ROAD SAFETY ROAD RULES 2009

Victorian Consolidated Regulations

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ROAD SAFETY ROAD RULES 2009

S.R. No. 94/2009
Version incorporating amendments as at 26 October 2010

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Rule Page

PART 1-INTRODUCTORY 1

Division 1-General 1

1. Objectives 1
1A. Authorising provision 1
2. Commencement 1
3. Revocations 2

Division 2-Some features of these Rules 2

4. Definitions 2
5. Diagrams 2
6. Examples 3
7. Headings 3
8. Notes 3
9. Reader's Guide 3
9A. Application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 of the Commonwealth 3
10. Offences 4

PART 2-APPLICATION OF RULES 5

Division 1-Roads and road related areas 5

11. Rules apply to vehicles and road users on roads and road related areas 5
12. What is a road 5
13. What is a road related area 6

Division 2-Road users and vehicles 7

14. Road users 7
15. What is a vehicle 7
16. Who is a driver 8
17. Who is a rider 9
18. Who is a pedestrian 9
19. References to driver includes rider etc. 9

PART 3-SPEED-LIMITS 10

20. Obeying the speed-limit 10
21. Speed-limit where a speed-limit sign applies 11
22. Speed-limit in a speed-limited area 13
23. Speed-limit in a school zone 14
24. Speed-limit in a shared zone 14
25. Speed-limit elsewhere 16

PART 4-MAKING TURNS 17

Division 1-Left turns at intersections 17

26. Application of Division to roundabouts, road related areas and adjacent land 17
27. Starting a left turn from a road (except a multi-lane road) 18
28. Starting a left turn from a multi-lane road 19
29. Making a left turn as indicated by a road marking 23

Division 2-Right turns (except hook turns) at intersections 24

30. Division does not apply to certain turns 24
31. Starting a right turn from a road (except a multi-lane road) 25
32. Starting a right turn from a multi-lane road 27
33. Making a right turn 30

Division 3-Hook turns at intersections 33

34. Making a hook turn at a hook turn only sign 33
35. Optional hook turn by a bicycle rider 34
36. Bicycle rider making a hook turn contrary to no hook turn by bicycles sign 37

Division 4-U-turns 37

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

PART 5-CHANGE OF DIRECTION AND STOP SIGNALS 42

Division 1-Change of direction signals 42

44. Division does not apply to entering or leaving a roundabout 42
45. What is changing direction 42
46. Giving a left change of direction signal 44
47. How to give a left change of direction signal 45
48. Giving a right change of direction signal 45
49. How to give a right change of direction signal 46
50. How to give a right change of direction signal by giving a hand signal 47
51. When use of direction indicator lights permitted 47

Division 2-Stop signals 48

52. Division does not apply to bicycle riders or certain tram drivers 48
53. Giving a stop signal 48
54. How to give a stop signal 48
55. How to give a stop signal by giving a hand signal 49

PART 6-TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TWIN RED LIGHTS 50

Division 1-Obeying traffic lights 50

56. Stopping for a red traffic light or arrow 50
57. Stopping for a yellow traffic light or arrow 53
58. Exceptions to stopping for a red or yellow traffic light 56
59. Proceeding through a red traffic light 56
60. Proceeding through a red traffic arrow 57
60A. Proceeding through a bicycle storage area before a red traffic light or arrow 58
61. Proceeding when traffic lights or arrows at an intersection
change to yellow or red 58

Division 2-Giving way at traffic lights 60

62. Giving way when turning at an intersection with traffic lights 60
63. Giving way at an intersection with traffic lights not operating
or only partly operating 63
64. Giving way at a flashing yellow traffic arrow at an intersection 64
65. Giving way at a marked foot crossing (except at an intersection) with a flashing yellow traffic light 65

Division 3-Twin red lights (except at level crossings) 66

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

PART 7-GIVING WAY 67

Division 1-Giving way at a stop sign, stop line, give way sign or
give way line applying to the driver 68

67. Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at an intersection without traffic lights 68
68. Stopping and giving way at a stop sign or stop line at other
places 71
69. Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at an
intersection (except a roundabout) 72
70. Giving way at a give way sign at a bridge or length of narrow road 76
71. Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at other places 76

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 78

72. Giving way at an intersection (except a T-intersection or roundabout) 78
73. Giving way at a T-intersection 83

Division 3-Entering or leaving road related areas and adjacent
land 88

74. Giving way when entering a road from a road related area or adjacent land 88
75. Giving way when entering a road related area or adjacent land from a road 89

