If you’re going to Australia for vacation it’s likely that you’ll be there for more than just a day or two, for an effective holiday halfway around the world you’ll need at least a week or more to have the full experience after you’ve recovered from the exceedingly long journey. Odds are, if you’re there for a week or ten days that you’ll have plenty of plans for fun things to do during your stay, most of which will probably require further travel of some variety.

Taxis are an expensive way to get around while you’re on vacation, especially if you’re going to be there for a while – if the event of a longer vacation it will save you a pretty substantial amount of money to rent a car and drive yourself where you need to get, but will you legally be able to rent a car in Australia, or any other country for that matter, without a valid drivers license in that country? Not many people know the answer to this question, but it could be crucial information to the overall success of your vacation to another country.

Some people think that simply having a valid driver’s license from anywhere in the US will be enough to allow them to rent a car and drive in a foreign country, but the truth is that many foreign countries don’t recognize a US driver’s license. If you thought that simply having a valid license in the US was going to be enough, don’t despair – just having a valid license in good standing may be enough to get you the documentation that you need to be able to drive and rent automobiles in Australia as well as in other countries.

In order to be able to drive in Australia you need what is known as an International Driver’s Permit, or an IDP. An IDP will give you the legal ability to operate a motor vehicle in more than one hundred and fifty foreign nations, of which Australia is one. You can get all of the information that you need regarding the application process and actually obtaining your IDP from either AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance, both of which are designated as authorized issuers by the US State Department.

Though obtaining an IDP is relatively easy, you do need to have a valid US driver’s license to obtain one and an IDP will not replace your US driver’s license – it will merely act as a supplement that allows you to operate a motor vehicle in another country.

If you are a frequent traveler or if you just want to maximize the experience you have during the times that you do travel, looking for a taxi is not always the best or most economical option. Having a rental car that you can freely and legally operate whenever you need to for whatever reason is the epitome of convenience and in many countries the only way to be able to operate a motor vehicle is by having an International Driver’s Permit.

Going through the simple process of obtaining your IDP at one of the many local offices of AAA or the American Automobile Touring alliance is much easier and more convenient than having to try and fight for a taxi every time you want to travel farther than what is considered a safe walking distance in many foreign countries. If you love to travel, it makes perfect sense to obtain an IDP before you leave on your journey – even if you aren’t sure that you’ll be renting a car when you arrive a your destination just having the security of knowing that you can if you need to will make going through the very simple process of obtaining one worth it.

If you are planning a trip to Australia, the best way to appreciate the vast and stunning scenery is with a car rental. A car is the most practical way of taking in all that the country has to offer. When renting a car in Australia, you not only have to follow all of the traffic laws, but you must be aware of the road tolls that you will most likely encounter.

There are a number of road tolls in Australia. One is required to pay any where from $1.50 to around $8.00 at a toll. When it comes to renting a car, one is responsible for road toll fees. All rental car companies provide written information to customers explaining toll road procedures and how they make payments. In most cases, car renters who fail to pay at the road tolls will have their credit card debited the amount that they owe. There may also be a fine and other fees such as administration charges.

There are a number of methods one can use to pay at road tolls. The following lists a payment options one can use at a road toll:

E-Tags: These tags are electronic ‘tags’ that record a car travelling through a road toll. The E-Tags are read by sensors at the toll points and the driver’s toll account is debited the toll fee. This payment method permits drivers to pass through the toll without stopping. Electronic tags can be used on all road tolls. When approaching a toll, look for the lanes marked with the red and yellow ‘E’ symbol.

When it comes to rental cars, a company will attach E-Tags to all of their cars. When you return the rental car, you are charged for the tolls that you have used. You can also purchase pre-paid tag accounts. When the pre-paid to balance drops to a specified amount, the toll account is replenished. The tag provider will use your credit card to add funds to the account. If you drive on a road toll without a sensor, a photo is taken of your vehicle’s plate number. You will normally have a day to pay before you are fined.

Cash: You can pay cash at the majority of toll roads. There are a few exceptions so make sure you know where they are before travelling. The rental car agency will give you more information. The exceptions to cash payments use electronic methods of payment. As well, some toll booths only accept the exact amount of the toll. If you have the cash, look for signs stating ‘auto’ or ‘exact toll.’ If you don’t have the exact toll amount, look for the booths marked ‘change.’ There is now a trend of converting toll roads to a fully electronic format so the cash payment tolls will slowly be disappearing.

Pass: A ‘Pass’ is a contractual agreement between a driver and a toll provider to travel on specific toll roads. This method is a good option for the electronic toll roads. Cameras at toll points photograph your licence plate number and your toll account is debited.

Driving in Australia is an experience one will never forget. The vast open spaces, astounding scenery, and charming towns, can only be enjoyed in person. A car is the best way to travel from one tourist attraction to another. Being prepared for Australian road tolls will make your driving experience much more enjoyable. If you rent a car while visiting Australia, make sure that you ask the rental company about securing a payment method for all road tolls.

Read what traveler Stuart Cheese experienced: One of the perks of my job is experiencing the many ways to travel from place to place around the world.

I have ridden a camel at speed through the desert, which once I had learned to be at one with the beast was a wonderful experience. I believe that when visiting far off places then you should try things that maybe you would not do at home knowing that the people that observe you making a fool of yourself will never see you again.

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