Most Googled Driving Questions

No matter how long you’ve had your licence, every driver has a moment of doubt behind the wheel. Australians are no different, often turning to Google to check the rules and settle driving dilemmas. 

To see which questions confuse Aussies the most, we at EzLicence analysed Google search activity over the last 12 months to uncover the top driving-related queries across Australia.

The most googled driving questions in Australia

The most searched driving questions in Australia reveal a mix of curiosity, caution, and the occasional need for a quick rule refresher.

Topping the list, searches about demerit points show that many Australians are keen to keep track of their driving record and avoid unexpected penalties; even experienced drivers sometimes need a reminder of the administrative side of driving.

Questions about hazard perception tests and legal blood alcohol limits also feature prominently, showing that drivers are focused on safety and staying on the right side of the law. Speed limits, checking for fines, and parking rules appear frequently too, suggesting that Aussies often double-check the rules when travelling or facing tricky situations.

Overall, these searches show that Australians are generally careful drivers who want to get it right, but they also reveal common areas where a little refresher could boost confidence on the road.

The most googled driving questions in New South Wales

Demerit points dominate NSW drivers’ Google searches, with questions like “When do I get my demerit points back?” and “When do demerit points reset?” topping the list. Combined with related searches, this adds up to more than 37,000 queries a year, showing that many drivers are keen to stay on top of their records and avoid penalties.

Other common searches focus on safety and rules, including legal alcohol limits, hazard perception tests, L plate rules, and parking regulations. These show that both learner and experienced drivers turn to Google to clarify rules and stay compliant.

The most googled driving questions in Victoria

Demerit points also dominate Victorian drivers’ Google searches, with the topic combining to around 14,500 searches per year in Victoria alone. This shows that keeping track of points and avoiding penalties is a key concern, even for experienced drivers.

Learner and provisional drivers also feature prominently, with searches about P plate passenger rules and hazard perception tests highlighting a strong audience seeking guidance on day-to-day driving requirements. Other searches, such as give way rules, roundabout rules, and U-turn rules, show that specific road rules can still trip up even seasoned drivers.

Safety is another key theme, with searches on legal BAC limits and road safety rules demonstrating that Victorians actively check regulations to stay compliant and protect themselves on the road. 

The most googled driving questions in Queensland

Queensland drivers show similar habits. Demerit points are again the top concern, with related searches adding up to around 17,600 queries a year. This mirrors trends in NSW and Victoria, where tracking demerit points is also the most searched driving topic, showing that monitoring driving records and avoiding penalties is a key priority for drivers across the east coast.

Other popular searches focus on safety and compliance, including legal alcohol limits, BAC limits, and hazard perception tests. These indicate that Queensland drivers are also actively checking the rules to stay safe, avoid fines, and prepare for driving tests.

The most googled driving questions in Western Australia

Unlike NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, Western Australian drivers are most curious about P plate rules, with around 6,080 searches per year. Recent and proposed tougher L and P-plate regulations, including more supervised hours, a longer probation period, and restrictions on phone use, plus new fines via smart cameras, make it no surprise that drivers are seeking clarity.

Demerit points remain a major concern too, showing that keeping track of penalties and avoiding licence issues is still top of mind. Other frequently searched topics highlight safety and compliance, from legal alcohol limits and BAC regulations to hazard perception tests and fines for using a phone while driving.

The most googled driving questions in South Australia

In South Australia, drivers are most frequently searching for legal BAC limits, with over 1,800 searches per year across related queries. This focus is likely driven by strong drink-driving enforcement and publicised police campaigns, showing that safety and compliance remain a top priority for SA drivers who want to stay within the law and avoid penalties.

Other commonly searched topics include hazard perception tests, U-turn rules, and P plate passenger regulations, highlighting that both learner and experienced drivers look for guidance on specific road rules and testing requirements.

The driving topics Aussies Google most

To see the bigger picture, we grouped similar Google searches into themes and added up the monthly totals to show which topics Australians second-guess most often.

Speeding fines top the list, with over 319,000 searches a year, showing that avoiding penalties is a key concern. P plate rules follow, reflecting learner and provisional drivers navigating restrictions, with nearly 196,000 searches annually.

Other common topics, road rules, BAC limits, and speed limits, together account for more than 338,000 searches a year, highlighting that drivers of all experience levels frequently double-check the rules to stay safe and confident behind the wheel.

Ross Rivalland from EzLicence answers some of the most googled questions:

How do you check demerit points?

You can check your demerit points through your state or territory’s road authority website. Most states allow you to log in using your driving licence number and personal details. Regularly checking your points helps you avoid unexpected penalties and licence suspensions.

What is a Hazard Perception Test?

The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) is a computer-based test designed to assess your ability to recognise and respond to potential hazards on the road. It’s a mandatory step for many learners and provisional drivers before progressing to a full licence, ensuring you can make safe decisions in real driving scenarios.

What is the legal limit of blood alcohol?

For full licence holders, the legal BAC limit is 0.05% in most states. Learner and P-plate drivers must maintain a 0.00% BAC. Staying within these limits is critical for safety and to avoid serious fines or licence suspensions.

Can you park in a loading zone?

Loading zones are reserved for actively loading or unloading goods or passengers, usually within a time limit indicated on signage. Parking there for other purposes can result in fines. Always check the signs before stopping.

How to get out of a parking ticket?

If you believe a parking ticket was issued incorrectly, you can lodge an appeal following the issuing authority’s process. This often involves providing evidence that the ticket was wrongly issued, such as photos or documentation.

Ross Rivalland from EzLicence comments:

“Across Australia, drivers, both experienced and new, turn to Google to clarify rules, stay safe, and avoid penalties. Demerit points top searches in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, while WA drivers focus on P plate rules, reflecting recent changes to learner regulations. South Australians search most for legal BAC limits, likely influenced by strong enforcement and publicised campaigns.

At EzLicence, we see that even seasoned drivers can forget details about demerit points, hazard perception tests, or parking rules, while learner drivers actively seek guidance on testing and P plate regulations. Staying informed isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about confidence and safety on the road.

Booking a driving lesson is a smart way to refresh skills, get personalised advice, and stay up to date on road rules. Whether it’s hazard perception, demerit points, or speed limits, professional guidance helps all drivers feel confident and compliant.”

About the Data

EzLicence analysed Google search activity to uncover the most commonly asked driving-related questions across Australia, broken down by state and territory.

The study combines Google Ads Keyword Planner and Google Trends data to identify and quantify the real-world driving questions Australians are searching for — from “What are the P-plate rules?” to “Can you use your phone at red lights?”.

Search interest was examined both nationally and across each state to understand how road rule confusion, testing anxiety, and learner behaviours vary by region.

The analysis covers:

• The top 1,000 highest-volume driving keywords per region (sourced via Google Ads API)
• Related “question-shaped” queries extracted from Google Trends (Top & Rising)
• Historical monthly search volumes from Google Ads to quantify interest over the past year

All data was collected programmatically using official APIs between September and October 2025.