Driving in Victoria

On this page:
Driving laws and road rules
Driver's licence
Car registration
Car insurance
Maps and street directories
Petrol
Tollways
Roadside assistance

Driving laws and road rules

Australians drive on the left hand side of the road - with drivers seated on the right hand side of the car. Driving laws are strictly enforced in Victoria and personal and public safety is a high priority.

The speed limit in residential streets ranges from 40 to 70 kilometres per hour (km/h). School areas have a 40km/h speed limit from Monday to Friday during the school term:

• between 8am and 9.30am and
• between 2.30pm and 4pm.

Speeds on major roads range from 60 to 80km/h, and up to 100km/h on country roads and highways, unless signs indicate otherwise.

Seatbelts must be worn by all drivers and passengers in a car, and all cyclists and motorcyclists must wear a helmet on the road. There are also specific rules about children and child-restraints (or car seats) in Victoria. Please note that most car seats brought from overseas don't comply with this standard, and are not approved for use in Victoria.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs is not tolerated. By law, fully licensed drivers must not drive if their blood alcohol level is 0.05 percent or higher. Probationary licence holders must have a 0.0 reading. Random breath testing is common on Victorian roads.

It is also illegal to use a hand-held mobile (cell) phone when driving. You must use a hands-free earpiece or pull over to the side of the road to use your mobile phone.

An overview of all Victoria's road rules is available on the VicRoads website.

Driver's licence

Temporary residents

You can drive in Victoria without a Victorian driver's licence for the duration of your stay providing you have a valid International Driver Permit or overseas licence.

For more information on licence requirements for temporary visa holders, visit the VicRoads website.

Permanent residents

You must apply for a Victorian driver's licence within three months of arriving (or from the time a permanent visa was issued to you).

To change over to a Victorian licence, you will need to undertake:

• a road law knowledge test (computer-based, multiple choice)
• a hazard perception test
• an eyesight test and
• a driving assessment.

In some cases, you may be exempt from the tests. For more information about the test and exemptions, visit the VicRoads website.

Car registration

The vehicle you drive must be registered with VicRoads. The cost of the registration of a car will vary according to the cost of the car and where you live. All registered vehicles in Victoria must have a roadworthy certificate. Visit the VicRoads website.

Car insurance

When you register your car, part of the cost is for Compulsory Transport Injury insurance. This insurance covers injury or death in an accident but does not include damage to cars. It is recommended that you purchase car insurance. There are many different insurers in Victoria that offer insurance across three levels:

• third party property - basic cover for the costs of damage you cause to other people, vehicles or property (does not cover cost of damage to your own vehicle)
• third party fire and theft - third party property insurance plus coverage if your vehicle is damaged by fire or if it is stolen
• comprehensive - covers all costs of repair or replacing all vehicles involved in a collision, regardless of who is at fault.

For more information on car insurance, visit the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) website.

Maps and street directories

The Melway is the most commonly used street directory in Melbourne. It covers all of Melbourne and its suburbs, and much of regional Victoria. Directions are often given in terms of their Melway map reference. The RACV and VicRoads also produce the RACV VicRoads Country Street Directory of Victoria,which provides detailed maps of Victoria's regional centres.

Maps and street directories are available at bookshops, service stations (petrol/gas stations), post offices and convenience stores. Free, online street maps and directions are available at Whereis.com.au or Street-directory.com.au.

Petrol

There are different types of fuel (gas) options for cars. All cars built from 1986 onwards use unleaded fuel. Cars built prior to 1985 use lead-free super fuel or unleaded fuel with a supplement added. Unleaded fuel is available in two options at most service stations - regular and premium. Diesel is widely available as is liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Many people have cars converted to LPG as it is cheaper.

Many service stations are now offering unleaded fuel blended with up to 10 percent ethanol, which is made from renewable resources.

Tollways

Tolls are charged on some Melbourne roads, including the CityLink freeways and Eastlink. To use these tollways you must either open an account (and receive a remote monitoring device, called an eTag, to attach to the car) or buy a pass before you travel on the tollway.

For more information on how to pay tolls, visit the CityLink and Eastlink websites.

Roadside assistance

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is Victoria's largest car owner's organisation. It offers services including roadside service assistance, insurance and vehicle testing. For more information, visit the RACV website.