Australia’s unique natural beauty and cultural landscapes attract visitors from all over the world.
However, Australia’s public transport system is far from convenient in comparison to the system in China, and the fare can be quite high.
In big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, whilst many attractions are within the vicinity of the central business district, which visitors can reach via public transport, local day trips to attractions in more distant areas are always fascinating as well, like the Great Ocean Road and Penguin Island. For those who like to explore the local culture and prefer enjoying scenery while driving across, it is the best choice to go for road trips.
It is also very easy to rent a car with a Chinese driver’s license in Australia. You only need to bring the original Chinese driver’s license and a copy of the translation, a credit card, then you will are able to rent a car anywhere.
Read this article and learn about how to drive in Australia with a Chinese driver’s license and the traffic rules you need to pay attention to.
Each state has different regulations on driving with an overseas driver’s license, but basically every state recognises international driver’s licenses (International Driving Permit) or overseas driver’s licenses with a translation by a certified translator.
Only temporary visa holders, including student visas, tourist visits, business visas, work visas, i.e. non-PR or citizens are allowed to drive with their original overseas driver’s licence and a copy of its Certified translation if the license is not in English.
If you are a temporary visa holder and want to drive in Australia, you have two options.
1. Driving with an International Driving Permit
If you already have an international driving permit, you can drive in Australia. However, since China is not a member of the FIA and does not recognize international driver’s licenses, this permit cannot be directly issued in mainland China. Obtaining an International Driving Permit is still possible if one applies for a Hong Kong driver’s license with a mainland China driver’s license, and then apply for an international driving permit with the Hong Kong driver’s license. There are certain criteria to be met for this process and the fee is rather high. If you just want to come to Australia for a road trip, obtaining the international might not be the best choice.
2. Driving with a Chinese driver’s licence and Certified translation
The Authority only accepts translations done by certified translators.
Aussie Translation Services can provide you with the translation, for only AUD 18.
Just contact us by
Phone: 0406 158 888 or 02 8203 299
Email: aussietranslation.com.au
WeChat: aojikefu
With the translation provided by us, you can drive all across Australia.
FAQs
1. What documents do I need to take if I’m driving with my Chinese driver’s licence?
– Bring the original Chinese driver’s licence and the original translation copy, your passport and evidence of your visa at all times while driving.
2. Can I drive if my Chinese driver’s licence has expired?
No. You must make sure the Chinese driver’s licence is valid. If the Chinese driver’s licence expires, the translation will reach expiry at the same time. The translator cannot change the period of validity of the driver’s licence, which is decided by the issuing authority only.
3. How long can I drive with my Chinese driver’s licence while holding a temporary visa?
The Northern Territory only allows temporary visa holders to drive with their overseas driver’s licence for up to three months. To drive for a period longer than that, you must apply for a local driver’s licence or an exemption. In other states/territories, temporary visa holders are allowed to drive as long as the license is valid.
4. If I already have the Learner License (L license) and the Chinese driver’s licence, which one should I use?
In this case, both driver’s licences are legal and valid, so it’s up to you. However, it is important to note that people with the learner license must drive with an L-plate which comes with more restrictions you must comply with.
5. Do I need a driver’s licence to buy a car?
No, a driver’s licence is not compulsory for purchasing a car.
6. Can I use my Chinese driver’s licence after obtaining
PR or citizenship?
After three months of holding a permanent residence visa, you cannot use the
Chinese driver’s licence. You must get an Australian driver’s licence according
to the prescribed procedures.
Read for more details at
https://ausimmi.com.au/zh-hans/traffic-licence/
Or https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/moving-to-nsw.html
Tips for driving in Australia
1.Drive with license
Drivers in Australia require a valid driver’s licence. For foreigners or temporary residents, please always drive with your license and translation in its original copies.
2.Rental vehicles
Rental vehicle companies may ask you to take a short road rules test focused towards tourist requirements, or will refer you to information for visitors provided by the local roading authority such as Roads and Maritime, or (if there is time) will take you on a brief familiarisation drive if you haven’t driven on the left before.
3.Keep left
If you want to drive in Australia – you’ll need to drive on the left-hand side. This is a significant change for most people(as seen on the map below, blue is left, red is right) and you’ll notice when jumping in the vehicle, that everything is on the opposite side. If you are new to this rule, it is best to first find a local coach and practice under supervision for a few days before driving on your own.
4.Roads are special in Australia
The road network varies greatly in type, surface and the provision of services en route. There are often very long distances between towns which have fuel, water and/or food. This can be a challenge even for experience Australian drivers. Foreign drivers must be extra careful when driving.
5.Seat belts
Seat belts must be worn by all occupants.
Children and infants must be restrained in an approved safety harnesses, capsules or booster seat, in some states up to 7 years old.
Seat belt laws are strictly enforced, and the onus is on the driver to ensure all passengers are buckled up.
Passengers 16 and over not wearing a seat belt will be fined along with the driver if caught.
6.DUI
The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% throughout Australia, with zero limits for learners and drivers with provisional licences (“P” plates) in some states.
Random alcohol and drug tests are conducted by the police. If caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first offender might expect a fine and a period of driving suspension. This is considered to be a criminal offence. Fines will generally be determined by a court, based on how high your reading is. Refusing a random breath test is also an
offence and similar penalties apply as for driving under the influence of alcohol.
7.Accidents
The penalties for leaving an accident scene can be severe.
