Australia is a land that has been built on the strength of tourism, and it's no surprise that hordes of people endure a marathon flight each year so they can get to see what the fuss is all about 'down under'. Many Americans choose to jump across the Pacific, and you may be one of these individuals. Perhaps you're planning your first visit and are looking forward to what you will find. Of course, you will definitely need to hire a rental car when you arrive, especially if you're going to see some of those iconic sights. However, you will need to prepare carefully for the driving experience, especially as it may not be something that you are familiar with.
The Right Side—or the Wrong Side?
Remember, Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road; consequently, the steering wheel is to be found on the right. This has much to do with the fact that Australia used to be a British colony and mirrors the driving standards there, but it will take a lot of getting used to in your case.
Practising
When you first pick up your hire car, you may like to drive around in an empty car park (or parking lot as you might call it), just to get used to the strange feeling. Always have your wits about you when you finally take to the public road, and if you have a passenger on board, enlist them to help you become aware of your surroundings.
Look the Other Way
If you are on a two-lane road then you will, of course, need to overtake on the right, so you have to be wary of traffic that could be in the blind spot over your right shoulder. When you get to your first roundabout, remember that the rule here is clockwise, so you'll have to give way to traffic that comes from the right. When you get to a T-junction, you also need to yield to any traffic from that direction. By the way, you may not be able to turn against a red traffic light after slowing down, as this practice may not be allowed.
Be Wary
If you pull into a roadside cafe for lunch, be especially aware when you jump back in the car to continue your journey. This is the time when most accidents happen, as a foreign driver can sometimes rejoin the wrong carriageway on a two-lane road, especially if there are no other vehicles around at that moment.
Getting Ready
Make sure that you ask the attendant at the pickup desk for some further advice if you're not sure. Otherwise, have a blast on your way to see sights like the iconic Ayers Rock.
For more information, contact a car hire service.
