Road Rules 2014

These Rules are the Road Rules 2014.

These Rules commence on 1 December 2014.

The objects of these Rules are—

to consolidate in a single instrument the road rules that are applicable in New South Wales, and

to provide for road rules that are based on the Australian Road Rules so as to ensure that the road rules applicable in this State are substantially uniform with road rules applicable elsewhere in Australia, and

to provide for other road rules to be observed in this State in relation to matters that are not otherwise dealt with in the Australian Road Rules.

Note.

This rule is not uniform with the corresponding rule 3 of the Australian Road Rules.

The Dictionary at the end of these Rules defines certain words and expressions, and includes references to certain words and expressions defined elsewhere in these Rules (signpost definitions).

Example.

The signpost definition “road related area—see rule 13” means that the expression road related area is defined in rule 13 of these Rules.

Note.

The Dictionary only includes a signpost definition for a word or expression if the word or expression is used in 2 or more rules of these Rules.

The Dictionary is part of these Rules.

A definition in these Rules applies to each use of the word or expression in these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears.

(3–1) If a word or expression used in a provision of these Rules is defined in the Act, it has the same meaning as in the Act, unless the word or expression is defined in these Rules for the purposes of the provision or these Rules generally.

Note 1.

The Act is defined in the Dictionary. A number of words or expressions used in these Rules are also defined in the Act.

Note 2.

This subrule is an additional NSW subrule. There is no corresponding subrule in rule 4 of the Australian Road Rules.

A diagram in these Rules is part of these Rules.

Note 1.

If a diagram of a traffic control device, traffic-related item or symbol is in black and white in a rule of these Rules, the diagram may be a black and white version of the device, item or symbol—see rule 314. If so, the colour version of the device, item or symbol will be in Schedule 2, 3 or 4.

Note 2.

A diagram may be an example—see rule 6(1).

An example (whether or not in the form of a diagram) in these Rules is part of these Rules.

If these Rules include an example of the operation of a provision of these Rules—

the example is not exhaustive, and

the example does not limit, but may extend, the meaning of the provision.

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Note.

Rule 7 (Headings) of the Australian Road Rules has not been reproduced in these Rules because section 35 of the Interpretation Act 1987 makes provision for the status of headings in legislation of this jurisdiction.

A note in these Rules is explanatory and is not part of these Rules.

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Note.

Rule 9 (Reader’s Guide) of the Australian Road Rules has not been reproduced in these Rules because the Reader’s Guide to which that rule refers has not been included in these Rules. This rule has been left blank in order to preserve uniformity of numbering with the Australian Road Rules.

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Note 1.

Rule 10 (Offences) of the Australian Road Rules has not been reproduced in these Rules because it is unnecessary. This rule has been left blank in order to preserve uniformity of numbering with the Australian Road Rules.

Note 2.

These Rules indicate whether a contravention of a rule is an offence by the use of the words “penalty” or “maximum penalty” as appropriate—see rule 10–1(4) and sections 17 (Penalty units) and 18 (Interpretation of provisions imposing penalties) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.

These Rules apply to vehicles and road users on roads and road related areas.

Note.

Road is defined in rule 12, road related area is defined in rule 13, road user is defined in rule 14, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.

Each reference in these Rules (except in this Division) to a road includes a reference to a road related area, unless otherwise expressly stated in these Rules.

Examples for subrule (2).

1

A reference in rule 146 (which deals with driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic) to the road includes a reference to the road related area of the road.

2

A reference in rule 200(1) (which deals with certain heavy or long vehicles stopping on roads) to a length of road includes a reference to the road related area of the length of road.

3

A reference in rule 31 (which deals with starting a right turn from a road, except a multi-lane road) to a road does not include a reference to a road related area, because of the definition in subrule (5) of that rule.

A road is an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as one of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles.

Note.

Motor vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

However, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in these Rules (except in this Division) to a road does not include a reference to—

an area so far as the area is declared, under another law of this jurisdiction, not to be a road for these Rules, or

any shoulder of the road.

Note.

The Minister administering the Act may, by order under section 18 of that Act, declare that provisions of the road transport legislation do not apply to a road or do apply to a specified area of the State that is open to or used by the public. The road transport legislation includes these Rules.

The shoulder of the road includes any part of the road that is not designed to be used by motor vehicles in travelling along the road, and includes—

for a kerbed road—any part of the kerb, and

for a sealed road—any unsealed part of the road, and any sealed part of the road outside an edge line on the road,

but does not include a bicycle path, footpath or shared path.

Note.

Bicycle path is defined in rule 239, edge line and footpath are defined in the Dictionary, and shared path is defined in rule 242.