Special purpose lanes
Special purpose lanes include:
You can travel in a special purpose lane if your vehicle is specifically allowed in the lane, or:
- to avoid an obstruction
- to obey traffic signs operating in the lane
- to travel a permitted distance—of up to 50m in a bike lane or 100m in any other special purpose lane—to
- enter or leave the road
- move from 1 part of the road to another—such as moving to or from a service road
- overtake to the left of a vehicle that’s signalling to turn right
- enter a marked lane from the side of the road.
Bus lanes
You can use a bus lane at any time if you are operating a bike, bus, taxi, limousine, or an emergency vehicle.
Buses, taxis and limousines can use bus lanes at any time to drop off or pick up passengers.
Motorcycles and personal mobility devices are not allowed to use a bus lane.
Check the signs used to identify bus lanes.
Bus only lanes
Only buses, and vehicles that are allowed to use busways, such as emergency vehicles, are permitted to use a bus only lane.
Bikes, personal mobility devices and taxis cannot use bus only lanes.
Check the signs used to identify bus only lanes.
Bike lanes
Bike lanes are marked lanes on a road specifically designed for use by bike riders.
A bike lane is marked with either a bicycle lane sign or road marking that shows a bicycle symbol and the word 'lane' painted in white. The road may also be painted green.
If there is no bicycle lane sign or road marking, it is not a bike lane even if there are yellow or white bike symbols painted on the road. An unmarked road shoulder is not a bike lane.
You must give way to bikes when moving into a bike lane.
You can stop or park in a marked bike lane if you are allowed to drive in it and there are no signs or road markings prohibiting it.
Bike riders can choose whether to use a bike lane—it isn’t mandatory.
Personal mobility devices can be ridden in bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and on all on-road bike lanes that are physically separated from the road (for example, by bollards or raised median strip).
Check the signs used to identify bike lanes.
Transit lanes
Transit lanes help public passenger services, and vehicles carrying multiple people improve their trip times.
You can travel in a transit lane if your vehicle is:
- carrying 2 or more people—travel permitted in T2 lanes only
- carrying 3 or more people—travel permitted in T2 and T3 lanes.
Exempted vehicles
You are allowed to travel in a transit lane at any time if you’re operating:
- a bike
- a bus
- a taxi or limousine
- a motorcycle
- an emergency vehicle.
Signage
Transit lanes can be identified by transit lane signs and road surface markings.
The signs show the times the lane is a transit lane—generally during peak hours—and if it’s a T2 or T3 transit lane.
If there is no time on the sign, the lane is a transit lane at all times.
Penalties for misuse
If you travel in a special purpose lane illegally, you may be fined.