Australian Road Rules Study Guide 2026

How road rules work in Australia

Australia does not have one national road law. Instead, the Australian Road Rules are a set of model laws. Each state and territory has copied them, mostly word for word, into its own law. This means the basic rules for giving way, turning, lanes, signals and parking are very similar wherever you drive.

Each state and territory can still make its own changes and add local rules. A well-known example is the hook turn at some city intersections in central Melbourne. States also run their own licensing systems, so learner and provisional rules, demerit points, fines and alcohol limits for new drivers are set by your state, not by the national rules.

Usually the same everywhere	Check your state handbook
Give way rules at intersections and roundabouts	Licence stages, ages and conditions
Meaning of signs, signals and road lines	Alcohol limits for learner and provisional drivers
Default speed limit of 50 km/h in built-up areas (the NT uses 60 km/h)	The speed that triggers the keep left rule
Seatbelt and child restraint rules	School zone times and speed limits
Most parking and stopping distances	Mobile phone rules for learners and P-platers

Road signs

Australian road signs follow a national standard, so most signs look the same in every state. The shape and colour tell you what kind of sign it is before you can read it.

Regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do. Most are white rectangles with black or red writing, or have a red circle. Breaking them is an offence.
Warning signs are mostly yellow diamonds with black symbols. They warn of a hazard ahead, such as a curve, an intersection or animals on the road.
Advisory speed signs are yellow rectangles placed under warning signs. They give a recommended speed for the hazard in good conditions. They are advice, not a legal limit.

STOP: stop completely, then give way.
GIVE WAY: slow down and stop if needed.
No entry.
Wrong way, go back.

A STOP sign means you must stop completely at the stop line (or before the intersection if there is no line), then give way. A GIVE WAY sign means you must slow down and stop if needed. If nothing is coming you do not have to stop at a GIVE WAY sign, but you must be ready to. A STOP sign does not give you more right of way than a GIVE WAY sign.

Speed limit 60 km/h.
School zone limit during the times shown.
Keep left unless overtaking.
No overtaking or passing.

No right turn.
No U-turn.
One way.
Keep left of the sign.

Warning signs

Warning signs give you time to slow down and get ready. When you see one, check your speed and look for the hazard.

Curve to the right.
Winding road.
Crossroad ahead.
T-intersection ahead.
Side road on the right.
Roundabout ahead.

Traffic lights ahead.
STOP sign ahead.
GIVE WAY sign ahead.
Pedestrian crossing ahead.
Children crossing.
Bicycle riders.

Kangaroos and other wild animals.
Stock on the road.
Slippery road.
Steep descent.
Narrow bridge.
Floodway: water may flow over the road.

Divided road begins.
Divided road ends.
Two-way traffic ahead.
Traffic merging from a side road.
Dip in the road.
Railway level crossing ahead.

Roadwork signs warn of workers or changed conditions ahead. Lower limits often apply, and you must follow a traffic controller's directions.

Roadwork ahead.
Traffic controller ahead: prepare to stop.
Advisory speed for the hazard.

Traffic lights and road markings

Signal	What to do
Red light	Stop behind the stop line (or before the lights if there is no line). Wait for green.
Yellow light	Stop, unless you are so close that you cannot stop safely.
Green light	Go if the intersection is clear. Give way to pedestrians and bicycle riders crossing the road you turn into.
Green arrow	Turn in the direction of the arrow. You do not need to give way to oncoming vehicles, but you must still give way to pedestrians and riders.
Flashing yellow light or arrow	Go with care and follow the normal give way rules.

When you turn right on a plain green light, wait in the intersection for a safe gap in oncoming traffic. If the lights change while you are already in the intersection, leave it as soon as you can safely do so. Do not enter an intersection on green if the road beyond is blocked.

Above some motorway lanes, an illuminated red cross means do not drive in that lane.

Lines on the road

Line	What it means
Broken centre line	You may cross it to overtake, turn or make a U-turn when it is safe.
Single continuous centre line	Do not cross to overtake or U-turn. You may cross to enter or leave a road or property, or to pass a bicycle rider safely.
Continuous line with a broken line on your side	You may cross when safe to overtake, turn or U-turn.
Continuous line on your side of a broken line	Treat it like a continuous line: no overtaking or U-turns across it.
Double continuous lines	Do not cross, except to pass a bicycle rider safely.
Continuous yellow edge line	No stopping.

Stop lines and give way lines painted on the road have the same meaning as STOP and GIVE WAY signs, even where there is no sign. A painted island with a single continuous line around it may be driven over for up to 50 m to enter or leave a road or a turning lane that begins straight after it. Do not drive on an island surrounded by double continuous lines.

