Everyday Living
Driving in NSW
Driving in NSW
The Australian Road Rules are the basic road rules for motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, passengers and others in Australia.
- Must have a valid Driver’s license
- Drive on the left side of the road.
- Always wear a seatbelt and child car seats or restraints for children under 7 years old.
- Obey speed limits and traffic signals .
- Do not use your mobile phone while driving.
- Do not drink and drive. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%
- Your should only drive a road-worthy and a registered vehicle. Driving an unregistered vehicle is illegal and may incur heavy penalties. Enforcement cameras are used in NSW to detect unregistered vehicles.
- Parking rules in NSW is very stringent. You must always follow these guidelines as parking violations could incur hefty fines.
Your Driver’s License:
A driver’s licence gives you freedom but also brings responsibility. It’s a commitment between you and the NSW community to keep the roads safe for everyone. There’s a set process and set fees for getting your driver licence. You must go through the process honestly and not bribe anyone or cheat along the way. Learn more about the road rules and demerit points, how to register your vehicle, get your driver’s license, or pay tolls.
If you are an international traveler, you can drive in Australia with your overseas driver’s license as long as you obey all the conditions on your license as well as the local laws. However, the rules can be a little different from one state to another, so check the state guidelines for the area you intend to visit.
Renting/Driving Rental Cars
Before renting a vehicle, you should take the time to read the terms of your hire contract , check the vehicle is in good working order, make sure you understand the road rules and know what to do if there is an accident. There are no specific restrictions on where you can drive the rental car in NSW. However, you must ensure that the vehicle is not used for any illegal activities and is driven in accordance with the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. For more information on rental cars in NSW, please see below: