Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004

2.3 Use of lanes

(1)

A driver, when driving, must not use—

(a)

a lane that has been declared unavailable by an over-head traffic sign showing a red diagonal cross; or

(b)

on a two-way roadway marked in 2 or more lanes, a lane on the right side of the centre line unless the driver is passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction; or

(c)

on a two-way roadway marked in 3 lanes,—

(i)

the lane on the right side of the roadway; or

(ii)

the centre lane unless the driver is turning right into another roadway or a vehicle entrance or is passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction; or

(d)

a lane to the driver’s right of a no-passing line; or

(e)

the area on the right side of a row of traffic cones or other delineators placed so that they separate traffic travelling in opposite directions; or

(f)

a special vehicle lane reserved for a specific class or classes of vehicle unless—

(i)

the vehicle is one of the class or classes of vehicle for which the lane is reserved; or

(ii)

the vehicle is an emergency vehicle being used in an emergency.

(2)

A driver, when driving on a road marked in lanes,—

(a)

must drive as far as practicable entirely within a lane except when complying with subclause 2.1(2) or when changing lanes; and

(b)

must not move from a lane until he or she has first ascertained that the manoeuvre may be made safely.

(3)

However, a driver may drive wholly or partly in a lane that is unavailable to the driver under subclause (1) or clause 4.6(2) to (4) if—

(a)

it is impracticable to proceed otherwise because of—

(i)

the size of the driver’s vehicle; or

(ii)

the size of the load on the driver’s vehicle; or

(iii)

a road obstruction; and

(b)

driving in that lane can be done safely and without impeding other traffic.

(4)

A driver may also drive wholly or partly in a lane that is unavailable to the driver under subclause (1) or clause 4.6(2) to (4) if the driver—

(a)

drives in the lane to cross it to—

(i)

make a turn; or

(ii)

leave a road; or

(iii)

enter a marked lane or line of traffic from the side of the road; or

(iv)

enter a marked lane or line of traffic from another marked lane; or

(v)

park in a place clear of a special vehicle lane, if the lane that the driver crosses is a special vehicle lane; or

(vi)

enter a specified stopping place or loading zone to pick up or drop off passengers or a load, if the driver is driving a passenger service vehicle or goods vehicle and the lane that the driver crosses is not reserved for a vehicle of that class; and

(b)

drives in the lane for the minimum length necessary to complete the manoeuvre and for no more than a maximum length of 50 m; and

(c)

gives way to vehicles entitled to use the lane.

(5)

A driver who is turning across a light rail vehicle lane or safety zone must not impede the progress of any light rail vehicle travelling along the same roadway in the same or opposite direction.

Compare: SR 1976/227 rr 5, 7(1A), (1B)

Clause 2.3(1)(a): amended, on 1 November 2014, by clause 7 of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2014 (LI 2014/285).

Clause 2.3(1)(f): substituted, on 17 January 2008, by clause 7 of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule (No 2) 2007 (SR 2008/2).

Clause 2.3(3): substituted, on 1 November 2009, by clause 7 of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (SR 2009/253).

Clause 2.3(4): substituted, on 1 November 2009, by clause 7 of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (SR 2009/253).