approved bicycle helmet means a bicycle helmet of a type that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(f);
Dictionary def. of approved booster seat amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(a)).
approved booster seat means a child restraint that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(a);
Dictionary def. of approved child restraint amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(a)).
approved child restraint means a child restraint that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(b);
Dictionary def. of approved child safety harness amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(a)).
approved child safety harness means a child safety harness that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(c);
approved horse riding helmet see rule 303A;
approved motor bike helmet see rule 270;
Dictionary def. of approved seatbelt amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(a)).
approved seatbelt means a seatbelt of a type that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(h);
area includes—
(a) a bridge; and
(b) a network of roads; and
(c) a slip lane;
Slip lane is defined in this dictionary.
arterial road has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Road Management Act 2004;
Dictionary def. of AS 1698 inserted by S.R. No. 87/2018 rule 17(a).
AS 1698 means AS 1698—1988, Australian Standard, 'Protective helmets for vehicle users', as published from time to time;
Dictionary def. of AS/NZS 1698 inserted by S.R. No. 87/2018 rule 17(a).
AS/NZS 1698 means AS/NZS 1698:2006, Australian/New Zealand Standard, 'Protective helmets for vehicle users', as published from time to time;
Dictionary def. of authorised person amended by S.R. Nos 6/2018 rule 9(b), 88/2018 rule 10(a), 96/2019 rule 13(a), 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(b)), 21/2025 rule 17(a).
authorised person, for a provision of these Rules, means—
(a) a person who is authorised in writing by the Secretary or the Regulator; or
(b) a person who is authorised in writing by the Head, Transport for Victoria and is an employee in the Department of Transport and Planning, or employed in Safe Transport Victoria—
to be an authorised person for the Rules or the provision;
There are other special definitions of authorised person in rules 203 and 307.
B light means a red, white or yellow B light;
Red B light, white B light and yellow B light are defined in this dictionary.
B lights means a device designed to show a B light, or 2 or more B lights at different times;
Dictionary def. of bicycle amended by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 99(2).
bicycle means a vehicle with 2 or more wheels that is built to be propelled partly or wholly by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an auxiliary motor), and—
(a) includes a pedicab, penny-farthing and tricycle; and
(b) includes a power-assisted pedal cycle within the meaning of vehicle standards, as amended from time to time, determined under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth; but
(c) does not include an electric personal transporter, an electric scooter, a scooter, wheelchair, wheeled recreational device, wheeled toy, or any vehicle with an auxiliary motor capable of generating a power output over 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating), other than a vehicle referred to in paragraph (b);
1 Power-assisted pedal cycle is defined in the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule – Definitions and Vehicle Categories) 2005 determined under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth. The definition of power-assisted pedal cycle includes pedalecs within the meaning of that Standard.
2 Vehicle is defined in rule 15. Wheelchair, wheeled recreational device and wheeled toy are defined in this dictionary.
Dictionary def. of bicycle carrier revoked by S.R. No. 87/2018 rule 17(b).
bicycle crossing light means a green, yellow or red bicycle crossing light;
Green bicycle crossing light, yellow bicycle crossing light and red bicycle crossing light are defined in this dictionary.
bicycle crossing lights means a device designed to show a bicycle crossing light, or 2 or more bicycle crossing lights at different times;
Bicycle crossing light is defined in this dictionary.
bicycle hook turn storage area means an area between an intersection and a marked foot crossing, or if there is no marked foot crossing, a stop line, before the intersection that has painted on it one or more bicycle symbols and one or more right traffic lane arrows, and includes any line that delineates the right side of the area, and any line that delineates the left side of the area that is not also a stop line or part of a marked foot crossing and excludes any bicycle storage area;
1 Intersection, bicycle symbol, right traffic lane arrows, marked foot crossing and stop line are defined in this dictionary. Hook turns are described in rules 34 and 35. Motor vehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
2 See example in rule 35.
bicycle lane see rule 153;
bicycle path see rule 239;
bicycle path road marking see rule 239;
bicycle storage area means an area of a road before an intersection with traffic lights—
(a) that has painted on it one or more bicycle symbols; and
(b) that is between two parallel stop lines, regardless of whether the lines are of equal length—
but does not include any stop line;
Intersection, traffic lights, bicycle symbol and stop line are defined in this dictionary.
bicycle symbol means a symbol consisting of a picture of a bicycle;
The symbol is, for example, used in a bicycle lane sign, a bicycle path sign and a separated footpath sign—see Schedule 2.
built-up area, in relation to a length of road, means an area in which either of the following is present for a distance of at least 500 metres or, if the length of road is shorter than 500 metres, for the whole road—
(a) buildings, not over 100 metres apart, on land next to the road;
(b) street lights not over 100 metres apart;
Length of road is defined in this dictionary.
bus lane see rule 154;
Dictionary def. of bus only lane road marking inserted by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 28.
bus only lane road marking means a road marking consisting of the words "bus only";
Road marking is defined in this dictionary.
bus zone see rule 183;
centre of the road, for a driver on a two-way road, means the far right side of the part of the road used by traffic travelling in the same direction as the driver;
changes direction see rule 45;
children's crossing see rule 80;
Dictionary def. of class A electric scooter inserted by S.R. No. 12/2026 rule 5(a).
class A electric scooter means a vehicle that—
(ii) sitting on a seat that is structurally part of the vehicle or purposely built for and correctly installed on the vehicle; and
(c) has 2 wheels (one in front of the other); and
(f) has an unladen mass not exceeding 45 kilograms; and
(g) has a maximum speed capability of 25 kilometres per hour when ridden on level ground; and
(h) can be propelled by both of the following—
Dictionary def. of class B electric scooter inserted by S.R. No. 12/2026 rule 5(a).
class B electric scooter means a vehicle that—
(ii) sitting on a seat that is structurally part of the vehicle or purposely built for and correctly installed on the vehicle; and
(c) has 2 wheels (one in front of the other); and
(f) has a maximum width of 700 millimetres; and
(g) has an unladen mass greater than 45 kilograms but not exceeding 60 kilograms; and
(h) has a maximum speed capability of 25 kilometres per hour when ridden on level ground; and
(i) can be propelled by both of the following—
Dictionary def. of class C electric scooter inserted by S.R. No. 12/2026 rule 5(a).
class C electric scooter means a vehicle that—
(ii) sitting on a seat that is structurally part of the vehicle or purposely built for and correctly installed on the vehicle; and
(c) has 3 or more wheels (one or more at the front and one or more at the rear); and
(f) has a maximum width of 700 millimetres; and
(g) has an unladen mass not exceeding 60 kilograms; and
(h) has a maximum speed capability of 25 kilometres per hour when ridden on level ground; and
(i) can be propelled by both of the following—
coach means a motor vehicle used to convey passengers for hire or reward or in the course of trade or business which is greater than 9·5 metres in length (excluding any trailer attached to it);
combination means a group of vehicles consisting of a motor vehicle connected to one or more vehicles;
Dictionary def. of commercially operated share scheme inserted by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 99(1), revoked by S.R. No. 22/2023 rule 10(b).
continuing road, for a T-intersection, means the road (except a road related area) that meets the terminating road at the T‑intersection;
Road related area is defined in rule 13. Terminating road and T‑intersection are defined in this dictionary.
