Part 4 Making turns

Division 1 Left turns

26   Application of Division to roundabouts, road related areas and adjacent land

(1)  This Division does not apply to a driver entering or leaving a roundabout.

Note 1. Roundabout is defined in rule 109.

Note 2. Part 9 deals with entering and leaving a roundabout.

(2)  This Division applies to a driver turning left from a road into a road related area or adjacent land, or from a road related area into a road, as if the driver were turning left at an intersection.

Note 1. Adjacent land and intersection are defined in the Dictionary and road related area is defined in rule 13. Adjacent land or a road related area can include a driveway, service station or shopping centre—see the definitions.

Note 2. Rule 74 deals with the give way rules applying to a driver entering a road from a road related area or adjacent land, and rule 75 deals with the give way rules applying to a driver entering a road related area or adjacent land from a road. Rule 212 deals with a driver entering and leaving a median strip parking area.

Note 3. For the meaning of left, see rule 351 (1).

(3)  In this rule:

road does not include a road related area.

Note. A road related area includes the shoulder of a road—see rule 13.

27   Starting a left turn from a road (except a multi-lane road)

(1)  A driver turning left at an intersection from a road (except a multi-lane road) must approach and enter the intersection from as near as practicable to the far left side of the road.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

(1A)  Subrule (1) also applies to a rider of a bicycle who approaches and enters an intersection from a bicycle storage area.

Note. Bicycle storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

(1B)  Despite subrule (1), if there is space in a bicycle storage area for 2 riders of bicycles to be next to each other, the rider on the right may approach and enter the intersection as near as practicable to the right side of the other rider, but only if that other rider approaches and enters the intersection in accordance with this rule.

(2)  In this rule:

road does not include a road related area.

Note 1. Intersection and multi-lane road are defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Road related area includes any shoulder of a road—see rule 13.

Example. 

Starting a left turn from a road (except a multi-lane road)

28   Starting a left turn from a multi-lane road

(1)  A driver turning left at an intersection from a multi-lane road must approach and enter the intersection from within the left lane unless:

(a)  the driver is required or permitted to approach and enter the intersection from within another marked lane under rule 88 (1), 92 or 159, or

(b)  the driver is turning, at B lights or traffic arrows, in accordance with Division 2 of Part 17, or

(c)  subrule (1A) or (2) applies to the driver.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. B lights, intersection, marked lane, multi-lane road, public bus and traffic arrows are defined in the Dictionary, and left lane is defined in subrule (3).

Note 2. Rule 88 (1) deals with left turn only signs, rule 92 deals with traffic lane arrows, and rule 159 deals with traffic signs requiring particular kinds of vehicles to drive in an indicated marked lane.

Note 3. Division 2 of Part 17 provides for priority to be given to public buses at intersections with B lights or a white traffic arrow.

Example for subrule (1) (a). 

Starting a left turn on a multi-lane road with traffic lane arrows as required or permitted under rule 92

(1A)  A driver turning left at an intersection from a multi-lane road that has a slip lane must approach and enter the intersection:

(a)  from within the slip lane, or

(b)  if there is an obstruction that prevents the driver from entering the intersection from within the slip lane—from within the left lane.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Obstruction and slip lane are defined in the Dictionary.

(2)  A driver may approach and enter the intersection from the marked lane next to the left lane as well as, or instead of, the left lane if:

(a)  the driver’s vehicle, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer, and

(b)  the vehicle displays a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and

(c)  any part of the vehicle is within 50 metres of the nearest point of the intersection, and

(d)  it is not practicable for the driver to turn left from within the left lane, and

(e)  the driver can safely occupy the next marked lane and can safely turn left at the intersection by occupying the next marked lane, or both lanes.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Vehicle includes a combination—see rule 15 (d).

Note 3. Rule 316–2 makes it an offence for a do not overtake turning vehicle sign to be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer attached to a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is, or the vehicle and trailer together are, 7.5 metres or more in length.

Example. 

Long vehicle turning left from the left lane and next marked lane

(2A)  If there is a bicycle storage area before an intersection that extends across one or more marked lanes of a multi-lane road, a rider of a bicycle turning left must approach and enter the intersection from within the part of the bicycle storage area that is directly in front of the left marked lane or of a bicycle lane that is on the left side of the road.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Bicycle storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  In this rule:

left lane means:

(a)  the marked lane nearest to the far left side of the road, or

(b)  if there is an obstruction (for example, a parked car or roadworks) in that marked lane—the marked lane nearest to that marked lane that is not obstructed.

marked lane, for a driver, does not include a special purpose lane in which the driver is not permitted to drive.

Note 1. 

Special purpose lane is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Rule 95 deals with driving in an emergency stopping lane and Part 11, Division 6 deals with driving in other special purpose lanes.

