Does Australia Drive on the Left?

Yes—Australia drives on the left side of the road, with vehicles typically having the steering wheel on the right. This means you overtake on the right, travel clockwise through roundabouts, and keep left on multi-lane roads unless overtaking or directed otherwise.

Where and Why Australia Drives on the Left

Left-side driving is uniform across all Australian states and territories. Signs, road markings, and enforcement standards are broadly consistent nationwide, though specific penalties and local rules can vary by jurisdiction.

Historical Background

Australia’s left-side traffic stems from British influence. The practice dates to colonial-era road customs and was codified with the adoption of British-style motoring laws in the early 20th century. Like the UK, New Zealand, and several Commonwealth nations, Australia retained left-hand traffic when motor vehicles proliferated.

Practical Rules and Conventions

For residents and visitors alike, a set of core rules governs how left-side driving works in practice throughout Australia.

The list below outlines the key road practices that apply nationwide, regardless of state or territory.

1. Keep left: Drive in the left lane; on multi-lane roads, keep left unless overtaking.
2. Overtaking: Pass on the right. Crossing double solid lines is illegal except in narrowly defined circumstances.
3. Roundabouts: Travel clockwise and give way to vehicles already in the roundabout, especially those coming from your right.
4. Turning: When turning left, merge into the leftmost lane; when turning right, cross the oncoming lane when safe. In central Melbourne, some intersections require “hook turns” for right turns—follow posted signs.
5. Speed limits: Posted in km/h. Typical limits are 40 km/h in school zones, 50 km/h in built-up areas (unless signed otherwise), 100–110 km/h on rural highways. Always obey local signage.
6. Seat belts and child restraints: Mandatory for all occupants; approved child restraints are required per age/size rules.
7. Alcohol and drugs: The general blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for fully licensed drivers; it is zero for learners, provisional drivers, and many professional or heavy-vehicle drivers.
8. Mobile phones: Hands-free only for fully licensed drivers; stricter rules apply to learners and provisional drivers. Never hold or touch a device while driving.
9. Cyclists and pedestrians: Give at least 1 m when overtaking cyclists up to 60 km/h and 1.5 m above that in most jurisdictions; always stop for pedestrians at crossings.
10. Lights and visibility: Use headlights from dusk to dawn and whenever visibility is reduced; some states require lights in adverse conditions.
11. Trams and light rail: In Melbourne, never pass a stopped tram that is taking passengers unless there’s a safety zone; stop level with the rear of the tram and proceed only when safe.

Together, these rules reinforce predictable, left-side traffic flow and are enforced by state and territory police with extensive camera networks and on-road patrols.

Tips for Visitors and Renters

Driving in Australia is straightforward for most visitors, but distances can be vast and conditions vary from urban motorways to remote outback tracks.

The following tips help international drivers stay safe and compliant while adapting to left-side driving.

• Licensing: Short-term visitors can generally drive on a valid foreign licence; if it’s not in English, carry an International Driving Permit. New residents must convert to a local licence within a set period.
• Vehicle choice: Automatics are common and easier when adjusting to left-side traffic; check whether your rental is petrol or diesel, and know how to operate lights and indicators (usually on the right stalk).
• Distances and fatigue: Australia is large; plan fuel stops, rest every two hours, and beware wildlife (kangaroos, wombats) especially around dawn and dusk.
• Road trains: In rural areas, very long multi-trailer trucks require extra space; only overtake with a long, clear view ahead.
• Tolls: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane use cashless tolls; arrange an electronic pass or ensure your rental company provides one.
• School zones and local rules: School zones have strict, signed times and lower limits. In Melbourne’s CBD, obey hook-turn signs; elsewhere, U-turn and turn-on-red rules vary by state.
• Emergency numbers: Dial 000 for police, fire, or ambulance; 112 also works from mobile phones.
• Weather and roads: After heavy rain, some outback roads close; check local advisories. On unsealed roads, reduce speed and watch for corrugations and dust.

With basic preparation and attention to signage, most visitors quickly adapt to Australia’s left-side system and extensive road network.

