10 Things To Know When Road Tripping Through VIC
With its remarkable wildlife, scenic sights, thrilling 4×4 campsites, and year-round appeal, Victoria is home to some of the world’s most talked-about road trips.
But before you hit the road, here are ten things to know about road-tripping through Victoria. Pack your family into the caravan, get your pet cavapoo and hit the road and enjoy the beautiful sights that Victoria has to offer.
1) Insurance In Victoria
When driving in Victoria, you are required to have a minimum of compulsory third-party personal (CTP) car insurance, also referred to as “Green Slip Insurance.” This will offer you financial protection if you injure someone else during an accident, including injuring a third party, passengers, or other drivers.
We also recommend investing in comprehensive car insurance and emergency roadside assistance from a reliable provider like Rollin Insurance. Comprehensive car coverage can be especially handy since it will cover any costs related to theft, animal accidents, and natural disasters during your trip.
2) Understand Driver’s License Rules 
You can enjoy driving on an overseas license in Victoria as long as it is valid and current. However, this applies only if you’re visiting Victoria for six months or less. If you’ve been living or will be living in Victoria for over six months, you must convert your overseas license or gain a Victorian permit.
3) Road Rules In Victoria
Every state in Australia has its own traffic laws in place, and the road rules in Victoria are pretty strict.
If you plan on exploring the long-winded Victorian roads without getting pulled over, familiarize yourself with some basic rules first. These are:
- Remember to keep on your left every time you drive. In Australia, all vehicles drive on the left side of the road.
- Wear a seat belt when traveling — it’s the law. Victoria was the very first place in the world to legislate seat belts, and this law is taken very seriously by local police. If you’re bringing your family along, make sure to put children under seven years in appropriate child restraint when traveling. Some vehicle rental companies can rent child restraints if you don’t have one.
- Don’t pick up any hitchhikers in Victoria. While you may be tempted to stop if you see someone waving at your car on the road, picking up hitchhikers is illegal and can warrant a $30 fine.
- Always park in the direction of traffic. The head of your car should be facing the direction of travel — you can get a penalty of AU$165 if you park the other way.
- Don’t honk unless it’s absolutely necessary — Australia has a nationwide ban on needless honking.
- Always lock up your car and roll up your windows when away from your rental. This is a road safety rule, but it also keeps curious wildlife from exploring your vehicle when your back is turned!
4) Watch Out For Wildlife
When exploring the wonders of nature Victoria has to offer, make sure to pay attention to animals crossing the road, especially if you’re driving in the countryside.
Wildlife, such as kangaroos and koalas, can often be spotted on the roads near dawn and dusk, so try to avoid driving at these times. If you absolutely must drive, slow down to 20 km/h on dark country roads and always keep your headlights on.
5) Be Conscious Of Other Drivers
Remember to be conscious of other drivers on the road. If a breathtaking view is making you drive slowly, pull over! Park your car where it is safe, have a few minutes’ break to take in your surroundings, and let faster traffic pass by.
Also, use passing lanes or slow vehicle turnouts wherever possible, and never cross a solid white line on your side of the center line.
6) Look Out For Road Signs
You must obey all road signs and markings. These can keep you out of possible danger and let you know what the road conditions are. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic road signs in Victoria (such as speed limit and pedestrian crossing signs) as you will face penalties for disobeying them. Your road trip can quickly become expensive if you don’t pay attention!
You may also spot unique road signs depicting kangaroos or cows getting close to cars, and signs letting you know of any trams, dips, or movable bridges ahead of you. Just follow the directions indicated, and you’ll be good to go.
7) Never Drive Under The Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous. In Victoria, it is illegal to drive under the influence of any drug, and with a blood alcohol concentration limit of over 0.05% for fully-licensed drivers. There are severe penalties for going against this law, including hefty fines, jail time, and license suspension.
You can be given a penalty for:
- Driving when impaired by a drug
- Failing a roadside drug test
- Refusing to submit to a drug test/impairment test by Victorian Police
The police have the power to immediately suspend your license if you’re charged with drug-driving/drunk-driving offenses. This suspension will last until your charges have been decided in court.
8) Avoid Distractions When Driving
It is against Victorian law to use a handheld mobile phone when driving, so keep your full concentration on the road, and avoid distractions such as phone calls, texts, or phone use. If you absolutely must send a text or make a call, pull over in a safe place to do so.
9) Prepare For The Road Tolls
If you’re driving through highways on your road trip, you may notice that there are a lot of toll roads but no toll booths to collect cash. This is because all Victorian toll roads are electronically tagged.
There are two ways to pay your toll. If you’re using a rental car, check if it has an electronic tolling device installed. If yes, the car hire company will likely charge the toll to your overall bill. If there is no tolling device, you must pay the fee online within 24 hours of passing the toll. Breeze or Eastlink websites can be used to pay your tolls, click here for more information.
10) Allow Extra Time
You should allow extra time on Victorian roads if you are planning a road trip, as your journey may take longer than expected. The roads have varying conditions and can be narrow and winding, which can add to your travel time. So plan ahead and map out your trip beforehand, allowing extra time to reach your destination. Good luck!
