DKT- Special purpose lanes are set aside by signs and/or road markings.
- Stay out of them during the times on the sign, or at all times if no times are shown.
- You may use one for up to 100 m (only 50 m in a bicycle or tram lane), and only when necessary.
- You must give way before entering a special purpose lane.
The short-distance exception
You may drive in a special purpose lane for a short distance only when you need to: to enter or leave the road, or to avoid an obstruction or a turning vehicle. That limit is 100 metres, or 50 metres in a bicycle lane or tram lane.
Who uses which lane
| Lane | Who may use it | Handbook notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bus lane | Buses and other vehicles specified on the sign | Up to 100 m to enter or leave the road, or to overtake a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre of the road. Bus-only lanes cannot be used by others except to avoid an obstruction; give way to buses when you turn across them. |
| Tram lane | Trams and public buses only | You may drive in a tram lane for up to 50 m to enter or leave the road, or briefly to overtake a bicycle rider, but you must not delay a tram. |
| Bicycle lane | Bicycle riders only | Parking is allowed unless signs prohibit it. To turn left you may drive along the lane for up to 50 m if necessary. Give way to bicycle riders and enter only when safe. |
| Transit lane | Buses, taxis, motorcycles, trams and cars with 2 or more people (T2 sign) or 3 or more (T3 sign), during the times on the sign | Up to 100 m if necessary to make a turn. |
Tram lanes and tramways
- A tram lane is marked by a continuous yellow line on the left of the tracks and a Tram Lane sign.
- Full-time tram lanes run at all times, so the sign shows no hours.
- Part-time tram lanes have signs showing the hours. Do not drive in them while they operate, and never delay a tram, even outside those hours.
- A tramway (double continuous yellow lines or a separating kerb and a Tramway sign) is in operation at all times. Do not drive in it unless you must avoid an obstruction, and cross only at breaks made for vehicles.
Related pages: sharing the road with trams, buses and transit lanes, bicycle riders.
Based on the Victorian Road to Solo Driving handbook and the VicRoads learner and probationary pages. Rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.
Quick answers
How far can you drive in a bus lane in Victoria?
Up to 100 metres, and only when necessary to enter or leave the road, avoid an obstruction or a turning vehicle, or overtake a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn from the centre.
What is a T2 lane?
A transit lane that, during the times on the sign, buses, taxis, motorcycles, trams and vehicles carrying two or more people may use. A T3 sign needs three or more people.