Police and Authorised Person Directions in Victoria: Who You Must Obey

The rule

The handbook is short and clear on this: follow instructions from police or any other authorised person at all times. Treat a direction from a person in charge of traffic as something you must act on straight away, even when it is not what you would normally do at that spot.

Who counts as an authorised person?

The handbook does not define the term, but it mentions several people whose directions or signals you must obey:

• Police officers, including those at random breath test stations or in other vehicles who stop you
• Workers or crossing supervisors using hand-held Stop signs at road works and school crossings
• A railway employee who signals you to stop at a level crossing (see level crossings)
• A uniformed tram employee who signals you through past a stopped tram
• A tunnel controller: in a tunnel, obey signs and controller instructions even if you cannot see the problem (see tunnels)

Police and breath testing

Police can ask the driver of a vehicle to take a breath test at any time, and there are many testing stations on Victorian roads. Thousands of drivers are tested at random every week. Learner and probationary drivers must have a blood alcohol level of zero: see zero BAC and drink driving.

Police and emergency vehicles

You must also get out of the way of police, emergency, enforcement or escort vehicles when their siren is on or they show red, blue or magenta flashing lights. Give way and stop if necessary, even on a green light. See emergency vehicles and police.

What to do

1. Watch for hand signals or hand-held signs, especially at work sites, school crossings, level crossings and in tunnels.
2. Follow the instruction from the police officer or authorised person.
3. If you are asked to take a breath test, take it when asked.

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.