How to Stay Safe With Left-Side Driving After Moving to Australia
Get a Free Moving Quote Now!
Start Your International Moving Journey
For Americans moving to Australia, driving on the left side of the road may seem like a strange novelty for a little while — that is until you get used to it and master a few techniques. You can remain safe and also gain confidence in no time, with a bit of practice and attention. Here’s what all new Australian drivers need to know.
Get Comfortable With Left-Side Lane Positioning
The single biggest change is finding a way to stay on the left side of the lane. Inexperienced drivers often naturally veer toward the center of a lane because they’re accustomed to sitting on the left side of a vehicle.
Safety tips:
- Follow the lane markings until your depth perception kicks in.
- You’d be surprised how much a mindful eye on the left edge of the curb helps prevent over-correction to the right.
- Start in low traffic neighborhoods with short routes before trying major thoroughfares.
Master Intersections and Roundabouts
Intersections you have to practice because you have to train yourself which direction to look. Whatever it is we all actually gives a good shot. And here comes some traffic that cares most of the time coming from your right so when you’re about to enter an intersection pause and look again, save your life. Right turns are also treacherous, because you have to cut across traffic.
The roundabouts may seem tricky at first, but all you need is some practice. Traffic circles are clockwise — yield to traffic already in the circle. Commit to your lane early and follow signs or arrows in the road. Begin with small roundabouts in calm neighborhoods, so that you can confidently circle without the stress of a lot of traffic on your heels.
Understand Australian Road Rules and Speed Enforcement
Australia’s speed limits are much more rigidly enforced than in most U.S. states. A large share of the enforcement is carried out by automated cameras —not police warnings.
Typical speed limits:
- 50 km/h (31 mph) in cities
- 100–110 km/h (62–68 mph) on motorways
- 25 mph (40 km/h) in school zones
Why this matters for safety:
Radar traps are frequent, fines mount up rapidly. Keeping an eye on the signs and on your speedometer will keep you fine-free as well as allowing you to manage unexpected traffic environments appropriately.
Get Familiar With Australian Vehicle Controls
Indeed, native cars feel reversed to US ones. They drive on the right here and the turn signals, and even the windshield wipers may be backward from what you’re expecting. Some Novices mistakenly activate the wipers when they attempt to signal, so if you do this don’t worry.
Crucially, sit in the car and see how it feels before even driving it around for a test. Realign your mirrors and search for a pose with a tighter curb, because that’s where you are now. If changing gears with your left hand is a burden, then go for an automatic car!
Stay Alert to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Trams
Australians walk and cycle more in their cities, so you should be too. People frequently step into crosswalks thinking cars should stop automatically, and bike in dedicated lanes beside regular traffic.
Other cities like Melbourne generally have trams with right of way on the roads. Observe signs, lane markings and low-speed maneuvering regulations in the vicinity of tram tracks. Patience and attention could have prevented an unexpected situation.
Build Confidence Through Gradual Practice
The most secure way to move forward is incrementally, gaining experience along the way. Begin driving in locations with less traffic and continue until you can capably navigate heavy traffic. See if you can find some small and easy to drive routes until you’ve trained your instincts back into driving on the left-hand side. If you need some added reassurance, take a lesson or two with a local driving instructor to ensure you’re prepped and ready.
With practice, everything — from lane position to roundabouts — becomes second nature. Pretty soon, you will be coping easily with Australian roads.
Common Mistakes U.S. Drivers Should Avoid
To keep safe, keep an eye on the habits that are most hazardous to newcomers:
- Checking to the left before right
- Hanging to the outside of lane
- Making a turn into the wrong lane (“wide” turns)
- Underestimating right turns across traffic
- Forgetting the strict speed enforcement
Addressing them early helps make every drive smoother and safer.
Final Thoughts: Staying Safe With Left-Side Driving in Australia
I also had to teach myself how to drive on the left, not really hard so long as you patient, alert and you have time to be clear. Focus on your position, junctions, roundabouts, traffic signs and other road users. Take the right approach, and driving on the left side is just another element of your new life in Australia.