How strict are Australian speed limits?
Speed limits are enforced in all areas of the country. Tolerance is about 6 km/h in urban areas and 9 km/h on highways depending on regulations of respective state such that driver driving on or below the tolerance speed will not receive a ticket.
Speeding fines
You can be fined: 10 penalty units for driving less than 35 km/hour over the speed limit. 15 penalty units for driving at 35 km/hour or more but less than 45 km/hour over the speed limit. 20 penalty units for driving 45 km/hour or more over the speed limit.
There are no police patrolling the majority of this remote highway and until the end of 2006 there was no speed limit outside towns and other built-up areas on the Northern Territory part. The unrestricted limit has now been generally set at 130 kilometres per hour (80 mph).
The speed limit must take into account the standard and condition of the road, the function the road performs and level of safety to all road users, traffic volumes and the environment. Many roads in Australia subject to the default speed limit (i.e. 100 km/h) are not safe for a speed limit that high.
For serious speeding offences, you may have your licence suspended or disqualified for a period of time. NSW Police can issue a licence suspension at the roadside if you are caught speeding by more than 45km/h over the speed limit.
Reducing the road toll on NSW roads is the RTA's key objective. It is estimated that speeding related crashes cost the NSW community over $900M each year in costs to health, emergency services and lost income. Fines from speeding are substantially less than the cost to the community.
Speeding is the biggest killer on Australian roads, and accounts for many of our country's fatalities and serious injuries. Before you get behind the wheel it's essential to be aware of the risks involved.
The highest speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h), which is posted on a single stretch of tollway in exurban areas outside Austin, Texas. The lowest maximum speed limit in the country is 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) in American Samoa.
As of 2018 the highest posted speed limit in the world is 160 km/h (99 mph), applied on two motorways in the UAE.
Only one state, Montana, is left unspoiled with no daytime speed limit.
Are police allowed to speed in Australia?
This means that the police are lawfully allowed to speed, drive through red lights and do other acts which would ordinarily be a traffic offence. They can also use mobile phones while driving and not wear a seat-belt. Importantly, however, they can only drive like this if they are performing their duties.
More than a year after opening, the roadway has no posted speed limits. But that doesn't mean drivers can drive as fast as they want. AUSTIN, Texas — The new US 183 South toll road runs from U.S. 290 East to Texas 71 near the Austin airport.

Driving too fast is the single biggest contributor to death and injury on NSW roads. Speeding consistently contributes to around 41 per cent of road fatalities and 24 per cent of serious injuries each year. This means almost 150 lives lost and 1,270 people seriously injured each year.
Drivers everywhere know they can be fined for speeding, but motorists can also be potentially fined for driving too slowly. Driving too far below the speed limit is an offence as it can be considered obstructing the path of other road users.
It's a rule which very few Australians seem to have heard of. No matter where you drive here, the right hand lane will almost always be your slowest route and the left, the quickest.
“You must not exceed 40km/h when passing the vehicle and not increase your speed until a safe distance from the scene,” the law states.
8.6% of our Australian survey participants have received a speeding fine in the last 12 months.
An infringement notice for drink driving, drug driving or excessive speeding (25 km/h or more over the speed limit) will be recorded on your driving record, and might be recorded on your criminal (police) record, as an 'infringement conviction'.
The Autobahn: Germany's Highway with No Speed Limit. The autobahn, Germany.
The Isle of Man is the only jurisdiction without a general speed limit on rural two-lane roads.
Does Australia drive like America?
Learn the local road rules
However, one major difference is driving on the right-hand side of the road. Your steering wheel will be positioned on the left, an unfamiliar arrangement for many Australians. Overtake other vehicles to their left, and always use your indicators.
Australians drive on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles have the steering wheel on their right side. Around 70% of Australian cars are automatic transmission. When hiring a car, manual transmission (stick-shift) is generally only offered as an option for the cheapest small cars.
Driving in Australia, like most other western nations, is relatively easy and straightforward - most of the cars you come across are automatic transmission and the road rules are similar to other countries.
The highest speed limits are generally 70 mph (113 km/h) on the West Coast and the inland eastern states, 75–80 mph (121–129 km/h) in inland western states, along with Arkansas, Louisiana, Maine, and Michigan; and 65–70 mph (105–113 km/h) on the Eastern Seaboard.
Legal speed limits in Japan are “60km/h on normal roads” and “100km/h on expressways.” It is prohibited to drive a car at the speed exceeding the legal limit even if there is no traffic sign for speed regulation. Yellow solid line in center means “No Crossing.”