Division 4-Keeping clear of and giving way to particular vehicles 91

76. Keeping clear of trams travelling in tram lanes etc. 91
77. Giving way to buses 92
78. Keeping clear of police vehicles, emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles and escort vehicles 94
79. Giving way to police vehicles, emergency vehicles,
enforcement vehicles and escort vehicles 94

Division 5-Crossing and shared zones 95

80. Stopping at a children's crossing 95
81. Giving way at a pedestrian crossing 98
82. Overtaking or passing a vehicle at a children's crossing or pedestrian crossing 100
83. Giving way to pedestrians in a shared zone 101

Division 6-Other give way rules 101

84. Giving way when driving through a break in a dividing strip 101
85. Giving way on a painted island 103
86. Giving way in median turning bays 104
87. Giving way when moving from a side or shoulder of the road
or a median strip parking area 106

PART 8-TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS 108

Division 1-Traffic signs and road markings at intersections and other places 109

88. Left turn signs 109
89. Right turn signs 110
90. No turns signs 111
91. No left turn and no right turn signs 111
92. Traffic lane arrows 112

Division 2-Traffic signs and road markings generally 114

93. No overtaking or passing signs 114
94. No overtaking on bridge signs 116
95. Emergency stopping lane only signs 116
96. Keep clear markings 117
97. Road access signs 118
98. One-way signs 120
99. Keep left and keep right signs 121
100. No entry signs 122
101. Hand-held stop signs 123
101A. Safety ramp and arrester bed signs 123

Division 3-Signs for trucks, buses and other large vehicles 124

102. Clearance and low clearance signs 124
103. Load limit signs 124
104. No trucks signs 125
105. Trucks must enter signs 126
106. No buses signs 127
107. Buses must enter signs 128
108. Trucks and buses low gear signs 128

PART 9-ROUNDABOUTS 130

109. What is a roundabout 130
110. Meaning of halfway around a roundabout 130
111. Entering a roundabout from a multi-lane road or a road with
2 or more lines of traffic travelling in the same direction 131
112. Giving a left change of direction signal when entering a roundabout 136
113. Giving a right change of direction signal when entering a roundabout 137
114. Giving way when entering or driving in a roundabout 138
115. Driving in a roundabout to the left of the central traffic island 139
116. Obeying traffic lane arrows when driving in or leaving a roundabout 140
117. Giving a change of direction signal when changing marked
lanes or lines of traffic in a roundabout 140
118. Giving a left change of direction signal when leaving a roundabout 141
119. Giving way by the rider of a bicycle or animal to a vehicle leaving a roundabout 142

PART 10-LEVEL CROSSINGS 143

120. What is a level crossing 143
121. Stopping and giving way at a stop sign at a level crossing 144
122. Giving way at a give way sign or give way line at a level
crossing 144
123. Entering a level crossing when a train or tram is
approaching etc. 145
124. Leaving a level crossing 146
124A. Buses at level crossings 146

PART 11-KEEPING LEFT, OVERTAKING AND OTHER DRIVING RULES 148

Division 1-General 148

125. Unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians 148
126. Keeping a safe distance behind vehicles 148
127. Keeping a minimum distance between long vehicles 149
128. Entering blocked intersections 150

Division 2-Keeping to the left 150

129. Keeping to the far left side of a road 150
130. Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road 151
131. Keeping to the left of oncoming vehicles 154
132. Keeping to the left of the centre of a road or the dividing line 155
133. Exceptions to keeping to the left of the centre of a road 159
134. Exceptions to keeping to the left of a dividing line 160
135. Keeping to the left of a median strip 163
136. Driving on a one-way service road 164
137. Keeping off a dividing strip 165
138. Keeping off a painted island 165
139. Exceptions for avoiding obstructions on a road 167

Division 3-Overtaking 169

140. No overtaking unless safe to do so 169
141. No overtaking etc. to the left of a vehicle 169
142. No overtaking to the right of a vehicle turning right etc. 171
143. Passing or overtaking a vehicle displaying a do not overtake turning vehicle sign 171
144. Keeping a safe distance when overtaking 173
145. Driver being overtaken not to increase speed 174

Division 4-Driving in marked lanes or lines of traffic 174

146. Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic 174
147. Moving from one marked lane to another marked lane across
a continuous line separating the lanes 176
148. Giving way when moving from one marked lane or line of
traffic to another marked lane or line of traffic 177
148A. Giving way when moving within a single marked lane 178
149. Giving way when lines of traffic merge into a single line of traffic 179
150. Driving on or across a continuous white edge line 180
151. Riding a motor bike or bicycle alongside more than 1 other
rider 181

