South Australian Current Regulations South Australian Current RegulationsAim of the Guide
The aim of this Guide is to help you to understand the Australian Road
Rules (the Rules) and the way they apply to different kinds of
roads, vehicles and road users. The Guide also gives information on the
structure of the Rules.
As a matter of law, the Guide is not part of the Australian Road
Rules.
The Australian Road Rules provide rules to be followed by all road
users.
They are part of a national scheme to provide uniform road laws throughout
Australia.
SA NOTE—
In some instances, other laws of South Australia directly vary the
application of the Australian Road Rules in this State. These variations
are normally indicated by a note for South Australia (SA
NOTE).
How to use the Rules
1—Contents and dictionary
The contents at the beginning of the Rules will help you to find particular
rules or groups of rules that you may be interested in. They may also be helpful
in giving you an overview of the structure of the Rules.
The dictionary at the end of the Rules defines words and expressions that
have special meanings in the Rules. It includes words and expressions that are
defined elsewhere in the Rules.
2—Application of the Rules and some key
concepts
The application of the Australian Road Rules and some key concepts
are explained in Part 2 of the Rules. You will need to understand Part 2 to
apply the rules properly.
Roads and road-related areas
The Rules apply to vehicles, animals and persons on roads and road-related
areas. Road-related areas are areas like footpaths, nature strips
and parking areas. The Rules generally apply to road-related areas in the same
way as they apply to roads.
In the Rules, a reference to a road generally includes
road-related areas. If a particular rule does not apply to road-related areas,
or applies only to road-related areas, this will be stated in the
rule.
Drivers and riders
The Rules are generally expressed to apply to drivers of vehicles, since
they are the largest category of road users. A driver is the person driving or
otherwise in control of a vehicle. For example, a person steering and pushing a
stalled motor vehicle would be in control of the vehicle and be the
driver.
Persons riding, or otherwise in control of, motor bikes or animal-drawn
vehicles, or riding bicycles or animals, are called riders, rather
than drivers. The Rules generally apply to them in the same way as they apply to
drivers.
In the Rules, a reference to a driver generally includes a
rider. If a particular rule does not apply to riders, or applies only to
particular kinds of riders, this is stated in the rule.
The definition of a vehicle (also in Part 2) is very broad
and is not exhaustive. It includes, for example, motorised wheelchairs that can
travel over 10 kilometres per hour. However, it does not include trains, wheeled
recreational devices or wheeled toys. The driving of trains is not covered by
the Australian Road Rules. Riders of wheeled recreational devices and
wheeled toys are treated as pedestrians.
Although most of the rules apply to vehicles of all kinds and to both
drivers and riders, there are some rules that apply only to particular drivers
or riders. For example, the rules in Part 15 apply only to bicycle riders, and
the rules in Part 17 apply only to the drivers of trams and public
buses.
Pedestrians
It is not appropriate to apply the Australian Road Rules to persons
in control of some kinds of vehicles as if they were drivers of conventional
motor vehicles. For this reason, some persons who might otherwise come within
the definition of driver are treated as pedestrians. For example,
a person pushing a motorised wheelchair is treated as a pedestrian.
The rules that apply to pedestrians are in Part 14.
3—Diagrams of traffic signs
Diagrams of all traffic signs mentioned in the Rules are shown in
alphabetical order in Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 at the end of the Rules. The
traffic signs in Schedule 2 are those in the relevant Australian Standard (AS
1742) as well as some existing non-standard signs in common use that will
continue to be used and some new signs. The traffic signs in Schedule 3 are
alternative signs still in use in one or more jurisdictions, but are being
phased out.
Diagrams of signs have also been included after particular rules to help
you identify the signs when reading the Rules. These diagrams may be a black and
white version of the signs or may be printed in colour.
