📌Before driving in Australia ⚠️
Driving overseas is for sure different from what we are used to in Singapore, but these 3 norms are too shocking 😮 to not share!
❌ Do not drive anything less than 5km/h on the highway limit on ALL lanes, unless you want to get tailgated or flashed.
🫡 BUT you still must keep to the limit strictly because it is heavily enforced in Aussie.
❌ Do not expect to complete a discretionary right turn as easily on the green light. 🚦 Oncoming vehicles zoom by continuously on most roads.
😬 At the start, I found myself stuck at the awkward middle of the road when the light turned red. Then the person behind me horned me, I took the leap of faith, and went. After, I started noticing that the first car would usually still turn after the red light comes on. But first car only ah!
❌ Do not expect to go toll free during off peak timings because their toll roads are 24/7. And unlike the ERP, it’s charged based on distance travelled and prices are exorbitant 😥
😅 In my first month here, I raked up about $100 in tolls. Depending on my entry and exit points, I was charged between $8-14 for each journey. So, please set your GPS to ‘avoid tollways’.
🌟 As for the infamous hook turns, they are only found in Melbourne CBD and they aren’t too bad. Just follow the sign, and turn on red. Not all right turns are Hooks, so gotta keep your eyes peeled in the CBD!
Driving in Australia as a Singaporean definitely requires adjusting some habits, especially when it comes to lanes and speed. One key insight I've gained is that on Australian highways, all lanes are expected to move at the speed limit — even trucks and long vehicles don't slow down in the leftmost lane. This is very different from Singapore, where slower vehicles tend to stick to the left and faster ones overtake on the right. It took me some time to get used to being tailgated if I drove too slowly in any lane, but once I understood this norm, driving became less stressful. Another tricky aspect is discretionary right turns on green lights. Unlike Singapore, where oncoming traffic pauses briefly to allow turns, Australian traffic often flows constantly. At first, I hesitated and got stuck in the middle of the road while waiting to turn, which led to honking from the driver behind. I learned that if you're the first vehicle waiting to turn, you should proceed even when the light changes to red, as oncoming traffic will stop only on the red light. This leap of faith felt awkward initially but made navigating intersections much smoother. Toll roads are another surprise. Unlike Singapore's ERP zones that charge only during peak hours, Australian tolls run 24/7 and fees are based on distance traveled, making toll charges quite expensive. I accumulated about $100 in toll fees during my first month alone, with single trips costing between $8 to $14 depending on the entry and exit points. To save money, I highly recommend setting your GPS to avoid tollways whenever possible. Lastly, the infamous hook turns in Melbourne's CBD are unique but manageable with a bit of attention. They require turning right from the left lane and waiting for a specific signal. These are not common everywhere and only appear in Melbourne's city center, so it’s good to watch for signs and adapt accordingly. Adapting to these Australian driving norms took some time, but now I feel more confident navigating the roads here compared to my first days. For fellow Singaporeans planning to drive in Australia, understanding these differences will help you drive safer and more comfortably.
