Road Rules and Trams

Updated: 01 September 2010

Sharing the Road with Trams

New rules are to take effect from 9th November 2009

click here for more information.

This page is provided for the convenience of road users who find themselves sharing the road with trams in Bendigo.  It is a summary of Victoria's main road rules and driver responsibilities as they apply to sharing the road with trams.

Safety Zones and Tram Stops:

• Slow down when approaching Safety Zones and Tram Stops.  There is always the risk of pedestrians getting off a tram and crossing the road without looking.

• At Tram Stops where there is no Safety Zone between you and the tram, you must stop and give way to all pedestrians walking to and from the kerb.

General rules about sharing the road with trams:

• Do not pass a stopped tram at a tram stop.

  • You must stop level with the rear of the tram and not drive past while its doors are open or pedestrians are crossing the road.

  • Even if you have passed the rear when the tram stops, you must still stop and give way to pedestrians boarding and getting off the tram.

  • You may only overtake a stopped tram:

    • if there are no pedestrians on the road and the tram doors are closed,

    • if a uniformed tram employee signals you through,

    • you must not exceed 10 km/h when passing the stopped tram.

• You must give way to a tram moving into or across a roundabout.

• You must not pass on the right of a tram unless tram tracks are at or near the far left side of the road.

• Remember pedestrians can run onto the road at the last minute in order to catch a tram, so take extra care to look out for them.

Passing or overtaking a tram that is not at or near the left side of the road:

• The driver must not drive past, or overtake a tram if the tram is turning left or is giving a left change of direction signal, unless the driver is turning left and there is no danger of a collision with the tram.

Further Information:

For further information, visit the VicRoads website to download a digital copy of:-

Driving in Victoria: rules and responsibilities [PDF, 8.3MB, 104pp]   Provides information on the main road rules and driver responsibilities.

Road to Solo Driving  Provides information for learner drivers including the main road rules, sample questions that people can expect in the licence test and hints for safe driving.

To download a printable copy of this page - click here.

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