FACTS & FIGURES:
- History timeline
- The land
- Population
- State symbols
- Time zone

WEATHER:
- Forecasts
- Current conditions
- Live web cams
- Sunrise & sunset

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
- Airports
- Land transport
- Water transport

DRIVING:
- Using the roads
- Types of roads
- Fruit fly exclusion zone

VISITOR INFO:
- Information centres
- Your safety
- Overseas visitors

SHOPPING:
- Shopping
- Money & banking
- Public holidays

COMMUNICATIONS:
- Telephone
- Post
- Newspapers
- Radio
- Television

EDUCATION:
- Education system
- School holidays

GOVERNMENT:
- State government
- Local government

General road rules

• Default speed limit in built-up areas: 50 km/h
• Default speed limit outside of built-up areas: 100 km/h
• Maximum road speed: 110 km/h (only on selected rural highways and freeways)

Mobile phone use:

• It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving or when not parked
• Pull over safely and park when you need to operate a hand-held mobile phone
• Hands-free mobiles can be used while driving, but not by learner or P1 drivers

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits when driving:

• Zero BAC applies for professional drivers (truck, bus or taxi), learner or probationary drivers
• BAC limit of 0.05% applies for all other drivers
• BAC limit of 0.05% applies to a licenced driver accompanying a learner driver

When driving in Victoria, the road rules and regulations are strictly enforced. Learn more about Victoria's road rules.

Road rules in Victoria which differ from elsewhere in Australia

• U-turns are permitted at traffic lights unless signs advise otherwise
• Hook turns are required when turning right at designated intersections in the Melbourne CBD and South Melbourne (their purpose is to improve traffic flow by removing turning traffic from the right-hand lane where dedicated turning lanes can't be provided due to tram lines)
• There are specific rules in regards to sharing the roads with trams

For further details of road rules unique to Victoria including those in relation to trams on Melbourne's streets, see information for tourists about Victoria's road rules.

Traffic reports

• View the latest travel times, conditions & events
• View traffic conditions tailored for display on mobile phones

Live traffic cameras

• Cameras on Melbourne's key road routes, operated by VicRoads
• Cameras on the inner city tollway network, operated by CityLink

Breakdowns

Help phones (emergency phones) are installed on urban and rural freeways throughout Victoria which connect to the VicRoads traffic control centre from where help can be organised.

Safe motoring

Driving while under the influence of drugs has also been found to be a contributing factor to a number of road accidents. It is illegal to drive while affected by an illicit drug, such as cannabis, ecstasy, ice or speed, as well as legal drugs which impair a person's ability to drive. Police conduct random drug tests of drivers throughout the state.

Driver fatigue is responsible for a significant number of accidents on Victoria's roads. To help combat fatigue on long trips, start a trip after a good night's sleep, drive at times you are normally awake, and take regular breaks. The only cure for fatigue is sleep, so even a 15 minute "powernap" offers safety benefits.

Try to avoid driving between dusk and dawn through rural areas populated by native wildlife. Many native animals are nocturnal, so it's during that time they are actively searching for food and may wander onto roads and cause an accident. If driving during that time, slow down, keep an eye out for animals, and if any cross in front of your vehicle, dip your headlights so as not to dazzle them. If you injure wildlife while driving, call the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) on 13 11 11 and they will connect you to the wildlife carer network.

Courtesy on the road

• Large vehicles (such as trucks and vehicles towing caravans) may offer their drivers restricted visibility and reduced ability to stop quickly, so avoid cutting in front of them or performing other quick maneuvers around them
• Look out for motorcycles and bicycles as they may be less noticeable than vehicles, however they have equal rights to use the roads
• Use your indicators well in advance to give warning of changes to your driving direction to other motorists and then make full use of any turning lanes to enable traffic behind you to pass by
• On multi-lane roads ensure you don't hinder other motorists by keeping out of the right-hand lane unless you are preparing to turning right, overtaking another vehicle or all lanes are congested
• If you intend to drive leisurely below the speed limit on single-lane roads and there are vehicles queued behind you, consider pulling over briefly to allow them to pass
• If a driver gives up their right-of-way to you, a quick wave as a sign of appreciation will promote courteous behaviour on the road

Driver licencing

Victoria has a graduated licensing system in place. In very simple and general terms, a learner's permit can be obtained by a person who is 16 years or older, which enables them to drive when accompanied by a fully licenced driver. A P1 (red) probationary licence can be applied for once a learner reaches 18 years of age, allowing them to drive without supervision but with a number of restrictions. After one year as a P1 probationary licence holder, drivers can upgrade to a P2 (green) probationary licence which has less restrictions. P2 probationary licences last for 3 years. Progressing through each step of the graduated licensing system requires tests and/or certain conditions to be satisfied. For full details and rules, go to Victoria's graduated licensing system web site.

Number plates

Number plates are required to be displayed on a registered vehicle in order for it to be driven on public roads in Victoria. An example of the current standard issue number plates for vehicles registered in Victoria is shown on the right. Further details about number plates, including special interest and personalised versions, are available from the VicRoads number plate page.

Fuel

Fuel is sold at a variety of outlets including service stations which are part of branded groups such as Ampol, APCO, BP, Caltex, Liberty, Mobil, Shell and United. There are also a number of unbranded independent petrol stations. Some convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven and Quix, offer petrol at selected outlets. Supermarket chain Woolworths/Safeway has a group of co-branded Caltex Woolworths and Caltex Safeway petrol stations, while rival Coles has a network of Coles Express petrol stations which are supplied by Shell. Fuel discounts for customers of those supermarkets, subject to certain requirements, are offered.

Most service stations sell:

• Unleaded petrol of various octane levels - regular (91), premium (95), ultra (98)
• E10 (regular unleaded petrol blended with 10% ethanol)
• LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
• Diesel