Corporation means the Roads Corporation;
corrections officer means—
(a) an escort officer (within the meaning of the Corrections Act 1986); or
(b) any other person who is authorised under the Corrections Act 1986 to exercise a function or power of an escort officer (within the meaning of the Corrections Act 1986) with respect to prisoner transportation under the Corrections Act 1986;
corrections vehicle means any motor vehicle driven by a corrections officer who is driving the motor vehicle in the course of their duties as a corrections officer for the purpose of transporting a prisoner;
Corrections officer and prisoner are defined in this dictionary. Motorvehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
Dictionary def. of Council amended by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 16(c).
Council, for a road, road related area, land or place, means the Council (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2020) within the municipal district within which a road, area, land or place or the relevant part of the road, area, land or place is situated;
courier vehicle means a motor bike or other motor vehicle of less than 3 tonnes tare which is operating for the purpose of providing courier services and is clearly identified by a courier vehicle sign. The courier vehicle sign must appear on both sides of the motor vehicle, or on both sides or the rear of the motor bike and must—
(a) be painted onto the body of the vehicle, excluding windows and roof racks (whether or not permanent); or
(b) consist of letters, symbols or signs which are permanently affixed, other than by magnetic means, to the body of the vehicle, excluding windows and roof racks (whether or not permanent);
Motor bike is defined in this dictionary. Motor vehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
courier vehicle sign, for a vehicle, means a sign which includes the word "courier" (with or without other words or symbols), the letters which are—
(a) at least 50 millimetres high; and
(b) of proportional width; and
(c) in clear contrast with the background; and
(d) distinctly legible at a distance of 5 metres;
crash includes—
(a) a collision between 2 or more vehicles; and
(b) any other accident or incident involving a vehicle in which a person is killed or injured, property is damaged, or an animal in someone's charge is killed or injured;
crossing means a children's crossing, level crossing, marked foot crossing or pedestrian crossing;
Children's crossing is defined in rule 80 and level crossing is defined in rule 120. Marked foot crossing is defined in this dictionary, Pedestrian crossing is defined in rule 81.
delivery vehicle means a motor bike or other motor vehicle of less than 3 tonnes tare which is operating for the purpose of providing commercial services and is clearly identified by a delivery vehicle sign. The delivery vehicle sign must appear on both sides of the motor vehicle, or on both sides or the rear of the motor bike and must—
(a) be painted onto the body of the vehicle; or
(b) consist of letters, symbols or signs which are permanently affixed to the body of the vehicle, other than by magnetic means;
Motor bike is defined in this dictionary. Motor vehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
delivery vehicle sign, for a vehicle, means a sign which includes a business name or company name (with or without other words or symbols), in letters which are—
(a) at least 50 millimetres high; and
(b) of proportional width; and
(c) in clear contrast with the background; and
(d) distinctly legible at a distance of 5 metres;
deputy sheriff has the same meaning as in the Sheriff Act 2009;
dividing line means a road marking formed by a line, or 2 parallel lines, whether broken or continuous, designed to indicate the parts of the road to be used by vehicles travelling in opposite directions;
Road marking is defined in this dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
dividing strip means an area or structure that divides a road lengthways, but does not include a nature strip, bicycle path, footpath or shared path;
Bicycle path is defined in rule 239. Footpath and nature strip are defined in this dictionary. Shared path is defined in rule 242.
drive includes be in control of;
driver see rules 16 and 19;
driver's vehicle, for a driver, means the vehicle being driven by the driver;
EastLink has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the EastLink Project Act 2004;
EastLink Corporation means the Freeway Corporation within the meaning of section 3(1) of the EastLink Project Act 2004;
edge line, for a road, means a line marked along the road at or near the far left or far right side of the road (except any road related area of the road);
electric personal transporter means a vehicle designed for use by one person that—
(a) has 2 wheels that operate on a single axis; and
(b) is designed to be self-balancing while a person is using it; and
(c) is propelled by an electric motor; and
(d) is steered by means of a handlebar; and
(e) has a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour; and
(f) is fitted with a device that can limit the maximum speed to 10 kilometres per hour; and
(g) has a maximum width of 850 millimetres; and
(h) has a maximum weight of 60 kilograms when not carrying a person or any load;
electric personal transporter route means a route consisting of specified roads and road related areas that is specified as an electric personal transporter route by notice under rule 244C(1)(a);
electric personal transporter tour means a commercially organised and supervised tour using electric personal transporters for tourism purposes;
electric personal transporter use area means an area that is specified as an electric personal transporter use area by notice under rule 244C(1)(b);
Dictionary def. of electric scooter inserted by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 99(1), amended by S.R. No. 22/2023 rule 10(a), substituted by S.R. Nos 101/2024 rule 12, 12/2026 rule 5(b).
electric scooter means—
(a) a class A electric scooter; or
(b) a class B electric scooter; or
(c) a class C electric scooter;
Dictionary def. of electric scooter use area inserted by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 99(1), revoked by S.R. No. 22/2023 rule 10(b).
Emergency Management Commissioner means the person appointed as Emergency Management Commissioner under the Emergency Management Act 2013;
emergency stopping lane see rule 95;
Dictionary def. of emergency vehicle amended by S.R. Nos 121/2020 rule 16(b), 21/2025 rule 17(b).
emergency vehicle, for a provision of these Rules, means any of the following—
(a) a vehicle operated by or on behalf of and under the control of—
(i) an ambulance service created under section 23 of the Ambulance Services Act 1986 or listed in Schedule 1 to that Act; or
(ii) an ambulance service created under a law in force in another State or in a Territory of the Commonwealth;
(b) a vehicle operated as an ambulance by the Australian Defence Force;
(c) a vehicle operated by or on behalf of and under the control of—
(i) Fire Rescue Victoria established by section 6 of the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958; or
(ii) the Country Fire Authority appointed under section 6 of the Country Fire Authority Act 1958; or
(iii) a fire service established by, or appointed under, a law in force in another State or in a Territory of the Commonwealth;
(d) a fire service unit under the control of—
(i) the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; or
(ii) the Australian Defence Force;
(e) a vehicle under the control of the Emergency Management Commissioner;
(f) a vehicle under the control of the Victoria State Emergency Service established by section 28 of the Victoria State Emergency Service Act 2005;
(g) a vehicle being used to convey a member of the Australian Army engaged in connection with emergency ordnance disposal procedures;
(h) a vehicle under the control of the Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad Inc. or the Echuca and Moama Search and Rescue Squad Inc.;
(i) a vehicle under the control of Airservices Australia;
Emergency Management Commissioner and Airservices Australia are defined in this dictionary.
emergency worker, for a provision of these Rules, means—
(a) the driver of, or passenger in, an emergency vehicle being operated or used in connection with the performance by that person of emergency services in the course of duty (paid or voluntary), whether in relation to a fire or a medical or other emergency; or
(b) a pedestrian performing emergency services in the course of duty (paid or voluntary), whether in relation to a fire or a medical or other emergency;
Dictionary def. of end bus only lane road marking inserted by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 28.
end bus only lane road marking means a road marking consisting of the words "end bus only";
Road marking is defined in this dictionary.