A number of traffic signs have 2 or more permitted versions. Notes to the
diagrams of signs included in particular rules will tell you if there are other
permitted versions of the signs or if the signs can have other permitted
features. For example, there is more than one permitted version of a speed limit
sign. Also, a speed limit sign can have a different number. Notes to the diagram
of the sign in Part 3 will tell you about these things.
Diagrams (including diagrams that are examples) are part of the
Rules.
4—Notes and examples
Notes are used throughout the Rules. They may tell you that certain terms
are defined (and where they are defined), draw your attention to other relevant
rules, or help in other ways. The notes (including SA NOTES) are not part of the
Rules.
Examples are also given throughout the Rules, sometimes by explanation and
sometimes by diagrams. They are not exhaustive. Examples are part of the
Rules.
5—Structure and language
The following points may assist you in reading and understanding the
Australian Road Rules.
Arrangement of rules
Rules have been grouped in Parts and Divisions so that rules on the same
subject are, as far as possible, together. However, some kinds of rules are
relevant in many different situations. For example, in addition to the general
give way rules in Part 7, giving way at traffic lights is dealt with in Part 6
(which deals with traffic lights) and giving way at roundabouts is dealt with in
Part 9 (which deals with roundabouts). This arrangement gives drivers a more
complete picture of their obligations at traffic lights and
roundabouts.
Notes at the beginning of a Part, or with an application provision, will
tell you where other rules on the subject can be found.
Structure of rules
The rules often deal with complex situations. For this reason the more
complex rules set out, in order:
• the rule (that is what must, or must not, be done in the situation
covered by the rule)
• the exceptions to the rule
• any other information needed for the application of the rule (for
example, particular definitions).
This enables the reader to see the rule set out in the simplest and
clearest way.
Exemptions
In addition to exceptions that may be set out in a rule, there are a number
of general exemptions. Trams, for example, are exempted from the operation of a
number of Parts in the Rules because they run on fixed tracks. The list of
exceptions for trams is in Part 19 (Exemptions). Also, in Part 19 there are, for
example, a number of general exemptions for police and emergency vehicles and
for other vehicles and drivers in particular situations.
A number of rules provide for an exemption if the driver is "permitted" to
do something, or is "authorised" or "exempt", "under another law of this
jurisdiction". Procedures for granting authorisations, permits and exemptions
from the Australian Road Rules may vary from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction, so the Rules leave these matters to complementary laws of each
State or Territory.
SA NOTE—
Complementary laws for South Australia are normally indicated by a SA
NOTE.
Definitions included in a
rule
Most definitions of words and expressions are given in the dictionary.
However, some terms are defined in the text of a rule. This is done where the
word or expression is used only in that rule and nowhere else in the Rules. In
addition, some definitions, particularly of areas or lengths of road that are
established by traffic signs or road markings, are complex or need diagrams to
be fully understood. They are placed with the basic rule that deals with the
area or length of road, so that the rule and the definition (with any
accompanying diagrams) can be seen and understood together. For example, see the
definitions of bicycle path and separated footpath
in rule 239. This also means there is no need for diagrams of the signs to
appear in the dictionary as well as at the end of the rule and in the Schedules.
The definitions are, however, signposted in the dictionary at the end of the
Rules. Notes are also included in relevant rules drawing attention to these
definitions.
Use of the terms vehicle and road in a
rule
Because of the way "driver" is defined, it is generally not necessary to
say "the driver of a vehicle" or mention the driver's vehicle in a
rule.
In the same way, because the Australian Road Rules apply only to
roads and road-related areas, it is not generally necessary to say in a rule
that something must, or must not, be done, "on a road", except where the kind of
road, or the place on a road, is relevant to the rule or it is necessary to
exclude road-related areas.
