Signs, signals and markings in Victoria
Signs, signals and road markings tell you what you must do, what to watch for and where you are going. Many of them are regulatory, which means ignoring them is an offence.
Victoria has extra markings that drivers elsewhere rarely see, mostly because of Melbourne's large tram network: yellow lines beside tram tracks, tram-only traffic lights and Hook Turn signs.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can tell regulatory, warning and direction signs apart by colour and shape.
- You can respond correctly to every traffic light colour and arrow.
- You can say when you may and may not cross each type of centre line.
- You can read tram lane and tramway markings.
- You can use special purpose lanes legally.
What you need to know and understand
- Regulatory signs are usually black and white, sometimes with red, and must be obeyed.
- Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds and often mean slow down.
- Direction signs are green with white lettering.
- A yellow light means stop, unless you cannot stop safely.
- You must not overtake or make a U-turn across a single continuous centre line or double continuous lines.
- You may briefly cross continuous centre lines to pass a bicycle rider if the road ahead is clear and it is safe.
- You must not stop next to a continuous yellow edge line.
- You may drive in most special purpose lanes for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road or avoid an obstruction, but only up to 50 metres in a bicycle or tram lane.
Centre lines at a glance
If you park on a road with a continuous dividing line, leave at least 3 metres between your car and the line unless a sign says otherwise.
- Broken white line: keep left, but you may cross to overtake or U-turn if safe and the road ahead is clear.
- Single continuous line: you may cross to enter or leave the road, but not to overtake or U-turn.
- Double continuous lines: do not cross to overtake, turn, or enter or leave the road.
- Continuous line on your side of a broken line: no overtaking or U-turns from your side.
- Broken line on your side of a continuous line: you may cross to overtake if safe.
Traffic lights and lane signals
Red means stop. Yellow means stop unless you are unable to do so safely. Green means go, but only if you will not block the intersection. A red arrow means you must not go that way; a green arrow means you may, if safe.
A white T or B on a black background is for trams or buses only, and a bicycle light is for riders. Wait for your normal green. On some major roads, overhead lane signals show a speed limit or a green or white arrow over open lanes; a red cross means you must not drive in that lane past that point, and an arrow pointing down to one side means the lane is closed ahead, so move over in that direction when safe.
Where a bicycle storage area is painted in front of the lights, stop at the first stop line when the light is red.
Markings special to Victoria's tram roads
Our Driving with trams in Victoria guide covers these lanes and tram stops in detail.
- Broken yellow lines beside tram tracks: trams have priority at all times. You may drive on the tracks but must keep out of a tram's path and never delay it.
- Continuous yellow line with a Tram Lane sign: a tram lane. Keep out during the times shown, or at all times if no times are shown, except for up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road.
- Double continuous yellow lines or a kerb with a Tramway sign: a tramway. Do not drive in it except to avoid an obstruction, and cross only at breaks.
- Hook Turn sign: right turns must be made from the left lane. Signs may hang from overhead wires.
Special purpose and parking lines
Bus lanes, transit lanes (T2 and T3), bicycle lanes and tram lanes are set aside for certain vehicles during the times shown. Give way before you enter one. A sign with a C means clearway: no stopping during the times shown.
Common mistakes
- Treating a yellow light as 'hurry up'. You must stop unless you cannot do so safely.
- Overtaking over a single continuous line because the road looks clear. It is still illegal.
- Using a transit lane with only the driver on board during its hours.
- Missing an overhead Hook Turn sign in the city. Scan above the intersection, not just the kerb.
Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Victoria
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Road to Solo Driving handbook, Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria); Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Victoria), as summarised by Transport Victoria. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your state or territory road authority.