weird driving rules in Oz
 

Are there any weird driving rules in Oz - like the one in USA where you can turn at a red light if there's nothing coming.Just thought I'd ask
Nick

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

The "hook turn" ! did it once when in Oz, still don't really understand it!

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

That's one - proceed with caution or something like that ! Threw me, that did :rolleyes:

Another one, you are not allowed to park against the direction of traffic e.g. on the other side of the road.

Be careful about your speed.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

whats the hook turn?

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I'm not absolutely certain but I think there's a rule in Melbourne that when you want to turn right you have to pull into the left hand lane (so you have to cross BOTH lanes of traffic :scared: )

Something to do with not being run down by trams I believe.

Mind you, I drove through the middle of Melbourne about 3 years ago and I survived (more by luck than judgement I expect :p )

Cheers
Scooterpom.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

They have rules??? coz I sure didn't notice many when we were over there http://www.*************.com/smilies.../happy0195.gif

D D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

hi
does anybody know whether our english license will suffice over their or do we need to retake test


marie

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Here is Melbourne's famous "hook turn" explained in a nice little animation!

http://www.path.unimelb.edu.au/~bern...hook_turn.html

As for the US rule (and Canada too!) - note that this only applies to cars making right turns on a red light!! Don't think that it's legal to make a left turn or proceed straight through the intersection on a red light (at least not anywhere close to me! :scared::scared::scared:). If you are making a right turn on red the idea is it is more like a "yield" situation where because you are not crossing traffic it is safe to allow the turn. This rule also applies in some special cases to a left turn then two one-way roads cross (again because you would not be crossing traffic to make this turn).

Cheers,
Brian

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

[QUOTE=Nick11]Are there any weird driving rules in Oz - like the one in USA where you can turn at a red light if there's nothing coming.Just thought I'd ask


When in Port Douglas I saw someone get pulled up because he did not indicate when going round a bend that had a turnoff on it, even though he was just going round the bend.
My brother in Law also got in a bit of bother when he moved to Melbourne because he kept edging out into the traffic, a bit of a hard habit to break when you are used to driving in the East End of London.

John

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Roundabouts can be dodgy as the rule used to be 1st on it had right of way till early 90's now its give way to right but will still be some old school drivers out there , beep beep :scared:

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Aussies don't do roundabouts very well. Even my hubby passed his test in UK 1986, then drove in Oz from 1987 until 1999, crapped himself leaving Heathrow as had no idea how to use the roundabouts - the bigger the worse he was, even now I have to guide him and he is a good driver :p

Also the parking in the street against the flow of traffic, not sure it is totally legal in the UK but in Oz, big wrist slap.

I think you can turn left at a red light if safe to do so.

M :D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I was just writing my roundabout post at the same time as you, great minds.

M :D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

LOL ( mine is not that great :rolleyes: ). :D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Valid for 3 months - then sit the test - but its not practical, just theoretical, and supposed to be quite easy.

This is certainly the case in QLD, but not sure about other states. I assume its the same

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I've never noticed this; it's foreigners that have problems with them, especially Americans.

We're used to them.

Edit: In reaction to the OP's post, New South Wales has laws allowing you to make left turns at a red light, but only if it's signposted to do so. It's not universal, not like it is in Seppoland, and, AFAIK, no other state here allows it at all.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

What's that one all about? I don't remember it when I sat my test here.
We think everyone is loopy, indicating to go round the bend. Where the hell else are they going to go? and why aren't people as good at indicating when they are going to turn off the main flow of traffic? grrr!

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I'm pretty sure that if you have a Toorak Tractor you are exempt from obeying any driving rules.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

From my memory don't one way carriageways have a wrong way go back sign? That should be enough to suggest the general standard of driving!

Swapped jobs and homes with an Aussie a few years back - you can imagine what they thought of our country lanes!

Bezza

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

In NSW, ACT, WA & Victoria a UK Car licence holder no longer has to do any Test, all other States require a us to do a Theory Test, before getting their Australian State Licence.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Roundabout Rules :D They are beginning to advertise it again as so many people get it wrong :)

From the NRMA The current rule from the Queensland Transport

Who gives way at a roundabout?
A vehicle approaching a roundabout must give way to any vehicles that are already on the roundabout.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

In WA your UK licence will be valid for 12 months if you are on a visitor visa, if you are on a permenent visa you will need to change it to a WA licence within 3 months, there are NO tests at all, costs about $85, and is done there and then at the licencing centre. :D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

How's this meant to help?

http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/signsp...goback0197.JPG

By the time you've read it ...... crash!

Bezza

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

They could do with doing that in the UK.

What's that indicating left when going straight across a rounabaout, thing about :rolleyes:

A :D

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Valid for 3 months in NSW then you simply exchange it for NSW licnece, no test no theory no drama, you can purchase (I think this is right) a 1 , 3 or 5 year licence then.

Truck liceneces aren't recognised for some reason though ???

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I don't think you can immediately buy the 5 year licence, I believe you have to have held an oz one for a number of years before they let you? A 3 year NSW one cost us $94 last year.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

My advice is drive quite aggressively and don't let any one in turning from a junction etc, because thats how they drive here. Don't speed, because the speed cameras are invisible and they will always catch you, even if you break the limit for a second. I've been done FOUR TIMES NOW. Also learn the parking signs like your life depends on it, because your car can only be left for a couple of minutes and you will still get a ticket. I've been done THREE TIMES FOR THIS TOO. Careful with drink/drugs because the cops do regular random breath tests, too. When I was learning the driving rules handbook to take my test in Victoria (just before they relaxed the rule - bloody typical!) I didn't notice anything about turning left at red signals if it is safe, not for Victoria anyway.
I'll stop rambling on now.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

There are a couple of strange unwritten rules when driving in OZ:

1. drive as close to the car in front of you as possible :scared:
2. stay in the outside lane for as long as you can, driving at the slowest possible speed :mad:
3. never park within a parking bay, always park over the line
4. never let another car out at a junction or slip road
5. never freely give up right of way

Sam

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

You could add to that....