 

Do not overtake turning vehicle signs

Note 1 for diagrams. These signs are displayed on certain long vehicles.

Note 2 for diagrams. These signs must comply with the size requirements set out in rule 316–1.

29   Making a left turn as indicated by a turn line

(1)  If a driver is turning left at an intersection and there is a turn line indicating how the turn is required to be made, the driver must make the turn as indicated by the turn line unless:

(a)  the driver is turning, at B lights or traffic arrows, in accordance with Division 2 of Part 17, or

(b)  subrule (2) applies to the driver.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. B lights, intersection, traffic arrows and turn line are defined in the Dictionary.

Example. 

Making a left turn as indicated by a turn line

(2)  A driver may turn left at an intersection other than as indicated by a turn line if:

(a)  the driver’s vehicle, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer, and

(b)  the vehicle displays a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and

(c)  it is not practicable for the driver to turn left as indicated by the turn line, and

(d)  the driver can safely turn left other than as indicated by the turn line.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Vehicle includes a combination—see rule 15 (d).

Note 3. Rule 316–2 makes it an offence for a do not overtake turning vehicle sign to be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer attached to a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is, or the vehicle and trailer together are, 7.5 metres or more in length.

 

Do not overtake turning vehicle signs

Note 1 for diagrams. These signs are displayed on certain long vehicles.

Note 2 for diagrams. These signs must comply with the size requirements set out in rule 316–1.

Division 2 Right turns

30   Application of Division to certain right turns

(1)  This Division does not apply to:

(a)  a driver turning right at an intersection where there is a hook turn only sign, or

(b)  the rider of a bicycle making a hook turn under Division 3, or

(c)  a driver making a U-turn, or

(d)  a driver entering or leaving a roundabout.

Note 1. Bicycle, intersection and U-turn are defined in the Dictionary and roundabout is defined in rule 109.

Note 2. Division 3 of this Part deals with hook turns, Division 4 deals with U-turns and Part 9 deals with entering and leaving a roundabout.

Note 3. For the meaning of right, see rule 351 (2).

(2)  This Division applies to a driver turning right from a road into a road related area or adjacent land, or from a road related area into a road, as if the driver were turning right at an intersection.

Note 1. Adjacent land is defined in the Dictionary and road related area is defined in rule 13. Adjacent land or a road related area can include a driveway, service station or shopping centre—see the definitions.

Note 2. Rule 74 deals with the give way rules applying to a driver entering a road from a road related area or adjacent land, and rule 75 deals with the give way rules applying to a driver entering a road related area or adjacent land from a road. Rule 212 deals with a driver entering and leaving a median strip parking area.

(3)  In this rule:

road does not include a road related area.

Note. A road related area includes the shoulder of a road—see rule 13.

31   Starting a right turn from a road (except a multi-lane road)

(1)  A driver turning right at an intersection from a road (except a multi-lane road) must approach and enter the intersection in accordance with this rule.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Intersection and multi-lane road are defined in the Dictionary.

(2)  If the road has a dividing line or median strip, the driver must approach and enter the intersection from the left of, parallel to, and as near as practicable to, the dividing line or median strip.

Note. Dividing line and median strip are defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  If the road does not have a dividing line or median strip and is not a one-way road, the driver must approach and enter the intersection from the left of, parallel to, and as near as practicable to, the centre of the road.

Note. Centre of the road and one-way road are defined in the Dictionary.

(4)  If the road is a one-way road, the driver must approach and enter the intersection from as near as practicable to the far right side of the road.

(4A)  Subrules (2), (3) and (4) also apply to a rider of a bicycle who approaches and enters an intersection from a bicycle storage area.

Note. Bicycle storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

(4B)  Despite subrules (2), (3) and (4), if there is space in a bicycle storage area for 2 riders of bicycles to be next to each other, the rider on the left may approach and enter the intersection as near as practicable to the left side of the other rider, but only if that other rider approaches and enters the intersection in accordance with this rule.

(5)  In this rule:

road does not include a road related area.

Note. Road related area includes any shoulder of a road—see rule 13.

Examples. 

Example 1

Starting a right turn from a road with a dividing line

Example 2

Starting a right turn from a one-way road

32   Starting a right turn from a multi-lane road

(1)  A driver turning right at an intersection from a multi-lane road must approach and enter the intersection from within the right lane unless:

(a)  the driver is required or permitted to approach and enter the intersection from within another marked lane in accordance with rule 89 (1), 92 or 159, or

(b)  the driver is turning, at B lights or traffic arrows, in accordance with Division 2 of Part 17, or

(c)  subrule (2) applies to the driver.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. B lights, intersection, marked lane, multi-lane road, public bus and traffic arrows are defined in the Dictionary, and right lane is defined in subrule (3).