Overtaking across a broken centre line when the road ahead is clear.

Car 1, which wants to overtake.
Car 2, the slower car in front.
A: car 1 moves out only when the road ahead is clear.
B: car 1 passes with plenty of room.
C: car 1 moves back to the left without cutting in.

Giving way

Giving way means slowing down and, if needed, stopping so that you do not cause a crash. If the other vehicle or person has stopped, you stay stopped until it is safe to go.

At intersections with signs or lines

At a STOP or GIVE WAY sign or line, give way to vehicles coming from any other direction, and to pedestrians. If two drivers both face a STOP or GIVE WAY sign, each one first gives way to other traffic, then the normal rules apply between them. For example, a driver turning right gives way to an oncoming driver going straight ahead.

At intersections without signs, lines or lights

Crossroads: give way to any vehicle approaching from your right. This applies even if one vehicle is turning and the other is going straight.
T-intersections: if you are on the road that ends, give way to all vehicles on the continuing road, from both directions.
Turning right: give way to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead or turning left (but not to a vehicle turning left from a slip lane).

At a T-intersection, the driver on the road that ends gives way.

Car 1 waits on the road that ends.
Car 2 is on the continuing road and goes first.
The give way line, which car 1 must not cross until it is safe.

Other give way situations

Turning: give way to pedestrians and bicycle riders on or entering the road you are turning into, even on a green light.
Slip lanes: when turning left through a slip lane, give way to pedestrians in the slip lane and to traffic on the road you are entering.
Driveways and car parks: when entering or leaving a road from a driveway or other land, give way to pedestrians and riders on the footpath and to all vehicles on the road, whether you drive forwards or in reverse.
Moving off from the kerb: give way to all traffic and signal for at least 5 seconds.
U-turns: give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.
Buses: in built-up areas with a limit of 70 km/h or less, give way to a bus that shows a GIVE WAY TO BUSES sign and is signalling to pull out from the kerb or a bus stop.
Emergency vehicles: give way to police and emergency vehicles with a siren or flashing red or blue lights. Move out of their path when it is safe.

Roundabouts

Traffic goes around a roundabout clockwise, with the centre island on your right. As you approach, slow down and be ready to stop. You must give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout, whether they are on your left, right or straight ahead. Watch for bicycle riders, who may be harder to see.

Where you are going	Lane (if two lanes and no arrows)	Signal
Left (first exit)	Left lane	Signal left on approach and keep it on until you exit.
Straight ahead	Either lane	No signal needed on approach. Signal left before you exit, if practical.
Right or U-turn	Right lane	Signal right on approach, then signal left before you exit, if practical.

Lane arrows and signs always override these defaults. Turning right from the left lane is not allowed unless markings permit it. A simple way to decide is the "clock face": exits before 12 o'clock are left turns, 12 o'clock is straight ahead and exits after 12 o'clock are right turns. Remember to cancel your signal after you leave.

Choosing a lane at a two-lane roundabout.

Car 1 uses the left lane and signals left to take the first exit.
Car 2 uses the left lane to go straight ahead.
Car 3 uses the right lane and signals right to take the exit on the right, then signals left before leaving.

Turns, U-turns and hook turns

Signal before you turn, early enough to warn other road users. Check your mirrors and blind spot, signal, then turn when it is safe.

Check, signal, then turn.

Check your mirrors and blind spot.
Signal in good time.
Make the turn when it is safe.

U-turns

You must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians when making a U-turn.
You may make a U-turn at an intersection without traffic lights, or at a break in a median, unless a NO U-TURN sign applies.
At traffic lights, you may make a U-turn only where a U-turn permitted sign is shown.
You must not U-turn across a single or double continuous centre line, a continuous line on your side of a broken line, or a painted centre island.
You need a clear view of approaching traffic and must not block traffic.

Turning through a median break

When you cross a divided road through a break in the median strip, give way to vehicles on the part of the road you are entering, and to any oncoming vehicle already waiting in the break.

Waiting fully inside a median break before joining the far side.

Car 1 waits inside the median break.
Car 2 is on the roadway car 1 is entering, so car 1 gives way to it.
Car 3 is on the near side of the road.

Hook turns

At some signed intersections in central Melbourne, you must turn right from the left side of the road (a hook turn). If you will drive there, learn the steps from the Victorian handbook.

Hook turn only: turn right from the left lane.

