Driving Rules

Driving in Australia

Driving Rules

The road rules of Australia are based on the same principle as everywhere else - to ensure the safety of vehicle occupants and pedestrians by legally enforcing common sense and considerate behaviour.

When driving in the outback areas of the Territory, it is tempting to break the rules with the sure knowledge of not being caught. Remember - road rules not just to keep police officers gainfully employed, they are designed to keep you alive. Crossings
DO NOT overtake cars which are slowing down or are stopped at any crossing.

Children's Crossings: These crossings are near to schools and are not operative unless the Children's Crossing flags are displayed. Even if the flags are not displayed always be watchful of children. When approaching a children's Crossing, slow down and be ready to stop. Drivers must stop if pedestrians are on the crossing or about to use the crossing. Do not move your vehicle until all people are completely clear of the roadway. If a STOP banner is displayed by an attendant then drivers must stop at the line.

School Speed Zones: A school zone is a length of carriageway defined by a 'School Zone' sign at the beginning and an 'End School Zone" at the end of a school zone. During the hours and days indicated on a 'School Zone' sign, a motor vehicle must not travel in a school zone at a speed faster than the speed in km/h indicated on a 'School Zone' sign at the beginning of a zone.

Pelican Crossings: A pedestrian light controlled crossing. If the light is green you may proceed through the crossing. If the yellow or red light is showing you must stop at the stop line. Pedestrians may cross when the green man is showing. If the yellow flashing light appears after the red signal you may proceed only after pedestrians clear the carriageway on which you are travelling.

Pedestrian Crossings (Zebra Crossings): Crossings which are signposted and marked with lines on the road. You must be alert for people on the crossing. You must stop at the line nearest you. You may proceed if the person who has crossed in front of you is clear of your vehicle and there is no one else following them or crossing from the other side.

General Road Crossing: Some intersections are controlled by traffic lights and pedestrians can cross on the green light. Vehicles turning left or right must give way to pedestrians crossing the path of the turning vehicle. Pedestrians will also cross at uncontrolled intersections and similarly motorists turning must take care and give way to pedestrians.

Traffic Control Devices

Regulatory Signs: These signs are erected to control traffic, and MUST be obeyed. Most of these are rectangular but some such as Stop and Give Way have special shapes. The special shapes ensure that they are recognized from any direction.

Warning Signs: These are to inform you about possible dangers. Most of these are yellow with black markings. They are mostly diamond shaped. Some signs use pictures or diagrams to show the dangers.

Other Signs: Signs may indicate that roadworks are ahead, while others may give information, show the way, or warn of temporary dangers. There may be a flagman displaying a sign. You must comply with the message displayed. Traffic Lights: When approaching an intersection controlled by traffic lights choose a speed which will allow you to stop should the signal change. If required to stop you must do so at, or before, the stop line marked on the road.
Red Light: STOP. Do not cross the STOP line until the signal changes to green. Yellow Light: STOP. There is a defense under the Traffic Act where the offence could not be avoided by reasonable efforts by the person i.e. a vehicle is so close when the light changes that an any attempt to stop could be dangerous or cannot be achieved before the stop line.

Green Light: You may go forward or turn left or right. Before turning you must give way to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians crossing the street you are turning into.
Red Light With Green Arrow: A green arrow means you may continue in the direction of the arrow. Traffic from the opposite direction is facing a red light. The red light means traffic wishing to go straight ahead must stop.

Green Light With Red Arrow: A red arrow means that you cannot travel in the direction of the arrow. The green light means that you can travel straight ahead. If the arrow signal disappears, the circle signal must be obeyed. You may turn left or right with care while the green light only is showing. Before turning you must give way to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians crossing the street you are turning into.
Flashing Yellow Light: At an intersection when faced with flashing yellow lights vehicles must give way to all pedestrians and pass through the intersection with caution.

Left Turn On Red Light Permitted After Stopping: Where a sign bearing these words is erected facing the driver on a public street, the driver may, where it is safe to do so and after stopping and giving way to any other vehicle on the public street, turn left. The sign is not an invitation for drivers to ignore the red signal, it only gives drivers the discretion to travel past the red signal if it is safe to do so from a stationary position.

Driving Signals
You must use your vehicle's indicator lights to signal what you are going to do before: Turning to the left or right Changing lanes Making a 'U' turn Pulling out to overtake Diverging to the left or right Slowing down or stopping Pulling out from the kerb Turning

Turning Right: When turning right a driver should position the vehicle near the centre line or as close to the centre without crossing over the centre of the road.

