Check whether your current license is okay in the countries you plan on visiting. You will need an International Driving Permit to drive in another country. These are generally issued from the auto club or association in the country where your license is current.

• Budget to insure for yourself, your passengers, the vehicle and for third party liability.

Do not get a driving permit via the Internet - they are illegal. Renting a car usually requires a credit card as a credit card impression is often required for the bond and insurance.

Australia has a good network of well-maintained roads and highways, and for the more adventurous quite a few dirt roads leading into the outback, accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles... Although distances between gateway cities in Australia may seem large, the good road network allows an enjoyable self-drive holiday with the opportunity to stop as long as required at points of interest.

Car-hire companies may restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions. There are few restrictions on where 4WD vehicles may go, but to avoid unnecessary risk to the renter's safety and damage to the vehicles, renter's are commonly required to stay on recognised tracks.

License requirements for visiting motorists

A person who is the holder of a current foreign driver's licence of a particular class may drive a vehicle of that class in Australia on the foreign driver's licence if:

• they also hold a current International Driving Permit; or
• the foreign licence is written in English or is accompanied by an English translation of the details on the foreign licence;

AND

• the person does not hold a current permanent visa and is not disqualified from driving in Australia or elsewhere.

Students, tourists and persons who are working in Australia on current temporary visas are permitted to drive on their foreign licences, as above only while the foreign licence is current.

Temporary visas usually do not exceed 4 years. If the foreign licence expires you will be required to obtain an Australian driver's licence.

Visiting motorists are required to carry their licence (and English translation if applicable) at all times while driving and produce it to Police on request. Production of their temporary visas may also be required as evidence of their temporary residential status.

For further information regarding international licences in Australian states and territories and New Zealand, click through to the appropriate internet site:

Australian Capital Territory

http://www.rego.act.gov.au/licensing/licencemoveact.htm

New South Wales

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/hubpages/hub_overseasvisitors.html
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/newtonsw/
international_drivers.html

Northern Territory

http://www.nt.gov.au/ipe/dtw/aboutus/branches/transport/
roadtransport/licensing.shtm

Queensland

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/LTASinfo.nsf/index/
licensing_interstate_foreign

South Australia

http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/licences_certification/drivers/
overseas_residents.asp

Tasmania

http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information/
overseas_licence.html

Victoria

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrne5nav.nsf/

Western Australia

http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/mylicence/1365.asp

Seat belts and helmets

It is compulsory for drivers and passengers including children to wear seat belts at all times... motor cyclists and cyclists are required to wear a helmet.

Which side of the road?

Australian's drive on the left side of the road. Roads are mostly of good design and repair. The Northern Territory contains 1/6th of Australia's total area, but has only 1% of its population. As a result, there are vast areas with few people and few roads. In the populous south-east roads are plentiful, though many are 'unsealed' (dirt roads.)

City driving

Road regulations differ from state to state and even from city to city... Watch out for signs that read... right hand turn from left lane only... meaning you must get into the left lane to make a right-hand turn... Roundabouts (or traffic circles) are widely used at intersections throughout Australia...cars that have already entered the circle have right-of-way.

Pick up a copy of the Highway Code of the state or territory in which you plan to drive. These are available from the Australian Automobile Association which has branches in each state.

Freeways/Major routes

Driving in the outback has its own risks. You can get to most places without a 4WD, as long as you don't mind a dirt road and don't plan travelling in our tropical north during the rainy season... Night driving can be a risk depending on where you are, with kangaroos, emus and cattle having the potential to cause a collision... Keep your car's petrol tank topped up as fuel is often unavailable late at night and there can be long distances between petrol stations..

The majority of highways are two-lane roads with frequent passing lanes. Australian cities are not linked by expressways but the major highways are usually paved and well maintained.

Caution!...'Road trains' are unique to Australia's highways and can freight anything from sheep to timber. When overtaking, bear in mind that these articulated lorries can average 50 metres (150ft) in length.
...Although traffic is light in the outback, temperatures can be extreme during the day. Always carry plenty of water. Let someone know your travel itinerary and schedule when travelling in remote areas.
...Sudden rain showers can cause flash floods. Don't try to out drive them - get to higher ground immediately when it rains.
...Drive more slowly at night in remote area, as you will not be able to see wild animals or wandering stock until you are very close.

Driving in isolated areas

• When travelling independently in isolated areas plan your trip with the aid of a good map, stay on recognised routes and take note of the distance between petrol (gasoline) stops.
• Carry ample supplies of drinking water...at least 4.5 litres per person per day.
• If driving on unsealed roads for the first time slow down and stay on the left hand side of the road.
• If your car breaks down in an isolated area, stay with your vehicle for shade and protection from the heat... don't leave your vehicle.

Telephone the Australian Automobile Association on (06) 247 7311 to obtain further information and advice on driving regulations and licence's.

Hitch-hiking

• Hitch-hiking is illegal in some states of Australia and is strongly discouraged.
• Budget price fares exist for travel, particularly by bus, and represent affordable and safe alternatives to hitch-hiking.
• Don't pick up hitch-hikers.

Speed limits

Speed limits on the open highways are 100-110 km/hour (60-66mph). The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/hour (35 mph) and 100 km/hour (60mph) on country roads and highways (where there is no street lighting) unless signs indicate otherwise. All speed signs are in metric as will be the speedometer in your car... There are no speed limits on the open road in the Northern Territory.

Police use radar, laser and spotter planes plus concealed remote speed cameras to check speeding motorists. The use of speed cameras in Australia is amongst the most sophisticated in the world, and you could be caught without knowing it and receive a large fine on returning home!

If you are caught speeding, or receive a parking ticket, your fine will be sent to the car rental firm who will charge you as the renter for any traffic infringement notices.

Alcohol

Strict drink-driving laws apply and random breath testing for the checking of blood-alcohol levels is conducted in all Australian states. Insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit (currently 0.5 mg per litre of blood.)

Car rental information

The minimum age for renting is 21 years for passenger cars and minivans, and 24 years for 4WD vehicles... Specific insurance conditions apply to renters between 21 and 25 years.

A state government stamp duty applies to all rental agreements. This is approximately 2% of the total rental value. It includes additional charges such as insurance, fuel, child safety seats, etc. A goods and services tax (GST) of 10% will be included in your hire rate.

General information

Petrol (gasoline) in Australia comes in unleaded and leaded grades and is sold by the litre. In July 2005 petrol and diesel fuel costs were between AUS$1.15 and AUS$1.30 per litre and can be higher in country and remote outback areas... Petrol stations are plentiful, but close early in the country and remote areas, so maintaining a full fuel tank is essential. Most, if not all, service stations accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards. When travelling in remote areas, check the availability of service stations at the car-hire pick-up point.