Lanes, keeping left and overtaking

Australians drive on the left. On a road without marked lanes, keep as close to the left as is practical. On multi-lane roads, the keep left rule applies where a KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING sign is shown, and on faster roads above a speed set by your state (for example, Queensland applies it at 90 km/h or more).

Where the keep left rule applies, you may use the right-hand lane only to overtake, turn right, make a U-turn, avoid an obstruction, in congested traffic, or in a special lane you are allowed to use.

Changing lanes and merging

Before changing lanes, check mirrors and blind spot, and signal for long enough to warn others.
Give way to vehicles in the lane you are moving into. This includes when your own lane is ending.
Where lines of traffic merge and there are no lane markings, give way to any vehicle that is ahead of you. This is often called a zip merge, and a FORM ONE LANE sign may be shown.

Form one lane: merge in turn.
Merging traffic ahead.

Overtaking

Before you overtake, make sure the road ahead is clear for long enough and that you can return to your lane safely. Check mirrors and blind spot and signal. Leave plenty of room when you pass, and do not cut back in until you are well clear. You must never go over the speed limit to overtake.

Do not overtake approaching a crest, bend or dip if you cannot see far enough ahead, or where an intersection makes it unsafe.
Do not overtake across a continuous line on your side or double continuous lines.
Do not overtake a vehicle that is stopping or has stopped at a pedestrian or children's crossing.
You may overtake on the left only if the vehicle ahead is turning right or making a U-turn from the centre and signalling, if it is stationary, or on a multi-lane road where you can pass in a marked lane.
Do not pass on the side of a long vehicle with a DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE sign while it is signalling and turning to that side.

When you are being overtaken, keep left and do not speed up until the other vehicle has passed and moved back in.

After overtaking a truck, move back only when you can see both of its headlights in your rear-view mirror. Never overtake a truck as it approaches a crossroad, because it could hide a vehicle about to pull out.

Speed limits and safe following distance

A speed limit is the maximum speed in good conditions. In rain, fog, heavy traffic or at night, drive slower. If there is no speed limit sign, the Australian Road Rules set a default limit of 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas, unless your state law says otherwise. For example, the Northern Territory defaults are 60 km/h in built-up areas and 110 km/h outside them. Some high-standard roads are signed at 110 km/h.

Area speed zones set one limit for a network of local streets, from the zone sign until you pass an end-of-zone sign.
School zones have a lower limit during the times shown on the sign, on school days. Times and limits differ between states.
Variable speed signs can change the limit. If one is blank, follow the static signs.

Speed limit 50 km/h.
Speed limit 100 km/h.
End of school zone.

Following distance

Rear-end crashes are very common. Keep a gap of at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front in good conditions (NSW recommends at least 3 seconds). To check, watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object such as a pole and count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two". If you reach the object before you finish, drop back.

Checking a two-second gap with a fixed object.

Car A is your car, following behind.
Car B is the vehicle in front.
C is a fixed object, such as a power pole.

In poor conditions, double the gap to at least 4 seconds.
When towing, add 1 second for every 3 m of trailer length.
Leave more room behind heavy vehicles, so you can see past them and they can see you.

Sharing the road

Pedestrians

At a pedestrian (zebra) crossing, give way to any pedestrian or bicycle rider on or entering it. Approach at a speed that lets you stop.
At a children's crossing, stop and stay stopped while anyone is on or entering it. If a supervisor shows a STOP sign, wait until everyone has crossed and the supervisor is back on the footpath.
In a shared zone, give way to pedestrians and keep to the signed speed.
When a tram stops, stop and give way to people crossing between the tram and the kerb.

Bicycle riders

Bicycle riders have the same right to use the road as drivers. When passing a rider, leave a safe gap. In Queensland and South Australia, the minimum is 1 m where the speed limit is 60 km/h or less and 1.5 m where it is higher; other states have similar rules. To pass at that distance you may cross centre lines, even double continuous lines, but only when you have a clear view and it is safe.

If a rider is ahead and you want to turn left, slow down and turn behind them.
Check your mirrors before opening a door so you do not hit a rider.
Give way to riders when you enter or cross a bicycle lane.

Bicycle lane.
Shared path for riders and pedestrians.

Trains and level crossings

Always give way to trains. Do not enter a level crossing if lights are flashing, bells are ringing, a boom gate is down or moving, a train is coming, or the road on the other side is blocked. At crossings without lights or booms, slow down, look both ways and listen, and stop if there is a STOP sign. Once you are on the tracks, keep going and clear them.

Stop and wait while the lights flash and the booms are down.

