AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES

Table of Provisions

PART 1--Introductory

Division 1--General

• 1 Citation
• 3 Objects of the Australian Road Rules

Division 2--Some features of the Australian Road Rules

• 4 Definitions--the dictionary etc
• 5 Diagrams
• 6 Examples
• 7 Headings
• 8 Notes
• 9 Reader's Guide
• 10 Offences

PART 2--Application of the Australian Road Rules

Division 1--Roads and road-related areas

• 11 Australian Road Rules apply to vehicles and road users on roads and road-related areas
• 12 What is a road
• 13 What is a road-related area

Division 2--Road users and vehicles

• 14 Road users
• 15 What is a vehicle
• 16 Who is a driver
• 17 Who is a rider
• 18 Who is a pedestrian
• 19 References to driver includes rider etc

PART 3--Speed limits

• 20 Obeying the speed limit
• 21 Speed limit where a speed limit sign applies
• 22 Speed limit in a speed limited area
• 23 Speed limit in a school zone
• 24 Speed limit in a shared zone
• 25 Speed limit elsewhere

PART 4--Making turns

Division 1--Left turns

• 26 Application of Division to roundabouts, road-related areas and adjacent land
• 27 Starting a left turn from a road (except a multi-lane road)
• 28 Starting a left turn from a multi-lane road
• 29 Making a left turn as indicated by a turn line

Division 2--Right turns

• 30 Application of Division to certain right turns
• 31 Starting a right turn from a road (except a multi-lane road)
• 32 Starting a right turn from a multi-lane road
• 33 Making a right turn

Division 3--Hook turns at intersections

• 34 Making a hook turn at a hook turn only sign
• 35 Optional hook turn by a bicycle rider
• 36 Bicycle rider making a hook turn contrary to no hook turn by bicycles sign

Division 4--U-turns

• 37 Beginning a U-turn
• 38 Giving way when making a U-turn
• 39 Making a U-turn contrary to a no U-turn sign
• 40 Making a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights
• 41 Making a U-turn at an intersection without traffic lights
• 42 Starting a U-turn at an intersection

PART 5--Change of direction and stop signals

Division 1--Change of direction signals

• 44 Division does not apply to entering or leaving a roundabout
• 45 What is changing direction
• 46 Giving a left change of direction signal
• 47 How to give a left change of direction signal
• 48 Giving a right change of direction signal
• 49 How to give a right change of direction signal
• 50 How to give a right change of direction signal by giving a hand signal
• 51 When use of direction indicator lights permitted

Division 2--Stop signals

• 52 Division does not apply to bicycle riders or certain tram drivers
• 53 Giving a stop signal
• 54 How to give a stop signal
• 55 How to give a stop signal by giving a hand signal

PART 6--Traffic lights, traffic arrows and twin red lights

Division 1--Obeying traffic lights and traffic arrows

• 56 Stopping for a red traffic light or arrow
• 57 Stopping for a yellow traffic light or arrow
• 58 Exceptions to stopping for a red or yellow traffic light
• 59 Proceeding through a red traffic light
• 60 Proceeding through a red traffic arrow
• 60A Proceeding through a bicycle storage area before a red traffic light or arrow
• 61 Proceeding when traffic lights or arrows at an intersection change to yellow or red

Division 2--Giving way at traffic lights and traffic arrows

• 62 Giving way when turning at an intersection with traffic lights
• 63 Giving way at an intersection with traffic lights not operating or only partly operating
• 64 Giving way at a flashing yellow traffic arrow at an intersection
• 65 Giving way at a marked foot crossing (except at an intersection) with a flashing yellow traffic light

Division 3--Twin red lights (except at level crossings)

• 66 Stopping for twin red lights (except at level crossings)

PART 7--Giving way

Division 1--Giving way at a stop sign, stop line, give way sign or give way line applying to the driver

• 67 Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic lights
• 68 Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at other places
• 69 Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at an intersection (except a roundabout)
• 70 Giving way at a give way sign at a bridge or length of narrow road
• 71 Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at other places

Division 2--Giving way at an intersection without traffic lights or a stop sign, stop line, give way sign or give way line applying to the driver

• 72 Giving way at an intersection (except a T-intersection or roundabout)
• 73 Giving way at a T-intersection

