Road rules

There’s no rule stating that it’s illegal to reverse out of a driveway, however you can’t reverse unless it’s safe to do so. When reversing ensure you give way to any traffic on the road and any pedestrians or bicycle riders on the footpath before you back out. This means checking all your mirrors, looking left and right, and backing out with caution. You can use your horn to warn others.

No, you can’t text, write emails or check social media in your vehicle even if you’re stopped at a red light.

See Mobile phones, GPS and visual display units for more.

• In built up areas 50km/h.
• For other roads 100km/h.
• Speed limits apply in ‘road related areas’ which includes car parks and areas open to the public for driving, riding, parking or is designated for use by cyclists or animals.

Yes, you need to obey the regulatory signs on the road, regardless of whether workers are visible or not. This is because the restrictions can apply for reasons that might not be clear, such as:

• narrowed lanes
• removed or changed line markings
• barriers
• changed road surfaces
• work being carried out underneath a bridge.

There’s no such thing as “right of way” in the Road Rules. The rules talk about giving way to other road users. All drivers need to be courteous on our roads and follow the appropriate line markings and signs in the area.

See Giving Way for more information.

Keep left unless overtaking applies on multi-lane roads with a speed limit above 80km/h. Even when signs aren’t enforcing the rule, it’s courteous and practical to keep left on all multi-lane roads where possible as it helps the traffic continue to flow.

See Merging, overtaking and keeping a safe distance for more information.

We often receive feedback that the rules for exiting a roundabout in NSW, QLD and SA are different to Victoria. While some Victorian road rules are different, when exiting a roundabout, they’re similar – indicating is required.

Here are the key things to remember:

• Before entering, indicate as you normally would – left to turn left, right to turn right, no indicator if you’re going straight.
• When you exit the roundabout, indicate left if practicable.

See Intersections and roundabouts for more information.

To turn into a multi-lane road you must follow any road line markings that indicate how the turn must be made. Where there are no line markings, you can turn into any available lane in the direction you are turning into.

Yes. The simple rule to remember for U-turns is to give way to all other vehicles and pedestrians. This includes giving way to vehicles turning left from a slip lane at the intersection or a side street.

You can cross this line marking to:

• enter or leave the road (e.g. use a driveway)
• park in angle parking on the opposite side of the road, as long as you don’t need to do a U-turn
• to avoid an obstruction, provided you have a clear view of approaching traffic, and it is necessary, reasonable and safe to do so.

You can't cross this line to overtake or make a U-turn.