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f you plan to migrate to Australia from Nigeria or spend a few months there on a visit, owing or renting a personal car could be a strong option for you to consider.

This is for obvious reasons. Most of the country’s locations are only accessible by car. More so, Australia is a spacious country with long distances connecting the cities with remote areas. So, the fastest way to get into the city is by using a private car. Plus, it affords you comfort and convenience.

However, it’s not entirely easy to drive in Australia, especially as a new Immigrant from Nigeria. The country’s driving rules largely differ from what obtains in Nigeria. For instance, the madness drivers exhibit on the Nigerian roads and the loose traffic rules that operate in the country do not happen in Australia. There, you must know and drive according to the rules, else, you risk facing the wrath of its laws.

Indeed, driving and traffic rules in Australia can be confusing to you as a newbie when you migrate to Australia from Nigeria for the first time. Simple things like driving on either the right or left side of the lanes can throw you off balance. The reason is simple; you are used to driving from the left-handed side of the driver’s seat in Nigeria. So, you’ll find it a little difficult to acclimate in Australia where you’ll mostly operate from the right-handed side. Traffic rules and road patterns are equally areas that can give you challenges

Driving Requirements to Meet When You Migrate from Nigeria to Australia

Good thing, you can drive in Australia with your Nigerian driver’s license. The rule only applies to migrants whose license is in English. But you’re allowed for only a three-month period. And if your license doesn’t have a passport photograph, you’ll have to take another means of identification that bears your photo along.

So, these are the requirements to drive for the first time include:

A valid driver's license or your International Driving Permit
. This must be in English. 
You should have at least a compulsory third party personal (CTP) car insurance.
Driving Rules in Australia You Must Observe

Before you hit the road in Australia, please, ensure you've familiarized yourself with the country's traffic rules. Unless you want to get the attention of the law enforcement agency in the country.

Traffic rules in Australia differ across the states. A sure thing is that you’ll always drive on the left side of the road regardless of where you’re in the country.

That notwithstanding, each location has its own distinct traffic rules that guide driving there – a little more like what obtains in Nigeria.

Here Are The Common General Driving Rules in Australia.

Traffic Always on the Right Side: Unlike in Nigeria, most of the cars in Australia come with the driver’s seat on the right side. This may prove strange and discomforting at first. However, you need to develop the consciousness of it.

So, while you prepare to migrate to Australia from Nigeria, bear in mind that the traffic ahead will be on the ride of your lane and look towards it.

Stay on the left side of the lane: You should stay on the left-hand side of the road even after you turn.

Mind the Speed Limits: Over-speeding in Australia is illegal, don’t joke with it. You can’t speed more than 50 to 60 kilometres in an hour. This is between 31 and 35 miles each hour. On the highways, you must not exceed 100 to 110 kilometres per hour or 62 to 68 meters per hour.

See Sign-posts before you make a U-turn: In Nigeria, people make U-turn at nearly every "T-Junction", right? Well, you should leave that lawless habit in Nigeria.

Unless you see a sign that allows you to turn at an intersection, don’t do it. It’s an offence in most of the states except in Victoria and the country’s capital.s

Slow and Fast Lanes: When you’re on a road that has two lanes or more and you are moving a little slower, you should stay in the left lane. The right lane is only when you want to pass.

Driving after taking Alcohol: A few things that are tolerated in Nigeria are serious crimes in Australia. Intoxication with alcohol is one of them. If you drive with over 0.05% alcohol in your blood, you will be exposing yourself to the suspicion and confrontation of the officials. It’s a serious offence to drink-drive in the country.

You’re wondering how they’d know the alcohol level in your blood? Wait until you’re caught first.

Don’t Make a Left Turn on Red: Don’t turn to the left at the red light if you don’t see any sign that allows you to do so.

Observe your Fuel level: Because of how spacious Australia is, you need to prepare yourself on each journey. Most of the petrol stations are far from each other. Also, it’s often difficult to find fuel stations open at night and early in the morning in most of the rural areas – even on Sundays sometimes. So, try to fill up your tank for your journey, especially within the rural areas.

Don’t worry, there’s no traffic law against having a low tank. But the least experience you’ll want to have in Australia is having your car breakdown in the middle of your journey.

Should You Encounter any Emergency: Reach the police in such situations. The emergency dial of the country is 000. There’s an emergency contact to reach in case you encounter a car breakdown, accident, and other emergency situations.

Bonus

It’s not the end of the journey when you migrate to Australia from Nigeria. In fact, it’s the beginning of it. You start a whole new unlearning and learning process. You have to flush out a whole lot of habits and lifestyles that obtain in Nigeria. They’re nearly the opposite of what obtains in developed countries like Australia.

At Travelwahala, we conduct orientation for Nigerian migrants to get them acquainted with the life in Australia and other select travel destinations they’re moving to. That could just be all you need to kick-start a whole new journey of your life in Australia.

https://travelwahala.com/driving-in-australia-all-you-should-know-if-you-want-to-migrate-to-australia-from-nigeria/

A big no no. some of the stuff he posted here is incorrect.
1. After 3 months you cannot drive with your international licence or you will risk getting fines always or loose licence when converting it to Australia licence.

2. Every state has its own rules and regulations that abides in it. For instance, in Victoria, you can't turn on red light or risk getting a red light camera which is 3 point demerit point taken out of you. But in Sydney, it's different. Turn on a red light when safe to do so, but they're still red cameras and speed cameras everywhere.

3. It's not easy getting into the city by driving especially on the weekend and even during the weekdays. You have to look for car parking if you're staying for long or not. It's difficult to find a spot. on top of that, they will make you pay for it from hours you gonna be in the city and it costs a bit. Well, if you have the money to spend you can park the whole day or week. In fact, if the hours you have paid for is expired and not coming back for it in time, expect to get a fine. Public transport is better than owning a car in Australia, trust me ain't easy at all.

4. For those of you who want to migrate to Australia please, research very very well before making a trip down under. It's a very beautiful country but meuhhhh. you can make it but all depends on individual and it takes time which you have to expect to pay a lot of bills and working hard too. Expect a lot of fines too. if you're wise enough you won't get any at all. and most of all it, please obey the laws it's not Nigeria that is lawless.

5. Dialling 000 is for emergencies only life-threatening issues only. Not for your car breaking down, there are insurance companies that deal with your cars. For an instant, if you're fully comprehensive insured. you're covered with road assist and etc.

6. Don't drink and drive it's a big offence. When you get caught you will lose it at least who knows how many years or risk disqualified from driving for good. Some people risk it but it's not worth losing your licence. There's random breath test on the road and you will never know where they will be hiding waiting for you. Inside life in Australia, if you know no you no go know. Cheers!