Victorian Road Rules 2026: The Essential Guide for Learners and New Drivers

How to use this guide (and the official handbook)

The official road rules handbook for Victorian learners is Road to Solo Driving, published by the Victorian Government and available as a free download from Transport Victoria. Transport Victoria describes it as a list of the road rules that help you drive safely, and as a guide for your learner and driver licence tests. If you’re preparing for the learner permit test, that handbook is your main study text.

The legal rules themselves sit in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017, which you can read on the Victorian Legislation website. They are amended from time to time, so treat any summary, including this one, as a starting point.

Rules specific to learners and probationary drivers (L and P plates, peer passengers, prohibited vehicles) are covered in our separate Victorian P plate rules guide. Where a licence type changes the rule, such as phones and alcohol, we note it here too.

Keep left, lanes and overtaking

Australia drives on the left. Transport Victoria’s advice for visitors puts it in four words: drive on the left always. On multi-lane roads the rule gets more specific.

The right lane on faster roads

On any multi-lane road with a speed limit over 80 km/h, you must keep out of the right lane unless you’re overtaking, you’re turning right, or all lanes are congested. This catches a lot of drivers on freeways, where sitting in the right lane at a steady speed is common but not allowed when the other lanes are free.

Dividing lines and overtaking

The lines down the middle of the road tell you when you can cross to the other side. Transport Victoria’s road markings page sets it out like this:

• Broken line (or a broken line to the left of an unbroken one): you can cross to enter or leave the road, or to overtake or do a U-turn if it’s safe.
• Single unbroken line (or a broken line to the right of an unbroken one): you can cross to enter or leave the road, and to overtake a bike rider when you have a clear view ahead.
• Double unbroken lines: you can only cross to avoid something blocking the road, or to overtake a bike rider.

Victoria Police notes that it takes about 25 seconds to overtake a large truck on the open road. If you can’t see a long, clear stretch ahead, stay behind.

Freeways: merging and stopping

When you join a freeway, use the entrance ramp to reach the speed of the traffic, indicate early, and give way to the traffic you’re merging into. You can’t stop on a freeway except in an emergency, and then you should use the emergency lane. On overhead lane signs, a red cross means don’t drive in that lane.

Indicating: when and how long

The rule is simple to state and easy to get wrong in practice. VicRoads puts it this way: you must always use your indicators for long enough to warn others that you’re turning, changing lanes or changing direction. The Road to Solo Driving handbook describes it as using your indicators to allow plenty of warning.

1. i.
   Mirrors first

   Check your rear-view and side mirrors so you know what’s behind and beside you before you signal.

2. ii.
   Indicate early

   Turn the indicator on well before the turn or lane change, so the people around you can plan for it.

3. iii.
   Head check

   Look over your shoulder into your blind spot. Mirrors don’t show everything, especially bike riders and motorcycles.

4. iv.
   Move, then cancel

   Make the move when it’s clear, then check your indicator has switched off. A forgotten indicator tells other drivers you’re about to do something you’re not.

Transport Victoria’s drive test preparation page lists exactly these habits: indicators to tell other road users where you’re going, and mirrors and head checks to stay aware of them.

Stop signs, stop lines and traffic lights

Stop signs and stop lines

At a stop sign or stop line, you must stop, and then give way. Transport Victoria’s drive test guidance is clear that you need to come to a complete stop at stop signs, red lights and pedestrian crossings. Rolling slowly over the line with your wheels still turning is not a stop.

After you’ve stopped, you give way to any vehicle in, entering or approaching the intersection, with a few exceptions set out in the rules.

Traffic lights

Transport Victoria summarises the traffic light rules as:

The green light rule is the one people forget: if traffic has banked up across the intersection, wait at the line until there’s room for your whole car on the other side.

Give way and roundabouts: the basics

Giving way is a big topic of its own. Here are the core rules from Transport Victoria’s intersections page. For intersections, T-junctions and merging in detail, see our give way rules guide.

• Give way signs: give way to any vehicle in, entering or approaching the intersection (with limited exceptions).
• T-intersections: give way to all vehicles on the road you’re turning into (the continuing road).
• Uncontrolled intersections: give way to vehicles entering or approaching from your right.
• Turning right: give way to oncoming vehicles going straight through or turning left.
• Turning left: give way to bike riders travelling straight ahead before you start your turn.
• Turning into a road or driveway: give way to pedestrians crossing the road you’re entering.