Division 5-Obeying overhead lane control devices applying to marked lanes 183

152. Complying with overhead lane control devices 183

Division 6-Driving in marked lanes designated for special
purposes 184

153. Bicycle lanes 184
154. Bus lanes 186
155. Tram lanes 187
155A. Tramways 189
156. Transit lanes 190
157. Truck lanes 192
158. Exceptions to driving in special purpose lanes etc. 192
159. Marked lanes required to be used by particular kinds of
vehicles 194

Division 7-Passing trams and safety zones 196

160. Passing or overtaking a tram that is not at or near the left side
of a road 196
161. Passing or overtaking a tram at or near the left side of a road 197
162. Driving past a safety zone 198
163. Driving past the rear of a stopped tram at a tram stop 198
164. Stopping beside a stopped tram at a tram stop 199
164A. Tram stopping beside a driver at a tram stop 200

PART 12-RESTRICTIONS ON STOPPING AND PARKING 202

Division 1-General 202

165. Stopping in an emergency etc. or to comply with another rule 202
166. Application of Part to bicycles 203

Division 2-No stopping and no parking signs and road markings 204

167. No stopping signs 204
168. No parking signs 204
169. No stopping on a road with a yellow edge line 206

Division 3-Stopping at intersections and crossing 206

170. Stopping in or near an intersection 206
171. Stopping on or near a children's crossing 209
172. Stopping on or near a pedestrian crossing (except at an intersection) 210
173. Stopping on or near a marked foot crossing (except at an intersection) 211
174. Stopping at or near bicycle crossing lights (except at an intersection) 212
175. Stopping on or near a level crossing 214

Division 4-Stopping on clearways and freeways and in emergency stopping lanes 215

176. Stopping on a clearway 215
177. Stopping on a freeway 216
178. Stopping in an emergency stopping lane 217

Division 5-Stopping in zones for particular vehicles 218

179. Stopping in a loading zone 218
180. Stopping in a truck zone 220
181. Stopping in a works zone 220
182. Stopping in a taxi zone 221
183. Stopping in a bus zone 221
184. Stopping in a minibus zone 222
185. Stopping in a permit zone 223
186. Stopping in a mail zone 223

Division 6-Other places where stopping is restricted 224

187. Stopping in a bus lane, tram lane, tramway, transit lane, truck lane or on tram tracks 224
188. Stopping in a shared zone 225
189. Double parking 226
190. Stopping in or near a safety zone 227
191. Stopping near an obstruction 228
192. Stopping on a bridge or in a tunnel etc. 228
193. Stopping on a crest or curve outside a built-up area 229
194. Stopping near a fire hydrant etc. 230
195. Stopping at or near a bus stop 231
196. Stopping at or near a tram stop 232
197. Stopping on a path, dividing strip or nature strip 233
198. Obstructing access to and from a footpath, driveway etc. 234
199. Stopping near a postbox 236
200. Stopping on roads-heavy and long vehicles 236
201. Stopping on a road with a bicycle parking sign 238
202. Stopping on a road with a motor bike parking sign 238
203. Stopping in a parking area for people with disabilities 239
203A. Stopping in a slip lane 241

Division 7-Permissive parking signs and parking fees 242

204. Meaning of certain information on or with permissive parking signs 242
205. Parking for longer than indicated 244
205A. Parking outside times indicated 245
206. Time extension for people with disabilities 246
207. Parking where fees are payable 246

Division 8-Parallel parking 247

208. Parallel parking on a road (except in a median strip parking
area) 247
208A. Parallel parking in a road related area (except in a median strip parking area) 250
209. Parallel parking in a median strip parking area 251

Division 9-Angle parking 253

210. Angle parking 253

Division 10-Other parking related rules 258

211. Parking in parking bays 258
212. Entering and leaving a median strip parking area 259
213. Making a motor vehicle secure 260

PART 13-LIGHTS AND WARNING DEVICES 262

Division 1-Lights on vehicles (except bicycles, animals and
animal-drawn vehicles 262

214. Division does not apply to riders of bicycles, animals or
animal-drawn vehicles 262
215. Using lights when driving at night or in hazardous weather conditions 262
216. Towing a vehicle at night or in hazardous weather conditions 263
217. Using fog lights 265
218. Using headlights on high-beam 265
219. Lights not to be used to dazzle other road users 267
220. Using lights on vehicles that are stopped 267
221. Using hazard warning lights 268
222. Using warning lights on buses carrying children 269

