Driving in Canberra: Tips for Learners and P Platers

Photo: Nbound, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Canberra driving has its own feel: no freeways, fast parkways, lots of multi-lane roundabouts, cold winters and hills on the city edges. This guide is for ACT learners and new P platers, and covers the parkway and arterial road rules, roundabouts, speed limits and cameras, and driving in frost, ice and snow, based on the ACT Road Rules Handbook.

Key facts

There are no freeways in the ACT, but roads such as the Tuggeranong Parkway use freeway-style rules.
Default speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h in rural areas, unless signed otherwise.
ACT learners and P platers may drive up to the posted limit.
School zones: 40 km/h when the sign is open, at the times shown on it.
Slow to 40 km/h (or a lower speed limit) when passing a stationary or slow-moving police or emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights.

Driving on Canberra’s parkways and arterial roads

The handbook says that on major ACT roads such as the Tuggeranong Parkway you should drive as you would on an interstate freeway:

do not stop except in an emergency or breakdown, and then only in the emergency lane
do not drive in the emergency lane unless you are stopping
no U-turns and no reversing
signal well before changing lanes, allowing for the higher speed
get into the correct lane early for your exit; if you miss it, carry on to the next one
keep left unless overtaking

Speed limits on arterial roads vary by road and section. Follow the signs rather than assuming a limit.

Joining from an entry ramp

Accelerate to near the speed limit of the road you are joining.
Indicate along the ramp.
Check mirrors and do a head check.
Find a gap and merge smoothly.

You must give way to vehicles already on the arterial road. If there is no gap, be ready to slow down.

Leaving the road

Exits are usually on the left. Move into the left lane in good time, indicate left and slow to any advisory speed on the ramp.

Wrong way?

If you see a “Wrong Way Go Back” sign as you enter a ramp, pull to the side, turn on your hazard lights and reverse slowly back. Do not try a U-turn or 3-point turn on the ramp.

Keeping left on multi-lane roads

Where the limit is over 80 km/h, or a “keep left unless overtaking” sign applies, do not use the right lane unless you are turning right or making a U-turn, overtaking, avoiding an obstruction, or traffic is congested. On three or more lanes, use the left lane and move back to it once you have passed.

Canberra roundabouts

Roundabouts follow the national Australian Road Rules. On multi-lane roundabouts:

Where you are going	Approach lane	Indicating
Left (less than halfway round)	Left	Left on approach and through the turn
Straight ahead (halfway)	Left or right	No signal needed on entry; signal left to exit
Right (more than halfway)	Right	Right on approach, then left before you exit
U-turn (full circle)	Right	Right on approach, then left before you exit

Give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout, obey any lane arrows and signal when changing lanes inside it. More detail: roundabout rules in Australia.

Speed cameras in the ACT

Fixed red light and speed cameras at intersections. They can catch speeding on green, amber or red.
Fixed speed cameras on high-volume, higher-speed roads.
Point-to-point cameras, which measure your average speed over a stretch. The ACT’s first was on Hindmarsh Drive.
Mobile speed cameras, used anywhere, any time, including school zones.

Radar detectors and jammers are illegal in the ACT, even fitted to a parked car.

At amber, stop unless you are too close to stop safely. Do not panic brake and do not speed up.

Cyclists, shared zones and buses

Passing cyclists: leave at least 1 metre at 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres above 60 km/h. You may cross centre lines or painted islands to do so if you have a clear view and it is safe. See minimum passing distance for cyclists.
Cycle paths are optional: Canberra has many, but cyclists may still use the road.
Shared zones: usually 10 or 20 km/h. Give way to pedestrians.
Transit lanes: T2 lanes allow 2 or more occupants, T3 lanes 3 or more, during the signed hours.

Driving in a Canberra winter: frost, ice and wet roads

The handbook’s winter advice:

check lights, brakes, tyres, wipers, steering, radiator and battery regularly
anti-freeze in the radiator is recommended for the ACT
do not drive with fogged or dirty windows (use the air-conditioning and fresh air setting to demist)
it takes at least twice the distance to stop on wet or icy roads, so leave more space
brake gently and test your brakes cautiously when the road may be icy
watch for ice in areas shaded by trees, on timber bridges and on exposed windy stretches

Fog

Use dipped headlights, not high beam. Front and rear fog lights may only be used when fog, rain, snow or similar reduce visibility, and must be turned off when it clears. If you have no rear fog light, the handbook says to use hazard lights instead.

Heading to the snow

If you drive to the Snowy Mountains in winter, the handbook advises:

carry warm clothing even if you do not plan to leave the car
check tyre tread, including the spare
carry a jack, wheel brace, strong tow rope and shovel
snow chains must be carried in certain areas, such as Kosciuszko National Park
fit chains before you get stuck, somewhere safe, never in the middle of the road

Remember that NSW learner and provisional rules apply once you cross the border.

Steep hills and unsealed roads

Going downhill: slow down and choose a low gear in good time (manual and automatic). Brake as little as possible, on straight sections.
Following downhill: allow about three times your normal gap, roughly six seconds.
Gravel: slow down, and slow further when another car approaches, as stones can crack windscreens. Avoid harsh braking (ABS can lengthen stopping distances on gravel), do not drift wide on corners where loose gravel builds up, and watch for corrugations and potholes.

Night driving and kangaroos

Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise. Dip high beam at least 200 metres before an oncoming vehicle and when following within 200 metres. Watch for animals dazzled by your lights: brake carefully and sound your horn, and if you cannot stop safely, steer around. More: kangaroos and wildlife on Australian roads.

Common questions

Are there freeways in Canberra?

No. The handbook says the ACT has no freeways, but parkways like the Tuggeranong Parkway use the same basic rules.

Can learners drive on the Tuggeranong Parkway?

Yes. ACT learners may drive up to the posted limit and there are no prohibited road users because there are no freeways. Build up to it once you are confident with merging.

What is the following distance in the ACT?

The handbook recommends at least three seconds, and more in poor conditions.

How fast do I go past an emergency vehicle in the ACT?

40 km/h, or a lower speed limit, when passing a stationary or slow-moving police or emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights. This does not apply on the other side of a road divided by a median strip. See emergency vehicle slow down rules in each state.

What is the school zone speed in Canberra?

40 km/h when the zone sign is open, at the days and times shown. When closed, the normal limit applies.

Sources

Access Canberra, “ACT Road Rules Handbook” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
Access Canberra, “Road ready: towards your Ps in the ACT, a learner driver guide” (accesscanberra.act.gov.au)
ACT Government, “Road Transport (Road Rules) Regulation 2017”, section 300C (legislation.act.gov.au)

Driving in Canberra: Parkways, Roundabouts and Winter Roads