Road Rules 2014

(1) A driver turning left at an intersection from a multi-lane road must approach and enter the intersection from within the left lane unless—

(a) the driver is required or permitted to approach and enter the intersection from within another marked lane under rule 88(1), 92 or 159, or

(b) the driver is turning, at B lights or traffic arrows, in accordance with Division 2 of Part 17, or

(c) subrule (1A) or (2) applies to the driver, or

(d) the lane is a bus only lane.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Note 1.

B lights, intersection, marked lane, multi-lane road, public bus and traffic arrows are defined in the Dictionary, left lane is defined in subrule (3) and bus only lane is defined in rule 154A.

Note 2.

Rule 88(1) deals with left turn only signs, rule 92 deals with traffic lane arrows, and rule 159 deals with traffic signs requiring particular kinds of vehicles to drive in an indicated marked lane.

Note 3.

Division 2 of Part 17 provides for priority to be given to public buses at intersections with B lights or a white traffic arrow.

Example for subrule (1)(a).

(1A) A driver turning left at an intersection from a multi-lane road that has a slip lane must approach and enter the intersection—

(a) from within the slip lane, or

(b) if there is an obstruction that prevents the driver from entering the intersection from within the slip lane—from within the left lane.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Note.

Obstruction and slip lane are defined in the Dictionary.

(2) A driver may approach and enter the intersection from the marked lane next to the left lane as well as, or instead of, the left lane if—

(a) the driver’s vehicle, together with any load or projection, is 7.5 metres long, or longer, and

(b) the vehicle displays a do not overtake turning vehicle sign, and

(c) any part of the vehicle is within 50 metres of the nearest point of the intersection, and

(d) it is not practicable for the driver to turn left from within the left lane, and

(e) the driver can safely occupy the next marked lane and can safely turn left at the intersection by occupying the next marked lane, or both lanes.

Note 1.

Driver’s vehicle is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2.

Vehicle includes a combination—see rule 15(d).

Note 3.

Rule 316–2 makes it an offence for a do not overtake turning vehicle sign to be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle or a trailer attached to a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is, or the vehicle and trailer together are, 7.5 metres or more in length.

Example.

(2A) If there is a bicycle storage area before an intersection that extends across one or more marked lanes of a multi-lane road, a rider of a bicycle turning left must approach and enter the intersection from within the part of the bicycle storage area that is directly in front of the left marked lane or of a bicycle lane that is on the left side of the road.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

Note.

Bicycle storage area is defined in the Dictionary.

(3) In this rule—

left lane means—

(a) the marked lane nearest to the far left side of the road, or

(b) if there is an obstruction (for example, a parked car or roadworks) in that marked lane—the marked lane nearest to that marked lane that is not obstructed.

marked lane, for a driver, does not include a special purpose lane in which the driver is not permitted to drive.

Note 1.

Special purpose lane is defined in the Dictionary.

Note 2.

Rule 95 deals with driving in an emergency stopping lane and Part 11, Division 6 deals with driving in other special purpose lanes.

Note 1 for diagrams.

These signs are displayed on certain long vehicles.

Note 2 for diagrams.

These signs must comply with the size requirements set out in rule 316–1.