The law sets the maximum at 70 mph, but allows the Texas Transportation Commission to establish a maximum speed limit of 75 mph, or 80 mph or 85 mph if the highway is designed to accommodate that speed on the highway system if that speed is determined to be safe and reasonable after a traffic or engineering study.
Speed limits
up to 70 km/h (43 mph) on city roads where there is a major road with central reservation or two yellow lines or 80 km/h (50 mph) on China National Highways; 100 km/h (62 mph) on city express roads; 120 km/h (75 mph) on expressways.
In December 1952 the West German legislature voted to abolish all speed limits, reverting to State-level decisions. However, rising traffic fatalities led to a partial reversal: an urban speed limit of 50 km/h (31 mph) became effective 1 September 1957, despite resistance by the German Auto Club.
80 km/h (50 mph) in avenues with no speed limit. 70–90 km/h (43–56 mph) on rural two-lane roads. 90 km/h (56 mph) on two-lane highways. 90–100 km/h (56–62 mph) on major highways inside cities.
Autobahn, Germany
A road without speed limits might sound like an accident waiting to happen, but the autobahn is among the safest highway networks in the world. That's mainly due to a handful of stringent safety rules, as well as the presence of the autobahnpolizei – the autobahn's dedicated police force.
What state has the fastest drivers?
Did you know that Washington, D.C. has the lowest speed limit in the USA at just 55mph, while Texas has the highest speed limit at a brisk 85mph? In the eastern part of the U.S., the maximum speed is 70mph, while it is 75mph in the western part. Drivers can be fined 150 dollars for exceeding the speed limit to 10mph.
Amphetamines and the law
Amphetamine use is restricted in Australia and can only be prescribed by a medical doctor for certain health conditions. Penalties apply for amphetamines under federal and state laws for anyone who: Uses or keeps amphetamines in their possession.
References
- https://viatravelers.com/all-inclusive-resorts-without-passport/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a43149333/credit-score-car-dealers-use/
- https://www.tripsavvy.com/visit-caribbean-without-passport-1487918
- https://imperiallegal.com/caribbean-passport/
- https://www.countryreports.org/country/Panama/entry.htm
- https://www.vroomvroomvroom.com/driving-tips/speed-limits/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States
- https://listerhill.com/blog/2019/6/getting-auto-loan-with-600-credit-score
- https://www.moneylion.com/learn/900-credit-score/
- https://www.passporthealthusa.com/passports-and-visas/blog/2018-3-which-caribbean-islands-dont-require-a-passport/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_Mexico
- https://www.eurasiantimes.com/doomsday-weapon-that-can-wipe-out-coasta/
- https://everythingpuntacana.com/passport-to-punta-cana/
- https://student-room-flat.com/facts-about-the-czech-republic/
- https://www.barcelo.com/guia-turismo/en/czech-republic/praga/things-to-do/prague-castle/
- https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
- https://ashtales.com/guides/how-to-survive-a-nuclear-attack
- https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/attach/2015/01/Hair-Trigger%2520FAQ.pdf
- https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/mortgage-rate-forecast
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/amphetamines
- https://siecus.org/state_profile/puerto-rico-and-caribbean-islands-profile/
- https://www.racq.com.au/articles/safety/2021/6/road-rules-you-didnt-know-you-were-breaking
- https://www.harperfinch.com.au/are-the-police-allowed-to-speed/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-car/
- https://themortgagereports.com/18621/mortgage-credit-score-minimum-gina-pogol
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/do-you-need-a-passport-for-cancun
- https://getjerry.com/car-loan/600-credit-score-car-loan
- https://travellemming.com/places-to-travel-without-a-passport/
- https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2022/03/what-the-science-says-could-humans-survive-a-nuclear-war-between-nato-and-russia/
- https://legalcubatravel.com/
- https://www.txdot.gov/safety/driving-laws/speed-limits/limits.html
- https://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/driving-tips/usa-travel-information/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/how-do-i-fix-my-credit-for-a-new-car-loan/
- https://www.visittci.com/travel-info/entry-requirements
- https://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/passports/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-dominican-republic
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/credit-cards-with-highest-limits/
- https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/frequently-asked-questions/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_by_country
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-government-map-shows-areas-185026317.html
- https://themortgagereports.com/68809/tips-for-buying-a-house-with-a-700-credit-score
- https://www.rocketloans.com/learn/financial-smarts/transunion-vs-equifax
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States_by_jurisdiction
- https://traveltriangle.com/blog/largest-castles-in-the-world/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/02/experian-people-with-perfect-credit-scores-have-3-things-in-common.html
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-nukes-nuclear-weapons-arsenal-11644614407
- https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/tsar-bomba-largest-atomic-test-world-history
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/buy-or-sell-car/when-is-the-best-time-to-buy-cars/
- https://www.lopesan.com/blog/en/tips/documentation-to-travel-to-punta-cana/
- https://www.jewelgrande.com/faq
- https://www.police.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/foreign/01_english/english-3-3.html
