Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2004 > August

YOU SHOULD take with you all legal papers and correspondence relating to owning and driving a car in the UK, even if you are not actually shipping your family luxury saloon to Australia.
Items that you should certainly take include:
l Driving licence
l Letters from vehicle insurance company
l Membership card of motoring organisation (RAC, AA)
l Letters re paying car lease/hire purchase
All of these will make your car experience in Australia much easier - and probably save you money.
You can drive for a short period on your UK licence after arrival but only a vehicle for the same class as your UK licence. Periods differ from State to State but you must get a driving licence from the State where you live.
This photo card is valid nationally and often acts as an ID card. You should always carry your licence when driving.
The documents from your UK vehicle insurance company are vital and will show your new insurance company your no-claims bonus (rating) and they may give you the same rating in Australia. You must take out insurance (and have the car licensed - road tax) but do not have to have comprehensive insurance, although this is always advisable. State Governments also provide compulsory third party insurance and this is paid with your road tax.
Your motoring organisation membership is useful. All States have their own motoring organisation (only one per State) and they may give you the balance of your UK membership free when you join, if you show your UK membership card. These organisations offer a wide range of memberships and also offer an even wider range of services, from credit cards, discounted holidays/accommodation to finance and house/boat insurance, plus the usual breakdown services.
Proof that you have paid off your lease or family vehicle and kept up the payments is vital in helping you obtain a credit rating in Australia, especially when it comes to obtaining finance for your new luxury gas-guzzling V8.
If you are importing a car into Australia then make sure it is right hand drive. It must also meet Australian Design Rules (ADR) and have seat belts to all seats. Air bags are becoming more usual in cars, especially for drivers, but seat belts must be worn when driving, with child seats in the back, if necessary. You must always wear a crash helmet when riding a motorcycle (or even a push bike) and any passengers must also wear a helmet.
Australia's States have slightly different road rules but, fortunately, all drive on the left. And road markings and traffic signs are much the same as in the UK, although generally roads outside the capital cities leave much to be desired and road lighting in the cities is not as good as in the UK. But roadside directional signs are pretty good. Usual speed limit in suburban roads is 60kms per hour, but in some residential streets at 50 kph and near schools at 40 kph. On the open road speed limit is usually 100 to 110 kph but there is generally no speed limit on Northern Territory major roads.