Australian Capital Territory speed limits and key road rules

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the default speed limit in ACT built-up and rural areas.
• You can explain when a 40 km/h school zone is in force.
• You can name where 40 km/h town centre limits apply.
• You can choose a safe speed below the limit when conditions call for it.
• You can explain the rule for passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

What you need to know and understand

• The default limit in an ACT built-up area is 50 km/h unless a sign shows otherwise.
• The default limit outside built-up areas in the ACT is 100 km/h.
• Many major roads are signed at 60 km/h. When you turn off one onto an unsigned street, 50 km/h applies again.
• School zones are 40 km/h at the times and days shown on the sign, typically 8am to 4pm on school days. The signs open and close.
• There are 18 town centres with 40 km/h limits that apply 24 hours a day, every day.
• ACT learner and provisional drivers may drive at the posted limit in the ACT, but must follow lower limits that apply to them in other states.
• When passing a stopped or slow-moving police or emergency vehicle showing flashing red or blue lights, you must slow to 40 km/h or less (unless it is beyond a median strip on the other side of the road).

Reading the speed environment

If you see houses and street lights but no speed sign, assume you are in a built-up area and the limit is 50 km/h. Speed signs apply until another sign changes the limit. Temporary roadwork limits apply even if you cannot see any workers.

Speed cameras and police patrols both operate in the ACT. The best way to avoid a fine is to watch your speedometer, not look out for cameras.

Why a few km/h matters

ACT road safety figures show that a pedestrian hit at 30 km/h has a good chance of surviving, but at 45 km/h the chance falls below half. At 80 km/h survival is very unlikely. Driving just 5 km/h over the limit raises both the chance of a crash and how badly people are hurt.

• Slow down in rain, fog, ice and at dusk, when kangaroos are most active.
• Slow down near schools, shops, bus stops and parked cars where children may step out.
• Keep at least a three-second gap to the car in front, and more in poor conditions.

Other key ACT rules to remember

• Keep left on multi-lane roads where the limit is over 80 km/h or a keep left unless overtaking sign applies.
• Bus lanes are for buses, taxis, hire cars and motorcycles. Other vehicles may use them for no more than 100 metres to enter or leave a road.
• Do not stop on a keep clear marking.
• Head and tail lights must be on between sunset and sunrise. Dip high beam for oncoming traffic and when following within 200 metres.

Common mistakes

• Holding 60 km/h after turning off a main road into a suburban street, where 50 km/h applies.
• Forgetting a school zone sign is open on a school day.
• Thinking the ACT's lack of an L or P speed cap applies interstate. In other states their local learner and P-plate limits apply to you.
• Driving at the limit in fog or on icy winter mornings instead of slowing down.

Test yourself: Australian Capital Territory speed limits and key road rules

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

Go deeper

• ACT Pre-Learner Course and Road Rules Test
• ACT Road Rules Handbook Study Guide