Driving Rules Guide
To have a complete understanding of NSW road rules it’s best to download the Road Users Handbook* which is available in 11 different languages from the Roads and Traffic Authority website. You may be charged large fines, or even lose your license, if you disobey the road rules.
Rules include:
- Seat beats must be worn by drivers and passengers.
- Baby capsules or child restraints must be used for all children.
- You must carry your drivers license with you. If it is in another language than English, you must also carry an English translation.
- You must drive at or below the speed limit.
- The suburban speed limit is 50 kilometres an hour.
- The speed limit around schools during the morning and afternoon is 40 km/h (during school days only).
- The speed limit on NSW highways is 100 km/h.
- The speed limit on motorways and freeways is 110 km/h.
- You must stop at stop streets and red lights. There is no side turn on red lights (different from US).
In Australia, people drive on the left side of the road in cars with a right-hand drive. It is legal to drive your left-side drive car if you decide to import it.
Parking Rules
Most areas in Sydney have parking restrictions. There are street signs to indicate what these limits are. For example, it may be one hour parking, metered or a no stopping zone after a certain time. You can pay for most metered parking with coins or a credit card.
- You cannot park near MAIL ZONES which are places were the mail trucks stop. These are clearly marked.
- You cannot park in spaces reserved for handicapped drivers. These spaces are marked.
- You must park more than 3 meters back from the cross road corner.
In case of an accident
Stay at the scene of the accident, contact the police and/or ambulance service and as wait for them to arrive, make the crash scene as safe as possible. It is a criminal offence to leave the scene of a serious accident. To contact the police, ambulance or fire brigade ring Emergency Services on 000, or 112 if you are ringing from a mobile phone. Exchange driver contact details and registration numbers.
If there are injured people, then don’t move anyone unless they are in immediate danger or require First Aid. Most accident victims choke to death rather than die of injuries so follow the “DR ABCD” of First Aid.
DRABCD:
- D – Danger. Asses the scene. Is there danger to yourself, others or casualty?
- R – Response. Asses casualty. Is the casualty conscious? Ask casualty for their name. Gently squeeze their shoulders.
- A – Airway. Open and clear airway.
- B – Breathing. Check breathing. Give initial breaths if not.
- C – CPR. Perform CPR
- D – Defilbrilator. It is unlikely you will have one of these handy but if you do and the casualty is not breathing, and you have gone through DRABC, then apply.
What to do if you have a crash http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/afteracrash/index.html
Speeding and Alcohol
Driving over the speed limit or over the alcohol limit is not tolerated. There are hefty fines and you may lose your license if you are caught. You may also endanger yourself or other people. There are speed cameras around Sydney and police conduct Random Breath Tests frequently. The legal alcohol limit is 0.05. How much you can drink before you reach this limit depends on your tolerance and when you drank. Usually more than two standard drinks over the last two hours will put you over the limit.
Resources
0.05 Alcohol Limit http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/alcoholdrugs/index.html
*Road Users Handbook http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/gettitestsdrivieduca_dl1.html
