Tasmania road rules to know

Most road rules are the same across Australia, but these are specific to Tasmania.

• Default speed limits with no signs: 50 km/h built-up area; 80 km/h on an unsealed road outside a built-up area; 100 km/h on a sealed road outside a built-up area.
• Learners max 90 km/h; P1 max 100 km/h; P2 may drive to the posted limit; learner and P1 motorcyclists max 80 km/h.
• Do not travel faster than 20 km/h when turning at an intersection with traffic lights.
• School zone limit is 40 km/h on school days (Mon-Fri in term) at the signed times; also applies in driveways/car parks inside the zone, and continues round a corner until an End school zone sign.
• Within 50 metres of a school bus with warning lights flashing: 40 km/h in both directions.
• Slow to 40 km/h when passing a stationary or slow-moving emergency, enforcement, escort or roadside-assistance vehicle with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights (on roads over 80 km/h, if it is safe to do so; not across a median barrier).
• Total mobile phone ban for learners and P1 drivers, hands-free and voice-activated included, even when stopped but not parked; P2 and full-licence drivers may use hands-free or a fixed-cradle phone but never hold it.
• Learners must not tow any vehicle or trailer; P1 and P2 drivers may tow but must keep P plates visible.
• Zero alcohol for learners and provisional drivers; 0.05 for full car licences.
• Minimum passing distance for bicycle riders: 1.5 m where the limit is above 60 km/h, 1 m at 60 km/h or lower; you may cross the centre line (including double continuous lines) to pass a bicycle rider when safe.
• At a roundabout you must give way only to vehicles already in the roundabout; there is no requirement to give way to vehicles on your right that have not yet entered.
• Indicate for at least 5 seconds before moving off from the side of the road or a median strip parking area; indicating is mandatory for every lane change and turn, including at lane-arrow intersections and when reversing into a space.
• If indicators or brake lights are not working the vehicle is unroadworthy; if you must move it, give hand signals (right arm for a right turn or to slow/stop).
• Yellow traffic light means stop unless you cannot stop safely; if all lights at an intersection are flashing yellow, uncontrolled intersection rules apply.
• Red arrow: do not turn in that direction even when the main light is green. U-turns at traffic lights are banned unless a U-turn permitted sign is displayed.
• Must use a slip lane where one is provided; give way to vehicles/pedestrians as required; may not stop in a slip lane unless signs allow parking.
• Keep left in the left lane on multi-lane roads over 80 km/h (except overtaking) or where a Keep left unless overtaking sign applies.
• Stopping and parking: not within 20 m before / 10 m after a pedestrian or children's crossing, nor within 20 m before / 10 m after a bus stop; not within 10 m of an intersection without lights or 20 m of one with lights; not within 1 m of a fire hydrant; 20 m either side of a level crossing; stopping 2 minutes max at No parking signs to pick up/drop off without leaving the vehicle.
• Motorcyclists: lane filtering only with a full motorcycle licence, at 30 km/h or less, never in school zones during school zone hours or beside parked cars. Learner/provisional riders may not lane filter.
• Cars must not enter a bicycle storage area when stopped at a red light and must give way to bike riders already in it; special purpose lanes may be used for up to 50 m (bicycle lanes) or 100 m (bus and other special lanes) only for the listed reasons.
• Zip merge: where lanes reduce on an unmarked road, give way to the vehicle ahead of you; when a marked lane ends, indicate and give way to traffic in the lane you enter.
• Crash: stop, help injured, exchange details; give details within 24 hours to others involved and to police if anyone is hurt, you did not exchange details, or a vehicle was towed.
• Seatbelts: children from birth to 7 in a correctly fitted restraint; children under 4 not in the front seat (unless no back seat); under 7 not in the front unless no back seat or other seats are taken by under-7s; driver is responsible for all belts.
• Radar and speed-camera detectors are illegal, even if not working. Horn only for emergency warnings or as an anti-theft alarm. High beam only when more than 200 m from oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead.
• Supervisory driver must hold a full Australian car licence (not restricted) continuously for the previous 12 months and give instruction. (source)
• Learner licence renewal: if not renewed within 28 days after expiry the minimum learner period restarts. (source)
• Safe following distance recommended by the handbook is 3 seconds.