Note 2. Rule 89 (1) deals with right turn only signs, rule 92 deals with traffic lane arrows, and rule 159 deals with traffic signs requiring particular kinds of vehicles to drive in an indicated marked lane.

Note 3. Division 2 of Part 17 provides for priority to be given to public buses at intersections with B lights or a white traffic arrow.

Example for subrule (1) (a). 

Starting a right turn on a multi-lane road with traffic lane arrows as required or permitted under rule 92

(2)  A driver may approach and enter the intersection from the marked lane next to the right lane as well as, or instead of, the right lane if:

(a)  the driver’s vehicle, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer, and

(b)  the vehicle displays a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and

(c)  any part of the vehicle is within 50 metres of the nearest point of the intersection, and

(d)  it is not practicable for the driver to turn right from within the right lane, and

(e)  the driver can safely occupy the next marked lane and can safely turn right at the intersection by occupying the next marked lane, or both lanes.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Vehicle includes a combination—see rule 15 (d).

Note 3. Rule 316–2 makes it an offence for a do not overtake turning vehicle sign to be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer attached to a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is, or the vehicle and trailer together are, 7.5 metres or more in length.

(2A)  If there is a bicycle storage area before an intersection that extends across one or more marked lanes of a multi-lane road, a rider of a bicycle turning right (but not making a hook turn) must approach and enter the intersection from within the part of the bicycle storage area that is directly in front of the right marked lane or of a bicycle lane that is on the right side of the road.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Bicycle storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  In this rule:

marked lane, for a driver, does not include a special purpose lane in which the driver is not permitted to drive.

right lane means:

(a)  the marked lane nearest to the dividing line or median strip on the road, or

(b)  if there is an obstruction (for example, a parked car or roadworks) in that marked lane—the marked lane nearest to that marked lane that is not obstructed.

Note 1. Dividing line, median strip, obstruction and special purpose lane are defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Rule 95 deals with driving in an emergency stopping lane and Part 11, Division 6 deals with driving in other special purpose lanes.

 

Do not overtake turning vehicle signs

Note 1 for diagrams. These signs are displayed on certain long vehicles.

Note 2 for diagrams. These signs must comply with the size requirements set out in rule 316–1.

33   Making a right turn

(1)  A driver turning right at an intersection must make the turn in accordance with this rule unless:

(a)  the driver is turning, at B lights or traffic arrows, in accordance with Division 2 of Part 17, or

(b)  subrule (4) applies to the driver.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. B lights, intersection and traffic arrows are defined in the Dictionary.

(2)  If there is a turn line indicating how the turn is required to be made, the driver must make the turn as indicated by the turn line.

Note. Turn line is defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  If there is no turn line indicating how the turn is required to be made, the driver must make the turn so the driver:

(a)  passes as near as practicable to the right of the centre of the intersection, and

(b)  turns into the left of the centre of the road the driver is entering, unless the driver is entering a one-way road.

Note. Centre of the road is defined in the Dictionary.

Examples. 

Example 1

Making a right turn as indicated by turn lines

Example 2

Making a right turn from a road with no turn lines indicating how to make the turn

(4)  A driver may turn right other than as indicated by a turn line if:

(a)  the driver’s vehicle, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer, and

(b)  the vehicle displays a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and

(c)  it is not practicable for the driver to turn right as indicated by the turn line, and

(d)  the driver can safely make the turn other than as indicated by the turn line.

Note 1. Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Vehicle includes a combination—see rule 15 (d).

Note 3. Rule 316–2 makes it an offence for a do not overtake turning vehicle sign to be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer attached to a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is, or the vehicle and trailer together are, 7.5 metres or more in length.

 

Do not overtake turning vehicle signs

Note 1 for diagrams. These signs are displayed on certain long vehicles.

Note 2 for diagrams. These signs must comply with the size requirements set out in rule 316–1.

Division 3 Hook turns at intersections

34   Making a hook turn at a hook turn only sign

(1)  A driver turning right at an intersection with traffic lights and a hook turn only sign must turn right by making a hook turn in accordance with this rule.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Intersection and traffic lights are defined in the Dictionary.

(2)  To make a hook turn, the driver must take, in sequence, each of the following steps:

1  Approach and enter the intersection from as near as practicable to the far left side of the road that the driver is leaving.

2  Move forward, keeping as near as practicable to the left of the intersection and clear of any marked foot crossing, until the driver is as near as practicable to the far side of the road that the driver is entering.

3  Remain at the position reached under step 2 until the traffic lights on the road that the driver is entering change to green.

4  Turn right into that road.

Note. Marked foot crossing is defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  In this rule:

road does not include a road related area.

Note. Road related area is defined in rule 13.