- https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-should-i-expect-to-pay-each-month-on-a-40000-car-loan
- https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/demerits-penalties-and-offences/offences/speeding-offences
- https://www.icanw.org/catastrophic_harm
- https://armscontrolcenter.org/notable-nuclear-tests-tsar-bomba/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/analysis/average-credit-score-by-age/
- https://www.hrad.cz/en/prague-castle-for-visitors/other/history-of-prague-castle-10340
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SintMaarten.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/pdf/shelter.pdf
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/does-the-us-have-a-tsar-bomba.html
- https://www.self.inc/blog/what-credit-score-do-car-dealers-use
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SaintKittsandNevis.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-car-loans-for-bad-credit/
- https://historylists.org/architecture/list-of-10-biggest-castles-in-europe.html
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tsar-Bomba
- https://www.upstart.com/credit-score/720-credit-score
- https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/saferroadsnsw/speedlimits-why.pdf
- https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/is-credit-karma-accurate
- https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/jamaica-ranks-outside-top-10-most-powerful-passports-caribbean
- https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-3618?language=en_US
- https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-loans/car-loan-credit-score/
- https://osgamers.com/frequently-asked-questions/can-tsar-bomb-destroy-new-york-city
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burghausen_Castle
- https://www.consumercredit.com/about-us/news-press-releases/2014/5-habits-to-get-800plus-credit-score/
- https://do.usembassy.gov/dominican-republic-entry-requirements/
- https://www.investopedia.com/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-car-5181034
- https://travel.usnews.com/St_Martin/
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Aruba.html
- https://www.dinggo.com.au/blog/statistics-on-speeding-in-australia
- https://www.sandals.com/faqs/
- https://www.passportsandvisas.com/travel-blog/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-st-thomas
- https://finmasters.com/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
- https://www.newsweek.com/nuclear-war-bombs-us-safest-place-protection-1750293
- https://www.refijet.com/is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-car
- https://www.alnwickcastle.com/blog/10-famous-castles-to-visit-england
- https://travellemming.com/us-virgin-islands-on-a-budget/
- https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=USD&To=CRC
- https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/car-loans-and-leasing/car-payment-calculator
- https://www.stcroixtourism.com/passport_requirements.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Thomas,_U.S._Virgin_Islands
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_Germany
- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/magazine/how-to-build-a-fallout-shelter.html
- https://sherlawyers.com.au/is-traffic-offence-a-criminal-conviction-victoria/
- https://www.moon.com/travel/planning/before-you-go-to-cancun-cozumel-visas-vaccinations-and-essentials/
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-car-loan-can-i-get-with-a-650-credit-score
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/prague-castle
- https://levelupgroup.ca/blog/can-i-survive-nuclear-war-in-my-basement/
- https://finimpact.com/personal-loans/excellent-credit-score/get-800-credit-score-in-45-days.html
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Barbados.html
- https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/speeding/index.html
- https://internationalwealth.info/en/second-citizenship-and-passport/which-caribbean-passport-is-the-most-powerful-one/
- https://www.kvue.com/article/traffic/us-183-south-toll-road-no-speed-limits-posted/269-3de4316e-da64-42ad-b83b-38000b497cee
- https://moneytransfers.com/news/2022/09/21/credit-score-statistics
- https://www.way.com/blog/how-much-should-be-my-monthly-payment-on-a-40000-car-loan/
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/average-car-loan-interest-rates-by-credit-score/
- https://www.icanw.org/new_study_on_us_russia_nuclear_war
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/whats-a-good-credit-score
- https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2022/03/12/how-high-reno-nevada-list-russian-ukraine-putin-invasion-area-51-cold-war-escalates-nuclear-targets/6989981001/
- https://www.insurancenavy.com/questions/what-car-loan-can-i-get-with-a-650-credit-score/
- https://web.asdeporte.com/quwot1q/safest-place-in-us-during-nuclear-war
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malbork_Castle
- https://probablyhelpful.com/survival/afm/23-01.html
- https://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-bomb-attack-russia-ukraine-how-strong-far-2022-2
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bermuda.html
- https://www.holtsauto.com/redex/news/3-roads-around-the-world-where-speed-limits-dont-apply/
- https://visaguide.world/tips/where-can-i-travel-without-a-passport/
- https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-the-caribbean-2/
- https://www.investopedia.com/does-co-signer-help-on-auto-loans-7483013
- https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Driving_in_China
- https://www.wired.com/story/you-might-survive-a-nuclear-blast-if-you-have-the-right-shelter/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywashburn/2023/02/24/russia-has-the-most-nuclear-weapons-in-the-world-here-are-the-other-countries-with-the-largest-nuclear-arsenals/
