How couldn’t you fall in love with Australia while driving around so many stunning landscapes? A word of caution, though; driving your rented car Down Under means you will have to become familiar with local driving rules before embarking on a road trip of a lifetime.
Be prepared and get your license to drive
Before packing your brand-new hiking boots, don’t forget that a driver’s license in English or an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) will be required to drive a vehicle. So, make sure you have one of those with you before getting on a plane flying you off to the other side of the world. To be eligible to rent, you must be no less than 21 years of age and a young driver surcharge applies for specific vehicles and drivers under the age of 25.
Behave and fasten your seat belt
Don’t be fooled by the vast deserted areas. Remember always to wear your seat belt no matter where you are, because the Aussie legislation for compulsory wearing of seat belts is implacable. It also applies to you, yes, you, the enthusiastic snoozer in the back of the car.
No Need for Speed: Respect the limits
Australians don’t kid around with the fast and furious. Down there, restrictions are strictly enforced and fines are steep. The speed limit is 50 km/h in cities and 100 km/h on motorways. There are also many fixed and mobile speed cameras, especially on motorways or freeways. Do pay attention to road signs! You wouldn’t want a close encounter with a police officer, would you? Bear in mind Australian cops are unfazed by foreign accents and will issue you a fine without a second thought.
Phone in your bag and hands on the wheel
While driving in Australia, it’s illegal to be on and even touch your mobile phone. So please, don’t try to call that cute pearl diver you met the day before, don’t text your mother who worries about sunburn, and don’t even think about watching that cute cat video either. Keep your eyes on the road. The diver, your mother and the cat can all have your attention later.
Make sure you have some cash in the car before you hit the road
Right. Road signs are more difficult to decipher than hieroglyphs. To crack their codes and better understand them, you might want to look at the government website. Australia makes you pay by the rules: you must pay at parking meters and also on motorways around major cities.
If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like to waste time paying cash, no need to worry, the e-TAG pass lets you pay toll fees on all Australian motorways. And you don’t have to bother to purchase one either: all our cars come equipped with the pass.
Enjoy your ride and get ready for some wild up-close encounters
While on the road, from kangaroos to koalas, cattle and whatnot, you’re sure to spot some wildlife.
That’s at least one reason you should always be travelling at a safe speed.