Dictionary def. of enforcement vehicle substituted by S.R. No. 88/2018 rule 10(b), amended by S.R. Nos 96/2019 rule 13(b), 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(c)(d)), 21/2025 rule 17(c)(d).
enforcement vehicle means a vehicle being used to convey an authorised officer within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria), an employee in the Department of Transport and Planning or a person employed in Safe Transport Victoria engaged in connection with the enforcement of the—
(a) Accident Towing Services Act 2007; or
(b) Bus Safety Act 2009; or
(c) Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017; or
(d) Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria); or
(e) Rail Safety (Local Operations) Act 2006; or
(f) Rail Safety National Law (Victoria); or
(g) Road Management Act 2004; or
(h) Road Safety Act 1986; or
(i) Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983;
Safe Transport Victoria is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
enforcement vehicle worker means the driver of, or passenger in, an enforcement vehicle;
enter an intersection or crossing, for the driver of a vehicle or a train, means enter the intersection or crossing with any part of the vehicle or train;
Crossing and intersection are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
Dictionary def. of escort vehicle amended by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(e).
escort vehicle has the same meaning as it has in regulation 5 of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 or section 5 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria);
escort vehicle worker means the driver of, or passenger in, an escort vehicle;
Extension corporation has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the Melbourne City Link Act 1995;
Extension road has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the Melbourne City Link Act 1995;
footpath, except in rule 13(1), means an area open to the public that is designated for, or has as one of its main uses, use by pedestrians;
Rule 13 defines road related area.
freeway see rule 177;
front fog light see rule 217;
give way, for a driver or pedestrian, means—
(a) if the driver or pedestrian is stopped—remain stationary until it is safe to proceed; or
(b) in any other case—slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision;
give way line means a broken line that is marked across all or part of a road and is not part of a marked foot crossing;
1 Marked foot crossing is defined in this dictionary.
2 There is an example of a give way line in rule 69.
green bicycle crossing light means an illuminated green bicycle symbol as shown in the diagram in Schedule 4;
green pedestrian light means—
(a) an illuminated green pedestrian symbol; or
(b) the word "walk" illuminated in green (whether or not flashing);
Green pedestrian symbol is defined in this dictionary.
green pedestrian symbol means a symbol consisting of a picture of a pedestrian as shown in the diagram in green in Schedule 4;
green traffic arrow means an illuminated green arrow;
green traffic light means an illuminated green disc;
halfway around, for a roundabout, see rule 110;
Dictionary def. of hazard warning lights amended by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(f).
hazard warning lights means a pair of yellow direction indicator lights fitted to a vehicle in accordance with the standards for registration within the meaning of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 or the heavy vehicle standards under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria) that display regular flashes of light at the same time, and at the same rate, as each other, but does not include warning lights fitted, in accordance with those standards, to a bus used for carrying children;
Bus is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
Dictionary def. of Head, Transport for Victoria inserted by S.R. No. 6/2018 rule 9(a).
Head, Transport for Victoria has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Transport Integration Act 2010;
high-beam, for a headlight fitted to a vehicle, means that the headlight is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is above the headlight's low-beam;
Low-beam is defined in this dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
hook turn see rules 34 and 35;
Dictionary def. of incident response service vehicle amended by S.R. Nos 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(e)(f)), 102/2025 rule 3(a)(b).
incident response service vehicle means a vehicle that is operated for the purposes of responding to incidents by or on behalf of—
(a) the Head, Transport for Victoria in relation to a freeway or arterial road for which the Head, Transport for Victoria is the responsible road authority; and
(b) the EastLink Corporation in relation to EastLink; and
(c) the Link corporation in relation to the Link road; and
(d) the Extension corporation in relation to the Extension road; and
(e) the Peninsula Link Freeway Corporation in relation to the Peninsula Link Freeway; and
(f) the West Gate Tunnel Corporation or the West Gate Tunnel operator in relation to the West Gate Tunnel tollway;
Arterial road, EastLink, EastLink Corporation, Extension corporation, Extension road, Head, Transport for Victoria, Link corporation, Link road, Peninsula Link Freeway, Peninsula Link Freeway Corporation, West Gate Tunnel Corporation, West Gate Tunnel operator and West Gate Tunnel tollway are defined in this dictionary.
intersection means the area where 2 or more roads (except any road related area) meet, and includes—
(a) any area of the roads where vehicles travelling on different roads might collide; and
(b) the place where any slip lane between the roads meets the road into which traffic on the slip lane may turn—
but does not include any road related area;
Road is defined in rule 12, road related area is defined in rule 13, slip lane is defined in this dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
keep clear marking see rule 96;
land includes premises or a part of premises;
lane filtering means when the rider of a motor cycle rides along a length of road between—
(a) two adjacent lines of traffic travelling in the same direction as the motor cycle; or
(b) two vehicles (regardless of whether the rider remains within a single marked lane) and each vehicle is travelling in—
(i) the same direction as the motor cycle; and
(ii) separate, but adjacent, marked lanes; or
(c) a vehicle travelling in the same direction as the motor cycle and an adjacent parked vehicle or line of parked vehicles—
but does not include overtaking.
Length of road, line of traffic, marked lane and overtake are defined in this dictionary. Motor cycle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
Dictionary def. of large vehicle inserted by S.R. No. 111/2021 rule 17(1).
large vehicle means—
(a) a bus; or
(b) a motor vehicle (other than a bus) that is being used as a single unit and has a GVM greater than 15 tonnes; or
(c) a motor vehicle (other than a bus) that is being used in combination with one or more trailers and has a GCM greater than 15 tonnes;
Dictionary def. of learner driver amended by S.R. No. 121/2019 rule 7(a).
learner driver has the same meaning as in the Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019;
left, for a person or in relation to something, see rule 351(1) and (3);
left change of direction signal means a change of direction signal given in accordance with rule 47;
left traffic lane arrows means traffic lane arrows applying to a marked lane that indicate only a direction to the left;
Marked lane and traffic lane arrows are defined in this dictionary.
length, of road, includes—
(a) a marked lane or a part of a marked lane; and
(b) another part of a length of road;
Marked lane is defined in this dictionary.
level crossing see rule 120;
line of traffic means—
(a) 2 or more vehicles travelling in line along a road (whether or not the vehicles are actually moving, but not including vehicles in a marked lane); or
(b) a single vehicle, other than a vehicle that is part of a line of traffic under paragraph (a), that is travelling along a road (whether or not the vehicle is actually moving, but not including a vehicle in a marked lane);
1 A vehicle travelling along a road (except in a marked lane) in line behind another vehicle (the leading vehicle) forms part of a line of traffic with the leading vehicle.
2 A vehicle travelling along a road (except in a marked lane) with no other vehicles in the vicinity constitutes a line of traffic by itself.
3 Two vehicles travelling in the same direction on a road (except in a marked lane), but not in line, are 2 lines of traffic.