Roundabouts in brief

At a roundabout you give way to vehicles already in the roundabout, and to any tram entering or approaching it. Keep to the left of the central island. Indicate left as you approach if you’re turning left, and right if you’re turning right (then left just before you exit, if possible). If you’re going straight ahead, don’t indicate on approach, but signal left as you exit if possible. Use the left lane to turn left and the right lane to turn right. Our full guide to roundabout rules in Victoria covers multi-lane roundabouts and the common mistakes.

Melbourne also has hook turns at some intersections, where you turn right from the far left lane. You must make a hook turn where a “Right Turn from Left Only” sign is shown, so learn to recognise the sign before you drive into the city.

Speed limits and school zones

Always drive at or below the posted speed limit. When there’s no sign, default limits apply: Our speed limits and school zones guide covers every limit in detail.

• 50 km/h in built-up areas, which covers all roads in suburban areas where no speed limit sign is displayed
• 100 km/h outside built-up areas, where no speed limit sign is displayed
• 20 km/h in shared zones, such as car parks and similar areas where vehicles and pedestrians mix
• 40 km/h in school zones during their operating times

Many roads also have time-based and variable electronic signs, so read the signs every trip.

School zones

School zones are usually 40 km/h on roads next to a school and where children cross. Time-based school zones operate on weekdays during Victorian school terms, 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm, and don’t apply on public holidays. Some school zones are permanent, meaning the lower limit applies at all times. The signs show the limit and the times.

Seatbelts and child restraints

Everyone must wear a seatbelt, including pregnant women, children and older people. The driver must wear a seatbelt and make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing theirs properly. Each belt is for one person only; two people can’t share a belt.

Wear it properly: the lap belt firmly across your pelvis, under your stomach and above your thighs, and the shoulder strap across your chest and shoulder, not your neck. It shouldn’t be twisted or slack.

Child restraints by age

The driver is responsible for making sure all children under 16 are safely restrained. Transport Victoria sets out the requirements by age:

Transport Victoria advises moving a child to a booster seat only when they’ve grown too big for their forward-facing restraint. Taxis have some exemptions from these rules; private cars don’t.

Mobile phones and devices

Victoria updated its driver distraction rules on 31 March 2023 to cover in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable devices (such as smartwatches) and portable devices. The rules now depend on your licence type.

Full licence holders

With a full licence, you can use a phone or device that is securely mounted, or your car’s in-built system, for a limited set of things. According to Transport Victoria, you can briefly touch the device to start, accept or reject an audio call, play or stream audio, adjust the volume, and use a navigation function. You can also use voice controls on a mounted device.

You can’t touch a portable device that isn’t mounted, whether it’s switched on or off. You can’t enter text, scroll, view messages, social media, emails, websites or photos, watch videos, play games or take video calls.

Learners and P platers

Learner, P1 and P2 drivers must not use a phone or portable device for any function while driving, unless they pull over and park. That includes calls and navigation on a phone. There are two narrow allowances:

• A mounted device can be used for navigation and audio, as long as it’s set up before you start driving
• You can briefly touch your car’s in-built system to adjust navigation settings, climate controls and audio

Learners and P platers can’t scroll or enter information on mounted or in-built devices, or use voice controls to operate them. Being stopped at traffic lights doesn’t count as parked. If you need to change something on a mounted device, pull over and park first.

Alcohol and drugs: limits by licence type

The alcohol limit in Victoria depends on your licence type and conditions. Transport Victoria lists these groups as needing a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC):

• Learner permit holders
• P1 and P2 probationary licence holders
• Drivers with a Z (zero BAC) or I (alcohol interlock) condition on their licence
• Restricted motorcycle riders (E condition)
• Driving instructors
• Bus and commercial passenger vehicle drivers
• Drivers of rigid or articulated trucks over 4.5 tonnes GVM

Most other fully licensed drivers must have a BAC below 0.05.

