Australian Car Rental

Like most modern countries there are countless Australian car rental options for the traveller ranging from well known international brands to Australian companies. No matter where your looking at travelling in Australia we highly recommend Cheap car hire at expedia.com.au

Australian Car Rental Companies

Most multi-national car rental companies are represented in Australia including such names as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget and Thrifty.

Driving in Australia

Speed and distance in Australia are measured in kilometers. Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Most Australians live on the coast . Roads within and between the cities and towns are generally reliable and in good condition, as are the main highways that join the state and territory capital cities. Although highways between major cities are well-maintained, motorists may travel for hundreds of kilometers between towns or road houses, with no opportunities to re-fuel, purchase refreshments, or use toilets.

Road conditions can be difficult in remote areas and the large and less populated areas in the middle of Australia (the "outback"). Not all roads are sealed, and may not be passable in certain seasons or weather conditions. Motorists need to be self-sufficient and prepared when travelling in remote areas. Permits may also be required to travel through certain remote locations.

Australia drives on the left. Overseas visitors who are used to driving on the right should exercise great caution until they get used to this. Car hire companies and local (generally friendly) police will give advice on whether your car licence is valid in Australia. Distances and speeds are specified in kilometres and fuel is sold by the litre.

Driving Distances

Australia has a generally well-maintained system of roads and highways. In Australia, as in many large countries, cars are widely used. Many Australian adults own cars. Most of the state capitals are linked to each other by good quality highways. Some parts are dual carriageway but many sections are one lane each way. Major regional areas have sealed (paved) dual-lane roads, but isolated areas may have poorly maintained dirt roads or even tracks. Note that Australia's low population density makes for long driving times between major centres; its large size means there is sometimes great distance between key locations. Here are some indicative travel times:

• Melbourne to Sydney: 9-10 hours (approximately 900 kilometres / 560 miles)
• Brisbane to Sydney: 12-13 hours (approximately 1000 kilometres / 620 miles)
• Perth to Sydney: 50 hours (approximately 4100 kilometers / 2550 miles)
• Sydney to Canberra: 3-3.5 hours (approximately 300 kilometres / 185 miles)
• Adelaide to Melbourne: 8-10 hours (approximately 750 kilometres / 465 miles)
• Brisbane to Melbourne: 19-20 hours (approximately 1700 kilometres / 1056 miles)
• Melbourne to Perth: 40 hours (approximately 3500 kilometres / 2175 miles)
• Perth to Adelaide: 32 hours (approximately 2700 kilometres / 1677 miles)

While major sealed highways are well serviced, anyone leaving sealed roads anywhere in inland Australia is advised to take advice from locals, carry sufficient spare fuel, spare parts, spare tires, matches, food and water (minimum 4 gallons per person per day). Some of these roads might see one car per month (or less). It is common to hire a satellite phone in case of emergency. Local police stations would prefer that you call in and say hello and give them your itinerary.

Legal issues and safety

Driving is regulated by a number of State-based government authorities:

• New South Wales: NSW Roads and Traffic Authority [1]
• Victoria: VicRoads [2]
• Queensland: Queensland Transport [3]
• South Australia: Transport SA [4]
• Western Australia: Department for Planning and Infrastructure [5]
• Tasmania: Transport Tasmania [6]
• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Road Transport Authority [7]
• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Transport Group [8]

Licences

Drivers in Australia require a valid driver's license. Licenses from other countries may be accepted for limited stays in Australia; details vary by State. Typically, foreign licenses in English are considered valid for driving in Australia for visitors with visitor's visas. In other cases, an International Driving Permit is required, issued in your home country before arrival in Australia.

Also, you are permitted to drive an American (left-hand drive) car in Australia, providing that you have the license to do so. If you are going to do so, and you are driving a GM car, you are able to get support from Holden, a GM brand in Australia.

Seat belts

Use of seat belts is compulsory in Australia for drivers and all vehicle passengers, and infants must be secured with approved safety capsules and harnesses. Seatbelt laws are strictly enforced, and the onus is on the driver to ensure all passengers are buckled in. Penalties apply to the driver of the vehicle, and include demerit points, license suspension, and heavy fines.

Speed limits

The road rules are strictly enforced in Australia, especially speed limits. Speed limits vary depending on road conditions, area and State. Speed limits change at regular intervals so keep an eye out for them.

Speed cameras are used in all states and territories of Australia, with some jurisdictions preferring covert/hidden cameras, others preferring very overt/obvious cameras. The strictest place for speed limit enforcement is Victoria, with speed cameras being hidden, and having a 6km/h tolerance. The cameras are mounted on the dash of unmarked cars operated by private contractors. If you are familiar with a stretch of road, presume that any newish cars that are not normally parked there are speed camera cars. When booked by a camera in Victoria, the detected speed is then deducted by 3km/h to give the alleged speed. E.g; if detected at 57km/h in a 50km/h, a motorist will be booked for traveling at 54km/h, hence the common misconception that in Victoria, a mere 3km/h tolerance applies. Other states have a tolerance of 10% or more.

In urban areas the speed limits change often enough to be confusing even to locals. A default 50km/h speed limit applies in urban areas of all states and territories, unless signposted otherwise on certain roads. School zones typically have a 40km/h limit during school hours, with South Australian school zones being 25km/h. School zones are vigorously enforced.

In country areas the default speed limit varies from State to State. In Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, the default speed limit for country areas is 100km/h, with freeways (except where lower limits are posted) and some stretches of major roads having limits of 110km/h. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory the default speed limit for country areas and freeways is 110km/h, with the Northern Territory having speed limits of up to 130km/h on major highways.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has a blanket speed limit of 50km/h on all public roads unless signposted otherwise. Major urban roads in the ACT typically have speed limits of between 60km/h and 80km/h, country roads and dual carriageways are typically posted at 80km/h to 100km/h.

Driving Whilst Drunk

Under no circumstances should you drive while under the influence of alcohol in Australia. Police conduct random breath tests along major routes, both in cities and in the country. A driver does not have to be driving suspiciously, nor do they need to have committed any driving offence to be stopped by police for a random breath test. Drunk driving offences are considered serious. Penalties include demerit points, license suspension, hefty fines, and imprisonment. Refusing a random breath test is an arrestable offence and severe penalties apply.

In Australia, a Blood Alcohol Concentration limit of 0.05% applies in all States and Territories. Special limits may apply to certain driver types, such as learner drivers, public taxi and bus drivers, heavy vehicle/dangerous goods drivers.

Random drug testing is also in place in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Accidents

In case of an accident involving injury or death to any person, the police and appropriate emergency response authorities must be contacted. Phone the Australian emergency number 000 from fixed phones, or 112 from mobile phones. Emergency numbers from other countries (such as 911) do not work in Australia.

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident in which a person may be injured or killed is legally required to stop and render assistance. The penalties for fleeing an accident scene are the same as for causing the accident, even if you are not at fault, which can be up to 10 years imprisonment. You must contact appropriate emergency authorities, but you are not required to give first aid if you have no training.

Persons rendering first aid in good faith in Australia are protected by law and are not at risk of legal action against them. If you can help at an accident scene, always do so.