Photo: Mark Direen, Pexels
The Tasmanian Road Rules handbook is the official plain-English guide you study for the Tasmanian driver knowledge test. The edition linked from Transport Services in November 2026 is Version 2.1, based on the Road Rules 2019 and printed in August 2022. It has 20 rule chapters and a final information page. This guide sums up each chapter with the numbers and rules most worth learning, and flags where the handbook lags the current licensing rules.
Before you start: about this edition
- Download the free PDF from the Transport Services “Tasmanian Road Rules Handbook” page, or buy a printed copy at Service Tasmania ($6.90 as of November 2026).
- The handbook is not the law itself. The binding text is the Road Rules 2019. The handbook says the department may publish newer information online.
- Where it lags: it refers to L1 and L2 licences, which were replaced by one learner licence on 1 December 2020. It doesn’t cover the Hazard Perception Test, the logbook app or peer passenger limits. For those, use our Tasmanian licensing guide.
- Questions about the rules go to the department on 1300 135 513.
Chapters 1 and 2: why rules exist and who they cover
- Each year more than 30 people are killed and close to 300 seriously injured on Tasmanian roads.
- The top five crash causes are speeding, distraction and inattention, alcohol or drugs, not wearing seatbelts properly, and fatigue.
- Pedestrians include people in wheelchairs and on skateboards, scooters and personal mobility devices. You must try to avoid a collision even if a pedestrian is in the wrong.
- A “vehicle” includes bicycles and e-bikes, trailers, tractors on the road and a horse being ridden.
- A “road-related area” includes footpaths, nature strips and car parks open to the public, so many rules apply there too.
Chapter 3: general safety
- Following distance: at least 3 seconds is recommended.
- Seatbelts: required whenever the car is moving or stopped but not parked. The driver is responsible for passengers.
- Children: birth to 7 years in a correctly fitted restraint. 7 to 16 years in a restraint or seatbelt to suit their size. Under 4s never in the front if there is a back seat. Under 7s not in the front unless there is no back seat or the back is full of other under 7s. More in seatbelts and child car seats.
- Phones: nobody may hold a phone, rest it on their body, text or look at it while driving. Learners and P1 drivers can’t use a phone at all, including hands-free.
- Screens: no TV or video screen visible to the driver. Mounted driver’s aids such as GPS and reversing cameras are fine.
Chapters 4 and 5: keeping left and lane lines
- On multi-lane roads, keep in the left lane when the limit is over 80 km/h (unless overtaking) or where a Keep left unless overtaking sign applies.
- Single broken line: cross to overtake, turn or U-turn when safe.
- Single or double continuous line: no overtaking or U-turns. You may cross to turn into or out of a road or driveway (single line only), or to avoid a hazard or pass a bicycle rider.
- Double broken lines: cross to turn or avoid a hazard. No overtaking or U-turns.
- Special purpose lanes (bus, bicycle): you may drive up to 50 metres in a bicycle lane and 100 metres in other lanes, only to enter or leave the road, park, avoid a hazard or pass a right-turning vehicle.
- Never stop in a bicycle storage area at a red light or in a Keep clear zone.
Detail: Australian road markings and lane lines.
Chapter 6: speed limits
| Situation | Limit |
|---|---|
| Built-up area, no sign | 50 km/h |
| Unsealed road outside a built-up area, no sign | 80 km/h |
| Sealed road outside a built-up area, no sign | 100 km/h |
| Learner driver | 90 km/h maximum |
| P1 driver | 100 km/h maximum |
| Learner and P1 motorcycle riders | 80 km/h maximum |
| School zone on school days, during the times shown | 40 km/h |
| Within 50 metres of a school bus with lights flashing | 40 km/h, either direction |
| Passing a stopped or slow emergency, enforcement or roadside assistance vehicle with flashing lights | 40 km/h (on roads over 80 km/h, slow to 40 if safe) |
| Turning at an intersection with traffic lights | 20 km/h, as stated in the handbook |
Electronic speed signs apply only when lit. A school zone limit lasts until you pass an End school zone sign or another speed sign, even if you turn into another road, and it also covers car parks and driveways inside the zone. School zones do not apply on school holidays, weekends or public holidays. See also school zones by state and emergency vehicle slow-down rules.
Chapter 7: giving way
- Changing lanes: indicate and give way to traffic in the lane you are entering.
- Lanes ending on a road with no lane markings: zip merge, giving way to any vehicle ahead of you.
- Pedestrian and children’s crossings: stop for anyone on or entering the crossing. Never overtake at a crossing.
- Shared zones: give way to every pedestrian.
- Emergency vehicles with flashing lights or a siren: get out of their path when safe.
- Buses: give way to a bus pulling out from the kerb with its right indicator on.
- Pulling out from the kerb: give way and indicate for at least 5 seconds.
- Horses and livestock: stop if the rider or handler signals you to.
Detail: giving way in Australia.
Chapters 8 and 9: turns and indicators
- Left turns: turn from as close to the left as you can. Give way to pedestrians on the road you enter.
- Right turns from a two-way road: start just left of the centre line. Give way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- No U-turns across continuous lines or double broken lines, at traffic lights without a U-turn permitted sign, or where there is a No U-turn sign.