Link corporation has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the Melbourne City Link Act 1995;
Link road has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the Melbourne City Link Act 1995;
loading zone see rule 179;
low-beam, for a headlight fitted to a vehicle, means that the headlight is built or adjusted so, when the vehicle is standing on level ground, the top of the main beam of light projected is—
(a) not higher than the centre of the headlight, when measured 8 metres in front of the vehicle; and
(b) not over 1 metre higher than the level where the vehicle is standing, when measured 25 metres in front of the vehicle;
mail zone see rule 186;
marked foot crossing means an area of a road—
(a) at a place with pedestrian lights facing pedestrians crossing the road and traffic lights facing vehicles driving on the road; and
(b) indicated by a different road surface, or between 2 parallel continuous or broken lines, or rows of studs or markers, on the road surface substantially from one side of the road to the other;
Example of a different road surface
The area of road could be indicated by brick paving across a bitumen road.
Pedestrian lights and traffic lights are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
marked lane means an area of a road marked by continuous or broken lines, or rows of studs or markers, on the road surface that is designed for use by a single line of vehicles;
Dictionary def. of mechanical signalling device amended by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(g).
mechanical signalling device means a device fitted to a vehicle in accordance with the standards for registration within the meaning of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 or the heavy vehicle standards under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria);
median strip means a dividing strip designed or developed to separate vehicles travelling in opposite directions;
Dividing strip is defined in this dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
median strip parking area means a parking area on or in a median strip;
Parking area is defined in this dictionary.
minibus zone see rule 184;
Dictionary def. of mobile digital RSC inserted by S.R. No. 11/2026 rule 6.
mobile digital RSC has the same meaning as in the Road Safety (General) Regulations 20196;
motor bike means a motor vehicle with 2 wheels, and includes—
(a) a two‑wheeled motor vehicle with a sidecar attached to it that is supported by a third wheel; and
(b) a motor vehicle with 3 wheels that is ridden in the same way as a motor vehicle with 2 wheels;
Dictionary def. of motor cycle licence amended by S.R. No. 121/2019 rule 7(b).
motor cycle licence see regulation 6(1)(a) of the Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2019;
multi-lane road, for a driver, means a one-way road, or a two‑way road, with 2 or more marked lanes (except bicycle lanes) that are—
(a) on the side of the dividing line or median strip where the driver is driving; and
(b) for the use of vehicles travelling in the same direction;
Bicycle lane is defined in rule 153. Dividing line, marked lane, median strip, one-way road and two-way road are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
Dictionary def. of municipal district amended by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 16(d).
municipal district has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 2020;
nature strip, except in rule 13(1), means an area between a road (except a road related area) and adjacent land, but does not include the shoulder of a road or a bicycle path, footpath or shared path;
1 Adjacent land and footpath are defined in this dictionary. Bicycle path is defined in rule 239, road and shoulder are defined in rule 12 and shared path is defined in rule 242.
2 Rule 13 defines a road related area.
night means the period between sunset on one day and sunrise on the next day;
no bicycles road marking means a road marking consisting of a bicycle symbol with a diagonal line across it, or the words "no bicycles", or both the symbol and the words;
Bicycle symbol and road marking are defined in this dictionary.
obstruction includes a traffic hazard, but does not include a vehicle only because the vehicle is stopped in traffic or is travelling more slowly than other vehicles;
oncoming vehicle, for a driver, means a vehicle approaching the driver travelling in the opposite direction to the direction in which the driver is driving;
one-way road means a road with one or more marked lanes, all of which are for the use of vehicles travelling in the same direction;
Marked lane is defined in this dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
overhead lane control device means an overhead lane control sign or signal;
overhead lane control sign means a traffic sign displaying a red diagonal cross that is installed on a structure over a road or part of a road;
Traffic sign is defined in this dictionary.
overhead lane control signal means—
(a) an illuminated red diagonal cross (whether or not flashing); or
(b) an illuminated white, green or yellow arrow pointing downwards or indicating one or more directions; or
(c) an illuminated speed-limit sign;
overhead lane control signals means a device on a structure over a road, or part of a road, that is designed to display an overhead lane control signal, or 2 or more overhead lane control signals;
Dictionary def. of oversize vehicle amended by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(h).
oversize vehicle means a class O vehicle within the meaning of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 or a class 1 heavy vehicle within the meaning of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Victoria);
overtake, for a driver, means the action of—
(a) approaching from behind another driver travelling in the same marked lane or line of traffic; and
(b) moving into an adjacent marked lane or part of the road on which there is room for a line of traffic (whether or not the lane or part of the road is for drivers travelling in the same direction); and
(c) passing the other driver while travelling in the adjacent marked lane or line of traffic;
Marked lane is defined in this dictionary.
painted island means an area of a road—
(a) that has painted on it stripes or chevrons in white or another colour that contrasts with the colour of the road; and
(b) that is surrounded either—
(i) by a line or lines (whether broken or continuous); or
(ii) partly by a combination of a line or lines (whether broken or continuous) and partly by a kerb or by a structure on or next to the road;
park, in Part 12 and for a driver, includes stop and allow the driver's vehicle to stay (whether or not the driver leaves the vehicle);
1 Driver's vehicle is defined in this dictionary.
parking area means a length of road or area designed for parking vehicles;
parking area for people with disabilities see rule 203;
parking bay means an area for parking a single vehicle (other than a combination) that is indicated by—
(a) road markings consisting of lines, studs or other similar devices; or
(b) a different road surface;
Combination and road marking are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
parking control sign means any of the following—
(a) a bicycle parking sign;
(b) a bus zone sign;
(c) a clearway sign;
(d) a loading zone sign;
(e) a mail zone sign;
(f) a minibus zone sign;
(g) a motor bike parking sign;
(h) a no parking sign;
(i) a no stopping sign;
(j) a people with disabilities parking sign;
(k) a permissive parking sign;
(l) a permit zone sign;
(m) a taxi zone sign;
(n) a truck zone sign;
(o) a works zone sign;
Dictionary def. of parking permit for people with disabilities amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(g)).
parking permit for people with disabilities means a parking permit issued by a Council in accordance with the Code for the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme as published by the Secretary in the Government Gazette from time to time, or a similar permit issued in another jurisdiction, that includes a people with disabilities symbol;
People with disabilities symbol is defined in this dictionary.
part of the road used by the main body of moving vehicles means the area of the road, except—
(a) any road related area; and
(b) if the road has one or more service roads—the area of any service road;
1 Road related area is defined in rule 13. Service road is defined in this dictionary.
2 A road related area includes any shoulder of the road—see rule 13.
pedestrian see rule 18;
pedestrian crossing see rule 81;
pedestrian lights means a device designed to show, at different times, a green or red pedestrian light;
Green pedestrian light and red pedestrian light are defined in this dictionary.
pedestrian symbol means a symbol consisting of a picture of a pedestrian;
The symbol is, for example, used in a separated footpath sign—see Schedule 2.