Division 3--Entering or leaving road-related areas and adjacent land

• 74 Giving way when entering a road from a road-related area or adjacent land
• 75 Giving way when entering a road-related area or adjacent land from a road

Division 4--Keeping clear of and giving way to particular vehicles

• 76 Keeping clear of trams travelling in tram lanes etc
• 77 Giving way to buses
• 78 Keeping clear of police and emergency vehicles
• 79 Giving way to police and emergency vehicles

Division 5--Crossings and shared zones

• 80 Stopping at a children's crossing
• 81 Giving way at a pedestrian crossing
• 82 Overtaking or passing a vehicle at a children's crossing or pedestrian crossing
• 83 Giving way to pedestrians in a shared zone

Division 6--Other give way rules

• 84 Giving way when driving through a break in a dividing strip
• 85 Giving way on a painted island
• 86 Giving way in median turning bays
• 87 Giving way when moving from a side of a road or a median strip parking area

PART 8--Traffic signs and road markings

Division 1--Traffic signs and road markings at intersections and other places

• 88 Left turn signs
• 89 Right turn signs
• 90 No turns signs
• 91 No left turn and no right turn signs
• 92 Traffic lane arrows

Division 2--Traffic signs and road markings generally

• 93 No overtaking or passing signs
• 94 No overtaking on bridge signs
• 95 Emergency stopping lane only signs
• 96 Keep clear markings
• 97 Road access signs
• 98 One-way signs
• 99 Keep left and keep right signs
• 100 No entry signs
• 101 Hand-held stop signs
• 101A Safety ramp and arrester bed signs

Division 3--Signs for trucks, buses and other large vehicles

• 102 Clearance and low clearance signs
• 103 Load limit signs
• 104 No trucks signs
• 105 Trucks must enter signs
• 106 No buses signs
• 107 Buses must enter signs
• 108 Trucks and buses low gear signs

PART 9--Roundabouts

• 109 What is a roundabout
• 110 Meaning of halfway around a roundabout
• 111 Entering a roundabout from a multi-lane road or a road with 2 or more lines of traffic travelling in the same direction
• 112 Giving a left change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
• 113 Giving a right change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
• 114 Giving way when entering or driving in a roundabout
• 115 Driving in a roundabout to the left of the central traffic island
• 116 Obeying traffic lane arrows when driving in or leaving a roundabout
• 117 Giving a change of direction signal when changing marked lanes or lines of traffic in a roundabout
• 118 Giving a left change of direction signal when leaving a roundabout
• 119 Giving way by the rider of a bicycle or animal to a vehicle leaving a roundabout

PART 10--Level crossings

• 120 What is a level crossing
• 121 Stopping and giving way at a stop sign at a level crossing
• 122 Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at a level crossing
• 123 Entering a level crossing when a train or tram is approaching etc
• 124 Leaving a level crossing

PART 11--Keeping left, overtaking and other driving rules

Division 1--General

• 125 Unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians
• 126 Keeping a safe distance behind vehicles
• 127 Keeping a minimum distance between long vehicles
• 128 Entering blocked intersections
• 128A Entering blocked crossings

Division 2--Keeping to the left

• 129 Keeping to the far left side of a road
• 130 Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road
• 131 Keeping to the left of oncoming vehicles
• 132 Keeping to the left of the centre of a road or the dividing line
• 133 Exceptions to keeping to the left of the centre of a road
• 134 Exceptions to keeping to the left of a dividing line
• 135 Keeping to the left of a median strip
• 136 Driving on a one-way service road
• 137 Keeping off a dividing strip
• 138 Keeping off a painted island
• 139 Exceptions for avoiding obstructions on a road

Division 3--Overtaking

• 140 No overtaking unless safe to do so
• 141 No overtaking etc to the left of a vehicle
• 142 No overtaking to the right of a vehicle turning right etc
• 143 Passing or overtaking a vehicle displaying a do not overtake turning vehicle sign
• 144 Keeping a safe distance when overtaking
• 145 Driver being overtaken not to increase speed

Division 4--Driving in marked lanes or lines of traffic

• 146 Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic
• 147 Moving from one marked lane to another marked lane across a continuous line separating the lanes
• 148 Giving way when moving from one marked lane or line of traffic to another marked lane or line of traffic
• 148A Giving way when moving within a single marked lane
• 149 Giving way when lines of traffic merge into a single line of traffic
• 150 Driving on or across a continuous white edge line
• 151 Riding a motor bike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other rider

