Sharing the road in Victoria

By the end of this topic you can

• You can give way to pedestrians at crossings, children's crossings and shared zones.
• You can pass a stopped tram legally and safely.
• You can give bicycle riders and motorcyclists the required passing distance.
• You can stay out of a truck's blind spots and turning space.
• You can respond correctly to emergency vehicles and level crossings.

What you need to know and understand

• When passing a bicycle rider, leave at least 1 metre on roads up to 60 km/h and at least 1.5 metres on roads over 60 km/h.
• Where there is no safety zone, stop level with the rear of a stopped tram and do not pass while its doors are open.
• You may pass a stopped tram only when the doors are closed and no pedestrians are on the road, or a uniformed tram employee waves you through, and no faster than 10 km/h.
• In a built-up area, give way to a bus showing a Give Way to Bus sign that is signalling to pull out from the kerb.
• Get out of the way of emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing red, blue or magenta lights, even on a green light.
• Do not cross a level crossing until the lights stop flashing and booms or gates are fully open.
• At flagged children's crossings, stop if a pedestrian is on or entering the crossing, even with no supervisor present.

Trams: the Victorian essentials

Buses travelling along tram tracks are treated as trams. Our Driving with trams in Victoria guide has more detail.

1. Slow down as you approach any tram stop; people may step off and cross without looking.
2. If the tram stops and there is no safety zone (a raised island), stop level with the rear of the tram.
3. Wait while the doors are open and give way to anyone crossing between the tram and the kerb.
4. When the doors close and the road is clear, pass at no more than 10 km/h.
5. Never pass a tram on its right unless the tracks are at or near the far left of the road, and never pull into the gap just in front of a tram.

People on foot and on two wheels

Pedestrians include people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, skateboards and anyone pushing a bike. Expect children near schools, parks and bus stops, older people near libraries and clubs, and people who have been drinking near pubs and clubs. In shared zones the limit is 10 km/h and pedestrians have right of way.

Bicycle riders and motorcyclists have the same rights as you but much less protection. They may ride two abreast. Check mirrors and do a head check before opening your door, and look twice for bikes before turning, because many crashes happen when cars turn across them.

Big vehicles, emergencies, trains and animals

• Trucks: if you cannot see the truck's mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Do not cut in front, and never overtake alongside a long vehicle showing a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle sign.
• Emergency scenes: slow to 40 km/h when passing stationary or slow emergency, enforcement or incident vehicles with flashing lights, unless they are on the other side of a divided road.
• Level crossings: only enter if there is room for your whole car on the other side, and after one train passes, check that another is not coming.
• Animals: slow for horses and never use your horn near them; obey Give Way to Stock signs; watch for kangaroos and farm animals on country roads, because they can dart out without warning.

Common mistakes

• Driving past a stopped tram while its doors are open. This is dangerous and illegal.
• Squeezing past a cyclist without the required 1 or 1.5 metres. Wait until it is safe to give full space.
• Following a truck so closely you cannot see its mirrors.
• Crossing a level crossing as the booms are still rising.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Victoria

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

Go deeper

• Driving with Trams in Victoria
• U-Turns in Victoria
• Learning to Drive in Victoria