Driving on the left in Australia

Which side of the road does Australia drive on?

The left. Australia follows the same convention as the UK, Ireland, Japan and much of Southeast Asia — the steering wheel sits on the right-hand side of the car, and traffic keeps to the left-hand side of the road. That's the reverse of continental Europe and North America, so it's the single biggest adjustment for visitors arriving from either.

Is it hard to adjust if you're used to driving on the right?

For most visitors, no — the core mechanics of driving (pedals, indicators, general traffic flow) are the same, and it's mostly a matter of positioning and instinct that settles within a day or two of steady driving. The two habits that trip people up most are roundabouts, where traffic already on the roundabout has right of way and you give way to the right rather than the left, and instinctively pulling into the correct lane after a turn, especially on quiet streets with no other traffic to cue you.

A few small habits help: sit a passenger in the front seat for the first drive if you can, to call out lane position; take the first hour or two somewhere quiet rather than straight into city traffic from the airport; and give roundabouts extra attention until the give-way-to-the-right instinct feels automatic.

Do rental cars come as automatic or manual?

Automatic transmission dominates Australia's rental fleet, especially at the major city and airport locations — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth all have automatics as the majority option. Manual cars are still available, generally at a lower daily rate, but it's worth confirming availability in advance rather than assuming one will be on the lot.

If you're new to driving on the left, choosing an automatic is the commonly recommended move — it removes one variable (changing gears with your left hand) while you adjust to the road position, which most visitors find is plenty to focus on already. One practical note: if your home licence only covers automatic vehicles, you're not legally permitted to drive a manual car in Australia either, so check what your own licence actually authorises before you book.

Can I drive on my home country's licence?

Generally, yes — a valid overseas licence covers most visits to Australia, and you're only required to switch to an Australian-issued licence once you become a permanent resident or citizen. What changes by state and territory is how long a visitor can keep driving on that overseas licence, and what supporting document you need alongside it.

Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

You need to carry your overseas licence at all times while driving, together with either an International Driving Permit or a certified English translation if your licence isn't already in English — that's the general shape per Austroads, the body that coordinates road rules across Australia's states and territories. Exact requirements vary by state and do change, so if there's any doubt, arrange an IDP in your home country before you travel — it's far simpler than trying to sort one out once you've landed — and check the current rule for wherever you'll be driving, especially for a longer stay.

What's the one habit that trips up visitors most?

Roundabouts, consistently. Traffic already circulating has right of way, you give way to the right when entering, and you exit from the left-hand lane in most cases — the mirror image of the habits a right-side driver arrives with. A few slow, deliberate roundabouts early in the trip, rather than rushing the first one in traffic, is the easiest way to make the habit stick before it matters.