Queensland Traffic Signs

A vehicle may change lanes on a roundabout providing it gives way to all vehicles that are already in the lane that they are moving into.

Walk to island and wait for further signal sign

Pedestrians will need to cross the road in 2 stages when this sign is at a set of traffic lights.

No stopping signs

You must not stop your vehicle at a no stopping sign.

The times on the sign mean that you cannot stop between the times shown and on the days shown. Unless another sign applies, stopping and parking is allowed outside the times and days shown.

Read more about road rules.

It is turning right in the correct lane but exiting the roundabout in the wrong lane.

You must leave the tunnel if you can

Give way to pedestrians sign

You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road that you are turning into.

Ahead arrow sign

These ahead arrow signs are used on the side road to let you know a bus, transit or truck lane is ahead at the intersection.

These signs are placed with:

• bus lane signs
• transit lane signs
• truck lane signs.

Roundabout sign

At a roundabout sign you must: slow down or stop, if required, and give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.

Stop sign (hand held)

Traffic controllers hold stop signs to help control traffic on work sites.

You must stop and stay stopped until the traffic controller allows you to drive through.

Give way to buses sign

You must give way to buses in front of you that indicate they are going to drive out.

You will see this sign on the back of the bus.

Securing your vehicle

You must secure/lock your vehicle before leaving it parked on a road. Your vehicle is considered unattended when you are more than 3m away from it.

Before you leave the vehicle you must:

• switch off the engine
• apply the parking brake
• remove the ignition key if there is no one 16 years of age or older in the vehicle
• wind up the windows if possible—a gap of 5cm or less is acceptable
• lock the doors if possible.

This rule applies to all road-related areas, including car parks.

Clearway signs

You must not stop on a length of road that has a clearway sign unless you are driving a bus, taxi or limousine and are dropping off or picking up passengers.

If you park or stop in a clearway you may be fined and have your vehicle towed away.

This sign usually applies in peak hour traffic—the sign will show the hours that it applies.

No turns sign

You must not:

• turn right
• turn left
• make a U-turn.

You must drive in the direction of the arrow.

Right lane must turn right sign

If you are in the right lane when you arrive at the intersection, you must turn right. If you do not wish to turn right, you should change lanes before you arrive at the intersection.

Speed limit signs

You must not drive faster than the speed limit shown in the circle. In poor conditions, it is safer to drive slower than the speed limit.

Read more about suburban speed limits.

No U-turn sign

If you see this sign you must not make a U-turn.

You can make a U-turn at any intersection without traffic lights, or any break in the centre island of the road, unless there is a no U-turn sign.

U-turns

You can only make a U-turn at traffic lights when there is a U-turn permitted sign. When you are doing a U-turn, you must give way to all other vehicles and pedestrians—even if other vehicles are facing a give way or stop sign.

At intersections without traffic lights or at breaks in the centre island of the road, you must not do a U-turn if there is a no U-turn sign.

You must also not do a U-turn:

• across a single or double continuous centre line
• across a continuous centre line to the left of a broken line
• over a painted island in the centre of the road.

Through traffic keep right sign

Through traffic should keep right.

Vehicle A must give way to VB because it’s turning right across the other vehicle’s path

End speed limit sign

This sign lets you know the previous speed limit has ended and the default speed limit now applies.

B is turning across the other vehicle’s path

Vehicle A gives way to Vehicle C that’s already travelling through the intersection. When both vehicles face Stop signs, normal give way rules apply, so Vehicle A gives way to vehicle B because it’s crossing Vehicle B’s path.

Railway crossing signs

These signs let you know there is a railway crossing and the number of tracks at the crossing.

Queensland Rail provides information on the safe use of rail crossings.

Fog lights

You can only use front or rear fog lights if it is difficult to see other vehicles or objects due to poor weather conditions—such as heavy rain or fog.

You must not use fog lights in clear weather conditions, whether it is day or night.

All traffic turn (left or right) signs

You must turn in the direction of the arrow on the sign at the intersection.

Keep left or keep right signs

At a keep left sign you must drive to the left of the sign.

At a keep right sign you must drive to the right of the sign.

Always stop and wait until the lights have stopped flashing before safely crossing over a train line.

Permit zone sign

A permit zone allows you to stop or park in the zoned area if you have a permit to do so.