- https://www.exploringcaribbean.com/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-jamaica-entry-requirments/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/pl/how-much-can-i-borrow-with-a-650-credit-score-2140806921/
- https://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/passports/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-montego-bay
- https://www.growingfamilybenefits.com/credit-score-needed-buy-car/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-a-good-credit-score-for-an-auto-loan/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/cs/what-percentage-of-population-has-over-800-credit-score-2140839387/
- https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/speeding-statistics.html
- https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/credit-intel/fico-score-8/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fallout
- https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs//320-056_ion_fs.pdf
- https://www.insurancenavy.com/questions/what-car-loan-can-i-get-approved-for-with-a-750-credit-score/
- https://harbourfronts.com/720-good-credit-score/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a43048531/what-credit-score-do-you-need-for-a-car-loan/
- https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/how-to-get-800-credit-score/
- https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/nrss/fact-sheets/movement-and-place-approach
- https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-the-bahamas-2/
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SaintLucia.html
- https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/road-rules-emergency-vehicles-australia/
- https://autobypayment.com/Content/How-Much-Are-Payments/45000-Car
- https://www.ultimatedrivingtours.com/autobahn-germany/
- https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/getting-here/entry-requirements
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Highway
- https://www.ndtv.com/feature/australia-new-zealand-among-best-placed-to-survive-nuclear-apocalypse-study-finds-3771867
- https://www.carnival.com/awaywego/travel/bahamas/must-know-tips-for-a-perfect-bahamas-cruise
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_device
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BonaireSintEustatiusandSaba.html
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/score-basics/750-credit-score/
- https://www.newsweek.com/us-safe-nuclear-attack-1753288
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-map-nuclear-war-russia-b2279249.html
- https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-on-a-cruise
- https://caymanvacation.com/preparing-for-your-grand-cayman-vacation/
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-do-i-get-my-credit-score-above-700/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limit
- https://laughingsquid.com/furthest-you-can-travel-without-passport/
- https://getjerry.com/questions/how-can-i-get-approved-for-a-70000-car-loan
- https://www.bankrate.com/loans/auto-loans/down-payment-calculator/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-credit-score
- https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/driving-over-speed-limit
- https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/a34652495/tsar-bomba-challenger-deep-video/
- https://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/planning-a-trip/entry-requirements--customs
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/what-is-considered-an-excellent-credit-score/
- https://www.proctorhonda.com/auto-loan-qualification-credit-score-vehicle-interest-rate
- https://www.sandals.com/blog/do-you-need-a-passport-to-go-to-the-bahamas/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a14511978/montana-was-once-the-last-bastion-of-hot-nasty-bad-ass-speed-feature/
- https://wikitravel.org/en/Driving_in_Australia
- https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calcs/car.php
- https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/DOM?originCountry=USA&tripType=roundtrip&affiliateId=studentuniverse
- https://money.com/7-ways-to-improve-credit-score/
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/six-castles-you-can-visit-united-states-180974323/
- https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/is-the-left-lane-the-fast-lane-in-australia/
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/AntiguaandBarbuda.html
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/car-loans/historical-auto-loan-rates/
- https://www.caranddriver.com/auto-loans/a31280000/average-apr-for-car-loan/
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-much-is-the-monthly-payment-on-a-30000-car-loan
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-credit-score
- https://clark.com/cars/when-will-car-prices-go-down/
- https://www.lendingtree.com/auto/debt-statistics/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_Bomba
- https://www.discoveryuk.com/building-big/the-biggest-fort-in-the-world/
- https://lendedu.com/blog/accurate-credit-karma/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Castle
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/average-mortgage-interest-rate
- https://www.businessinsider.com/where-hide-during-nuclear-blast-room-corners-avoid-hallway-doors-2023-2
- https://www.wikihow.com/Drive-in-Australia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_Australia
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Jamaica.html
- https://www.passportsandvisas.com/travel-blog/where-can-i-travel-without-a-passport
- https://stellarfi.com/answers/what-credit-score-do-you-need-to-buy-a-50k-car
- https://cdp.dhs.gov/shared/se/courses/default/AWR-923-W%2005122021%201.2-20210512144644/groups/394.html
- https://www.jasminealley.com/costa-rica-vs-puerto-rico/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/transunion-vs-equifax
- https://www.ratchetandwrench.com/articles/9281-report-bestworst-states-for-speedy-drivers
- https://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-disaster-dos-and-donts-2019-9