Driving in Australia: Left or Right Side? A Full Guide

TL;DR

Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road in every state and territory, and Australian vehicles are right-hand drive.
Drivers used to right-hand traffic may need to adjust to different lane positioning, turning habits, overtaking, and roundabout rules. Right turns cross oncoming traffic, while traffic at roundabouts flows clockwise.
Visitors can generally drive using a valid overseas licence if it is in English; otherwise, an International Driving Permit in Australia (IDP) or official translation may be required. Arrange an IDP before travelling.
Australian speed limits are displayed in kilometres per hour, with typical limits of 50 km/h in built-up areas, 40 km/h in school zones, and 100–110 km/h on highways, although limits vary by road and state.
New residents have different timeframes for using an overseas licence depending on where they live, so check the relevant state or territory requirements before you need to convert to an Australian licence.
The easiest way to adjust is to take it slowly, particularly when leaving car parks, entering roundabouts or driving immediately after a long flight. Using GPS, hiring an automatic and keeping a “Keep Left” reminder on the dashboard can also help.

Does Australia Drive on the Left or the Right?

Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road, in every state and territory, with right-hand-drive vehicles. If you’re used to driving on the right, like in the US, most of Europe, or Canada, you’ll need to consciously adjust your lane position, turning habits, and spatial awareness before you get behind the wheel.

Australia is one of a number of left-hand traffic countries, a group that also includes the UK, Japan, South Africa, and New Zealand, among others. We’ve put together this guide, alongside more on the Remitly blog, to help you feel a bit more at home behind the wheel while you settle in.

Why Does Australia Drive on the Left?

Australia’s left-hand driving convention traces back to British colonial rule, when horse-drawn traffic, and, later, early motor vehicles, followed the same side of the road as in Britain. As the separate colonies federated into states, they gradually aligned their road rules, and left-hand traffic became the settled national norm. It’s the same colonial history behind why the UK, New Zealand, and a number of other former British territories also drive on the left today, while much of continental Europe and the Americas drive on the right.

What’s Different About Driving in Australia If You’re Used to the Right

Apart from which side of the road in Australia you’re on, a handful of practical differences tend to catch newcomers out:

The steering wheel sits on the right-hand side of the car, so you’ll sit closer to the centre line than you might expect.
You’ll usually operate the gear stick and indicator stalk with your left hand instead of your right.
Overtaking happens on the right-hand side of the vehicle in front, not the left.
Right turns cross oncoming traffic, so they take more care; left turns are generally the simpler manoeuvre.
Pedal positions don’t change. The accelerator, brake, and clutch sit in the same order as anywhere else in the world.
Most hire cars in Australia are automatic, which takes one variable out of the equation while you adjust to the rest.

Australian Road Rules Tourists and New Residents Must Know

A handful of road rules trip up overseas drivers more than others, so it’s worth knowing them before you set off:

At roundabouts, traffic flows clockwise and you give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, approaching from your right.
Speed limits are posted in km/h and enforced by state road authorities such as Transport for NSW and VicRoads (typically 50 km/h in built-up areas, 40 km/h in school zones during school hours, and 100–110 km/h on highways, though this varies a little by state and road), so it pays to watch the signage.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is against the law across every state and territory, and fines and demerit points apply; check the road authority for the state or territory you’re driving in for current amounts.
Seatbelts are compulsory in every seat of the vehicle.
Random breath testing is common on Australian roads; the standard blood alcohol limit is 0.05, dropping to zero for learner and provisional (P-plate) drivers.
In regional and outback areas, wildlife such as kangaroos and cattle can wander onto the road, particularly around dawn and dusk, so slow down and stay alert on these stretches. Our guide to native wildlife you might encounter is worth a read before a regional trip.

Do You Need a Licence to Drive in Australia as a Visitor or New Resident?

If you’re visiting, you can generally drive on your current overseas licence, as long as it’s valid and written in English. If it isn’t, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation alongside it. It’s worth arranging an IDP before you leave home, since they generally can’t be issued once you’ve already arrived in Australia.

