Rum & Dal

Transport in the centre of Melbourne is great and you’re better off using public transport than driving. However if you love your car and can’t survive without it, like most of us then you’ll need to get yourself a licence for the state you’ll be driving in. Driving licences apply to states here and not Australia as a whole.

Currently you can drive in Victoria for a maximum of three months on your full UK driving licence. We decided to get a licence eligible for driving in Victoria for two reasons. One, we’ll need one sooner than later. Two, it’s a popular form of identification.

The government agency responsible for all motor issues within Victoria is called Vic Roads, UK’s equivalent to DVLA.  (you can get to Vic Roads via the tram, number 01 or 08 on Lygon Street)

An appointment is required when applying for a licence. You are requested to complete a basic form and provide your passport, Australian bank card, proof of address and your UK licence. The appointment takes about 15 minutes which includes having a photograph taken and the issuing of a new Victoria licence. You have an option to validate your licence for three years or ten for which a fee is charged.

OK so let me tell you about the sign you see above.  In Melbourne, the hook turn allows both the clear passage of trams (which are common in Melbourne) and prevents right-turning drivers from having to wait or check that there are no trams crossing the driver’s path. In the central city, cars are generally not allowed to travel on tram lanes (although it is allowed in the suburbs), so dedicated right-turn lanes are not possible.

The manoeuvre also allows the passage of traffic wishing to continue straight ahead unobstructed. Assuming there is no tram line and the hook turn is not used, drivers who wish to travel straight ahead at an intersection must enter the left-turning lane and continue straight past the right-turning traffic (and may need to merge back into the right lane if the intersection leads to a road which has one lane partially reserved for parking). Inconsistently such a rule is not found, for example, in other cites with trams, such as, Toronto Canada, where they simply halt left turning cars (note that in Canada motorists drive on the right) to allow the passage of streetcars (trams), even though cities in Canada have a wide and well planned street layout, as does Melbourne. This is because right (curb) turns on red lights are permitted in Canada and hook turns would create too many turning conflicts on busy downtown streets in Toronto

If you are used to driving on the left side of the road then driving in Australia will not be a problem.  Be careful and drive safe