Photo: PeterChickenCampbell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Driving with trams in Victoria comes down to a few firm rules: stop level with the rear of a tram at a stop with no safety zone, never pass a tram on the right unless the tracks are on the far left, keep out of tram lanes when they operate, and never delay a tram. Young, inexperienced drivers are involved in more tram and pedestrian crashes than experienced drivers, so learn these before you drive in Melbourne.
Key facts
- Tram stop with no safety zone: stop level with the rear of the tram and do not pass while the doors are open.
- Passing a stopped tram (doors closed, no pedestrians on the road, or a tram employee waves you on): no faster than 10 km/h.
- Pass trams on the left, unless the tracks are at or near the far left of the road.
- Give way to a tram moving into or across a roundabout.
- Buses travelling along tram tracks must be treated as trams.
Passing a tram at a tram stop
| Situation | What you must do |
|---|---|
| Tram stopped at a stop with no safety zone, doors open | Stop level with the rear of the tram. Give way to pedestrians crossing between the tram and the kerb. Do not move while the doors are open |
| Doors closed and no pedestrians on the road | You may pass, at no more than 10 km/h |
| A uniformed tram employee signals you through | You may pass, at no more than 10 km/h |
| Tram stop with a safety zone | You may pass, but slow down: people may step off the island without looking |
A safety zone is the area at or near a tram stop with safety zone signs and a traffic island or dividing strip. Remember that pedestrians may run across the road at the last minute to catch a tram.
Which side do you pass a tram on?
You must not pass on the right of a tram, unless the tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road. Where the tracks run down the middle of the road, that means you pass trams on the left.
Tram lanes, tramways and yellow lines
| Marking | Meaning | Can you drive in it? |
|---|---|---|
| Broken yellow line next to the tracks | Trams have priority at all times | Yes, you can cross it and drive on the tracks, but keep out of the path of trams and never delay one |
| Continuous yellow line with a Tram Lane sign showing hours (part-time tram lane) | Tram lane during the hours shown | Not during those hours, except up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road, or briefly to overtake a bicycle rider. Never delay a tram, even outside the hours |
| Continuous yellow line with a Tram Lane sign and no times (full-time tram lane) | Tram lane at all times | No, except up to 50 metres to enter or leave the road, or briefly to overtake a bicycle rider |
| Double continuous yellow lines or a separation kerb, with a Tramway sign | Tramway, in operation at all times | No, except to avoid an obstruction. Cross only at breaks designed for vehicles |
If a parked or double parked car blocks your lane and you have to enter a tramway, you are not breaking the law, but move back into your own lane as soon as possible. More on lane markings: road markings in Australia.
Turning right on a road with trams
- If you want to turn right, let the tram pass you, or keep going and turn right further on.
- Do not pull out in front of a tram.
- At intersections with a Hook Turn sign, use a hook turn. See how to do a hook turn in Melbourne.
Tram signals and roundabouts
- Some traffic lights show a white T (or B) on a black background. These are for trams (or buses). Other road users must wait for the normal green light. See traffic light rules in Australia.
- You must give way to a tram moving into or across a roundabout. See roundabout rules in Australia.
Leave trams their safety margin
Trams are longer and heavier than cars and take longer to stop. When you pass a tram or change lanes, do not pull into the empty space just in front of it. That gap is the tram’s safety margin.
Sharing the road with buses in Victoria
- Bus lanes: only public buses or vehicles named on the sign may use them, but you may drive in one for up to 100 metres to enter or leave the road, or to overtake a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road.
- Bus only lanes: no other vehicles, except to avoid an obstruction. You may need to turn across them, giving way to any buses in the lane.
- Buses pulling out: in a built-up area you must give way to a bus displaying a Give Way to Buses sign that is signalling to pull out from the kerb into the left lane.
- Bus stops: slow down. Passengers often step out from in front of or behind a bus.
More: sharing the road with trucks and buses.
Common questions
Can you overtake a tram on the right in Melbourne?
Only if the tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road. Otherwise pass on the left.
Do I have to stop for a tram with its doors open?
Yes, at a stop with no safety zone. Stop level with the rear of the tram and wait until the doors close and pedestrians are clear.
How fast can I pass a stopped tram?
No faster than 10 km/h, and only when the doors are closed and no pedestrians are on the road, or when a tram employee signals you through.
Can I drive on tram tracks in Victoria?
Yes, where the line next to the tracks is broken yellow, as long as you keep out of the path of trams. Not in a tram lane during its hours, or in a tramway.
How far can I drive in a tram lane to turn left?
Up to 50 metres, to enter or leave the road.
Does a bus on tram tracks count as a tram?
Yes. Buses travelling along tram tracks must be treated as trams.
Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Victoria.
Sources
- Department of Transport and Planning, “Road to Solo Driving” handbook, Sharing the road with trams and Sharing the road with buses (edge.sitecorecloud.io, transport.vic.gov.au)