Since 17 October 2024, all drink driving offenders who complete a court-ordered alcohol interlock program must also observe a three-year zero BAC period afterwards, according to the Victorian Government’s announcement.

Drugs are simpler: it’s illegal to drive, attempt to drive or supervise a learner while affected by drugs, on any licence. Transport Victoria also warns that some medicines can affect your concentration, coordination and reactions, so read the label.

Sharing the road with pedestrians, trams and bike riders

Pedestrians and crossings

Transport Victoria sets out what drivers must do around people on foot: There is more in our guides to sharing the road and hook turns and trams.

• Pedestrian (zebra) crossings: slow down to a speed where you can stop safely, and give way to any pedestrian on or near the crossing.
• Children’s crossings: drive at a speed where you can stop safely, stop if a pedestrian is on or near the crossing, and wait until all pedestrians have left it.
• Overtaking at a crossing: you must not overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing. It has probably stopped for someone you can’t see.
• Turning at intersections: give way to pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning into.
• Shared zones: give way to pedestrians.

Trams

When a tram stops at a roadside stop, you must stop behind it while passengers get on or off. Wait until all the doors are closed and everyone has finished crossing before you move on.

Bike riders

When you pass a bike rider, the law says the gap between your vehicle and the bike must be at least:

• 1 metre on roads with speed limits up to 60 km/h
• 1.5 metres if you’re travelling over 60 km/h

To make that possible, you may cross single lines, double lines or centre lines to overtake a bike rider, but only if the way ahead is clear and it’s safe. You must not drive in a bicycle lane except where the rules allow, such as entering or leaving the road. And watch the door: it’s an offence to cause a hazard to any person or vehicle by opening a car door. Check your mirror and do a head check before you open it, and ask passengers to do the same.

Emergency vehicles and the slow-to-40 rule

When an emergency vehicle is coming

If a police car, ambulance or fire truck approaches with its lights or siren on, the TAC’s advice is to get out of its way, and to give way and stop if necessary, even if you have a green light. Move over calmly and predictably. If twin red lights are flashing, such as outside a fire or ambulance station, stop until they go off and the road is clear.

Slowing to 40 past stationary vehicles

Road rule 79A requires you to slow down when you pass certain vehicles that are stopped or moving slowly with their lights flashing or an alarm sounding. You must:

1. i.
   Start slowing safely

   Check your rear-view mirror first, especially on high-speed roads, then slow down to a speed at which you could stop safely if needed.

2. ii.
   Pass at no more than 40 km/h

   Pass the scene at 40 km/h or less and be ready to stop if someone directs you to.

3. iii.
   Don’t speed up too early

   Only return to the speed limit once you’re a safe distance past the scene.

The rule applies to emergency, enforcement, incident response and roadside assistance vehicles that are stationary or moving at less than 10 km/h, with flashing lights or an alarm sounding. The TAC notes it applies whichever lane you’re in, including on multi-lane roads. It doesn’t apply when the vehicle is on the other side of a divided road with a median strip.

Headlights, high beam and fog lights

You must have your headlights on between sunset and sunrise, and in hazardous conditions where visibility is reduced, such as heavy rain or fog. For more on driving after dark, see our night driving guide.

High beam is useful on dark roads, but you must dip to low beam when a vehicle is less than 200 metres ahead, whether it’s coming towards you or travelling in the same direction.

Front and rear fog lights must not be used unless you’re driving in fog or other hazardous weather that reduces visibility. Switch them off when the fog lifts.

U-turns and parking basics

U-turns

VicRoads’ turning rules say you can’t make a U-turn if there’s a single continuous line or double continuous lines down the centre of the road. You can make a U-turn on other roads, and at intersections with traffic lights unless there’s a “No U-turn” sign. When you do a U-turn, you must give way to all other vehicles and pedestrians. Transport Victoria’s road markings page also confirms you can cross a broken dividing line to do a U-turn if it’s safe.

Parking basics

Always obey parking signs, and park within the lines if the bay is marked. Unless a sign says otherwise, Transport Victoria lists these minimum distances:

You also can’t park in a disabled parking bay without a valid accessible parking permit, or in an intersection, slip lane, no stopping area, clearway, “keep clear” area, or bus, tram or truck lane. Don’t park where there’s less than 3 metres of clear road left for other traffic, or on footpaths, nature strips, bike paths or dividing strips unless a sign allows it. For the technique, see our parallel parking guide.