Peninsula Link Freeway has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Road Management Act 2004;
Peninsula Link Freeway Corporation has the same meaning as it has in section 134C of the Road Management Act2004;
people with disabilities road marking see rule 203;
people with disabilities symbol means a picture of a person seated in a wheelchair as shown in the diagrams in Schedule 4;
permit zone see rule 185;
police custody officer has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;
police custody officer vehicle means any motor vehicle driven by a police custody officer who is driving the vehicle in the course of their duties as a police custody officer;
Police custody officer is defined in the dictionary. Motor vehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
police officer has the same meaning as in the Victoria Police Act 2013;
police vehicle, for a provision of these Rules, means any vehicle driven by a person who is—
(a) a police officer; and
(b) driving the vehicle in the course of their duties as a police officer;
1 Police officer is defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
2 Drive includes be in control of—see the definition in this dictionary.
Dictionary def. of portable warning triangle amended by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(h)).
portable warning triangle means a portable warning triangle of a type that is approved, for the purposes of these Rules, by the Secretary under rule 407(g) and that is capable of—
(a) producing a clear red warning light visible at a distance of 200 metres from the device; or
(b) showing a red reflection of light from a headlamp attached to a motor vehicle approaching the portable device between sunset and sunrise visible 200 metres from the device;
postal vehicle, for a provision of these Rules, means a vehicle driven by a person who is—
(a) a postal worker; and
(b) driving the vehicle in the course of their duties as a postal worker;
1 Postal worker is defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
2 Drive includes be in control of—see the definition in this dictionary.
postal worker, for a provision of these Rules, means a person who delivers letters, mail and parcels within Australia, on behalf of Australia Post, as an employee or as a contractor;
prisoner has the same meaning as in the Corrections Act 1986;
probationary driver licence has the same meaning as in section 3(1) of the Road Safety Act 1986;
Dictionary def. of public bus amended by S.R. Nos 111/2021 rule 17(2), 21/2025 rule 17(i).
public bus means a bus operated for the purposes of—
(a) a regular passenger service within the meaning of the Bus Services Act 1995; or
(b) a school bus service within the meaning of the Bus Safety Regulations 2020; or
(c) a bus service operating along a fixed route on a regular basis for the purpose of transporting students to or from a post‑secondary education institution within the meaning of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 by or on behalf of—
(i) the Department of Education; or
(ii) a post-secondary education institution;
Bus is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
public holiday, for a place, means a public holiday appointed under the Public Holidays Act 1993;
Dictionary def. of public minibus amended by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(j).
public minibus, for a provision of these Rules, means a motor vehicle—
(a) operated as a commercial minibus service within the meaning of the Bus Safety Act 2009; and
(b) providing a regular passenger service under a service contract within the meaning of the Bus Services Act 1995 or providing a public transport service pursuant to a service contract with the Head, Transport for Victoria;
Motorvehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
Dictionary def. of Public Transport Development Authority revoked by S.R. No. 21/2025 rule 17(k).
red B light means an illuminated red B;
red bicycle crossing light means an illuminated red bicycle symbol (whether or not flashing) as shown in the diagram in Schedule 4;
red pedestrian light means—
(a) an illuminated red pedestrian symbol (whether or not flashing); or
(b) the words "dont walk" illuminated in red (whether or not flashing);
Red pedestrian symbol is defined in this dictionary.
red pedestrian symbol means a symbol consisting of a picture of a pedestrian as shown in the diagram in red in Schedule 4;
red T light means an illuminated red T;
red traffic arrow means an illuminated red arrow;
red traffic light means an illuminated red disc;
Dictionary def. of registered health practitioner inserted by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 16(a).
registered health practitioner means an individual registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in a health profession (other than as a student);
registered medical practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession (other than as a student);
Dictionary def. of relocatable digital RSC inserted by S.R. No. 7/2023 rule 17.
relocatable digital RSC has the same meaning as in the Road Safety (General) Regulations 2019;
ride, for the rider of a motor bike or animal-drawn vehicle, includes be in control of;
Motor bike is defined in this dictionary.
rider see rule 17;
right, for a person or in relation to something, see rule 351(2) and (3);
right change of direction signal means a change of direction signal given in accordance with rule 49;
right traffic lane arrows means traffic lane arrows applying to a marked lane that indicate only a direction to the right;
Marked lane and traffic lane arrows are defined in this dictionary.
road see rules 11(2) and 12;
road marking means a word, figure, symbol, mark, line, raised marker or stud, or something else, on the surface of a road to direct or warn traffic, but does not include a painted island;
Painted island is defined in this dictionary.
road related area see rule 13;
road user see rule 14;
roundabout see rule 109;
safety zone see rule 162;
scooter see rule 244A;
Dictionary def. of Secretary inserted by S.R. No. 153/2019 rule 4(Sch. 1 item 26(i)).
Secretary has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Transport Integration Act 2010;
secure services vehicle means any vehicle used to transport a child or youth to or from a secure welfare service, youth justice centre or youth residential centre as defined in the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005;
separated footpath see rule 239;
separated footpath road marking see rule 239;
service road means the part of a road that—
(a) is separated from other parts of the road by a dividing strip that is not designed or developed, wholly or mainly, to separate vehicles travelling in opposite directions; and
(b) is—
(i) designed or developed to be used, wholly or mainly, by traffic servicing adjacent land; or
(ii) indicated to be a service road by information on or with a traffic control device on the road;
Adjacent land, dividing strip, traffic, traffic control device and with are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
shared path see rule 242;
shared zone see rule 24;
sheriff has the same meaning as in the Sheriff Act 2009;
sheriff's officer has the same meaning as in the Sheriff Act 2009;
Dictionary def. of sheriff's vehicle amended by S.R. No. 121/2020 rule 16(e).
sheriff's vehicle means any motor vehicle driven by a sheriff's officer who is driving the vehicle in the course of their duties as a sheriff's officer;
Sheriff's officer is defined in this dictionary. Motor vehicle is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986.
shoulder see rule 12;
slip lane means an area of road for vehicles turning left that is separated, at some point, from other parts of the road by a painted island or traffic island, but not by a median strip;
Median strip, painted island and traffic island are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
special purpose lane means a marked lane, or the part of a marked lane, that is a bicycle lane, bus lane, emergency stopping lane, tram lane, transit lane or truck lane;
Bicycle lane is defined in rule 153, bus lane is defined in rule 154 and emergency stopping lane is defined in rule 95. Marked lane is defined in this dictionary. Tram lane is defined in rule 155, transit lane is defined in rule 156 and truck lane is defined in rule 157.
speed-limited area see rule 22;
stop, in Part 12 and for a driver, includes park, but does not include stop to reverse the driver's vehicle into a parking bay or other parking space;
1 Driver's vehicle, park and parking bay are defined in this dictionary.
stop line means a continuous line that—
(a) is marked across all or part of a road; and
(b) is not part of a marked foot crossing, a keep clear marking or a bicycle storage area for hook turns;
1 Keep clear marking is defined in rule 96. Marked foot crossing is defined in this dictionary.
2 There is an example of a stop line in rule 67.
straight ahead includes substantially straight ahead;
T-intersection means an intersection, other than a roundabout, where 2 roads meet (whether or not at right angles) and one of the roads ends;
Intersection is defined in this dictionary.
