New South Wales

New-car sales across Australia have bounced back from the worst April on record – during the peak of coronavirus lockdowns – to deliver the best April on record. And the Ford Ranger has topped the monthly sales charts for only the third time in its history, displacing the Toyota HiLux which maintains its lead in the year-to-date tally and is on-track for its sixth annual win in a row.

With masks now mandated in several Australian states to curb the spread of coronavirus, confusion reigns as to whether drivers need to wear their coverings while alone in their cars. When Greater Brisbane entered a three-day lockdown after a coronavirus case was detected, residents were urged to wear masks whenever they were outside of their homes – including when they were travelling in a car.

The cross-state road trip is officially back in business! And it’s certainly true that you often don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. All those people who had been planning a journey from Victoria to New South Wales or vice versa will know this feeling all too well, after their travel plans were put on indefinite hold earlier this year with the re-introduction of Victoria’s coronavirus lockdowns.

The process of obtaining "fitness to drive" certification for NSW motorists over the age of 75 has been streamlined and simplified by the state government. Older drivers are, however, still required to undergo an annual GP and optometrist assessment. The documentation can now be completed by a relevant medical professional online and customers no longer need to visit a Service NSW Centre to have it ratified, a Transport for NSW spokesperson told CarAdvice.

Local councils in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are suspending or altering their parking restrictions as more residents are forced to stay at home or avoid public transport amid the coronavirus outbreak. Brisbane City Council announced on Thursday it would be suspending all parking fines, turning off parking meters and reducing parking lot fees in a bid to support those still needing to travel to work during the public health crisis.