- Indicate before every change of direction, including when reversing, and for at least 5 seconds when leaving the kerb. If your indicators or brake lights fail, use hand signals and get them repaired.
Chapters 10 and 11: traffic lights and intersections
- Yellow means stop, unless you can’t stop safely. It is the start of the red phase.
- When all lights flash yellow, uncontrolled intersection rules apply.
- A red arrow overrides a green light for that turn.
- At uncontrolled intersections, give way to traffic on your right.
- At a Stop sign, stop completely at the line every time.
- At T-intersections, traffic on the terminating road gives way to traffic on the continuing road.
- At slip lanes, give way to traffic on the road you enter and to pedestrians.
- Roundabouts: give way to vehicles already in the roundabout. Indicate left to exit where practical, and indicate right on approach to go more than halfway round. See roundabout rules.
- Level crossings: wait until the lights stop flashing, as a second train may come. See railway level crossings.
- Don’t enter an intersection unless you can get fully through it.
Chapter 12: overtaking
- Never speed up while being overtaken, and never exceed the limit to overtake.
- When passing a bicycle rider, leave at least 1 metre where the limit is 60 km/h or less and 1.5 metres where it is over 60 km/h. You may cross the centre line to do so when safe. See minimum passing distance for cyclists.
- Don’t pass a long turning vehicle showing a Do not overtake turning vehicle sign.
- Lane filtering: only riders with a full motorcycle licence, below 30 km/h, never in school zones during school zone hours, and never next to parked cars.
Chapter 13: stopping and parking
| Rule | Distance or time |
|---|---|
| Gap to vehicles in front and behind (no bays) | At least 1 metre |
| Gap to continuous dividing lines or a median strip | At least 3 metres |
| Intersection with traffic lights | No stopping within 20 metres |
| Intersection without traffic lights | No stopping within 10 metres |
| Pedestrian or children’s crossing, or bus stop | 20 metres before, 10 metres after |
| Level crossing | 20 metres either side |
| Fire hydrant | 1 metre |
| No parking sign or driveway pick-up | Up to 2 minutes, staying with the car |
| Leaving the car more than 3 metres away | Engine off, key out, doors locked, windows open no more than 2 cm |
Hazard lights don’t make illegal parking legal. More: parking rules in Australia.
Chapters 14 and 15: signs, lights and horns
- Regulatory signs must be obeyed. Warning signs are black on yellow. Temporary signs mark roadworks.
- An advisory speed sign under a warning sign is the safe speed in good conditions. Go slower in the wet or ice.
- Dip high beam when within 200 metres of a vehicle ahead or oncoming.
- Use hazard lights only when stopped and obstructing, driving slowly, being towed or in dangerous weather.
- Use the horn only to warn of danger or as an anti-theft device. Radar detectors are illegal, even switched off.
Chapters 16 and 17: pedestrians and bicycle riders
- Pedestrians within 20 metres of a crossing must use it.
- Bicycle riders may use a whole lane, ride two abreast up to 1.5 metres apart, and ride on footpaths unless signed otherwise.
- Riders must wear helmets. At night they need a white front light and red rear light visible from 200 metres, plus a red rear reflector.
- Drivers must not stop within 10 metres before or 3 metres after bicycle traffic lights.
Chapters 18 to 21: crashes, towing, enforcement and contacts
- Crashes: stop, help anyone injured, and give your details to the others involved within 24 hours. Tell police within 24 hours if anyone is injured or killed, if you could not swap details, or if a vehicle is towed. See what to do after a crash.
- Towing: towlines no more than 4 metres for a car and 2.5 metres for a motorcycle. Over 2 metres, a flag at least 30 cm square goes halfway along. Trailers must be no wider than 2.5 metres, no taller than 4.3 metres, and no longer than 19 metres including the towing vehicle. Learners can’t tow.
- Enforcement: fines, demerit points, suspension or a conviction. Learners and P platers must have zero alcohol. Other drivers break the law above 0.05. See Tasmanian demerit points.
- Other information: links to licensing, registration, child restraints and the learn to drive videos.
Common questions
Is there a newer Tasmanian Road Rules handbook than 2022?
As of November 2026, the handbook page on transport.tas.gov.au still links to Version 2.1, printed August 2022. Check the page for updates before your test.
Is the knowledge test based on the handbook?
Official guidance tells standalone test candidates to prepare with the handbook. The Plates Plus course teaches the same rules through its own lessons.
What chapters matter most for the test?
The department doesn’t publish a weighting. Giving way, intersections, speed limits, lane lines and novice restrictions cover most everyday decisions.
Does the handbook cover the P1 assessment?
No. See the Tasmanian P1 driving assessment.
Are these rules the same in other states?
Mostly. The Road Rules are based on national model laws, with some state variations. See the Australian Road Rules explained.
Sources
- Department of State Growth, “Tasmanian Road Rules” handbook, Version 2.1, printed August 2022 (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Tasmanian Road Rules Handbook” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Driver knowledge test” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Transport Services Tasmania, “Licensing and assessment fees” (transport.tas.gov.au)
- Department of State Growth, “How am I affected?” (platesplus.tas.gov.au)