Division 2-Lights on animal-drawn vehicles 269

223. Using lights when riding an animal-drawn vehicle at night
or in hazardous weather conditions 269

Division 3-Horns and radar detectors 270

224. Using horns and similar warning devices 270
225. Using radar detectors and similar devices 271

Division 4-Portable warning triangles for heavy vehicles 271

226. Heavy vehicles to be equipped with portable warning triangles 271
227. Using portable warning triangles 271

PART 14-RULES FOR PEDESTRIANS 274

Division 1-General 274

228. No pedestrians signs 274
229. Pedestrians on a road with a road access sign 274
230. Crossing a road-general 275
231. Crossing a road at pedestrian lights 276
232. Crossing a road at traffic lights 278
233. Crossing a road to or from a tram 279
234. Crossing a road on or near a crossing for pedestrians 281
235. Crossing a level crossing 282
235A. Crossing a pedestrian level crossing that has a red
pedestrian light 284
236. Pedestrians not to cause a traffic hazard or obstruction 285
237. Getting on or into a moving vehicle 286
238. Pedestrians travelling along a road (except in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy) 286
239. Pedestrians on a bicycle path or separated footpath 287

Division 2-Rules for persons travelling in or on wheeled
recreational devices and wheeled toys 291

240. Wheeled recreational devices and toys not to be used on
certain roads 291
240A. No wheeled recreational devices or toys sign 292
241. Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a
road 293
242. Travelling in or on a wheeled recreational device or toy on a footpath or shared path 293
243. Travelling on rollerblades etc. on a bicycle path or separated footpath 295
244. Wheeled recreational devices or wheeled toys being towed etc. 296
244A. Meanings of scooter 297
244B. Wearing of helmets and other requirements for users of scooters 297

PART 15-ADDITIONAL RULES FOR BICYCLE RIDERS 299

245. Riding a bicycle 299
246. Carrying people on a bicycle 300
247. Riding in a bicycle lane on a road 300
247A. Entering a bicycle storage area 301
247B. Giving way while entering or in a bicycle storage area 301
248. No riding across a road on a crossing 302
249. Riding on a separated footpath 303
250. Riding on a footpath or shared path 303
251. Riding to the left of oncoming bicycle riders on a path 305
252. No bicycles signs and markings 305
253. Bicycle riders not to cause a traffic hazard 307
254. Bicycles being towed etc. 307
255. Riding too close to the rear of a motor vehicle 307
256. Bicycle helmets 307
257. Riding with a person on a bicycle trailer 308
258. Equipment on a bicycle 309
259. Riding at night 310
260. Stopping for a red bicycle crossing light 310
261. Stopping for a yellow bicycle crossing light 311
262. Proceeding when bicycle crossing lights change to yellow
or red 312

PART 16-RULES FOR PERSONS TRAVELLING IN OR ON VEHICLES 314

263. Application of Part to persons in or on trams 314
264. Wearing of seatbelts by drivers 314
265. Wearing of seatbelts by passengers 16 years old, or older 314
266. Wearing of seatbelts by passengers under 16 years old 316
267. Exemptions from wearing seatbelts 321
268. How persons must travel in or on a motor vehicle 325
269. Opening doors and getting out of a vehicle etc. 328
270. Wearing motor bike helmets 328
271. Riding on motor bikes and motor cycles 329
272. Interfering with the driver's control of the vehicle etc. 331

PART 17-ADDITIONAL RULES FOR DRIVERS OF TRAMS AND PUBLIC BUSES AND IN THE CASE OF B LIGHTS, TO OTHER VEHICLES PERMITTED TO DRIVE IN A BUS LANE 332

Division 1-Trams 332

273. Division also applies to public buses travelling along tram
tracks 332
274. Stopping for a red T light 333
275. Stopping for a yellow T light 333
276. Exception to stopping for a red or yellow T light 334
277. Proceeding after stopping for a red or yellow T light 334
278. Proceeding when a red traffic light and a white T light or
white traffic arrow is showing 334
279. Proceeding when a white T light or white traffic arrow is no longer showing 335

Division 2-Public buses 336

280. Application of Division 336
281. Stopping for a red B light 337
282. Stopping for a yellow B light 337
283. Exception to stopping for a red or yellow B light 338
284. Proceeding after stopping for a red or yellow B light 338
285. Proceeding when a red traffic light and a white B light or
white traffic arrow is showing 339
286. Proceeding when a white B light or white traffic arrow is no longer showing 339

PART 18-MISCELLANEOUS ROAD RULES 341

Division 1-Miscellaneous rules for drivers 341

287. Duties of driver involved in an accident 341
288. Driving on a path 341
289. Driving on a nature strip 344
290. Driving on a traffic island 346
291. Making unnecessary noise or smoke 346
292. Insecure or overhanging load 347
293. Removing fallen etc. things from the road 347
294. Keeping control of a vehicle being towed 348
295. Motor vehicle towing another vehicle with a towline 349
296. Driving a vehicle in reverse 349
297. Driver to have proper control of a vehicle etc. 350
298. Driving with a person in a trailer 351
299. Television receivers and visual display units in motor vehicles 351
300. Use of mobile phones 353