Your car, stopped at the stop line.
Boom gates, down across your side of the road.
Red lights, flashing.
A train approaching.

Railway level crossing.
Level crossing ahead.

Special lanes and clearways

Some lanes are kept for certain vehicles. Signs show who may use them and when. In Queensland, other drivers may drive in a special lane for up to 100 m (or 50 m in a bicycle lane) to enter or leave the road, turn, or avoid an obstruction. Check your state handbook for the local distance.

Bus lanes are for buses and some other vehicles shown on the signs, such as taxis and bicycles in some states.
Transit lanes (T2 or T3) are for vehicles carrying at least 2 or 3 people, plus allowed vehicles like buses and motorcycles. If no times are shown, the lane is a transit lane at all times.
Bicycle lanes are for bicycle riders. Give way to riders when you enter or cross one.
Clearways keep lanes free in busy times. You must not stop during the times shown (buses are among the few exceptions), and vehicles can be fined or towed.

Bus lane.
T2 transit lane.
Clearway during the times shown.

Parking and stopping

Always obey parking signs. NO STOPPING means you must not stop at all, even to drop someone off. A continuous yellow edge line also means no stopping. NO PARKING means you may stop for up to 2 minutes to drop off or pick up people or goods, as long as you stay within 3 m of the vehicle. A loading zone is for vehicles loading or unloading goods.

No stopping.
No parking.
Loading zone.

Unless a sign allows it, you must not stop:

Place	Do not stop
Intersection with traffic lights	Within 20 m
Intersection without traffic lights	Within 10 m (some exceptions at T-intersections)
Pedestrian crossing	On it, within 20 m before it or 10 m after it
Bus stop	Within 20 m before it or 10 m after it
Railway level crossing	Within 20 m before or after the nearest rail
Fire hydrant or hydrant marker	Within 1 m
Next to a car parked at the kerb	Never (double parking)
On a footpath, nature strip or painted island	Never
Crest or curve outside a built-up area	Unless drivers can see you from at least 100 m

How to park

On a two-way road, park parallel and close to the left kerb, facing the same way as traffic.
Without marked bays, leave at least 1 m to the vehicles in front and behind.
Leave at least 3 m between your car and a continuous dividing line.
If angle parking does not show the angle, park at 45 degrees, front to the kerb.
Before leaving your car, switch off the engine, apply the parking brake and take the key.

Seatbelts, phones, alcohol and fatigue

Seatbelts and child restraints

Everyone must wear a seatbelt or an approved child restraint, whether the car is moving or stopped in traffic. Only one person may use each seatbelt. Passengers aged 16 and over are responsible for their own seatbelt, and the driver must make sure child passengers are properly restrained. Child restraints must meet the Australian Standard.

Age	Restraint	Front seat (car with 2 or more rows)
Under 6 months	Rearward-facing restraint	Not allowed
6 months to under 4 years	Rearward-facing, or forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness	Not allowed
4 to under 7 years	Forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness, or a booster seat with a seatbelt or child safety harness	Only if all back seats are taken by children under 7
7 to under 16 years	Booster seat or a properly adjusted seatbelt	Allowed

Mobile phones

You must not hold a phone while driving, including when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic. A fully licensed driver may make or take a call if the phone is in a commercially made mount or is used hands-free without touching the body. Texting, email and video calls are not allowed, even with a mounted phone. Learner and provisional drivers often have stricter rules; check your state.

Alcohol and drugs

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in your blood: 0.05 means 0.05 g of alcohol in every 100 mL of blood. The general limit for fully licensed car drivers is under 0.05. Some drivers must have a zero BAC; check your state rules for learner and provisional drivers. Even under the limit, you can be charged if alcohol or drugs affect your driving.

Only time lowers your BAC. Coffee, cold showers, exercise and food do not.
After heavy drinking you may still be over the limit the next morning.
Alcohol slows reactions, affects judgement of speed and distance, and gives false confidence.
Police carry out random breath tests.

Fatigue

Tiredness is a major cause of crashes. Being awake for more than 17 hours affects driving about as much as a BAC of 0.05. Take a break of about 15 minutes at least every 2 hours, and share the driving. Coffee, music and open windows do not fix fatigue; only sleep does.

Lights, horn and crashes

Use headlights at night and in poor visibility. Dip high beam when a vehicle is within 200 m, ahead of you or coming towards you.
Use the horn only to warn others of your approach or position.
If you are in a crash, stop, give your details, help anyone injured and call an ambulance if needed. Report to police if someone is hurt, a vehicle must be towed or a driver will not give details.