GPS Navigation & Directions

Mount your phone where you can see it

A phone holder on the dashboard or an air vent keeps the map in view without you holding the phone. Road rules about phone use and where a phone can be mounted differ between states and countries, so check the rules where you drive. Never hold your phone or type on it while driving.

Choose a map view that suits you

The app lets you switch between map views. Try them on a familiar drive and stick with the one you find easiest to read at a glance. The right view is the one you need to look at least.

Keep the screen easy to read

Turn the brightness up during the day and down at night, so the map is readable at a glance without glare. Place the phone so it never blocks your view of the road.

The road comes first

Maps are a guide, not the final word. Roadworks, closures and new layouts can appear before any map catches up. If the directions don’t match what you can see, follow the signs and the road rules, and pick the directions back up when it’s safe. Never follow a direction that looks unsafe or leads somewhere you shouldn’t drive.

Use real-time traffic to time your trip

Before driving at a busy time, check real-time traffic. Leaving ten minutes earlier or later, or taking a different way, can turn a slow crawl into an easy drive.

Treat speed cameras as a reminder

Camera alerts are a handy reminder, but the safest habit is to stay within the limit everywhere. Cameras move and new ones appear, and speed limits change through school zones and roadworks.

Keep your eyes moving

Glance at the map, don’t stare at it. A quick look when it’s safe, then eyes back on the road, mirrors and the cars around you. If you need a longer look, pull over first.

Look after your battery and data

Navigation keeps the screen and GPS busy for the whole trip, which uses battery. On longer drives, plug your phone into the car. Live traffic needs a data connection, so keep an eye on your mobile plan if you drive a lot.

Allow extra time in unfamiliar places

New areas come with surprises: one-way streets, tricky intersections, school zones and limited parking. Leave a little earlier than the route suggests, so you’re not rushing when the directions take you somewhere new.

The last few hundred metres

Directions get you to an address, not always to the best place to park. As you get close, look out for car parks and parking signs, and be ready to walk the last stretch.

Plan ahead for longer trips

On a road trip, plan your route and your stops before you leave. Know roughly where you’ll refuel and take breaks, and let someone know your plans if you’re heading somewhere remote. Fatigue is a real risk on long drives, so stop and rest regularly.

Watch for school zones and roadworks

Speed limits change through school zones at set times of day and around roadworks, sometimes with little warning. Keep an eye on the signs, especially on routes you don’t usually drive, and slow down early rather than late.

Take breaks on long drives

Driver fatigue is a real risk on long trips. Plan to stop every couple of hours, stretch your legs and swap drivers if you can. Your route is a good place to look for towns and rest areas before you set off, so the next break is never a surprise.

Keep a backup plan

Phones go flat and signals drop. On longer or remote trips, note the main roads and towns on your route before you leave, and carry a charger. Knowing the general direction you’re heading makes a missed turn much easier to recover from.

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