Driving in United States
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Your Australian licence is accepted in every state for short visits. An International Driving Permit isn't legally required, but some hire companies and a few states prefer one — it's cheap insurance against an argument at the counter.
What Australian drivers need to know
- Right turns on a red light are legal in most states unless signed otherwise.
- Four-way stop signs are common — first to arrive goes first.
- Hire car insurance is not included the way it is in Australia. Check whether your travel insurance or credit card covers the collision damage waiver before you accept the counter offer.
- Toll roads often bill by plate; ask the hire company how tolls are charged.
Insurance warning. Australian travel insurance policies exclude claims from driving or riding without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country. A car licence does not cover a scooter — hiring one in United States without a motorcycle class on your Australian licence means an accident is entirely uninsured.
More United States essentials
United States driving FAQs
Can I drive in the US on my Australian licence?
Yes. Your current Australian licence is accepted for short visits in all states. An International Driving Permit isn't required, though carrying one avoids occasional disputes at hire car counters.
Watching United States?
We'll email you when entry rules or prices change for Australians travelling to United States.