Turning Left: Vehicles may turn left at any time after ensuring that it is safe to do so. When turning left a driver should position the vehicle in the left hand lane or close to the left hand side of the road.

Diagonal Turn: When oncoming vehicles are turning right vehicles should turn in front of each other if it is safe to do so.

'U' Turn: - When undertaking 'U' turns you just exercise care to ensure that you do not interfere with the flow of traffic. 'U' turns are not allowed:

Across unbroken centre lines
At traffic lights (unless there is a 'U' turn permitted sign)
Whenever there is a sign prohibiting 'U' turns.

Right Of Way

The law does not give anyone indisputable right of way.

Controlled Intersections: A driver must give way as directed by signs or directions when encountering:

Stop or Give Way signs and/or line markings
Police directing traffic
Traffic control lights
A terminating road (T-Junction)

Uncontrolled Intersections: Those which do not have any of the controls found at controlled intersections. There are very few of these intersections remaining in the Northern Territory.
There are regulations requiring you to give way to the right, however if in doubt give way to all traffic in the intersection. Other Situations:

Any vehicle undertaking a 'U' turn must give way to all traffic
Before driving away from a parked position you must signal your intention and give way to all vehicles
If the lane you are driving in appears to terminate, when merging you must indicate your intention before doing so and give way to the leading vehicle
At a T-junction the vehicle on the terminating road must give way even if a give way sign or a stop sign is not present

In the following diagrams, vehicle 'A' has the right of way.

Roundabouts: Roundabouts are intersections which have a central traffic island around which you must travel in a clockwise direction.

Approaching and Turning: When approaching a roundabout you should consider which direction you wish to travel away from the intersection and so choose the appropriate lane to approach the roundabout. Sometimes arrow marking are on the roadway to assist drivers to choose. Approach the roundabout in the right lane if you plan to turn right and approach in the left lane if you plan to turn left. You may continue travelling straight ahead from either lane.
Entering A Roundabout: Give way to traffic entering or already on the roundabout if there is any risk of collision but keep moving if the way is clear.
When Intending To Turn Right: Enter the roundabout via the right lane and exit the roundabout via the right lane, keeping to the right side within the roundabout. When entering the roundabout indicate right, when exiting the roundabout indicate left.
When Intending To Turn Left: Enter the roundabout via the left lane and exit the roundabout via the left lane, keeping to the left within the roundabout. When entering and exiting the roundabout indicate left.

When Continuing Straight Ahead: Enter the roundabout according to the directions given by the approach arrows, and keep to the same side as you enter the roundabout. When exiting the roundabout indicate left.

Please note that care needs to be taken on the roundabout when being used by cyclists, pedestrians, or long vehicles which may occupy more than one lane when driving around the roundabout.

If you cannot leave the roundabout because it is unsafe then go around again.

Speed Limits

There is no absolute speed limit but maximum speed limits are posted on some road sections, such as urban areas. At all times you should drive at a safe speed that suits: The traffic conditions The type of conditions of the road The weather conditions Your own driving capabilities

If in doubt slow down.
It is an offence to exceed the following speed limits:
Maximum speed in a municipality or township - 60 km/h unless otherwise stated Maximum speed in a public place such as a drive-in, shopping centre, service station - 25 km/h unless otherwise stated. Maximum speed over pedestrian and children's crossings. Drive at a speed which would enable you to stop safely at the crossing should a pedestrian enter the crossing. Maximum speed while holding a provisional licence of learners licence - 80 km/h

Speed Zones - these are sections of the road for which a speed limit has been applied. These are shown by a sign with a number in a red circle. The number in the circle tells you the maximum speed in km/h that you may travel

De-Restriction Sign: This sign means that you have come to the end of a speed restricted area.

General Road Rules

Before Driving: Failure to compy with any of the following is an offence:

Check that you hold a current drivers licence for the type of vehicle you are going to be driving.
Check that the vehicle is currently registered and roadworthy, pay special attention to brakes, indicators, steering, lights, tyre tread, windscreen wipers and horn.
Check tyre pressure regularly, preferably when the tyres are cold.
Check rear mirror is adjusted correctly.
Fasten your seatbelt and ensure all passengers are restrained.
Motorcyclists must were an approved helmet which must be securely fastened.