Recent rule changes and how to keep up

Two recent changes affect everyday driving, both confirmed by Victorian Government announcements:

• 31 March 2023: driver distraction rules. Phone rules were extended to cover in-built systems, mounted devices, wearables and portable devices, with stricter rules for learners and P platers.
• 1 July 2025: slow-to-40 rule expanded. Road rule 79A now also covers accident and breakdown tow trucks, roadside assistance and all incident response service vehicles.

The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 are amended from time to time. Not every amendment changes everyday driving, so check official sources rather than social media posts.

1. i.
   Check Transport Victoria’s road rules pages

   The Victorian Government’s plain-English explanations of each rule.

2. ii.
   Download the latest Road to Solo Driving

   Study from the current handbook on the Transport Victoria website, not an old saved PDF.

3. iii.
   Read the legislation when a detail matters

   The Victorian Legislation website shows the in-force version of the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 and its version history.

4. iv.
   Book a refresher if it’s been a while

   If you learned years ago or overseas, a lesson with an instructor catches habits that no longer match the rules.

Common road rule questions

Can I sit in the right lane on the freeway if I’m doing the speed limit?

Not if the road has a speed limit over 80 km/h and the other lanes aren’t congested. You must keep out of the right lane unless you’re overtaking or turning right. Driving at the speed limit doesn’t change that.

Do I have to slow to 40 for a tow truck on the freeway?

Yes, since 1 July 2025, if the tow truck is stationary or moving at less than 10 km/h with its lights flashing and it’s on your side of the road. The rule applies in every lane on your side, including on multi-lane freeways. Check your mirrors first and slow down safely.

Can I use my phone’s maps if it’s in a cradle?

On a full licence, yes: you can use the navigation function on a mounted phone. On your Ls or Ps, you can use a mounted device for navigation only if you set it up before you start driving, and you can’t touch it while driving. Either way, don’t hold the phone.

What speed do I drive if there’s no sign?

50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas. In car parks and other shared zones, the limit is 20 km/h.

Do I need to stop at a stop sign if the road is clear?

Yes. You must come to a complete stop at a stop sign or stop line every time, even if you can see there’s no traffic coming. Then give way before you go.

Everyday habits that keep you on the right side of the rules

Knowing the rules gets you through the permit test. Habits keep you safe once you’re driving alone.

If you’re starting out, our beginner driving lessons teach these rules on real roads around Mitcham and Melbourne’s east, so the rules make sense in the situations where you’ll actually use them. Experienced drivers can book a refresher lesson for a check-up.

Sources and further reading

This guide is a summary written by Mitcham Driving School from the official sources below. It is not the official VicRoads handbook. Road rules change, so treat these pages as the final word and check them if anything here doesn’t match your situation.

• Transport Victoria: Driver handbooks and logbooks (Road to Solo Driving)
• Victorian Legislation: Road Safety Road Rules 2017
• Transport Victoria: Freeway driving rules
• Transport Victoria: Road markings
• Transport Victoria: Tourists driving in Victoria
• Transport Victoria: Prepare for your probationary licence
• Transport Victoria: Traffic lights
• Transport Victoria: Intersections and giving way
• Transport Victoria: Roundabouts
• Transport Victoria: Speed limits
• Transport Victoria: School zones
• Transport Victoria: Seat belts
• Transport Victoria: Child car seat and restraint road rules
• Transport Victoria: Device rules for drivers with a full licence
• Transport Victoria: Device rules for new and young drivers
• Transport Victoria: Alcohol and driving laws
• Transport Victoria: Alcohol, drugs and driving
• Transport Victoria: Drivers sharing the road with pedestrians
• Transport Victoria: Driving with bike riders
• TAC: Emergency services workers
• Premier of Victoria: New road worker safety laws now in effect
• Premier of Victoria: New driver distraction road rules to save lives
• Premier of Victoria: Tough new penalties to crack down on drink drivers
• Transport Victoria: Headlights and high beams
• Transport Victoria: Parking
• Victoria Police: Trucks and heavy vehicles