US woman shares road rules she found different after coming to Australia

A Californian woman now living in Queensland has revealed the road rules she wished she knew before moving to Australia.

A US woman now living in Australia has been left stumped by a road rule she said is the opposite in the States.

A TikTok user, who goes by the name of Jaylee Promise on the platform, shared a clip pointing out the big differences when it comes to driving a car Down Under.

Jaylee, who is originally from California and now lives in Queensland, started by noting the most obvious fact – that Aussies drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right, while Americans drive on the right side with the steering wheel on the left side of the car.

“Was it easy to get the hang of? No. Did I eventually get it? Yes I did. Should you be scared to drive with me? Maybe,” Jaylee joked.

Jaylee, who is originally from California and now lives in Queensland, shared a TikTok pointing out the driving differences in Australia compared to the US. Picture: TikTok/jaylee.promise

“OK. Big difference number two. In Australia you cannot make a U-turn anywhere.

“It’s illegal to make a U-turn unless there is this sign that says, ‘U-turn permitted’. However, in America it’s the opposite. Motorists can make a U-turn at any time, at any light,” Jaylee said.

“Unless there is a sign saying you cannot make a U-turn.

“Good thing a cop didn’t see me the first time I made U-turn here,” she joked.

However, Aussie TikTok users were quick to point out it’s actually different in each state.

“In South Australia you can turn anywhere unless it says you can’t. So the same as the US basically,” one person wrote.

She was shocked to learn that in Queensland you can’t make a U-turn whenever you like. Picture: TikTok/jaylee.promise

“In SA you can’t at an intersection with traffic lights unless there is a sign permitting. Whereas in Victoria you can unless there’s a no U-turn sign,” another added.

Meanwhile, in NSW drivers are not permitted to make a U-turn at traffic lights unless there is a ‘U-turn Permitted’ sign displayed.

In WA, on roads with only one lane in each direction, you can make a U-turn unless it’s indicated that it’s not permitted.

On a road with two or more lanes in one direction, you are allowed to make a U-turn unless it’s indicated that it’s not permitted, but you must turn from the lane closest to the centre of the road.

She said in America you can make U-turns anywhere unless there is a sign (pictured) stating you can’t. Picture: TikTok/jaylee.promise

“Also in Australia NONE if these rules apply if your [sic] in a hurry!” one person joked.

Jaylee was also stumped that most traffic lights don’t allow you to turn on a red light.

“In Australia you cannot make a left turn [even] staying close to the kerb, if the (opposing) light is red. You just have to wait for the light to turn green,” she said.

“That was a major difference for me, because my friend screamed at me the first time I made a little turn on a red light.”

She said in the US you can turn right on a red light – but in Australia, unless there’s a sign permitting you to turn left, you can’t. Picture: TikTok/jaylee.promise

There are some instances where motorists are permitted to turn on a red light, providing it’s safe and there is a sign.

Jaylee then showed a snap of the Bruce Highway in Queensland alongside a photo of a highway in California.

“There’s two lanes either side,” she said about the Aussie highway.

She also pointed out just how many more lanes a freeway in California had compared to the Bruce Highway in Queensland. Picture: TikTok/jaylee.promise

“This is the 405 freeway where I live in California – it has six to seven lanes either side.”

For her final difference, she pointed out that in America they have carpool lanes.

“In America we have these little numbers called carpoolings, which is this little lane way off to the side. It’s kinda on its own.

“You can only be in this lane if you have two or more people in your car – so for people who carpool together. So if you have a kid in the car, a friend whatever, you can go in the fast lane. It’s really helpful.”

We have similar lanes in Australia, but Jaylee pointed out she hadn’t seen one yet.

It’s referred to as T2 and T3 and it is a transit lane which can only be used by passenger service vehicles, cycles, motorcycles and vehicles carrying at least two (T2) or three (T3) people.

“Maybe I should have looked up the rules before I started driving here,” Jaylee joked.