Division 5--Obeying overhead lane control devices applying to marked lanes

• 152 Complying with overhead lane control devices

Division 6--Driving in marked lanes designated for special purposes

• 153 Bicycle lanes
• 154 Bus lanes
• 155 Tram lanes
• 155A Tramways
• 156 Transit lanes
• 157 Truck lanes
• 158 Exceptions to driving in special purpose lanes etc
• 159 Marked lanes required to be used by particular kinds of vehicles

Division 7--Passing trams and safety zones

• 160 Passing or overtaking a tram that is not at or near the left side of a road
• 161 Passing or overtaking a tram at or near the left side of a road
• 162 Driving past a safety zone
• 163 Driving past the rear of a stopped tram at a tram stop
• 164 Stopping beside a stopped tram at a tram stop
• 164A Staying stopped if a tram comes from behind a stopped driver and stops

PART 12--Restrictions on stopping and parking

Division 1--General

• 165 Stopping in an emergency etc or to comply with another rule
• 166 Application of Part to bicycles

Division 2--No stopping and no parking signs and road markings

• 167 No stopping signs
• 168 No parking signs
• 169 No stopping on a road with a yellow edge line

Division 3--Stopping at intersections and crossings

• 170 Stopping in or near an intersection
• 171 Stopping on or near a children's crossing
• 172 Stopping on or near a pedestrian crossing (except at an intersection)
• 173 Stopping on or near a marked foot crossing (except at an intersection)
• 174 Stopping at or near bicycle crossing lights (except at an intersection)
• 175 Stopping on or near a level crossing

Division 4--Stopping on clearways and freeways and in emergency stopping lanes

• 176 Stopping on a clearway
• 177 Stopping on a freeway
• 178 Stopping in an emergency stopping lane

Division 5--Stopping in zones for particular vehicles

• 179 Stopping in a loading zone
• 180 Stopping in a truck zone
• 181 Stopping in a works zone
• 182 Stopping in a taxi zone
• 183 Stopping in a bus zone
• 184 Stopping in a minibus zone
• 185 Stopping in a permit zone
• 186 Stopping in a mail zone

Division 6--Other places where stopping is restricted

• 187 Stopping in a bicycle lane, bus lane, tram lane, tramway, transit lane, truck lane or on tram tracks
• 188 Stopping in a shared zone
• 189 Double parking
• 190 Stopping in or near a safety zone
• 191 Stopping near an obstruction
• 192 Stopping on a bridge or in a tunnel etc
• 193 Stopping on a crest or curve outside a built-up area
• 194 Stopping near a fire hydrant etc
• 195 Stopping at or near a bus stop
• 196 Stopping at or near a tram stop
• 197 Stopping on a path, dividing strip, nature strip, painted island or traffic island
• 198 Obstructing access to and from a footpath, driveway etc
• 199 Stopping near a postbox
• 200 Stopping on roads--heavy and long vehicles
• 201 Stopping on a road with a bicycle parking sign
• 202 Stopping on a road with a motor bike parking sign
• 203 Stopping in a parking area for people with disabilities
• 203A Stopping in a slip lane

Division 7--Permissive parking signs and parking fees

• 204 Meaning of certain information on or with permissive parking signs
• 205 Parking for longer than indicated
• 205A Parking outside times indicated
• 206 Time extension for people with disabilities
• 207 Parking where fees are payable

Division 8--Parallel parking

• 208 Parallel parking on a road (except in a median strip parking area)
• 208A Parallel parking in a road-related area (except in a median strip parking area)
• 209 Parallel parking in a median strip parking area

Division 9--Angle parking

• 210 Angle parking

Division 10--Other parking related rules

• 211 Parking in parking bays
• 212 Entering and leaving a median strip parking area
• 213 Making a motor vehicle secure

PART 13--Lights and warning devices

Division 1--Lights on vehicles (except bicycles, animals and animal-drawn vehicles)