Division 2-Rules for people in charge of animals 356

301. Leading an animal while driving a vehicle 356
302. Rider of an animal on a footpath or nature strip to give way
to pedestrians 356
303. Riding an animal alongside more than 1 other rider 357
303A. Horse riding helmets to be worn by riders under 18. 358

Division 3-Obeying directions 359

304. Direction by a police officer or authorised person 359

PART 19-EXEMPTIONS 360

305. Exemption for drivers of police vehicles 360
306. Exemption for drivers of emergency vehicles 360
306A. Exemption for drivers of enforcement vehicles and escort vehicles 361
307. Stopping and parking exemption for police vehicles,
emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles, escort vehicles
and authorised persons 361
308. Exemption for police officers, emergency workers,
enforcement vehicle workers and escort vehicle workers
on foot 363
309. Exemption for drivers of trams etc. 363
310. Exemption for road workers etc. 364
311. Exemption for oversize vehicles 367
312. Exemption for tow truck drivers 368
313. Exemption for postal vehicles 370
313A. Exemptions for drivers of incident response service
vehicles 370

PART 20-TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND TRAFFIC-RELATED ITEMS 371

Division 1-General 371

314. Diagrams of traffic control devices, traffic-related items and symbols 371
315. Legal effect of traffic control devices mentioned in these
Rules 372
316. When do traffic control devices comply substantially with
these Rules 372
317. Information on or with traffic control devices 376
317A. Traffic control devices applying on school days 377
318. Limited effect of certain traffic control devices 379
319. Legal effect of traffic-related items mentioned in these Rules 381
320. When do traffic-related items comply substantially with these Rules 381
321. Meaning of information on or with traffic control devices
and traffic-related items 382
322. References to traffic control devices and traffic-related items
on a road etc. 382
323. References to lights that are traffic signals 385
323A. Audible lines 385

Division 2-Application of traffic control devices to lengths of
roads and areas 385

324. Purpose of Division 385
325. References to traffic control devices-application to lengths
of road and areas 386
326. When do traffic control devices apply to a length of road or area-the basic rules 387
327. Length of road to which a traffic sign (except a parking
control sign) applies 387
328. References to a traffic control device applying to a length of
road 388
329. Traffic control devices applying to a marked lane 388
330. Traffic control devices applying to a slip lane 389
331. Traffic control devices applying to an intersection 390
332. Parking control signs applying to a length of road 390
333. Parking control signs applying to a length of road in an area to which another parking control sign applies etc. 391
334. How parking control signs apply to a length of road 392
335. Traffic control devices applying to an area 394
336. How separated footpath signs and separated footpath road markings apply 396

Division 3-Application of traffic control devices to persons 397

337. Purpose of Division 397
338. References to traffic control devices-application to persons 397
339. When do traffic control devices apply to a person-the basic rules 397
340. Traffic control devices (except road markings and parking control signs) 398
341. Road markings 398
342. Traffic signs (except parking control signs) applying to a
length of road 399
343. Traffic signs (except parking control signs) applying to an
area 400
344. Traffic control devices applying to a driver in a marked lane 400
345. Traffic control devices applying to a driver in a slip lane 401
346. Parking control signs 401

PART 21-GENERAL 402

347. Meaning of abbreviations and symbols 402
348. References to a driver doing something etc. 402
349. References to certain kinds of roads 402
350. References to stopping or parking on a length of road etc. 403
351. References to left and right 404
352. References to stopping as near as practicable to a place 404
353. References to pedestrians crossing a road 405

PART 22-ADDITIONAL VICTORIAN ROAD RULES 406

400. Definitions 406
401. Obstructing roads 407
402. Giving way to stock 407
403. Requirement to travel at a safe speed near stock 408
404. Requirement to stop at a stock crossing 408
405. Vehicles must not be driven with an empty bicycle carrier attached 408
406. Accompanying licensed drivers and excessive speed 409
__________________
SCHEDULES 410
SCHEDULE 1-Abbreviations and Symbols 410
SCHEDULE 2-Standard or Commonly Used Traffic Signs 412
SCHEDULE 3-Other Victorian Permitted Traffic Signs 428
SCHEDULE 4-Symbols and Traffic-related Items 437
SCHEDULE 5-Revoked Regulations 440
__________________
DICTIONARY 442
ENDNOTES 475
1. General Information 475
2. Table of Amendments 476
3. Explanatory Details 477

Division 1-General

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