving a car park.
Who has priority at a roundabout?
Give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Read the signs and lane markings before entering, and leave enough time to assess traffic.
Will the indicators be where I expect?
The indicator stalk may be on the opposite side from your usual car. Test it while parked and locate the wiper controls before leaving.
Can parking sensors replace checking around the car?
No. Use mirrors and direct observation, and stop if you cannot judge the clearance safely.
Should I drive immediately after a long flight?
Only start when you can concentrate and feel ready for unfamiliar roads. Rest first if fatigue is affecting your attention.