May 15, 2024 | Written By: Aries Car Rental Team | Rental Tips

For many travelers, renting a car in a new country is exciting but challenging, especially when you must adjust to left-hand driving, common in Western Australia. If you are used to right-hand driving, switching sides can be difficult. This blog provides practical tips to help you drive safely and confidently on Western Australian roads, ensuring a smooth driving experience during your visit.

Tips for Driving With Your Rental on the Left-Hand Side in Western Australia:

Adjust Your Driving Instincts for Left-Hand Traffic
Familiarise Yourself with the Rental Vehicle
Learn to Navigate Intersections and Roundabouts Confidently
Understanding Local Road Rule
Use the Driver’s Seat Technique
Prepare for Left-Side Exits
Rent an Automatic Car

1. Adjust Your Driving Instincts for Left-Hand Traffic

Driving on the ‘other’ side of the road isn’t just about the physical act of driving; it’s about rewiring instinctual responses developed over years. Key instincts, like checking for oncoming traffic from a specific direction, need careful modification.

Before you arrive in Western Australia, try this exercise: Sit in a stationary car and practice looking into your mirrors and over your shoulder into what would be the oncoming traffic side in Australia. This mental rehearsal can help ease the transition once you’re on the road.

2. Familiarise Yourself with the Rental Vehicle

Before you start your journey, spend some time getting used to the car’s layout, which might feel unfamiliar. Here are practical steps to follow:

Our East Checklist:

Driver’s Seat: It’s on the right side of the car.
Gear Stick: Located to your left.
Vehicle Controls: Everything is mirrored compared to what you’re used to.

Action Steps Before You Drive:

Adjust the Mirrors: Sit in the driver’s seat and adjust all mirrors to ensure full visibility.
Familiarise with Controls: Locate the indicators, wipers, headlights, and other important controls.
Practice: Before driving on public roads, take a few minutes in a parking lot to practice starting, stopping, and using the gear stick with your left hand.

This preparation will help you feel more comfortable and control the vehicle more confidently.

3. Learn to Navigate Intersections and Roundabouts Confidently

Navigating traffic in a new driving context requires special attention, especially at intersections and roundabouts, where the flow of traffic is the opposite of what many international drivers are used to. Below, you’ll find specific advice for tackling these areas safely.

Navigating Intersections

Intersections may pose a challenge due to the reversed traffic flow.

Practical Tips:

Study Visual Guides: Use online interactive guides or videos that demonstrate how to approach and cross intersections in Western Australia. These visual tools can clarify when and how to yield, stop, or proceed at intersections.
Practice Makes Perfect: Initially, try to practice at less busy intersections or during times when traffic is lighter. This can help you get used to the rules without the pressure of heavy traffic.

Navigating Roundabouts

Roundabouts can be confusing due to their circular layout and the need to give way to the right.

Practical Tips:

Interactive Learning: Check out video demonstrations that focus specifically on roundabouts in Western Australia. Understanding the visual cues and rules can significantly boost your confidence.
Observe and Learn: Before you drive, watch how local drivers navigate roundabouts. Pay attention to lane choices and yielding rules.
Start Off-Peak: Try driving through roundabouts during off-peak hours to build your comfort and skill without the stress of busy traffic.

By following these guidelines and utilising interactive resources, you can better adapt to driving in Western Australia and handle intersections and roundabouts with greater ease.

4. Understanding Local Road Rule

Driving safely in Western Australia requires knowing the correct local driving laws, especially for tourists used to right-hand driving. Here’s what you need to know when driving a rental car:

Important Road Rules and Tips:

Overtaking: In Australia, you should overtake on the right side, not the left. Make sure the way is clear and that overtaking is allowed.
Emergency Vehicles: When you see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights or hear a siren, it’s required that you slow down and move to the left if it is safe to do so, to give them the right of way.
Mobile Phone Use: Holding a mobile phone while driving is illegal. Always use a hands-free system if you need to operate your phone while driving.
Navigation Preparedness: Set up your GPS or mapping device before you start your journey to avoid distractions.
WA Road Rules Website: Visit the WA Road Rules website for comprehensive and detailed road rules. This can be crucial for understanding finer legal nuances and updates to driving laws.