You must report a crash to the police if:

• a vehicle involved needs to be towed away
• any driver involved fails to provide their details to any other drivers involved in the crash
• any person involved is killed or injured.

One way sign

On 1 way streets and roads, you must only drive in the direction of the arrow.

On roads with a speed limit of 90km/hr or more, you should only travel in the right-hand lane when you are overtaking, avoiding an obstruction, driving in congested traffic, making a right turn or U-turn, or driving in a special purpose lane that you’re allowed to use.

Pedestrians may cross diagonally sign

This sign lets pedestrians cross diagonally at traffic lights.

You will see this sign in central city locations on or near the traffic signal push button. It is also known as a scramble crossing.

You should maintain your speed and position to allow other drivers to safely overtake

C travels through the intersection first. 2 signs cancels each other and normal give way rules apply. B must give way because is crossing over A’s path

Freeway signs

Freeway signs let you know when you are about to enter onto a freeway, and where the freeway starts and finishes.

Shared zone signs

A shared zone is an area where pedestrians and vehicles share the road. You must give way to pedestrians and keep to the speed shown on the sign.

A shared zone sign will mark where the shared area begins and will show a speed limit for the area.

The shared zone will end when you see the end shared zone sign. If there are no other signs, the default speed limit and rules for giving way to pedestrians apply.

The End Roadwork sign doesn’t cancel out the previous speed restriction. You must continue at the reduced speed until the next Speed Limit sign, an End Speed Limit sign, or the end of a road.

No parking signs

You are not allowed to park in this area at any time. If the sign has a time displayed you can park outside of those hours.

You may only stop to pick up or drop off passengers or goods for a maximum of 2 minutes, unless the sign allows a longer time. You must not leave the vehicle unattended.

Through traffic should keep left.

Transit lane restriction sign

You can only drive in a transit lane if you have the minimum number of people during the days and times shown on the sign:

• T2 transit lane–2 people or more (1 driver, 1 passenger)
• T3 transit lane–3 people or more (1 driver, 2 passengers).

Buses, taxis, limousines, bicycles, and motorcycles can travel in transit lanes with or without passengers.

School zone speed limit signs

A school zone speed limit sign will tell you the reduced speed limit that you must drive within when driving in the school zone. The sign also shows the times and days the speed limit applies.

Schools that have campuses on both sides of a road can have all day school zone speed limits (as children cross the road throughout the school day). These signs show the times the speed limit you must follow applies.

See school zones, parking and pick up to find out more.

You must dip your headlights from high beam to low beam when an oncoming vehicle is within 200m.

Wrong way—go back sign

This sign prevents you from driving in the wrong direction along an exit ramp of a motorway.

If you do drive onto an exit ramp, stop and reverse back when safe to do so.

Exception signs

These signs let authorised vehicles go through a regulatory sign where other vehicles are not allowed. You will see exception signs used with regulatory signs.

You cant right from the left lane.

Children crossing sign

Children crossing flags are displayed near crossings around schools—before and after school hours when children are crossing the road. A children’s crossing may be supervised.

School crossing supervisors use a hand held stop sign to stop traffic and allow children to cross the road safely.

Transit lane signs

These transit lane signs show the start and end of a transit lane.

A T2 transit lane means you must have 2 or more people in the vehicle to use the lane.

A T3 transit lane means you must have 3 or more people in the vehicle to use the lane.

Buses, taxis, limousines, bicycles, and motorcycles can travel in transit lanes with or without passengers.

Going straight ahead

Going straight ahead through a roundabout

1. Position your vehicle in either lane unless the arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.
2. There is no need to use your indicator until you are ready to exit the roundabout.
3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
4. Before exiting, use your left indicator and follow the exit lane marking.
5. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Another way of looking at roundabouts

Turns that occur at roundabouts can be described by imagining the roundabout to be a clock face.

• Any turn that exits the roundabout before 12 o’clock can be considered a left turn.
• Any turn that exits the roundabout after 12 o’clock can be considered a right turn.
• Straight ahead at a roundabout is taken to be at half-way around or at 12 o’clock.

The Queensland Road Rules uses the terms ‘less than half-way round’ and ‘more than half-way around’.