Once you move to Australia as a new resident, how long you can keep driving on your overseas licence depends on where you settle. According to Austroads, the peak body for Australia’s transport agencies, visiting drivers in the Northern Territory can use a valid overseas licence for up to three months, while New South Wales and Victoria allow up to six months. Other states and territories generally let you keep driving on it for as long as it stays current. Once you become a permanent resident or citizen, though, you’re required to convert to an Australian driver’s licence, and the process varies by state. Our guide to getting an Australian driver’s licence walks through what’s involved.

Practical Tips for Adjusting to Driving on the Left in Australia

Watch for car parks. Pulling out of a car park onto the correct side of the road is one of the most common mistakes for new left-hand drivers, so pause and check before you go.
Give way at roundabouts. Traffic already on the roundabout, coming from your right, has priority.
Pay attention to Australian road rules for foreigners and make sure you are aware of what the rules are.
Lean on your GPS. Following turn-by-turn directions frees up mental space for the mechanics of driving on the left.
Ask for an automatic. If you’re hiring a car, an automatic transmission means one less thing to think about while you adjust.
Ease in at the airport. Many travellers pick up a hire car straight off a long flight. A few slow laps of the car park before joining traffic can make a real difference, and our guide to navigating Australian airports can help you plan the pick-up itself.
Stick a note on the dashboard. A simple “Keep Left” reminder in view helps until it becomes second nature.
Consider public transport first. If you’re not ready to drive straightaway, our guide to public transport in Australia’s biggest cities is a good way to get your bearings before you get behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Driving in Australia

Does Australia drive on the left or right?

Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road in every state and territory, and its vehicles are right-hand drive. If you’re used to driving on the right, expect a short adjustment period before it starts to feel natural, particularly at roundabouts and car parks.

Can tourists drive on their overseas licence?

Yes. Tourists can drive on a valid overseas licence as long as it’s in English, or accompanied by an International Driving Permit or an official translation if it isn’t. Arrange an IDP before you travel, since they can’t be issued once you’re already in Australia.

What side is the steering wheel on?

In Australian vehicles, the steering wheel sits on the right-hand side of the car, and the driver sits closer to the centre of the road than to the kerb. Gear stick and indicator operation shift to the left hand accordingly, which can feel unfamiliar for the first few drives.

How do I remember to stay left?

A dashboard note reading “Keep Left” is a good visual cue for left-hand traffic in Australia. Some drivers also form an “L” shape with their left thumb and forefinger to double-check which side to turn into, especially at quiet intersections or after a car park exit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Driving in Australia for tourists only requires an IDP if your overseas licence isn’t in English, or if your home country requires one for driving abroad. Arrange it before you leave, since Australian authorities don’t issue IDPs to people who are already overseas, and processing from within Australia isn’t an option.

What are the speed limits in Australia?

Speed limits are shown in kilometres per hour: typically 50 km/h in built-up areas, 40 km/h in school zones during school hours, and 100–110 km/h on highways, though limits vary by state and are set by local and state road authorities.

How long can new residents drive on an overseas licence?

It depends on the state. Austroads notes the Northern Territory allows three months, New South Wales and Victoria allow six months, and other states and territories generally allow it for as long as the licence stays valid — until you become a permanent resident, when converting to an Australian licence becomes compulsory.

Key Takeaways

Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road in every state and territory, and cars are right-hand drive.
Tourists can drive on a valid overseas licence, provided it’s in English or paired with an International Driving Permit arranged before arrival.
The most common mistakes for drivers new to left-hand traffic are pulling out on the wrong side after a car park and misjudging right turns across oncoming traffic.
Speed limits are posted in km/h — typically 50 in built-up areas, 40 in school zones, and 100–110 on highways.
New residents can keep driving on an overseas licence for a state-dependent period — three months in the Northern Territory, six in New South Wales and Victoria, and longer elsewhere — before converting to an Australian licence becomes compulsory.

Conclusion

Adjusting to driving on the left takes a little concentration at first, but most visitors and new residents settle in within a few days on the road. Take it slowly, lean on the tips above, and give yourself some grace for the odd wrong-turn-signal moment, because it happens to almost everyone. When you’re ready to make it official, our guide to Living in Australia is an excellent starting point to where you are and where you might drive to, and our guide to Australia’s outback is worth a read before any longer regional drive.

Last reviewed: September 2026