Road rules and safety

Road markings

Follow road markings, including lane markings and overhead lane signals, to drive safely on Victorian roads.

You must stay left of dividing lines on roads.

If you don't follow road markings in Victoria, you could be fined and get demerit points.

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Dividing lines

Broken dividing lines, or a broken line to the left of an unbroken line

You can cross these lines to:

enter or leave the road
overtake or do a U-turn if:
- it is safe
- the road ahead is clear
- you follow all other road rules.

Single unbroken dividing lines, or a broken line to the right of an unbroken line

You can cross these lines to:

enter or leave the road
overtake a bicycle rider when:
- there is a clear view ahead
- it is safe to do so.

You can't:

overtake (except for bicycle riders)
do a U-turn
park opposite the dividing line unless:
- there is at least three metres between your vehicle and the line
- a sign says parking is allowed.

Double unbroken dividing lines

You can only cross these lines if you:

have to avoid something blocking the road (this doesn't include other vehicles travelling slowly, or stopped in traffic)
are overtaking a bicycle rider when:
- there is a clear view ahead
- it is safe to do so.

You can't:

overtake (except for bicycle riders)
turn
enter or leave the road.

Unbroken lane lines

You can cross these lines when:

you're avoiding something blocking the road (this doesn't include other vehicles travelling slowly, or stopped in traffic)
a sign says you can
you are driving a special vehicle allowed in that lane (for example, a bus)
you are overtaking a bicycle rider when:
- the way is clear
- it is safe to do so.

Multi-lane roads with no marked lanes

A multi-lane road is when you have two or more lines of traffic going in the same direction. On a multi-lane road with no lane markings, you can change from one line of traffic to another if:

you signal
it is safe.

You can only overtake a vehicle on its left side when the vehicle is turning right, or not moving.

Overhead lane signals

Overhead lane signals are electronic signs showing you which lanes you can travel in.

You must:

stay out of lanes that have a red 'X' symbol
travel in lanes with an overhead signal showing:
- a speed limit sign
- a green or white arrow.

Overhead lane signals can change. When there is a green or white arrow pointing out of your lane, safely change lanes to follow the arrow.

Painted traffic islands

Lines painted around the traffic island	Where you can drive
One continuous line Two lines (double lines) An unbroken line, for example traffic islands on a freeway on-ramp	You can drive on the island for up to 50 metres to: enter or leave the road enter a turning lane. Give way to vehicles entering a turning lane next to the traffic island. You cannot drive on the island.

Lines painted around the traffic island

Where you can drive

One continuous line
Two lines (double lines)
An unbroken line, for example traffic islands on a freeway on-ramp

You can drive on the island for up to 50 metres to:

enter or leave the road
enter a turning lane.

Give way to vehicles entering a turning lane next to the traffic island.

You cannot drive on the island.

Traffic lane arrows

Some roads have arrows painted on the road. On those roads, drive in the same direction as the arrows.

Rules for road markings

The rules for road markings are in Parts 8 and 11 of the Road Safety Road Rules 2017:

Rule 132 - Keeping to the left of the centre of a road or the dividing line
Rule 134 - Exceptions to keeping to the left of a dividing line
Rule 137 - Keeping off a dividing strip
Rule 138 - Keeping off a painted island
Rule 146 - Driving within a single marked lane or line of traffic
Rule 147 - Moving from one marked lane to another marked lane across an unbroken line separating the lanes.