Do you really know the road rules?
Driving laws and conventions differ from country to country and even from state to state.
If you’ve been driving for a long time, then you will know that the road rules used to differ quite significantly between Australian states.
That changed – for the most part – in 1999, when the model Australian Road Rules were implemented.
Of course, your licence entitles you to drive anywhere in the country, and in most places around the world. But how well do you know the rules?
Are you confident about driving interstate or overseas?
First, we’ll look at the situation within Australia.
Earlier this year, the Drive website revealed a few differences between the states:
South Australia does not expressly prohibit drinking alcohol while driving, but anyone caught doing so might be charged for being distracted.
Queensland prohibits passengers from drinking in a car because it is classified as a public space.
Victoria and Queensland have laws against sleeping in your car.
Western Australia and Queensland have slightly different “keep left” laws to the rest of the country.
Leaving your car unlocked with the windows down when you are more than three metres away from it is an offence in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
The number of hours driving under supervision before a learner can sit for a full licence differs between states.
If you are contemplating driving in a foreign country, it’s best to do some research on the road rules before you jump behind the wheel.
Questions to ask yourself include:
Which side of the road will you be using?
What’s the speed limit when it’s not signed?
Can you turn on a red light?
When do you have to give way?
How do the roundabouts work?
A recent study says Norway has the strictest road rules in the world, followed by France, Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia.
Wearing seatbelts is mandatory in most countries but some, including Colomia and Brazil, do not enforce the law. And France does not permit talking on a mobile phone while driving, even while using hands-free technology.
One of the biggest areas for confusion for Australians occurs when they are in countries that drive on the right side of the road.
Advice in these circumstances include:
Use a left-hand drive car
Avoid heavy traffic areas
Familiarise yourself with your route so you can concentrate entirely on where you are and what you are doing
Take special care at roundabouts
Be careful when crossing borders, in case the rules are different in the new country.
One rule that traps a lot of drivers in foreign countries involves the type of vehicle you drive.
It’s very easy to hire a vehicle in many countries. Sometimes they won’t even check you have a licence.
But even if you do have a licence, that might not be enough.
For example, many Australians in Asia hire motorcycles, thinking that their Australian licence is all the documentation they need.
It’s only when they get pulled up by the police or, worse, get involved in an accident, that they discover that a normal car licence from home isn’t enough. You must have a motorcycle licence that entitles you to ride a vehicle with the horsepower of the one you’ve hired.
Not doing so not only opens you up to criminal penalty, it usually voids your travel insurance. That means you are liable for all for own medical expenses, and for third party costs too.
Road tripping makes for a wonderful holiday or recreation experience. Don’t spoil it by breaking the rules.
Related reading: Drive, Compare the Market, Which Car?
