New Zealanders are known for enjoying a classic road trip, and the sheer size and beauty of Australia make it a perfect destination for a self-drive holiday, or holidays! In fact, “The Big Lap” (Australia’s Highway 1), which joins all major cities in a 15,000km loop, can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to complete, depending on your pace and planned activities. It’s no surprise, then, that 1.2 million New Zealanders travel to Australia each year (Tourism Research Australia).
In addition to our shared love of road trips, New Zealand and Australia have many similarities: we both drive on the left, love our sport and are proud of our meat pies. But, we also have slightly different road rules, licences and terrain (if you tackle the outback), that change from state to state. As a Kiwi driver, you should be aware of these rules before getting behind the wheel.
With over 35 years running Australia’s largest family-run car rental company, we have some awesome advice to help any New Zealander thinking of renting and driving here, including:
- The rules for renting in Australia
- New Zealand driver’s licence rules
- The difference in road rules
- Parking signs
- Toll roads
- City vs Outback driving
- Aussie tips
- FAQs
TL:DR Driving Tips for New Zealanders in Australia
- Drive on the left.
- Check the speed limit per state.
- Children under 7 must be in a car seat or booster seat.
- Seat belts are mandatory.
- Drivers cannot use mobile phones.
- There are many toll roads across Australia.
- Expect kangaroos, wallabies or wombats on the road, especially at dawn and dusk in remote areas.
- Never swerve to avoid wildlife. Instead, beep your horn and brake if it is safe to do so.
What are the rules for renting a car in Australia?
All major airports and most rural airports will have car rental options, so you can land, pick up the keys and start your self-drive trip in Australia. Here’s everything you should know so there are no bumps in the road:
- Minimum age: Most car rental companies in Australia have a minimum driver age of 25, with a few offering car rentals for drivers 21 and over. Redspot is one of the few companies to have a minimum age policy of 21 and welcomes young New Zealand drivers! Those under 25 will pay a daily surcharge on their car rental fee, and car hire is limited to small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks.
- Maximum age: Like in New Zealand, the Australian government does not impose a standardised maximum age limit for car rentals, but some companies may impose their own upper limit. All car rental companies require senior drivers to have a full, valid licence, and some may ask for a recent doctor’s certification.
At Redspot, age is just a number. We have no upper limit and only require a full, valid driver’s licence. - Credit card: You will need to carry your physical credit card to hire a car in Australia; most companies cannot accept a digital card to take your deposit.
- Licence: A fully valid New Zealand driver’s licence, written in English, is required to rent a car in Australia. Although digital versions may be more widely used in New Zealand, you will still need to carry your physical card to show at pick up in Australia.
- Additional proof of ID: Some car rental companies will require you to bring an additional document with proof of your address, so it’s always best to bring this with you on your trip. These documents include utility bills, bank or credit card statements and driver licenses.
- Insurance: In Australia, it is government-mandated for all car rental companies to have basic insurance included in the price of your rental car.
- Fuel tank: Generally, you will pick up your hire car with a full tank of petrol or a full battery and must return it in the same condition. For ease, some car rental companies, like Redspot, offer fueling services for pre-paid fuel. Meaning, you don’t have to worry about finding a servo stop on your way back to the branch.
- Pick up: Usual pick-up times fall within business hours, with extended opening hours for airport locations. Many Redspot branches offer out-of-hours pick-up services to accommodate your desired rental time.
- Drop off: You will need to clean your rental car of any rubbish and personal belongings before dropping off. Some car rental companies, like Redspot, offer an out-of-office drop-off box at many branches so you can return at any time.
- Airport shuttle bus: In Australia, many car rental companies may have “off-airport locations” in which you will be picked up in a shuttle bus and taken to the car hire branch. Redspot is proud that many airport branches are within the airport, so you can easily go from luggage to key collection.
- One-way rentals: Bear in mind that Australia is a large country, and it takes longer than you may think to drive between states or landscapes. Many car hire companies offer one-way rentals so you can maximise your trip and not have to stress about a return trip. Note that there may be a one-way car rental fee added to your rental quote to account for the time needed to return your car to its original branch. In some remote outback locations, like in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, one-way rentals may not be available as it’s harder to restock cars in these locations.
Will I be charged in NZD or AUD for a hire car in Australia?
You will be charged in AUD for your hire car, even if you book from New Zealand. This includes booking a car hire directly from the branch. Please be sure to convert your quote into your preferred currency to get a full overview of your hiring costs.
