Driving in Australia

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#1527390 7-Apr-2016 06:56

I've heard you can only drive a Ford or a Holden in Aussie, you can only do so wearing a league singlet and jandals. The only kind of sunglasses allowed are DirtyDogs and the only kind of music allowed to be played in the car is AC/DC, which must be at top volume. The only passengers allowed are sheilas or mates.

Horseychick

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#1527399 7-Apr-2016 08:02

Just a thought - you might want to check with some of the rental car agencies whether they will insure you on a Restricted NZ Licence. Whilst it might be legal the insurance companies might have a different view.

johnr

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#1527400 7-Apr-2016 08:09

I will be surprised if you can hire a car on a restricted licence

Yogi02

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#1527401 7-Apr-2016 08:13

I last hired a car from Avis in Brisbane and they don't allow Provisional / Restricted license drivers.

https://www.avis.com/avis/docs/AvisAU-StdTsCs_F132CORP_TCs_0711_LR.pdf

I have used Sygic for about 4-5 years. There is a one-off cost but you get free updates (about 2 per year) and it operates by GPS and stored maps on device)

MikeAqua

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#1527696 7-Apr-2016 14:21

Watch out for buses with give way painted on the back. They have right of way, they know it and they can can/will pull out directly in front of you.

I encountered this in Brisbane last time I drove there (?2008?). I can't remember if it extended outside the city.

Another thing was an intersection format that directed right turning traffic to a left lane to await a green arrow (or something unusual like that).

Mike

bazzer

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#1527699 7-Apr-2016 14:24

MikeAqua:

Watch out for buses with give way painted on the back. They have right of way, they know it and they can can/will pull out directly in front of you.

I encountered this in Brisbane last time I drove there (?2008?). I can't remember if it extended outside the city.

Another thing was an intersection format that directed right turning traffic to a left lane to await a green arrow (or something unusual like that).

You mean hook turns? I think they're only in Melbourne.

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MikeAqua

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#1527707 7-Apr-2016 14:43

I've only driven in QLD, so it must have been there I experienced them. Pretty sure it was on a trip from Brisbane to Noosa in 2008.

Kind of odd, but once you get used to it logical. Allows straight traffic to use the right lane, rather than have it blocked by right turn traffic waiting for a turn. Left turn traffic uses the middle lane, while the right turn traffic waits in the left lane held by a red right arrow.

bazzer:

MikeAqua:

... an intersection format that directed right turning traffic to a left lane to await a green arrow (or something unusual like that).

You mean hook turns? I think they're only in Melbourne.

Mike

Kyanar

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#1527738 7-Apr-2016 15:48

MikeAqua:

I've only driven in QLD, so it must have been there I experienced them. Pretty sure it was on a trip from Brisbane to Noosa in 2008.

Kind of odd, but once you get used to it logical. Allows straight traffic to use the right lane, rather than have it blocked by right turn traffic waiting for a turn. Left turn traffic uses the middle lane, while the right turn traffic waits in the left lane held by a red right arrow.

Hook turns are bicycle only. No hook turns for cars in QLD.

Batman

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#1527841 7-Apr-2016 18:23

bazzer:

MikeAqua:

Watch out for buses with give way painted on the back. They have right of way, they know it and they can can/will pull out directly in front of you.

I encountered this in Brisbane last time I drove there (?2008?). I can't remember if it extended outside the city.

Another thing was an intersection format that directed right turning traffic to a left lane to await a green arrow (or something unusual like that).

You mean hook turns? I think they're only in Melbourne.

Only in Melbourne CBD. You can tell who doesn't live in Melbourne in those intersections :))) I have to say the locals are pretty patient in that regard :)

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#1527843 7-Apr-2016 18:24

sonyxperiageek:

joker97:

can one drive in Oz on a NZ restricted?

It doesn't say you can't! Just that you have to follow the same rules on your license as if you were in NZ..

I think it is as important (if not more important) that it doesn't say you can.

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#1527844 7-Apr-2016 18:25

BlinkyBill: I've heard you can only drive a Ford or a Holden in Aussie, you can only do so wearing a league singlet and jandals. The only kind of sunglasses allowed are DirtyDogs and the only kind of music allowed to be played in the car is AC/DC, which must be at top volume. The only passengers allowed are sheilas or mates.

I heard they (are going to) stop making Fords and Holdens in Oz :)

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Kyanar

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#1527960 7-Apr-2016 20:18

joker97:

I think it is as important (if not more important) that it doesn't say you can.

Not correct. The rule is that you can drive on any valid overseas license, provided you comply with all your license terms. Which is to say that the QLD restrictions won't apply, but the NZ conditions would. I.e. no driving after 10pm, no passengers etc.

sonyxperiageek

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#1527967 7-Apr-2016 20:33

Kyanar:

joker97:

I think it is as important (if not more important) that it doesn't say you can.

Not correct. The rule is that you can drive on any valid overseas license, provided you comply with all your license terms. Which is to say that the QLD restrictions won't apply, but the NZ conditions would. I.e. no driving after 10pm, no passengers etc.

That's how I read it too, multiple times as well!

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sonyxperiageek

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#1527968 7-Apr-2016 20:33

And no, I won't be hiring a car of course.

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Smithy100

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#1528409 8-Apr-2016 13:09

Don't over think things and cause yourself unnecessary stress or anxiety.

Driving in SEQ is (99.9% of the time) the same as driving in NZ. Give way rules are the same, follow any signposted rules as you would here.

One piece of advice is to plan your journey/route BEFORE you leave, don't rely on your GPS and do it on the fly - it's too easy to get flustered and miss turnoffs etc as your (rightly) focusing on whats around you, particularly traffic.

E + R = O

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