Position on the Road: Keep as close as practicable to the left side of the road. It is suggested motorcyclists take up the defensive riding position, and ride in a similar position to where a driver would be positioned when driving a car.

Occupant Restraints (Safety Belts): - You must not ride as a passenger in a seat without a safety belt if there is a seat available with a safety belt, or drive a vehicle forward without a belt if one is fitted to the driver's seat. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers are wearing their safetybelts when riding in a motor vehicle fitted with safety belts. Types of restraining devices include:

Baby Capsule
Child Seats (for toddlers)
Child Harness (for toddlers)
Booster cushions (for toddlers and small school children)
Adult safety belts

Road Markings

Lines: Road markings must be complied with.

Single Broken Centreline: Drive on the left of the line, but you may cross the line to overtake when it is safe to do so.
Lane Lines: Drive between the lines. Providing it has a broken line, you may cross the lines to change lanes after indicating.
Continuous Lines: Do not cross continuous lines except to enter or leave private property.
Double Centrelines: Unbroken with Broken - You may cross the lines only for the purpose of overtaking if the broken line is nearest you. When overtaking another vehicle indicate for at least 30 metres and then only cross if it is safe.

Stop Line (Solid Line): This line is found at stop signs, traffic signals or children's crossings and may be found at pedestrian crossings and you should stop at the line if required to do so. All parts of your vehicle must be behind the line.
Give Way Line (Broken Line): This line indicates where you are to stop if required to do so. Note: If the stop or Give Way signs are not in place where these lines are found then the line must still be obeyed.

Arrows: The following arrows are used in Australia:

Straight Ahead Arrow: As you approach an intersection, you must choose the lane in which you are to travel 30 meters before the solid line marked on the road and continue in the direction of the arrow. Turn Left Or Turn Right Arrow: You must turn left or right only as indicated by the arrow. You must not continue the head.
Combination Of Straight Ahead And Left Or Right Arrow: You may go straight ahead or turn in the direction of the other arrow. If you are going to turn, you should indicate your intention to other road users. Carriageway Lines: These are not to be confused with Give Way markings and show the continuation of the roadway. These are found at intersections.

Painted Islands: Chevrons and cross-hatching are painted road markings and indicate a reserved area of the carriageway and you must not drive on them. Traffic is directed away from these markings.

Miscellaneous
Emergency Vehicles: Operated by the Fire Brigade, the Police Force and Ambulance Services are permitted to operate sirens and flashing lights. On the approach of an emergency vehicle which is sounding a warning, drivers and pedestrians are required to clear the road sufficiently to provide uninterrupted passage for this vehicle. Driving on Footpaths And Cycle Paths: You must not drive a motor vehicle along the path or on a bicycle path. You may cross these paths to get to the road from an entrance, but you must stop first and then proceed carefully. Turning Long Vehicles: Beware long vehicles often require more than a single lane to turn. Drivers following behind such a vehicle should take care not to overtake a long vehicle which is indicating it is turning until it is safe to do so. Choked Intersections: You must not enter or attempt to cross an intersection if the carriageway you wish to enter is blocked by traffic. You must wait until there is sufficient space available for the entire length of your vehicle to be across the far boundary. Reversing: Before driving in reverse ensure that the roadway immediately behind is clear of obstacles and where necessary sound your warning device. A vehicle must not be reversed unnecessarily. Keeping Within A Vehicle: It is not permissible for any person to allow any part of their body to protrude beyond the side, front or rear of a vehicle (other than a motorcycle) except in the case of the driver giving hand signals. All passengers must be restrained and seated. Carrying Loads: Loads must be secured. Towing Vehicles: If you are towing a caravan, trailer or another vehicle, the following rules must be observed: You must not tow more than one vehicle without permission. A licenced driver must be in control of a towed motor vehicle. No one must ride in a caravan or trailer without permission of the Registrar. The trailer or caravan must be secured with a strong coupling. There should be a safety chain in case the coupling breaks. When towing another vehicle there must not be more than 4 m between the two vehicles and a white flag must be placed midway between the two vehicles. The towed vehicle must be registered and insured or have a special permit. The towed vehicle must have stop lights and tail lights in working order. If towing at night a white light must shine from the towed vehicle to illuminate the white flag. Maximum speed when towing another motor vehicle in a built-up area is 40 km/h. The mass of the trailer must not exceed the mass of the towing vehicle.