Driving in Armenia vs. Australia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads in Armenia and Australia, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that influence their travel experience. Key differences include the side of the road on which vehicles are driven—right in Armenia and left in Australia—and varying speed limits across urban and rural areas. Understanding these unique regulations is vital for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
armenia:
Right
australia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
armenia:
Yes
australia:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
armenia:
Use rightmost lane.
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
armenia:
No
australia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
armenia:
N/A
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
australia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; may vary by area. |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
australia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
australia:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
australia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
australia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
australia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
australia:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
australia:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
australia:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
australia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
Signals
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not commonly used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
australia:
Not commonly used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
australia:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed, except where signage permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Documentation
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
australia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
australia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by state; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
australia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
armenia:
0.00%
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal right if intending to turn immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
Signaling: Exiting
armenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
armenia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 000 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Varies by state; contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
australia:
000
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay