Driving on the left
Driving on the left in Australia: what overseas visitors need to know
Australia drives on the left, in right-hand-drive cars. For visitors from the US, Canada and most of Europe it is the biggest adjustment, but most drivers feel comfortable within a day. The key habits: keep left, the driver sits on the right, and give way to the right at roundabouts.
The practical details
- The driver sits on the right side of the car and you keep to the left side of the road. Overtaking is on the right. The pedals are in the same order as at home.
- The indicator and wiper stalks are often reversed compared with North American cars, so flicking the wipers when you mean to indicate is a normal first-day mistake and does no harm.
- At roundabouts you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, which comes from your right, and you travel clockwise. Speed limits and distances are in kilometers.
- Roads outside the cities can be long, quiet and fast, with wildlife near dawn and dusk, so plan your stops and avoid driving tired.
Common pitfalls
- Drifting to the right on an empty road. Fix a reference point: keep the centre line by your right shoulder.
- Turning into the wrong lane from a standing start, such as a junction or a car park exit. Pause and picture 'keep left' before you move.
- Driving at dusk in rural areas, when kangaroos are most active near the road.
Our recommendation
- Take the first hour gently, in a quiet area or your hotel's neighbourhood, before you tackle a motorway.
- Choose an automatic, our fleet default, so you are not also learning a left-hand gearshift.
- Say it out loud at every turn for the first day: 'keep left'.
Related questions
Which side of the road does Australia drive on?
The left, in right-hand-drive cars. Overtaking is on the right and roundabouts run clockwise.
Is it hard to drive in Australia as an American or Canadian?
It is the main adjustment, but most visitors are comfortable within a day, especially in an automatic, so you are not also managing a left-hand gearshift.
Are the pedals reversed when driving on the left?
No. The pedals are in the same order as at home. It is the seating position and the side of the road that change.
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