New Zealanders can generally drive in Australia using a valid NZ driver’s licence for up to three months after arrival, depending on the state you are in. If you intend to stay in Australia beyond three months, you will need to convert to an Australian licence. Tourists and visitors can remain on their New Zealand visa as long as they remain a temporary visitor. You can drive in Australia on a New Zealand restricted licence, as long as you adhere to your licence rules.
The restrictions on driving in Australia on a New Zealand driver’s licence will change depending on the state you are in, so it is important to read up before you get behind the driver’s wheel:
Country-wide rules:
- You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Australia, as NZ licences are accepted.
- Your NZ driver’s licence should be in English.
- Your licence must be a current and valid licence (i.e. not expired or suspended).
- Typically, you must carry your physical driver’s licence with you.
Different road rules
Australia and New Zealand have very similar core road rules. For example, both countries drive on the left-hand side, mobile phone usage while driving is illegal, and all road signs are in English.
However, there are some slightly different road rules. It’s important to read up on the specific road rules for the Australian states you will be driving in, as each region may impose their own regulations.
In general, the main differences are:
| Rule | NZ | Australia |
| Regulation Changes | New Zealand road rules are set nationwide, so there is no difference when travelling between the North and South Islands. | Australian road rules can be set by a state or territory. Therefore, licence rules, mobile phone laws or fines can differ when you cross state borders. |
| Speed Limits | City roads: The Maximum limit is often 50km/h. Open roads: Max is often 100km/h, sometimes increasing to 110km/h. | City roads and school zones: Often, the max limit is 40km/h. Highways: Between 100 and 110km/h.Some outback roads: 130km/h. |
| Speed Cameras | New Zealand is less likely to warn drivers of a speed camera. | Generally, speed cameras will have a warning signpost. |
| Yellow Road Markings | A broken yellow line can mean no stopping. | A solid yellow line can mean no stopping. |
| Alcohol | Over 20: 0.05% BAC limit. Under 20: Strictly 0% alcohol limit. | Fully Licenced: 0.05% BAC limit. Provisional or learner: Strict 0% alcohol limit. |
| Terrain | Typically narrow, winding and rural with one-way bridges. | Generally, wider and flatter roads. |
Understanding parking signs
Australian parking signs are notoriously hard to understand, even for Australians. The main pain point is how small they are, without any explanation of what each section means.
Before you start driving in Australia, and especially in busy cities like Sydney and Melbourne, try to get your head around our parking signs so you don’t rack up any fines.
Below, we have broken down what a parking sign may look like. In general, when the letters are in green, they mean:
- P: You can park.
- Number: The number of hours you can park.
- Meter: You must pay to park for the number of hours permitted.
- No Meter: If the sign has no “meter”, then you can park for free for the hours permitted.
- Time: This is the time this rule is applied for. So if it states 1P, 12 noon – 9:30pm, Monday – Friday, then you are able to park here for 1 hour only between the hours of 12pm and 9:30pm between Monday and Friday. Any time out of this, including Saturday and Sunday, there is no restriction on the amount of time you can park here.
- Arrow: The direction you are allowed to park. There will usually be another sign or road marking confirming where this parking rule ends.
If the sign is red, the rules could mean:
- Loading: This is a loading zone intended for business owners only, such as tradies, restaurant deliveries and shop stock unloading. If you are not loading or unloading anything, then you should not park in this zone, as you may get fined.
- Time: This is the time this rule is applied for. So if it states 6:30am – 8:30pm, Monday – Friday, then you are unable to park here during these hours, unless you are a business loading your vehicle. Outside of these time zones, no restrictions apply, and you can park here.
- NO STOPPING: At any time, you should not park here.
- Arrow: The direction the rule applies to. There will usually be another sign or road marking confirming where this parking rule ends.
Toll Roads
There are considerably more toll roads in Australia than in New Zealand, particularly in main cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. You can plan your route to avoid toll roads, but many toll roads provide a faster and more convenient route to avoid busy city roads. Before driving in Australia, you should be aware of some key facts:
- Toll roads are cashless and electronically tolled.
- Fees are collected through a toll road e-tag fitted into your car or by paying online each time you use a toll road.
- Most toll roads have a fixed fee, but some operate with a charge per distance or a variable fee during peak times.
- If you fit an e-tag into a car rental, you may be accidentally charged twice through both your e-tag and the car rental company. Instead, you can pay for each toll road charge through the Linkt website or app. Redspot also offers a toll road waiver add-on, so you can pre-pay for toll roads and not worry about it on the road.
City Driving vs Outback
Most questions we get asked from those driving in Australia for the first time are around the outback and how to prepare for it. It can seem daunting to drive through such a rural area, but it’s also an awesome experience to tick off your bucket list.