Other Left-Driving Countries and Regions

Australia is part of a global minority that drives on the left—about a third of the world’s population lives in left-driving jurisdictions.

Here are notable countries and territories that also keep left.

• United Kingdom and Ireland
• New Zealand
• Japan
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia
• South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania
• Hong Kong, Cyprus, Malta

This list is not exhaustive, but it shows many travelers will find Australia’s road orientation familiar if they’ve driven in these places.

What This Means Day to Day

Expect to enter the driver’s seat on the right, check mirrors adjusted for left-side traffic, and position your vehicle so the center line stays on your right-hand side. At intersections, look right first, then left, and anticipate clockwise roundabout traffic.

Summary

Australia drives on the left, consistently across every state and territory. For drivers, that means keeping left, overtaking on the right, and navigating roundabouts clockwise while giving way to the right. With standard safety rules—seat belts, low alcohol limits, strict speed enforcement—and a few local nuances like Melbourne’s hook turns, the system is predictable and well signposted for residents and visitors alike.

Is Australia driving left or right?

Australia drives on the left side of the road, which is a rule also followed in the United Kingdom, India, and other former British colonies. This means that vehicles have their steering wheels on the right-hand side.
 
Key things to remember when driving in Australia:

• Keep to the left: You must stay in the left lane unless you are overtaking. 
• Overtake on the right: Pass other vehicles from the right side. 
• Right-hand drive vehicles: The driver’s seat is on the right, placing the driver closer to the center of the road. 
• Controls may be reversed: If you’re used to driving on the right, the indicator and wiper stalks might be on the opposite side of the steering wheel, but the brake and accelerator pedals are always in the same place. 
• Roundabouts: Traffic circles operate clockwise, and you must give way to traffic from the right. 

Why does Japan drive on the left?

Japan drives on the left due to its history with samurai, who kept their swords on their left hip, necessitating left-side passage to avoid collisions. This tradition was reinforced when British companies helped build Japan’s first railways in the 1870s, adopting British left-hand track practice, a system eventually codified into law for all vehicles by 1924.
 
Historical Roots

• Samurai Culture: Opens in new tabIn feudal Japan, most samurai were right-handed and carried their swords on their left hip. Walking on the left allowed them to pass others without their scabbards clashing, which was a serious provocation. 
• Public Adoption: Opens in new tabThis custom of left-side passage became a norm in society, and people would get out of a samurai’s way to avoid conflict. 

Influence of Railways 

• British Technical Aid: Opens in new tabWhen Japan began modernizing in the late 19th century, British engineers were instrumental in constructing the nation’s first railway system.
• Left-Side Trains: Opens in new tabThese railways adopted the British practice of left-hand traffic for trains and, later, electric trolleys.

Formalization into Law 

• Codification: The tradition of left-side driving, rooted in samurai custom and reinforced by the railway system, was officially codified into national law in 1924.

In summary, Japan’s driving on the left is a direct result of pre-modern samurai customs and the early adoption of British railway practices, which were later formalized into nationwide traffic law.

Does New Zealand drive on the left?

Yes, New Zealand drives on the left-hand side of the road. This is a significant rule for international visitors to remember, as vehicles have the steering wheel on the right, and the country drives on the left like other former British colonies, such as Australia and the UK.
 
Key points for drivers in New Zealand:

• Vehicle controls: Rental cars in New Zealand will have the steering wheel on the right-hand side. 
• Turning signals and wipers: The turn signal stalk is often on the opposite side of the steering wheel compared to right-hand traffic countries, which can lead to accidentally activating the wipers instead of the signal, according to YouTube and Reddit users. 
• Roundabouts: Be extra attentive when approaching roundabouts, looking to the right to ensure traffic is clear. 
• Roads: Be aware that New Zealand roads can be narrower, more winding, and steeper than you may be used to. 
• Familiarize yourself: Visit the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website for more information on local road rules and driving laws, and watch videos of left-hand traffic to prepare yourself. 

What country drives on the left?

These include India, Australia, New Zealand and former British colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. Very few countries drive on the left in Europe like we do in the UK. The Channel Islands, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Cyprus, and Malta are the only European countries that also drive on the left.