Use of the terms bus and public
bus
If a rule is directed to the driver of a public bus, the term "public bus"
is used in the rule, and the rule applies only to public buses. For examples,
see Part 17 (Additional rules for drivers of trams, tram recovery vehicles and
public buses). However, if a rule directs a driver of any vehicle to take or not
take some action in relation to a bus, the term "bus" is used and the rule
applies to buses of all kinds. This is because, although the rule is primarily
intended to apply to public buses, a public bus may not be marked in a way that
makes it distinguishable from a private bus, and it is preferable from the point
of view of road safety that the driver treat any bus as a public bus. For
examples see Part 11 Division 7 (Passing trams and safety zones). There are also
some rules that refer specifically to the drivers of all buses.
Use of the term does not apply in relation to a
rule
A rule may say that it does not apply to a driver of a particular kind, or
in a particular situation. This does not mean, however, that another rule will
not apply to the driver in the same situation. An example is rule 95 (Emergency
stopping lane only signs). A bicycle rider does not commit an offence under rule
95 by riding in an emergency stopping lane, because the rule expressly states
that it does not apply to bicycle riders. However, the rider may still commit an
offence by riding in the emergency stopping lane if a no bicycles sign applies
to the lane (see rule 252 (No bicycles signs and markings)).
Use of present tense for some
actions
The rules may say that a driver "is turning" at an intersection. The use of
the present tense is intended to cover both the present and future aspects of
the present tense. That is, it refers to a driver who is preparing to make the
turn as well as a driver who is in the course of making the turn. The context
will make this clear in the rule.
Obligation to give way
There are a number of rules requiring a driver to give way to another
driver or a pedestrian. However, under the Rules the other driver or pedestrian
does not have a "right" of way. Indeed, in some situations, a number of drivers
may be required to give way to each other, eg at an intersection with a stop
sign or give way sign on more than 1 of the intersecting roads. Similarly,
although a driver may be required to give way to a pedestrian, the pedestrian is
required under rule 236(1) not to cause a traffic hazard by moving into the
driver's path.
Offences and penalties
If a rule (or subrule) creates an offence, this is indicated by the words
"Offence provision." set out in the rule (or subrule). A person who breaches the
rule (or subrule) commits an offence.
The penalty for an offence is set by other laws of each jurisdiction.
Penalties can include a fine and, in some circumstances, disqualification from
driving.
SA NOTE—
Most of the penalties in South Australia for breaches of the Australian
Road Rules are set out in the Road Traffic (Road Rules—Ancillary
and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2014 and the Road Traffic
(Miscellaneous) Regulations 2014.
Other aids to using and understanding the
Rules
Part 20 of the Rules explains how traffic signs, traffic signals, road
markings and other traffic control devices on roads must comply with the Rules
to be legally effective. The Part also explains the way traffic control devices
apply to lengths of road and areas, and also to drivers and other road users.
Traffic signs and signals generally apply to a person if they face the person,
but there are exceptions.
Part 21 of the Rules contains a number of provisions to put certain legal
issues beyond doubt. They enable the language and concepts in the Australian
Road Rules to be expressed more simply.
Other road laws
The Australian Road Rules are not completely self-contained and need
to be read with the associated laws of each jurisdiction. These laws deal with
administrative and legal issues that may be particular to each jurisdiction. For
example, each jurisdiction defines "emergency worker" and "police officer" in
slightly different ways for the Australian Road Rules. The definitions of
these terms in the dictionary indicate that the terms are defined under other
laws of the jurisdiction.
SA NOTE—
Such other laws of the jurisdiction for South Australia are normally
indicated by a SA NOTE.
The Australian Road Rules do not provide all the rules to be
followed by road users. Other rules applying to road users are to be found in
other laws. For example, other laws deal with drink-driving. Some of these other
rules are indicated by notes in the Rules.
Notes
• This version is comprised of the following:
|
Reader's Guide |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 1 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 2 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 3 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 4 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 5 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 6 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 7 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 8 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 9 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 10 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 11 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 12 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 13 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 14 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 15 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 16 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 17 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 18 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Part 19 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 20 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Part 21 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Sch 1 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Sch 2 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Sch 3 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Sch 4 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Sch 5 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Dictionary |
1.12.2019 |
• Please note—References in the legislation to other
legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not
automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of
legislation and therefore may be obsolete.