5. Use the Driver’s Seat Technique

The Driver’s Seat Technique is a simple but effective method for helping drivers who are used to right-hand driving adjust to driving on the left side of the road in Western Australia. This technique focuses on the driver’s seat position as a point of reference to help maintain proper lane orientation.

Explanation of the Driver’s Seat Technique:

Position Awareness: In countries where you drive on the left, the driver’s seat is positioned on the right side of the car. This shift can be disorienting for drivers from right-hand driving countries. The technique involves using the driver’s seat’s location as a constant reminder of your new position on the road.
Lane Orientation: Since you are seated on the right, the center of the road will also be on your right, opposite of what you are used to. This mental cue helps prevent drifting into the wrong lane.

Applying the Technique in Real-Life Scenarios:

Merging and Lane Changes: When merging onto highways or changing lanes, especially in heavy traffic, remind yourself that the driver’s side is now closer to the center of the road. This helps in making safer lane choices and maintaining proper alignment with traffic.
Navigating Turns: Use the driver’s seat position to gauge how far you are from the curb on left-hand turns, reducing the risk of cutting corners too closely or swinging too wide.

When you consistently apply the Driver’s Seat Technique, you can enhance your spatial awareness and adapt more quickly to driving on the left side of the road, reducing common errors and increasing safety.

6. Prepare for Left-Side Exits

When driving in Western Australia, remember that exits are on the left side of the road, unlike in countries with right-hand driving. To manage exits safely, plan your route in advance and start moving to the left-hand lanes well before your exit.

Use your indicators early to signal your intentions, and check your mirrors and blind spots as you change lanes. Reduce your speed according to exit lane guidelines, and steer smoothly into the exit. Practicing these steps in less busy areas can help you become more comfortable with left-side exits.

7. Rent an Automatic Car

For overseas travellers used to driving on the right side, choosing an automatic transmission is recommended:

Ease of Use: Automatic cars simplify driving, allowing you to focus on adjusting to driving on the left side of the road.
Right-Hand Steering: With the steering wheel on the right side, using an automatic transmission avoids the need to adjust to shifting gears with your non-dominant hand.
Reduced Physical Effort: Automatic cars require less physical effort, beneficial when adapting to a new driving environment, like long drives or city traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries drive on the left side of the road?

Approximately 85 countries and territories drive on the left side of the road. Key examples include the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Other nations with left-hand driving are Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and Ireland. This practice is also common in various Caribbean and Pacific island nations like Jamaica and Fiji. Visitors from these areas will find driving in Perth familiar, as it follows similar traffic rules.

Is it harder to drive on the left hand side than the right hand side?

Whether it’s harder to drive on the left-hand side of the road compared to the right-hand side largely depends on what you’re accustomed to.

If you’ve always driven on the right, switching to the left can initially feel challenging due to the need to adjust to a different set of rules and vehicle orientation. However, with a bit of practice and attentiveness, many drivers adapt quickly.

Key differences include the position of the driver in the vehicle, the side of the road you’ll be driving on, and where you’ll expect to see oncoming traffic, which can all affect your initial comfort level.

Can I use an overseas driver’s license in Perth?

Yes, you can use a valid overseas driver’s license to drive in Perth and the rest of Western Australia. However, there are a few conditions to note:

Your overseas license must be current and not suspended or disqualified in any country.
You must carry your overseas license with you at all times while driving.
If your license is not in English, it’s required that you also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation.

These rules apply as long as you remain a temporary overseas visitor. If you gain permanent resident status or stay in Western Australia for more than three months, you may need to apply for a local driver’s license.

By learning and applying these driving strategies, you’ll not only stay safe but also feel more confident as you navigate through Perth and the wider regions of Western Australia. These tips are designed to help you adapt quickly, making your trip both enjoyable and memorable. Drive safely, and make the most of your adventures in Western Australia!

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Essential Guide to Left-Hand Driving in Western Australia for Overseas Tourists