Australia
Driving Abroad
Last verified August 7, 2026
Written for U.S. passport holders
License Requirements
- As a temporary visitor, you can drive on your valid U.S. license for up to 6 months, as long as you remain a temporary visitor, haven't been disqualified from driving anywhere, and carry the license at all times.
- No International Driving Permit is legally required if your license is in English (a U.S. license already qualifies), though some rental companies or specific states may still ask for one anyway.
Road Basics for Americans
- Australia drives on the left side of the road, the opposite of the U.S., with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. Roundabouts flow clockwise, and it's worth consciously looking right first when crossing a street on foot, since that instinct doesn't come naturally.
- Speed limits and distances are posted in kilometers (km/h), not miles. A 100 km/h limit is about 62 mph; a 50 km/h limit, common in towns, is about 31 mph.
The Gotcha
Australia doesn't legally require an IDP for an English-language license like a U.S. one, but that's a legal minimum, not a guarantee a rental counter will actually accept your booking without one. Carrying an IDP anyway avoids an awkward argument at the pickup desk even when you're technically in the clear without it.
Sources
This page was drafted from the primary sources below. Rules change, so check the linked page directly before relying on any of this.
- Drivers Visiting Australia or New Zealand (Austroads (national transport agencies of Australia and New Zealand))