T light means a red, white or yellow T light;
Red T light, white T light and yellow T light are defined in this dictionary.
T lights means a device designed to show a T light, or 2 or more T lights at different times;
Dictionary def. of taxi substituted by S.R. No. 88/2018 rule 10(c).
taxi means a commercial passenger vehicle that is compliant (as defined in regulation 9(4) of the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Regulations 2018) and that is being used to provide a commercial passenger vehicle service in accordance with the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 and the regulations made under that Act;
Dictionary def. of Taxi Services Commission revoked by S.R. No. 88/2018 rule 10(d).
taxi zone see rule 182;
terminating road, for a T-intersection, means—
(a) if a road (except a road related area) at the intersection is designated by traffic signs or road markings, or in another way, as a road that ends at the intersection—that road; or
(b) in any other case—a road (except a road related area) that ends at the intersection;
Road is defined in rule 12 and road related area is defined in rule 13. T-intersection is defined in this dictionary.
tow truck has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Accident Towing Services Act 2007;
tractor means a motor vehicle that is a tractor by virtue of a declaration under section 3(2)(c) of the Road Safety Act 1986;
traffic includes vehicles and pedestrians;
Pedestrian is defined in rule 18 and vehicle is defined in rule 15.
traffic arrow means a green, white or red traffic arrow, or a yellow traffic arrow (whether or not flashing);
Green traffic arrow, red traffic arrow, white traffic arrow and yellow traffic arrow are defined in this dictionary.
traffic arrows means a device designed to show a traffic arrow, or 2 or more traffic arrows at different times;
traffic control device means a traffic sign, road marking, traffic signals, or another device, to direct or warn traffic on, entering or leaving a road;
traffic island means a structure on a road to direct traffic, but does not include a road marking or painted island;
Painted island and road marking are defined in this dictionary.
traffic lane arrows means a traffic sign, road marking or device that displays arrows indicating one or more directions and is designed to apply to one or more marked lanes, but does not include traffic arrows;
Marked lane, road marking, traffic arrow and traffic sign are defined in this dictionary.
traffic light means a green traffic light, or a red or yellow traffic light (whether or not flashing);
Green traffic light, red traffic light and yellow traffic light are defined in this dictionary.
traffic lights means a device designed to show a traffic light, or 2 or more traffic lights in a vertical arrangement and at different times, and includes any traffic arrows installed with or near the device;
traffic lights pole means a pole or other structure on which traffic lights are installed;
traffic-related item means any of the following—
(a) a do not overtake turning vehicle sign;
(b) a give way to buses sign;
(c) a fire hydrant indicator or fire plug indicator;
Examples of a fire hydrant indicator and fire plug indicator are shown in Schedule 4.
traffic sign means a board, plate, screen, or another device, whether or not illuminated, displaying words, figures, symbols or anything else to direct or warn traffic on, entering or leaving a road, and includes a children crossing flag, a hand-held stop sign, a parking control sign and a variable illuminated message sign, but does not include traffic signals;
traffic signals means B lights, bicycle crossing lights, overhead lane control signals, pedestrian lights, T lights, traffic arrows, traffic lights, or twin red or yellow lights;
trailer means a vehicle that is built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle, but does not include a motor vehicle that is being towed;
tram includes a reference to a light rail vehicle;
tram lane see rule 155;
tram recovery vehicle means a vehicle used by a tram operator to access and recover disabled trams or to resolve incidents on a tram for which the tram operator is responsible;
tram stop means a place on a road at which there is a sign indicating that trams will stop to enable people to get on or off;
tram tracks includes a rail designed for a light rail vehicle to run on;
tramway see rule 155A;
transit lane see rule 156;
travelon, for an electric personal transporter, means to be in control of the electric personal transporter;
travelling along tram tracks, for a bus, means being driven along the area where the tram tracks are laid on behalf of a body to whom the tram tracks are leased;
Bus is defined in the Road Safety Act 1986. Tram tracks is defined in this dictionary.
trolley includes a shopping trolley and any other kind of handcart;
truck means a rigid motor vehicle that is principally constructed as a load carrying vehicle. However, a reference in these Rules to a truck does not include a reference to—
(a) a motor vehicle, other than a prime mover, with a GVM not greater than 4⋅5 tonnes; or
(b) a prime mover with a GCM not greater than 4⋅5 tonnes; or
(c) a bus, tram or tractor;
Bus, GCM, GVM, motor vehicle and prime mover are defined in the Road Safety Act 1986. Tram and tractor are defined in this dictionary.
truck lane see rule 157;
truck zone see rule 180;
turn line means a road marking, at an intersection, consisting of a line (whether broken or continuous) that is designed to indicate how a turn is to be made at the intersection;
turning lane means a marked lane, or the part of a marked lane, for vehicles travelling in one direction to which—
(a) a left turn only sign or a left lane must turn left sign applies or left traffic lane arrows apply; or
(b) a right turn only sign or a right lane must turn right sign applies or right traffic lane arrows apply; or
(c) a U-turn permitted sign applies or U-turn traffic lane arrows apply;
Left traffic lane arrows, marked lane, right traffic lane arrows, U-turn and U-turn traffic lane arrows are defined in this dictionary. Vehicle is defined in rule 15.
twin red lights means a device showing, in a horizontal or diagonal arrangement, 2 illuminated red discs that flash alternately;
twin yellow lights means a device showing, in a horizontal or diagonal arrangement, 2 illuminated yellow discs that flash alternately;
two-way road means a road for use by vehicles travelling in opposite directions;
U-turn means a turn made by a driver so that the driver's vehicle faces in approximately the opposite direction from which it was facing immediately before the turn was made, but does not include a turn made at a roundabout;
Driver's vehicle is defined in this dictionary. Roundabout is defined in rule 109.
U-turn traffic lane arrows means traffic lane arrows applying to a marked lane that indicate only a U-turn direction;
U-turn is defined in this dictionary.
Dictionary def. of UN 22 inserted by S.R. No. 87/2018 rule 17(a).
UN 22 means United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No. 22, 'Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Protective Helmets and their Visors for Drivers and Passengers of Motor Cycles and Mopeds';
variable illuminated message device means a device designed to display, and to change or turn off from time to time by electronic or optical means, illuminated words, figures, symbols, or anything else, to direct or warn traffic on, entering or leaving a road, but does not include traffic signals;
Traffic is defined in this dictionary.
variable illuminated message sign means the illuminated words, figures, symbols, or other things, displayed at any relevant time on a variable illuminated message device;
vehicle see rule 15;
Dictionary def. of vehicle sharing scheme inserted by S.R. No. 12/2026 rule 5(a).
vehicle sharing scheme has the same meaning as in Part VIA of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983;
Dictionary def. of West Gate Tunnel Corporation inserted by S.R. No. 102/2025 rule 3(c).
West Gate Tunnel Corporation has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the West Gate Tunnel (Truck Bans and Traffic Management) Act 2019;
Dictionary def. of West Gate Tunnel operator inserted by S.R. No. 102/2025 rule 3(c).