• Earlier versions of these rules (historical versions) are listed
at the end of the legislative history.
• For further information relating to the Act and subordinate
legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or
www.legislation.sa.gov.au.
Legislation revoked by principal
rules
The Australian Road Rules revoked the following:
Australian Road Rules [No 219 of 1999]
Principal rules and variations
New entries appear in bold.
|
Year |
No |
Reference |
Commencement |
|
2014 |
205 |
Gazette 31.7.2014 p3344 |
1.9.2014: r 2 |
|
2016 |
274 |
Gazette 8.12.2016 p4918 |
8.12.2016: r 2 |
|
2019 |
229 |
Gazette 7.11.2019 p3760 |
1.12.2019: r 2 |
Provisions varied
New entries appear in bold.
Entries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in
italics.
|
Provision |
How varied |
Commencement |
|
Pt 1 |
|
|
|
r 2 |
omitted under Legislation Revision and Publication
Act 2002 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 3 |
substituted by 274/2016 r 4 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Pt 2 |
|
|
|
r 18 |
varied by 229/2019 r 4 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 5 |
|
|
|
r 44 |
substituted by 229/2019 r 5 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 45 |
|
|
|
r 45(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 6(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 45(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 6(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 6 |
|
|
|
r 62 |
|
|
|
r 62(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 7 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 63 |
|
|
|
r 63(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 8 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 64 |
varied by 229/2019 r 9 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 65 |
|
|
|
r 65(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 10(1), (2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 65(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 10(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 7 |
|
|
|
r 69 |
|
|
|
r 69(2A) |
varied by 229/2019 r 11(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 69 |
|
|
|
r 69(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 11(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 72 |
|
|
|
r 72(4) |
varied by 229/2019 r 12(1), (2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 72(4A) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 12(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 73 |
|
|
|
r 73(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 13(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 73(5) |
varied by 229/2019 r 13(2), (3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 73(5A) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 13(4) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 80 |
|
|
|
r 80(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 14(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 80(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 14(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 80(4) |
substituted by 229/2019 r 14(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 81 |
|
|
|
r 81(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 15 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 82 |
varied by 229/2019 r 16 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 8 |
|
|
|
r 98 |
|
|
|
r 98(3) |
varied by 274/2016 r 5(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 99 |
|
|
|
r 99(3) |
varied by 274/2016 r 6(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 108 |
|
|
|
r 108(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 17 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 9 |
|
|
|
r 115 |
|
|
|
r 115(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 18(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 115(3) |
varied by 229/2019 r 18(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 11 |
|
|
|
r 128A |
|
|
|
r 128A(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 19 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 132 |
|
|
|
r 132(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 7(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 132(2) |
varied by 274/2016 r 7(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 133 |
varied by 274/2016 r 8 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 134 |
|
|
|
r 134(3) |
varied by 274/2016 r 9 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 137 |
|
|
|
r 137(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 10 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 138 |
|
|
|
r 138(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 11 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 141 |
|
|
|
r 141(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 20(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 141(1A) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 20(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 144 |
varied by 274/2016 r 12 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 146 |
|
|
|
r 146(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 13(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 21(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 146(2) |
varied by 274/2016 r 13(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 21(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 147 |
|
|
|
r 147(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 14 |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
r 147 varied and redesignated as r 147(1) by 229/2019
r 22(1), (2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 147(2) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 22(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 151A |
inserted by 229/2019 r 23 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 155A |
|
|
|
r 155A(4) |
varied by 229/2019 r 24 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 163 |