 

	Example.
Hook turn only sign	Making a hook turn at a hook turn only sign

35   Optional hook turn by a bicycle rider

(1)  The rider of a bicycle turning right at an intersection without a hook turn only sign, or a no hook turn by bicycles sign, may turn right at the intersection by making a right turn under Division 2 or a hook turn under this rule.

Note. Bicycle and intersection are defined in the Dictionary.

(2)  The rider must make a hook turn under this rule in accordance with subrule (3).

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

(3)  To make a hook turn under this rule, the rider must take, in sequence, each of the following steps:

1  Approach and enter the intersection from as near as practicable to the far left side of the road that the rider is leaving.

2  Move forward:

(a)  keeping as near as practicable to the far left side of the intersection, and

(b)  keeping clear of any marked foot crossing, and

(c)  keeping clear, as far as practicable, of any driver turning left from the left of the intersection,

      until the rider is as near as practicable to the far side of the road that the rider is entering.

3  If there are traffic lights at the intersection, remain at the position reached under step 2 until the traffic lights on the road that the rider is entering change to green.

4  If there are no traffic lights at the intersection, remain at the position reached under step 2 until the rider has given way to approaching drivers on the road that the rider is leaving.

5  Turn right into the road that the rider is entering.

Note. Approaching and marked foot crossing is defined in the Dictionary.

(4)  To make a hook turn under this rule at an intersection that has a bicycle hook turn storage area on the left side of the intersection as the rider approaches the intersection, the rider must take the following initial 2 steps instead of the initial 2 steps listed in subrule (3):

1  Approach the intersection from the far left side of the road the rider is leaving and enter the intersection by moving into the bicycle hook turn storage area, keeping clear of any marked foot crossing.

2  Move forward in the bicycle hook turn storage area until the rider is as near as practicable to the far side of the road that the rider is entering.

Note. Bicycle hook turn storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

Example. 

Example. 

Bicycle rider making a hook turn at an intersection without traffic lights

36   Bicycle rider making a hook turn contrary to no hook turn by bicycles sign

The rider of a bicycle must not make a hook turn at an intersection that has a no hook turn by bicycles sign.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Bicycle and intersection are defined in the Dictionary.

 

No hook turn by bicycles sign

Division 4 U-turns

Note. U-turn is defined in the Dictionary.

37   Beginning a U-turn

A driver must not begin a U-turn unless:

(a)  the driver has a clear view of any approaching traffic, and

(b)  the driver can safely make the U-turn without unreasonably obstructing the free movement of traffic.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Approaching traffic means traffic approaching from any direction—see the definition in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Traffic is defined in the Dictionary.

38   Giving way when making a U-turn

A driver making a U-turn must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. For this rule, give way means the driver must slow down and, if necessary stop, to avoid a collision—see the definition in the Dictionary.

39   Making a U-turn contrary to a no U-turn sign

(1)  A driver must not make a U-turn at a break in a dividing strip on a road if there is a no U-turn sign at the break in the dividing strip.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Dividing strip is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Rule 322 (5) and (6) deal with the meaning of a traffic sign at a break in a dividing strip.

(2)  A driver must not make a U-turn on a length of road to which a no U-turn sign applies.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Length of road is defined in the Dictionary.

(3)  A no U-turn sign on a road (except a no U-turn sign at an intersection or at a break in a dividing strip) applies to the length of road beginning at the sign and ending at the nearer of the following:

(a)  the next intersection on the road,

(b)  if the road ends at a T-intersection or dead end—the end of the road.

Note 1. Intersection and T-intersection are defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. Rule 322 (1) and (2) deal with the meaning of a traffic sign on a road.

 

No U-turn signs
No U-turn sign (Standard sign)	No U-turn sign (Variable illuminated message sign)

40   Making a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights

A driver must not make a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights unless there is a U-turn permitted sign at the intersection.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Intersection and traffic lights are defined in the Dictionary.

 

U-turn permitted sign

41   Making a U-turn at an intersection without traffic lights

A driver must not make a U-turn at an intersection without traffic lights if there is a no U-turn sign at the intersection.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note 1. Intersection and traffic lights are defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2. U-turns are permitted at intersections without traffic lights unless there is a no U-turn sign, even though traffic lane arrows indicate that the driver must or may turn right—see rule 92.

42   Starting a U-turn at an intersection

A driver making a U-turn at an intersection must start the U-turn:

(a)  if the road where the driver is turning has a dividing line or median strip—from the marked lane nearest, or as near as practicable, to the dividing line or median strip, or

(b)  in any other case—from the left of the centre of the road.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Centre of the road, dividing line, intersection, marked lane and median strip are defined in the Dictionary.

Example. 

Starting a U-turn on a road with a median strip

43