West Gate Tunnel operator has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the West Gate Tunnel (Truck Bans and Traffic Management) Act 2019;
Dictionary def. of West Gate Tunnel tollway inserted by S.R. No. 102/2025 rule 3(c).
West Gate Tunnel tollway has the same meaning as it has in section 3 of the West Gate Tunnel (Truck Bans and Traffic Management) Act 2019;
wheelchair means a chair mounted on 2 or more wheels that is built to transport a person who is unable to walk or has difficulty in walking, but does not include a pram, stroller or trolley;
Trolley is defined in this dictionary.
Dictionary def. of wheeled recreational device amended by S.R. No. 135/2021 rule 99(3).
wheeled recreational device means a wheeled device, built to transport a person, propelled by human power or gravity (or in the case of a scooter, propelled by a person pushing one foot against the ground, or by an electric motor or motors, or by a combination of these), and ordinarily used for recreation or play, and—
(a) includes rollerblades, rollerskates, a skateboard, a scooter (other than an electric scooter) that is not a motor vehicle, or similar wheeled device; but
(b) does not include the following—
(i) a golf buggy, pram, stroller or trolley;
(ii) a bicycle;
(iii) an electric scooter (whether or not the electric scooter is a motor vehicle);
(iv) an electric personal transporter;
(v) a wheelchair or wheeled toy;
(vi) a scooter that is a motor vehicle;
Bicycle, electric personal transporter, electric scooter, trolley, wheelchair and wheeled toy are defined in this dictionary. Scooter is defined in rule 244A.
wheeled toy means a child's pedal car, scooter (other than a motorised scooter) or tricycle or a similar toy, but only when it is being used only by a child who is under 12 years old;
white B light means an illuminated white B as shown in the diagram in Schedule 4;
white T light means an illuminated white T as shown in the diagram in Schedule 4;
white traffic arrow means an illuminated white arrow;
window, in relation to a vehicle, includes any sunroof fitted to the vehicle;
with, for information about the application of a traffic control device, includes accompanying or reasonably associated with the device;
works zone see rule 181;
yellow B light means an illuminated yellow B;
yellow bicycle crossing light means an illuminated yellow bicycle symbol (whether or not flashing) as shown in the diagram in Schedule 4;
yellow T light means an illuminated yellow T;
yellow traffic arrow means an illuminated yellow arrow;
yellow traffic light means an illuminated yellow disc.
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Endnotes
1 General information
See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
The Road Safety Road Rules 2017, S.R. No. 41/2017 were made on 6 June 2017 by the Governor in Council under section 95D of the Road Safety Act 1986, No. 127/1986 and came into operation on 1 July 2017: rule 2.
The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 6 June 2027 (see section 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.
See section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after
1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.
| Date of Making: | 31.8.21 |
| Date of Commencement: | Rules 6–11, 17 on 31.8.21: rule 3(1); rules 12–16 on 6.9.21: rule 3(2); rule 5 on 23.9.21: rule 3(3) |
Rule 215(4): S.R. No. 116/2021 as amended by S.R. Nos 47/2022, 51/2022, 129/2022, 130/2022, 53/2023, 54/2023, 67/2023 and 43/2024.
2 Rule 216(3) def. of dangerous goods: S.R. No. 155/2018.
3 Rule 221(f): S.R. No. 102/2020.
4 Rule 234(3)(c): S.R. No. 93/2019.
5 Rule 408(1): S.R. No. 94/2009. Reprint No. 1 as at 1 August 2013. Reprinted to S.R. No. 88/2013. Subsequently amended by
S.R. Nos 134/2013, 151/2013, 68/2014, 132/2014, 146/2014, 86/2015, 120/2015, 125/2015 and 98/2016.
6 Dictionary def. of mobile digital RSC: S.R. No. 88/2019 as amended by S.R. Nos 104/2019, 172/2019, 105/2020, 123/2020, 36/2021, 121/2021, 136/2021, 19/2022, 31/2022, 47/2022, 106/2022, 8/2023, 23/2023, 67/2023, 60/2024, 102/2024, 15/2025, 28/2025, 36/2025 and 155/2025.
——
Penalty Units
These Rules provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the Sentencing Act 1991. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the Monetary Units Act 2004, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.
The value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 is $203.51. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.
The value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the Monetary Units Act 2004. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.
——
Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter
The following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter was included in S.R. No. 87/2018 in accordance with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2014.
| Statutory rule provision | Title of applied, adopted or incorporated document | Matter in applied, adopted or incorporated document |
| Rule 17(a) definition of AS 1698 in the dictionary | Australian Standard 'Protective Helmets for Vehicle Users' AS 1698—1988, published 9 May 1988 by Standards Australia | The whole |
| Rule 17(a) definition of AS/NZS 1698 in the dictionary | Australian/New Zealand Standard 'Protective helmets for vehicle users', AS/NZS 1698:2006, published 20 February 2006 by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand | The whole |
| Rule 17(a) definition of UN 22 in the dictionary | United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No. 22, 'Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Protective Helmets and their Visors for Drivers and Passengers of Motor Cycles and Mopeds', E/ECE/324 Rev. 4 published 24 September 2002 by the United Nations | The whole |
Reader's Guide amended by S.R. Nos 135/2021 rule 100, 21/2025 rule 18.
Reader's Guide
Aim of the Guide
The aim of this Guide is to help you to understand the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (the Road Rules) and the way they apply to different kinds of roads, vehicles and road users. The Guide also gives information on the structure of the Road Rules.
As a matter of law, the Guide is not part of the Road Rules.
The Road Rules
The Road Rules provide rules to be followed by all road users.
They are part of a national scheme to provide uniform road laws throughout Australia.
How to use the Road Rules
1 Contents and dictionary
The contents at the beginning of the Road Rules will help you to find particular rules or groups of rules that you may be interested in. They may also be helpful in giving you an overview of the structure of the Road Rules.
The dictionary at the end of the Road Rules defines words and expressions that have special meanings in the Road Rules. It includes words and expressions that are defined elsewhere in the Road Rules.
2 Application of the Road Rules and some key concepts
The application of the Road Rules and some key concepts are explained in Part 2 of the Road Rules. You will need to understand Part 2 to apply the Road Rules properly.
Roads and road related areas
The Road Rules apply to vehicles, animals and persons on roads and "road related areas". "Road related areas" are areas like footpaths, nature strips and parking areas. The Road Rules generally apply to road related areas in the same way as they apply to roads.
In the Road Rules, a reference to a "road" generally includes road related areas. If a particular rule does not apply to road related areas, or applies only to road related areas, this will be stated in the rule.
Drivers and riders
The Road Rules are generally expressed to apply to drivers of vehicles, since they are the largest category of road users. A driver is the person driving or otherwise in control of a vehicle. For example, a person steering and pushing a stalled motor vehicle would be in control of the vehicle and be the "driver".
Persons riding, or otherwise in control of, motor bikes or animal-drawn vehicles, or riding bicycles, electric scooters or animals, are called "riders", rather than drivers. The Road Rules generally apply to them in the same way as they apply to drivers.
In the Road Rules, a reference to a "driver" generally includes a rider. If a particular rule does not apply to riders, or applies only to particular kinds of riders, this is stated in the rule.