In case of an accident involving injury or death to any person, the police and appropriate emergency response authorities must be contacted. The Australian emergency number is 000. The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident in which a person may be injured or killed is legally required to stop and render assistance. Persons rendering first aid in good faith in Australia are protected by law and are not at risk of legal action against them.
8.Speed limit
Speed limits are clearly signposted.
A default 50km/h speed limit applies in urban areas with street lights in the rare event that there is no other signposted limit.
Signposted school zones have a 40km/h limit during certain school hours, generally 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm and are signposted in NSW and VIC. These limits also apply to days in which teachers but not students attend school. It is important to be aware holidays vary from state to state so crossing borders can suddenly mean you are in a school zone. In South Australia, school zones have a 25km/h limit. In Queensland, school zones on roads with higher speed limits may also be signposted at 60km/h or 80km/h. Victoria may have 60km/h school zones on roads with higher speed limits. The Australian Capital Territory’s school zones are 40km/h but apply for the whole of the school day.
The speed limit outside the urban areas also varies between states. In Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, the default speed limit is 100km/h. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory the default speed limit is 110km/h and in the Northern Territory it can be up to 130km/h on major highways.
Speed cameras are used in all states and territories of Australia, with some states using hidden cameras, others preferring obviously placed ones. Point-to-point speed checks (over a certain distance) or aerial speed checks are also used in certain places. All police vehicles should be presumed to have speed radars. There is no defined margin of tolerance for speeding. Cameras also monitor red (stop) traffic signals.
Rental car companies often charge an administration fee if speeding or other fines are incurred and will pass your name and address to the authorities. Fine notices are invariably sent to overseas addresses. Your fine won’t generally be pursued outside Australia, but you should consider the consequences if you wish to drive in Australia in the future.
On the day before public holiday weekends and between Christmas and New Years Day, some states double their fines and demerit points due to the risk of accidents on these busy weekends.
9.Avoid Driving in CBD during peak hours
Australia’s major cities can be congested, so it’s best to avoid driving in the Central Business District (CBD) during early morning and late afternoon peak times.
10.Parking
Park on the left had side of the road well clear of all traffic.
Do not park on the opposite side (e.g. facing the oncoming traffic) as you will incur a fine.
11.Traffic signals
It is illegal to turn left on a red traffic signal unless signposted.
In some states it is illegal to do a U-turn at a traffic signal unless otherwise signed.
In Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory this move is allowed on a right arrow except where signposted.
12.Toll Roads
Some motorways, bridges, and tunnels in or near Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney require payment of tolls. Please note that all tolls can only be paid electronically with a transponder fitted inside the car – not in cash.
If renting a car in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, ask the rental company about tolls. All the major car rental companies have now partnered with NSW Road Traffic Authority to include the cost of tolls for a relatively small extra daily charge – usually about $3 per day on top of the actual toll charges – except for Hertz who will charge about $16. This scheme applies in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
13.Roundabouts
Traffic goes clockwise around a roundabout. When approaching a roundabout, you need to give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, that is, coming from your right.
The rules for all roundabouts are:
If you are turning left, signal left as you approach the roundabout and remain in the left-hand lane.
If you are going straight through, don’t signal as you approach the roundabout. You may choose any lane with an arrow pointing straight ahead. Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want to take and exit the roundabout in the same lane you are in.
If you are turning right signal right as you approach the roundabout in the right-hand lane. Signal left after the exit before the one you want to take.
On multi-lane roundabouts, arrows will be painted on the road indicating which lane you should be in for specific directions. Otherwise, just take the left lane for left, or the right lane for right, and either lane to go straight.
14.Drive in the Outback
Outside of major cities and the main routes between some state capitals, most Australian highways are two lane, undivided, sealed asphalt roads. While about 30% of Australia’s population lives in regional and rural areas, about 60% of fatal accidents occur on these roads.
Allowable speed limits are often the same as for freeways (speed limits vary between 90km/h and 110km/h), yet the conditions are more dangerous than freeways because it is dual-carriageway, there is no barrier or division from oncoming traffic, and the condition of “country” roads often falls well short of “ideal”.
Motorists need to be well prepared and self-sufficient before travelling through remote areas by fueling up (and potentially bringing extra fuel, preparing plenty of water to stay hydrated and make sure your vehicle is able to withstand extreme heat, getting a satellite phone, which can typically get reception anywhere in the world in case your cell phone can not work in remote areas, etc.
Permits can be necessary to travel through aboriginal communities and towns in certain remote areas. Most of these are in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
15.Animals and Road Kill
Australia is home to a number of large wildlife including emus, camels, horses, cattle, and kangaroos, which often wander onto the roads across the country—especially in rural areas and most of the Outback. Many accidents occur at night in these areas due to driver fatigue, and the presence of native animals which become more active in the evenings.
Some car hire firms impose a curfew on driving after sunset in Western Australia and the Northern Territory for very good reason.
Some endangered species such as cassowary are especially at risk vehicle strikes.
Try to arrive at your destination well before nightfall. If forced to travel at night, reduce your speed and remain alert.
For more Australian road rules, please read:
https://ausimmi.com.au/zh-hans/traffic-speeding/
https://ausimmi.com.au/zh-hans/traffic-no-licence/
https://ausimmi.com.au/zh-hans/traffic-signage/
http://au.china-embassy.org/chn/lsfw/zggmlsxz/lasc/P020130916345107917843.pdf
https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/licence/driver-qualification-handbook-chinese.pdf
