Signs, signals and markings in Tasmania

By the end of this topic you can

• You can tell a regulatory sign from a warning sign and know which ones must be obeyed.
• You can respond correctly to red, yellow, green and flashing yellow lights and arrows.
• You can say when you may cross each type of dividing line.
• You can use special purpose lanes only for the short distances allowed.

What you need to know and understand

• Regulatory signs, such as speed limits, Stop, Give way, No entry and No U-turn, control traffic and must be obeyed.
• Warning signs are black on a yellow background and alert you to hazards such as bends, intersections or wildlife ahead.
• An advisory speed plate under a warning sign shows a safe speed in good conditions; go slower in wet or icy conditions.
• A yellow traffic light means stop, unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.
• A red arrow means you must not turn in that direction, even if the main light is green.
• Directions from a police officer must be obeyed, even if they differ from a sign or light.

Traffic lights and arrows

• Red: stop as close as possible before the stop line, or before the intersection if there is no line.
• Yellow: stop. It is the start of the red phase, not the end of green. Only go through if you cannot stop safely.
• Green: you may go, but still give way to pedestrians and other traffic as required.
• Flashing yellow: slow down and go carefully. If all lights at an intersection flash yellow, the uncontrolled intersection rules apply.
• Twin red lights at bridges, fire or ambulance stations and level crossings: treat them like a red light and wait until they stop flashing.
• Flashing yellow arrow at a slip lane: you may turn after giving way to traffic and pedestrians on the road you are entering.

Dividing lines at a glance

Lines show when you may leave your side of the road. In every case, you may only cross when it is safe.

• Single broken line: you may cross to overtake, turn, U-turn (unless prohibited) or avoid a hazard.
• Single continuous line, or double broken lines: you may cross only to turn into or out of a road or driveway, or to avoid a hazard or pass a bicycle rider. No overtaking and no U-turns.
• Double continuous lines: cross only to avoid a hazard or pass a bicycle rider.
• Continuous line next to a broken line: follow the line on your side.

Lane markings and special areas

Painted arrows in your lane tell you which way you must go. A Keep clear marking means you must not stop in that area and should only enter if you can get all the way through.

Bicycle storage areas are boxes before an intersection marked with bicycle symbols. Drivers must not stop in them. Generally you must not drive in a bus or bicycle lane, but you may use up to 50 metres of a bicycle lane, or 100 metres of another special purpose lane, to enter or leave the road, park where allowed, avoid a hazard, or overtake a vehicle turning right. Our hazard perception test guide shows how early sign reading helps you spot hazards.

Common mistakes

• Speeding up on a yellow light. In Tasmania a yellow light means stop if you can do so safely, and there is a penalty for not stopping.
• Turning right on a green light while a red right-turn arrow is showing.
• Overtaking across double continuous lines. Only passing a bicycle rider or avoiding a hazard allows you to cross them.
• Ignoring advisory speed plates on bends in wet weather.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Tasmania

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Getting Your Full Licence in Tasmania and the Safer Driver Reward
• Learning to Drive in Tasmania
• Tasmania Hazard Perception Test