With incredible outback road trips across South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, it’s no wonder tourists love to experience the freedom of the open dirt road. By carefully planning and booking a reliable rental car, you can have a smooth outback road trip.
Key Differences
City driving in Australia
- Speed limits: Typically around 40-50km/h, but can be even lower near school zones.
- Traffic: Heavy, particularly in peak times, with narrow roads, traffic signals and speed cameras.
- Road conditions: Well-sealed and well-lit with clear signposts, regular passenger crossings and minimal wildlife hazards.
- Hazards: Pedestrians and cyclists are the main hazards in all cities, and the frequent traffic light stops require a high level of concentration. If you are driving in Melbourne, you should be aware of the trams as some roads intersect with the tram lines.
- Navigation: Many cities are easy to navigate with clear signage for lane turns and roundabouts. Signal is strong in CBD areas, so you can easily use a GPS to get around.
Outback driving in Australia
The hidden gem of outback driving: The iconic red desert of the outback is a stunning sight. However, the best part of outback driving is the quintessential Australian roadhouses in which you can get fuel, food and sometimes accommodation and live music. One of our favourites is The Daly Waters Pub between Darwin and Uluru, which offers a huge campground, food and live music most nights.
Speed limits: Typically around 100-110km/h on the main highway roads, and can be reduced to 50km/h when passing through tiny outback towns.
Traffic: Generally low traffic, you can drive for many kilometres without seeing a single soul. Top tip: it’s customary for drivers to give a little hand wave when they pass each other on a rural outback road. Say g’day!
Road conditions: A lot of work has been done to seal the roads in the outback, particularly on the Red Centre Way from Darwin down to Uluru. However, many outback roads are unsealed and may require a 4WD. When driving in the outback, be prepared for red dust, uneven ground and high temperatures. Roads are often unlit, and we strongly advise against driving after sundown.
Hazards: Wildlife are the main hazards on the road in the outback, particularly at dusk or dawn. The extreme heat can be dangerous in the summer months, and sometimes a dust storm can cause the red dirt to swirl in front of the windscreen. Road trains operate in the outback and can be quite intimidating to see. Drivers should always be incredibly careful when overtaking the extra-long vehicles.
Navigation: Signal can be poor in many outback areas, and you may not pass a road sign for many km. Always download a map for offline use or pack a paper map for extra peace of mind.
Fuel: Petrol stations are sparse, and you may often see a sign warning “no fuel for 100 km”. It’s recommended you fill up at every fuel stop and never let your tank get low.
Planning for the outback: Plan your route in advance so you know the terrain, stops for fuel (for both the vehicle and humans) and weather conditions. Always pack extra water, emergency gear, and reflective clothing. Consider a satellite phone for off-road driving.
Aussie Tips
Dan Mekler founded Redspot over 35 years ago, and his family still run the company today. As a proud Aussie with a lot of long road trips, Dan thinks the most challenging thing about driving in Australia is the amount of wildlife you can see on the roads. Although it can be an awe-inspiring sight to see a kangaroo hopping by the road, visitors should also be very careful and keep a respectful distance.
Rely on Redspot
Exploring Australia by car is not just essential due to its vastness; it’s also the best way to experience its dramatic landscapes, fascinating cities, and rare wildlife up close. Our guide to renting and driving in Australia, including top Aussie tips for New Zealanders, should give you more peace of mind and confidence to tackle a classic Australian road trip.
With over 35 years on the Australian roads, Redspot has a soft spot for travellers looking to experience Australia in a rental car. That’s why we offer super easy bookings, clean and reliable cars and 24/7 roadside assistance. We make the car hire experience smooth so you can focus on enjoying the journey.Fly into any major airport, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth, and pick up a car hire from Australia’s largest family-run car rental company. With one-way rentals, you can plan an easy road trip without having to rush back to your pick-up location. Too easy!
FAQs
How long can you drive on an overseas licence in Australia?
In general, you can drive on an overseas licence for up to 3 months, depending on the state you reside in. If you plan to stay in Australia longer than a holiday, you will need to convert to an Australian licence to continue driving.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Australia?
Most car rental companies impose a minimum driver age of 25 in Australia. Some unique services, such as Redspot, offer a minimum driver age of 21, even to visitors.
What is the maximum age to rent a car in Australia?
There is no legal maximum age to rent a car in Australia. However, some car rental companies may require additional documents, such as a recent doctor’s certificate.
Redspot only requires a full, valid driver’s licence, written in clear English.
What side of the road does Australia drive on?
Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road. Just like back home!
Can you overtake on the left in Australia?
No, you overtake on the right-hand side of the road in Australia.