Can i drive in europe with an australian license

If you are pulled over by police whilst driving in Europe, you may be fined for not holding a valid IDP if that particular country requires foreign drivers to present one. See the comment by Suzanne below. According to the RACV website , failure to hold an International Driving Permit can result in exclusion from your travel insurance policy for a loss caused whilst driving overseas. If you plan to drive in Europe without an IDP, I strongly recommend you check the conditions of your travel insurance regarding this.

Further reading: Are there toll roads in Europe? The International Driving Permit will be posted to you once it has been issued. Getting your IDP is as simple as visiting your local motoring organisation outlet. IDPs can also be purchased online refer to the section above. If you're travelling from Singapore to Malaysia, wait until you're in Malaysia to rent a car — you'll get a better deal.

Singapore has a private car rental scheme which allows car owners to hire out their vehicles on weekends and public holidays. The owner is responsible for making sure the car is insured, and the driver must meet the minimum age and licence requirements on the insurance policy. It's illegal for car hire agencies to offer these kinds of rentals, but they have been known to do it. If a rental price seems too good to be true, check that it's not a privately owned vehicle and ask to see the insurance certificate.

As with everything else in Singapore, most drivers follow the rules — or else they face hefty fines and jail time. You'll need an International Driving Permit as well as your Australian licence if you're in the country for fewer than 90 days. Any longer than 90 days and you'll need to apply for a local licence.

Although congestion can be quite bad at times, peninsular Malaysia is covered by a network of good quality roads. The roads in East Malaysia aren't as well maintained, and many areas are inaccessible by car. Car hire is available at most airports, cities and towns from Avis, Hertz and a range of local companies.

Thailand's roads are the most dangerous on earth according to a report by World Atlas, with an average of You'll need an international licence in Thailand — some hire car companies may not rent to you without one, plus you run the risk of being fined by police or negating your insurance. Car hire is available from major airports, cities and tourist centres.

It's a good idea to book with a well-known international car hire company as they're likely to be easier to deal with if you get into a dispute. Make sure you and the vehicle are properly insured through your travel insurance and through the insurance offered by the car hire company. Before you pay extra fees for vehicle insurance, check to see if you're already covered by your travel insurance for the same clauses.

Book with a well-known international car hire company as they're likely to be easier to deal with if you get into a dispute. Motorcycle and scooter hire is easy to find on the street in tourist areas. Most vendors are local small businesses and they may not check your licence you'll need an international motorcycle licence , offer you a helmet it's the law or any kind of insurance if you crash, you'll probably have to pay for damages.

You need a local licence to drive in Vietnam, so self-drive holidays aren't possible for most visitors. However, you can hire a car with a driver, which doesn't cost as much as you might think. Try to find a driver who speaks a little English. Travel agencies and hotels can find someone for you, or better yet, ask other travellers for a trusted recommendation.

If you're happy with your driver's service, make sure you tip them. Don't get too annoyed if your driver makes a pit stop at their "favourite" shop.

They're probably being paid a commission to bring you in, but you should never feel obliged to buy anything you don't want. You'll need an International Driving Permit as well as your Australian licence. Japan has an extensive network of good quality roads that are relatively safe and easy to navigate. Congestion and expensive parking, countered by cheap and easy public transport, makes driving unappealing in cities, but it's worth considering if you're venturing out of town.

Although Japan has an excellent public transport system, you may want to consider hiring a car if you're travelling to rural areas or want more freedom to explore. Budget, Avis and Hertz also operate in Japan, but they generally act as agents for the local companies, so their rates will probably be no better. They will, however, be easier to communicate with in English. Car hire isn't an option for most tourists, since you need a local licence to drive in China. Create a personalised content profile.

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By David Kelly. David Kelly. David A. Kelly is a business travel writer, member of the American Society of Travel Writers, and author of two children's book series.

TripSavvy's editorial guidelines. Fact checked by Jillian Dara.