What steps should you take to return to the right lane?

At an unsigned crossroad, you must give way to all vehicles approaching from your right. But if you want to turn right, you must give way to all oncoming vehicles too.

If you're driving on a road that ends in a T-intersection, you must give way to all vehicles on the continuing road.

And naturally, if you come to a stop sign or a give way sign, you must give way to all other vehicles as well.

So what happens at an intersection with both a stop and a give way sign? Contrary to popular belief, a stop sign is not more powerful than a give way sign. The signs effectively cancel each other out and normal give way rules still apply. Both must give way to all vehicles, then because car A is turning right, it must give way to car B.

You must always use your direction indicators (signalling device) to tell other road users what you intend to do. They cannot know your intentions unless you tell them by giving early and adequate signals.

It's also important to remember that giving a signal does not mean that other road users must give way to you or that you can automatically change direction without taking care and giving way.

In every case, you must give sufficient warning of your intention to alter direction to allow other drivers, motorcycle riders, bicycle riders and pedestrians to act on your signal.

In the case of leaving a stationary position at the side of the road, you must signal for at least five seconds to allow sufficient warning to be given to other road users, especially bicycle riders.

You must signal your intention with your direction indicators to:

  • move to the left or right
  • turn left or right. This includes leaving the continuing road at a modified T-intersection when you intend to go straight ahead (Example 8 and 9)
  • change from one lane to another or diverging
  • pull into or out from a kerb or side of the road
  • make a U-turn or 3-point turn
  • leave a roundabout (if practicable)
  • Turn left or right when driving within a car park. This includes turning left or right to move into a car park space.

[Direction indicators are illustrated in the diagrams by yellow starbursts.]

What steps should you take to return to the right lane?

Cars are fitted with brake lights to indicate that you are slowing down or stopping, and direction indicators (blinking lights on each side of the car) that you MUST use to give a change of direction signal or make a turn.

What steps should you take to return to the right lane?

You must stop giving the change of direction signal as soon as you complete the change of direction.

You must signal your intention, by means of your vehicle's brake lights to:

  • stop your vehicle or
  • suddenly slow your vehicle.

If a vehicle's direction indicators or brake lights are not in working order, or the vehicle is not fitted with indicators or brake lights, you must give a hand signal to turn right, stop or slow down suddenly (as illustrated).

Bicycle riders are only required to give a hand signal when turning or diverging to the right, except when making a hook turn.

see here

Turning

Before making a turn, you must follow this sequence (see The Driving Companion for more information):

  • decide on the direction you want to go as early as possible
  • look ahead, behind and to each side for other vehicles and road users, including motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, to make sure it is safe to turn
  • signal as early as possible - certainly before beginning to slow down and start your turn - to give other road users sufficient warning of your intention
  • take up the correct position on the road (see next page) before you reach the intersection
  • make your turn, when safe.

The correct position

On a single-lane or unlaned road:

What steps should you take to return to the right lane?

  • turning left - you must start from as near as practicable to the far left side of the road
  • turning right - you must approach the intersection to the left of, as near as practicable to and parallel to the dividing line, median strip or the centre of the road
  • when turning right, you should pass as near as practicable and to the right of the centre point of the intersection. You will risk a collision if you cut across the lane of the vehicles coming from the right - start your turn when you are close to the centre of the intersection (Example 10)
  • in a one-way road, you must turn right from as near as practicable to the far right side of the road.

The correct position

On a multi-lane road:

Approach the intersection from the correct lane - you can only turn left from the left lane and right from the right lane. You can only turn from any other lane if it has turning arrows indicating the direction you intend to take. When approaching an intersection and there is a continuous white line separating lanes, you cannot change lanes across this line.

If you enter an intersection:

  • you must turn only in the direction of the arrow or arrows in your lane
  • if there are arrows in your lane offering a choice of directions, you may go in either of the directions indicated
  • if there are two turning lanes, you must obey any road markings indicating which lane of the new road you must enter (indicated by broken white continuity lines in the intersection) (Examples 11 and 12)
  • if there are no markings and you are turning right into a multi-lane road, it is safest to turn into the lane on the new road closest to the middle of that road
  • when turning right, you should pass as near as you can to the right of the centre point of the intersection. Do not cut across the corner as you will risk a collision with a vehicle that is coming from the right - start your turn when you are close to the centre of the intersection (Example 10)
  • if you are driving a vehicle with a Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle sign and you are within 50 metres of the intersection, you may use either or both lanes if necessary to turn left or right if it is safe to do so (Example 13).

What steps should you take to return to the right lane?

When turning from any two-way road, you must not stop your vehicle in a position that could obstruct traffic coming from the opposite direction. It is against the law to enter an intersection if you cannot drive through and into the road you plan to enter. However, when turning right, you can proceed into the intersection and wait near the centre of the intersection for the oncoming traffic to pass (as long as it is safe and the road you are turning into is clear).

The correct position
Turning, but not at an intersection:

When turning in order to enter or leave the road you must obey the same rules as when turning at intersections.

see When to Give Way section

U-turns

What steps should you take to return to the right lane?
A U-turn is a turn made within a road to take you to the other side, facing the opposite direction, in one turn. There are several restrictions on where you can make a U-turn.

At intersections on any road with a dividing line or median strip, you must start a U-turn from the lane immediately to the left of the middle of the road or dividing strip (Example 14).

At any other intersection you may start your turn from any position on the road (left of the middle), except from a bike lane or bus lane, providing it is safe to do so.

When making a U-turn you must give way to all other traffic and pedestrians and not unreasonably obstruct traffic approaching from the front or behind.

How do you turn into the correct lane?

Begin and end the turn in the lane nearest the right edge of the road. Do not swing wide into another lane of traffic. Watch for pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists between your vehicle and the curb. Sometimes, signs or pavement markings will let you turn right from another lane as shown by the graphic.

How do you change lanes in Australia?

When changing lanes, you must give way to vehicles in the lane you're moving into. You must indicate to let others know when you plan to move into another lane. Make sure your indicator is off after you've merged or changed lanes.

How do I change lanes vicroads?

Changing lanes You must give way to vehicles in the lane or line of traffic, when you change from a lane marked with lines, to another. This rule applies when crossing over any broken line on the road showing that the lane ends, e.g. merging into freeway traffic.

How do I plan a safe route in vicroads?

We recommend older drivers take the followings steps when driving..
Plan to drive down roads with less traffic..
Plan your trips to use intersections with traffic lights..
Choose a route where you can do left turns instead of right turns..
Always look left and right at intersections, even intersections without traffic lights..