Sharing the road in Tasmania

By the end of this topic you can

• You can give bicycle riders the legal minimum passing distance.
• You can respond correctly to pedestrians at crossings and in shared zones.
• You can give way to emergency vehicles and buses.
• You can cross a railway level crossing safely.
• You can react safely to horses, livestock and wildlife.

What you need to know and understand

• When passing a bicycle rider you must leave at least 1 metre where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and at least 1.5 metres where it is higher.
• You may cross continuous centre lines to pass a bicycle rider when it is safe.
• In a shared zone you must give way to all pedestrians.
• You must give way to and move out of the path of emergency vehicles with flashing red, blue or magenta lights or a siren.
• You must give way to a bus in front of you pulling out from a stop when it has a Give way to buses sign and its right indicator on.
• You must stop and wait if the person in charge of a horse or livestock signals you to.

Bicycle riders and motorcyclists

Bicycle riders may use a whole lane, ride two abreast and ride on footpaths unless a sign says otherwise. Check mirrors and blind spots, indicate, and only pass when the road ahead is clear. If you cannot leave the minimum distance, slow down and wait.

Full licence motorcyclists may lane filter between slow or stopped traffic at up to 30 km/h, so check for them before changing lanes. Always look for bikes before opening your door.

Pedestrians, buses and long vehicles

• At pedestrian and children's crossings, slow down, stop for anyone on or entering the crossing and wait until they have left it.
• Never overtake a vehicle stopped at a pedestrian crossing. Someone may be crossing out of sight.
• Watch for children near schools and school buses. The limit is 40 km/h within 50 metres of a school bus with flashing lights.
• Long vehicles may need more than one lane to turn. If a turning truck shows a Do not overtake turning vehicle sign, do not pass on the side it is turning towards.

Level crossings

1. Approach slowly and look both ways for trains.
2. At a Stop sign, stop and give way to any train. At a Give way sign, slow and give way to any train.
3. Do not enter if a train is coming, lights are flashing, bells are ringing, a boom gate is moving or the road beyond is blocked.
4. Wait until warning lights stop, as a second train may follow.

Animals on Tasmanian roads

You must give way to agitated horses and livestock, and stop if the rider or handler signals. Wildlife ahead signs are common on rural roads. Animals are often most active around dusk and at night, so slow down in those areas and use high beam when no vehicles are within 200 metres. Our hazard perception test guide covers spotting these hazards early.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a bicycle rider in a narrow lane instead of waiting for a safe gap.
• Passing a car stopped at a pedestrian crossing.
• Panicking and braking hard for an emergency vehicle in a busy lane. Move over when it is safe.
• Driving onto a level crossing straight after a train passes while the lights are still flashing.
• Driving rural roads at dusk at full speed with no plan for wildlife.

Test yourself: Sharing the road 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