When in a multistory car park don't wait for a car doing a parking maneuver. Just squeeze past and block.

When looking for a space in a multistory don’t let people leave a space or block them trying to exit. It must be easier to find a space if you block people actually in the spaces.

When approaching a roundabout don’t bother to give way and if you do make sure its at the wrong time, like if someone wants to get on from the exit to your left!

When on the number 1 pacific highway make sure you stay in the left hand lane that is about to run out for as long as possible then without looking behind to see if its safe pull out into the fast or overtaking lane.

Remember to be blissfully unaware of your surroundings and leave your cruise control on set to 10kph less than the speed limit. Now its safe to fall asleep.

Also be extra courteous to fellow road users by always speeding up to match an overtaking car.

When overtaking on a freeway do so as slowly as possible and carefully adjust your speed to 1kph faster than the car you are overtaking, take as long as you can to pass the car and ignore the cars now running up your backside.

Hoot as much as possible when you see someone else do a U turn at a set of lights that they are not supposed to. HOOT HOOT TELLING!

Save fuel by getting within 3 feet of the car in front and use his slip stream to reduce drag on your car.

Oh and one last thing always lock you car or get a fine.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

On entering a car park with plenty of empty spaces, pick a car at random and place your car close behind it. Be prepared to wait until the owner returns from shopping and moves their vehicle, then you can nip into the space. Much easier than parking in all the empty places around......

(I kid you not, they all do it here! WHY!!!!! Good game to play if you see someone waiting for you to move - get into your car and just sit there for several minutes without moving - winds people up no end as they rev their engine, waiting to move in on that favourite space...... :rolleyes: )

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

The wierdest one i've discovered (not to mention most dangerous) appears to be unwritten but it goes like this.....................

Drive as close to the rear bumper of the car in front, as close to, or over the permittaed speed limit, until you have intimidated the driver in front so much that they pull over and let you past. :eek:

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

In SA, its 3 months after you get PR.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Truckies do this. Cars can just overtake.

This is what people do in Europe as they won't overtake (yet) on the inside, they even indicate RIGHT - 'off' the highway.
The Germans love it especially. I always give them the bird and a salute and wave as they overtake on the inside. :) ;)

Badge

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I'm glad I don't live in QLD.

A :)

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Don't go to Sydney then :) I moved up from Sydney, and the traffic here is much more relaxed :D

Unfortunately it has been getting worse, as more and more people are moving here from places like Sydney and London :) The old slow style is becoming faster and faster, and impatience is building up. :)

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

This is my experience in Victoria:

If on a 457 visa you don't need to get a driving license. Only when you get permament residence.

Don't get it earlier than you should, as they can't apply speeding points to your Uk license, you'll just get a fine.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

The Aussie driving experience is not the best facet of life down under, especially in Sydney anyway.

Forget all that flashing your lights to give your fellow motorist in a tight spot a break to be rewarded with an appreciative wave. The famous Aussie 'mateship' is left on the pavement when they get into a car.

Pedestrians are afforded little respect either. Even the 'green man' at traffic lights has it in for you. Walkers don't get exclusive right of way at the 'green man'; cars can do a left-turn if it is clear - ie. in practice, as soon as they have enough time\space to whizz in front or behind you.

At roundabouts, be prepared to get out of the car to pull straws to see who goes first. Many drivers don't have a clue! Amongst those who at least try, you'll see all sorts of attempts to use indicators to show where they are exiting. Indicators and circles...all too confusing.

The use of indicators is fairly selective; a kind of if I get away with not bothering approach..I won't. However, I do agree, I have seen amazing observance of using indicators at a sharp bends in the road! Must be something in their history.

In general, the old 'mirror, signal and manouvre' routine is afforded all sorts of variants. Usually 'manouvre...can't be arsed..can't be arsed...beep horn...swerve...what are you doing there behind me?'

There is a sense that there used to not be so much traffic around when many of these guys started to drive. It's kinda all crept up behind them.

Finally, think twice about riding a motorbike or scooter. The motorist's 'blind spot' is exactly that - blind! By the way, riding a scooter is not some cool Mod thing over here. You're an eccentric and as such other sort of 'eccentrics' can swerve in front of you, shout abuse and throw objects at you. I've had it all on my Vespa including glass bottles.

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

I drove from Melbourne to Sydney when we first arrived (and I agree with your comments on the driving in Sydney). It was very noticable, and being new to Aus, surprising, that there was a big difference in driving style between VIC and NSW. In VIC the driving is not that different to the UK (wrt London) whereas NSW was more like France.

Of the many differences, one was that the NSWs drive 10k over the limit whereas the VICs drive on the limit. However, for a similar road, the speed limit tends to be 10k higher in VIC.

Cheers
Al :)

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

Some nice empirical observations. On the South Eastern around berwick after 6pm everyone does 10pc though - the only place I have noticed.

One of my "BIG TOP 10 HUGE" differences in Australia is people do not generally let people in with lights - but when I do, the tradies tend to acknowledge you.

badge

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

We should all drive with courtesy, maybe it will rub off :D

Do you know WHY most people drive in the right lane ?

Re: weird driving rules in Oz
 

On the roads around Sydney I can understand why people drive in the middle or right lane. If you get in the left lane, you are bound to come round the corner and find someone parked there.