• 214 Division does not apply to riders of bicycles, animals or animal-drawn vehicles
• 215 Using lights when driving at night or in hazardous weather conditions
• 216 Towing a vehicle at night or in hazardous weather conditions
• 217 Using fog lights
• 218 Using headlights on high-beam
• 219 Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users
• 220 Using lights on vehicles that are stopped
• 221 Using hazard warning lights
• 222 Using warning lights on buses carrying children

Division 2--Lights on animal-drawn vehicles

• 223 Using lights when riding an animal-drawn vehicle at night or in hazardous weather conditions

Division 3--Horns and radar detectors

• 224 Using horns and similar warning devices
• 225 Using radar detectors and similar devices

Division 4--Portable warning triangles for heavy vehicles

• 226 Heavy vehicles to be equipped with portable warning triangles
• 227 Using portable warning triangles

PART 14--Rules for pedestrians

Division 1--General

• 228 No pedestrians signs
• 229 Pedestrians on a road with a road access sign
• 230 Crossing a road--general
• 231 Crossing a road at pedestrian lights
• 232 Crossing a road at traffic lights
• 233 Crossing a road to or from a tram
• 234 Crossing a road on or near a crossing for pedestrians
• 235 Crossing a level crossing
• 235A Crossing a pedestrian level crossing that has a red pedestrian light
• 236 Pedestrians not to cause a traffic hazard or obstruction
• 237 Getting on or into a moving vehicle
• 238 Pedestrians travelling along a road (except in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy)
• 239 Pedestrians on a bicycle path or separated footpath

Division 2--Rules for persons travelling in or on wheeled recreational devices and wheeled toys

• 239A No wheeled recreational devices or toys sign
• 240 Wheeled recreational devices and toys not to be used on certain roads
• 241 Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a road
• 242 Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a footpath or shared path
• 243 Travelling on rollerblades etc on a bicycle path or separated footpath
• 244 Wheeled recreational devices or wheeled toys being towed etc
• 244A Meanings of scooter and motorised scooter
• 244B Wearing of helmets by users of motorised scooters
• 244C Motorised scooters not to be used

PART 15--Additional rules for bicycle riders

• 245 Riding a bicycle
• 246 Carrying people on a bicycle
• 247 Riding in a bicycle lane on a road
• 247A Entering a bicycle storage area
• 247B Giving way while entering or in a bicycle storage area
• 248 No riding across a road on a crossing
• 249 Riding on a separated footpath
• 250 Riding on a footpath or shared path
• 251 Riding to the left of oncoming bicycle riders on a path
• 252 No bicycles signs and markings
• 253 Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard
• 254 Bicycles being towed etc
• 255 Riding too close to the rear of a motor vehicle
• 256 Bicycle helmets
• 257 Riding with a person on a bicycle trailer
• 258 Equipment on a bicycle
• 259 Riding at night
• 260 Stopping for a red bicycle crossing light
• 261 Stopping for a yellow bicycle crossing light
• 262 Proceeding when bicycle crossing lights change to yellow or red
• 262A Proceeding when bicycle crossing light is green

PART 16--Rules for persons travelling in or on vehicles

• 263 Application of Part to persons in or on trams
• 264 Wearing of seatbelts by drivers
• 265 Wearing of seatbelts by passengers 16 years old or older
• 266 Wearing of seatbelts by passengers under 16 years old
• 267 Exemptions from wearing seatbelts
• 268 How persons must travel in or on a motor vehicle
• 269 Opening doors and getting out of a vehicle etc
• 270 Wearing motor bike helmets
• 271 Riding on motor bikes
• 272 Interfering with the driver's control of the vehicle etc

PART 17--Additional rules for drivers of trams, tram recovery vehicles and public buses

Division 1--Trams

• 273 Division also applies to tram recovery vehicles and public buses travelling along tram tracks
• 274 Stopping for a red T light
• 275 Stopping for a yellow T light
• 276 Exception to stopping for a red or yellow T light
• 277 Proceeding after stopping for a red or yellow T light
• 278 Proceeding when a red traffic light and a white T light or white traffic arrow is showing
• 279 Proceeding when a white T light or white traffic arrow is no longer showing

Division 2--Public buses

• 280 Application of Division
• 281 Stopping for a red B light
• 282 Stopping for a yellow B light
• 283 Exception to stopping for a red or yellow B light
• 284 Proceeding after stopping for a red or yellow B light
• 285 Proceeding when a red traffic light and a white B light or white traffic arrow is showing
• 286 Proceeding when a white B light or white traffic arrow is no longer showing