varied by 274/2016 r 15(3) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 163(5) |
varied by 274/2016 r 15(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 164 |
varied by 274/2016 r 16(3) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 164(5) |
varied by 274/2016 r 16(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 164A |
varied by 274/2016 r 17(3) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 164A(4) |
varied by 274/2016 r 17(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
Pt 12 |
|
|
|
r 200 |
|
|
|
r 200(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 25(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 200(3) |
|
|
|
heavy vehicle |
deleted by 229/2019 r 25(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 207 |
|
|
|
r 207(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 18(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 207(2) |
varied by 274/2016 r 18(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
Pt 14 |
|
|
|
r 231 |
|
|
|
r 231(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 26 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 236 |
|
|
|
r 236(4) |
varied by 229/2019 r 27(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 236(5) |
varied by 229/2019 r 27(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 239 |
|
|
|
r 239(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 28 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 240 |
|
|
|
r 240(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 29(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 240(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 29(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 243 |
|
|
|
r 243(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 30(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 243(2) |
varied by 229/2019 r 30(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 244C |
varied by 229/2019 r 31 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 15 |
|
|
|
r 245 |
varied by 274/2016 r 19 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 248 |
substituted by 229/2019 r 32 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 250 |
|
|
|
r 250(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 20(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 250(1A)—(1C) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 20(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 262 |
|
|
|
r 262(4A) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 33 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 262A |
inserted by 274/2016 r 21 |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
deleted by 229/2019 r 34 |
1.12.2019 |
|
Pt 16 |
|
|
|
r 266 |
|
|
|
r 266(2C) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 22(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 35(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 266(2D) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 22(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 35(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 266(3B) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 22(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 35(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 266(3C) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 22(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 267 |
|
|
|
r 267(1) |
varied by 229/2019 r 36(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 267(3) |
varied by 274/2016 r 23(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 267(3A) |
substituted by 274/2016 r 23(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 36(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 267(4) |
substituted by 274/2016 r 23(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
|
varied by 229/2019 r 36(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 267(9) |
|
|
|
medical practitioner |
deleted by 229/2019 r 36(4) |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 270 |
|
|
|
r 270(1A) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 24 |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 270(3) |
|
|
|
approved motor bike helmet |
substituted by 229/2019 r 37 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 271 |
|
|
|
r 271(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 25(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 271(1A) |
inserted by 274/2016 r 25(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 271(5B) |
varied by 274/2016 r 25(3) |
8.12.2016 |
|
Pt 18 |
|
|
|
r 292 |
|
|
|
r 292(1) |
r 292 redesignated as r 292(1) by 229/2019
r 38 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 292(2) |
inserted by 229/2019 r 38 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 292A |
inserted by 229/2019 r 39 |
1.12.2019 |
|
r 299 |
|
|
|
r 299(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 26(1), (2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 300 |
|
|
|
r 300(1) |
varied by 274/2016 r 27(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
r 300(4) |
|
|
|
audio phone call |
inserted by 274/2016 r 27(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
Sch 2 |
varied by 229/2019 r 40(1), (2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
Sch 5 |
|
|
|
Pt 2 |
omitted under Legislation Revision and Publication
Act 2002 |
8.12.2016 |
|
Dictionary |
|
|
|
edge filtering |
inserted by 229/2019 r 41(1) |
1.12.2019 |
|
end no filtering sign |
inserted by 229/2019 r 41(2) |
1.12.2019 |
|
heavy vehicle |
inserted by 229/2019 r 41(3) |
1.12.2019 |
|
lane filtering |
inserted by 229/2019 r 41(4) |
1.12.2019 |
|
medical certificate |
inserted by 274/2016 r 28(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
medical practitioner |
inserted by 274/2016 r 28(1) |
8.12.2016 |
|
no filtering sign |
inserted by 229/2019 r 41(5) |
1.12.2019 |
|
turning lane |
varied by 274/2016 r 28(2) |
8.12.2016 |
|
wheeled recreational device |
varied by 229/2019 r 41(6) |
1.12.2019 |
Historical versions
|
8.12.2016 |
|