If you have driven on Australian roads, you will know that one of the most violated road rules is the classic “keep left unless overtaking”.
- Keep left, unless you are overtaking – the signs say it all!
- Pigs using the right lane may be fined
- Penalties vary between states and territories
It means what it says. If you are driving on a multi-lane road, you should keep to the left unless you are overtaking. But there are differences in how this rule is implemented and interpreted across the country.
In general, if you are driving on a multi-lane road with a speed limit under 80km/h (think of those inner-city arterial roads that always seem to crawl at a curving pace), you can drive at any lane you want.
But if the road is a motorway, motorway or expressway with a higher speed limit, it’s best not to use the right lane often because you could be fined and demerited if you don’t pass these. other traffic participants.
Below is a list of regulations nationwide:
New South Wales
In NSW, if you are driving on a road with a posted speed limit above 80km/h (i.e. in a 90km/h zone or a road with a speed limit higher than that), you must keep on the left unless you pass someone
That’s the general rule, but there are some exceptions:
NSW road laws state: “You must not drive in the right lane unless you are overtaking, turning right, making a U-turn, not turning left and there is a ‘Left lane must turn left’ sign or light traffic turn left arrow signal, avoid obstacles, drive when the vehicle is stopped or slow in the left lane, drive buses, trucks and the right lane is only for buses, trucks, overtaking vehicles Slowly turn left.”
Situations that require passing in the left lane include when the vehicle you are passing: “Waiting to turn right or make a U-turn from the middle of the road; stop; traveling on multi-lane roads.
In some cases, you are allowed to use the left lane if traffic in the right lane is stopped and you are allowed to: cross the outer line (up to 100m), drive in the bus lane, transfer lane or truck lane (maximum 100m), or drive on the bike lane or electric vehicle lane (maximum 50m).
Caught doing something wrong and fined $349 and two penalty points.
Queensland
In QLD, the rules are very clear. “On a one-lane road, you should stay as close to the left side of the road as possible.”
But if the road has multiple lanes and if the speed limit is 90km/h or more, or if the road has a sign ‘Keep left unless overtaking’ then you must not use the right lane unless you: overtake; turn right; U-turn; avoid obstacles; driving in congested traffic; or use a special purpose lane that you are authorized to enter.
And in news that will upset those who believe in lane etiquette (this is you, Germany), it is legal for drivers to “pass on the left on all multi-lane roads.”
You can still be fined for staying in the right lane if you don’t take any of the above actions. The penalty is a $123 fine and two demerit points on your driver’s license.
Victoria
Victorian regulations state that drivers on “any multi-lane road with a speed limit above 80km/h… must avoid the right lane”.
But as with other states, there are some exceptions, such as if you’re passing or turning right or all lanes are congested. Furthermore, “if the right lane is a transit lane, this rule applies to the lane immediately to the left of the transit lane.”
However, note the wording of the rule. If you read between the lines (or is that a lane?) then it basically means the rightmost lane is off limits except when passing.
If you’re traveling on one of the six-lane highways, the rule means you can use lanes one to five as you wish.
If you’re caught being naughty, you could face two counts and a fine of several hundred dollars.
South Australia
SA Police prefer you stay “on the left side of the road” in multi-lane situations, lest you face a $355 fine and two demerit points.
One thing that is different in SA is that roads with speed limits of 80km/h or more do not need to have “keep left” signs.
It is understood that, if the speed limit is high and there is more than one lane to drive in, road users should stay in the leftmost lane and reserve the right lane only for overtaking.
Western Australia
This large state has regulations that are quite similar to the rest of the country. If the speed limit is 90km/h or more, you need to go left. Below 90km/h, you only need to do so if there is a clear sign.
Like other states, you are allowed to ignore the keep left sign if you are passing, making a U-turn, avoiding an obstacle, if the left lane is a turn lane and you are not turning, or if the left turn lane is a turn lane. dedicated bus lanes, slow lanes, etc.).
Furthermore, if other lanes are congested with traffic, you can stick to the right.
The fine is very small, at $50, but there are still two demerit points attached.
Northern Territory
In the NT it is stated that if a road has more than one lane and the speed limit is over 80km/h or there is a sign ‘keep left unless overtaking’ then you must keep on the left side of the road.
And in an interesting way, NT also reminds traffic participants that when being overtaken, they must not increase speed, they must also keep to the left and leave enough space for the vehicle to pass as well as stay in their lane.
There are no demerit points or fines for getting things wrong, and get this: The Northern Territory doesn’t get double demerit points either!
ACT
In the Australian Capital Territory – aka the land of roundabouts – if you drive in the right lane and don’t overtake (and the road speed limit is over 80km/h), you could be fined $316 and get two points deducted from your driver’s license.
Tasmania
The expectation is that, in Tassie, if the speed limit is above 80km/h, you should keep on the left unless you are overtaking – whether there is a sign saying it or not.
Failure to follow this rule can result in a $146.25 fine and two demerit points.
And because cyclists are also road users, if you’re cycling in the right lane on a road with a ‘keep left’ sign, you could be fined $130.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