The definition of a "vehicle" (also in Part 2) is very broad and is not exhaustive. It includes, for example, motorised wheelchairs that can travel over 10 kilometres per hour. However, it does not include trains. The driving of trains is not covered by the Road Rules. A reference in the Road Rules to a vehicle does not include wheeled recreational devices or wheeled toys. Riders of wheeled recreational devices and wheeled toys are treated as pedestrians.
Although most of the Road Rules apply to vehicles of all kinds and to both drivers and riders, there are some rules that apply only to particular drivers or riders. For example, the rules in Part 15 apply only to riders of bicycles and electric scooters, and the rules in Part 17 apply only to the drivers of trams and public buses.
Pedestrians
It is not appropriate to apply the Road Rules to persons in control of some kinds of vehicles as if they were drivers of conventional motor vehicles. For this reason, some persons who might otherwise come within the definition of "driver" are treated as pedestrians. For example, a person pushing a motorised wheelchair is treated as a pedestrian.
The rules that apply to pedestrians are in Part 14.
3 Diagrams of traffic signs
Diagrams of all traffic signs mentioned in the Road Rules are shown in alphabetical order in Schedules 2 and 3 at the end of the Road Rules. The traffic signs in Schedule 2 are those in the relevant Australian Standard (AS 1742) as well as some existing non-standard signs in common use that will continue to be used and some new signs. The traffic signs in Schedule 3 are either alternative versions of the signs in Schedule 2 (which are being phased out) or signs that are Victoria specific.
Diagrams of signs have also been included after particular rules to help you identify the signs when reading the Road Rules.
A number of traffic signs have 2 or more permitted versions. Notes to the diagrams of signs included in particular rules will tell you if there are other permitted versions of the signs or if the signs can have other permitted features. For example, there is more than one permitted version of a speed-limit sign. Also, a speed-limit sign can have a different number. Notes to the diagram of the sign in Part 3 will tell you about these things.
Diagrams (including diagrams that are examples) are part of the Road Rules.
4 Notes and examples
Notes are used throughout the Road Rules. They may tell you that certain terms are defined (and where they are defined), draw your attention to other relevant rules, or help in other ways. The notes are not part of the Road Rules.
Examples are also given throughout the Road Rules, sometimes by explanation and sometimes by diagrams. They are not exhaustive. Examples are part of the Road Rules.
5 Structure and language
The following points may assist you in reading and understanding the Road Rules.
Arrangement of rules
Rules have been grouped in Parts and Divisions so that rules on the same subject are, as far as possible, together. However, some kinds of rules are relevant in many different situations. For example, in addition to the general give way rules in Part 7, giving way at traffic lights is dealt with in Part 6 (which deals with traffic lights) and giving way at roundabouts is dealt with in Part 9 (which deals with roundabouts). This arrangement gives drivers a more complete picture of their obligations at traffic lights and roundabouts.
Notes at the beginning of a Part, or with an application provision, will tell you where other rules on the subject can be found.
Structure of rules
The Road Rules often deal with complex situations. For this reason the more complex rules set out, in order—
• the rule (that is what must, or must not, be done in the situation covered by the rule);
• the exceptions to the rule;
• any other information needed for the application of the rule (for example, particular definitions).
This enables the reader to see the rule set out in the simplest and clearest way.
Exemptions
In addition to exemptions that may be set out in a rule, there are a number of general exemptions. Trams, for example, are exempted from the operation of a number of Parts in the Road Rules because they run on fixed tracks. The list of exceptions for trams is in Part 19 (Exemptions). Also, in Part 19 there are, for example, a number of general exemptions for police and emergency vehicles and for other vehicles and drivers in particular situations.
Definitions included in a rule
Most definitions of words and expressions are given in the dictionary. However, some terms are defined in the text of a rule. This is generally done where the word or expression is used only in that rule and nowhere else in the Road Rules. In addition, some definitions, particularly of areas or lengths of road that are established by traffic signs or road markings, are complex or need diagrams to be fully understood. They are placed with the basic rule that deals with the area or length of road, so that the rule and the definition (with any accompanying diagrams) can be seen and understood together. For example, see the definitions of bicycle path and separated footpath in rule 239. This also means there is no need for diagrams of the signs to appear in the dictionary as well as at the end of the rule and in the Schedules. The definitions are, however, signposted in the dictionary at the end of the Road Rules. Notes are also included in relevant rules drawing attention to these definitions.
Use of the terms "vehicle" and "road" in a rule
Because of the way "driver" is defined, it is generally not necessary to say "the driver of a vehicle" or mention the driver's vehicle in a rule.
In the same way, because the Road Rules apply only to roads and road related areas, it is not generally necessary to say in a rule that something must, or must not, be done "on a road", except where the kind of road, or the place on a road, is relevant to the rule or it is necessary to exclude road related areas.
Use of the terms "bus" and "public bus"
If a rule is directed to the driver of a public bus, the term "public bus" is used in the rule, and the rule applies only to public buses. For examples, see Part 17 (Additional rules for drivers of trams and public buses). However, if a rule directs a driver of any vehicle to take or not take some action in relation to a bus, the term "bus" is used and the rule applies to buses of all kinds. This is because, although the rule is primarily intended to apply to public buses, a public bus may not be marked in a way that makes it distinguishable from a non-public bus, and it is preferable from the point of view of road safety that the driver treat any bus as a public bus. For examples see Part 11, Division 7 (Passing trams and safety zones). There are also some rules that refer specifically to the drivers of all buses.
Use of the term "does not apply" in relation to a rule
A rule may say that it does not apply to a driver of a particular kind, or in a particular situation. This does not mean, however, that another rule will not apply to the driver in the same situation. An example is rule 95 (Emergency stopping lane only signs). A bicycle rider does not commit an offence under rule 95 by riding in an emergency stopping lane, because the rule expressly states that it does not apply to bicycle riders. However, the rider may still commit an offence by riding in the emergency stopping lane if a no bicycles sign applies to the lane (see rule 252 (No bicycles signs and markings)).
Use of present tense for some actions
The Road Rules may say that a driver "is turning" at an intersection. The use of the present tense is intended to cover both the present and future aspects of the present tense. That is, it refers to a driver who is preparing to make the turn as well as a driver who is in the course of making the turn. The context will make this clear in the rule.
Obligation to "give way"
There are a number of rules requiring a driver to give way to another driver or a pedestrian. However, under the Road Rules the other driver or pedestrian does not have a "right" of way. Indeed, in some situations, a number of drivers may be required to give way to each other, e.g. at an intersection with a stop sign or give way sign on more than one of the intersecting roads. Similarly, although a driver may be required to give way to a pedestrian, the pedestrian is required under rule 236(1) not to cause a traffic hazard by moving into the driver's path.
Other aids to using and understanding the Road Rules
Part 20 of the Road Rules explains how traffic signs, traffic signals, road markings and other traffic control devices on roads must comply with the Road Rules to be legally effective. The Part also explains the way traffic control devices apply to lengths of road and areas, and also to drivers and other road users. Traffic signs and signals generally apply to a person if they face the person, but there are exceptions.