PART 18--Miscellaneous road rules

Division 1--Miscellaneous rules for drivers

• 287 Duties of a driver involved in a crash
• 288 Driving on a path
• 289 Driving on a nature strip
• 290 Driving on a traffic island
• 291 Making unnecessary noise or smoke
• 292 Insecure or overhanging load
• 293 Removing fallen etc things from the road
• 294 Keeping control of a vehicle being towed
• 295 Motor vehicle towing another vehicle with a towline
• 296 Driving a vehicle in reverse
• 297 Driver to have proper control of a vehicle etc
• 298 Driving with a person in a trailer
• 299 Television receivers and visual display units in vehicles
• 300 Use of mobile phones

Division 2--Rules for people in charge of animals

• 301 Leading an animal while in or on a vehicle
• 302 Rider of an animal on a footpath or nature strip to give way to pedestrians
• 303 Riding an animal alongside more than 1 other rider

Division 3--Obeying directions

• 304 Direction by a police officer or authorised person

PART 19--Exemptions

• 305 Exemption for drivers of police vehicles
• 306 Exemption for drivers of emergency vehicles
• 307 Stopping and parking exemption for police and emergency vehicles and authorised persons
• 308 Exemption for police officers and emergency workers on foot
• 309 Exemption for drivers of trams etc
• 310 Exemption for road workers etc
• 311 Exemption for oversize vehicles
• 312 Exemption for tow truck drivers
• 313 Exemption for postal vehicles
• 313A Exemption for garbage truck drivers etc
• 313B Exemption for breakdown vehicles

PART 20--Traffic control devices and traffic-related items

Division 1--General

• 314 Diagrams of traffic control devices, traffic-related items and symbols
• 315 Legal effect of traffic control devices mentioned in the Australian Road Rules
• 316 When do traffic control devices comply substantially with the Australian Road Rules
• 317 Information on or with traffic control devices
• 318 Limited effect of certain traffic control devices
• 319 Legal effect of traffic-related items mentioned in the Australian Road Rules
• 320 When do traffic-related items comply substantially with the Australian Road Rules
• 321 Meaning of information on or with traffic control devices and traffic-related items
• 322 References to traffic control devices and traffic-related items on a road etc
• 323 References to lights that are traffic signals
• 323A Audible lines

Division 2--Application of traffic control devices to lengths of roads and areas

• 324 Purpose of Division
• 325 References to traffic control devices--application to lengths of road and areas
• 326 When do traffic control devices apply to a length of road or area--the basic rules
• 327 Length of road to which a traffic sign (except a parking control sign) applies
• 328 References to a traffic control device applying to a length of road
• 329 Traffic control devices applying to a marked lane
• 330 Traffic control devices applying to a slip lane
• 331 Traffic control devices applying to an intersection
• 332 Parking control signs applying to a length of road
• 333 Parking control signs applying to a length of road in an area to which another parking control sign applies etc
• 334 How parking control signs apply to a length of road
• 335 Traffic control devices applying to an area
• 336 How separated footpath signs and separated footpath road markings apply

Division 3--Application of traffic control devices to persons

• 337 Purpose of Division
• 338 References to traffic control devices--application to persons
• 339 When do traffic control devices apply to a person--the basic rules
• 340 Traffic control devices (except road markings and parking control signs)
• 341 Road markings
• 342 Traffic signs (except parking control signs) applying to a length of road
• 343 Traffic signs (except parking control signs) applying to an area
• 344 Traffic control devices applying to a driver in a marked lane
• 345 Traffic control devices applying to a driver in a slip lane
• 346 Parking control signs

PART 21--General

• 347 Meaning of abbreviations and symbols
• 348 References to a driver doing something etc
• 349 References to certain kinds of roads
• 350 References to stopping or parking on a length of road etc
• 351 References to left and right
• 352 References to stopping as near as practicable to a place
• 353 References to pedestrians crossing a road
• SCHEDULE 1--Abbreviations and symbols
• SCHEDULE 2--Standard or commonly used traffic signs
• SCHEDULE 3--Other permitted traffic signs
• SCHEDULE 4--Symbols and traffic-related items
• SCHEDULE 5--Transitional provisions
Legislative history