False, If you are on a multi-lane road with a speed limit of 90km/h or more, for example, a freeway, there is no need for a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign. You must keep the right hand lane free, unless all the other lanes are congested, you are overtaking, avoiding an obstruction, turning right, making a U-turn or using a special purpose lane that you are allowed to be in.

Emergency stopping lane only sign

An emergency stopping lane is a marked lane or part of a marked lane, at the start of a freeway or motorway, kept free for emergencies.

You must not drive in a signed emergency stopping lane unless:

• you need to drive there to avoid a crash
• you need to stop in an emergency
• your vehicle has become damaged or breaks down.

A red cross marked above a lane means that the lane is closed. Vehicle A must move out of the closed lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

Area speed zone signs

The speed limit area sign shows you the speed limit you must travel within in the zoned area.

A speed limited area is a network of local roads with these signs placed at the entry and exit of the area.

The end speed limit area sign lets you know when you have left the speed limited area and the default speed limit applies.

Read more about speed limits in suburbs.

Area speed zone signs

The speed limit area sign shows you the speed limit you must travel within in the zoned area.

A speed limited area is a network of local roads with these signs placed at the entry and exit of the area.

The end speed limit area sign lets you know when you have left the speed limited area and the default speed limit applies.

Read more about speed limits in suburbs.

Bus lanes

You can use a bus lane at any time if you are operating a bicycle, 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.

Check the signs used to identify bus lanes.

Pedestrian crossing sign

This sign lets you know a pedestrian crossing is on the road. You must give way to a pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing.

A pedestrian crossing is an area of a road with parallel white lines painted across the road.

See pedestrians and road rules to find out more.

Transit lane restriction sign

You can only drive in a transit lane if you have the minimum number of people during the days and times shown on the sign:

• T2 transit lane–2 people or more (1 driver, 1 passenger)
• T3 transit lane–3 people or more (1 driver, 2 passengers).

Buses, taxis, limousines, bicycles, and motorcycles can travel in transit lanes with or without passengers.

You must wait until all pedestrians have crossed the road and the crossing supervisor has returned to the footpath.

See school zones, parking and pick-up to find out more.

At a dual -lane roundabout, you can you the left or right lane to go straight through- unless the lane markings tell you otherwise

Stop if it is safe to do so

Yellow traffic light

You must stop on a yellow light, unless it is unsafe to do so. The yellow light is not the end of the green light phase—it is the beginning of the red light phase.

If it’s safe to stop, you must not drive past the stop line at the yellow traffic light or, if there is no stop line, the traffic light.

Example of yellow traffic light—with the middle light lit up

Examples of yellow arrows

If it’s unsafe to stop—such as being close to the light when it changes from green to yellow—you may proceed through the yellow light.

Example of yellow arrows on traffic lights—with arrows lit up in the middle lights on the right

You only need to signal left as you exit the roundabout because you are going straight ahead through the roundabout.

You should always remove your sunglasses, and turn on your vehicle’s headlights and radio when you enter a tunnel.

Parking signs

Parking signs let you know where you can park on a section of the road.

The signs display parking information you need to know, they include:

• how long you can park
• where you can park
• hours and days of the week that the parking rules apply
• if you need to pay at a parking meter.

Parking where payment is needed will be shown on the sign. The sign will also direct you to where you pay at a parking meter. You can park for free outside of the parking meter times listed on the sign.

The letter P, on its own, means there is no time limit and you can park any time for any length of time. A number before or next to the P means there is a time limit for how long you can park within the hours signed.

U-turn permitted sign

You can only make a U-turn at traffic lights when there is a U-turn permitted sign.

Median turning lane sign

You must turn right from the median turning lane at this sign, and give way to oncoming vehicles.

Left lane must exit sign

Anyone driving in the left lane of the freeway or motorway will need to exit up ahead. If you are in the left lane and do not wish to exit, you should change lanes.

Overhead lane control devices

You must not travel in a lane marked with an illuminated red diagonal cross or pass a traffic sign above a lane displaying a red diagonal cross.

If there is an overhead lane control device above the road, you can drive in a lane if there’s a:

• white, green or yellow arrow pointing downwards—or in a particular direction—above the lane
• speed limit sign above the lane.

High beam headlights

You must not have your headlights on high beam if another vehicle is closer than 200m to you—this includes when you are following someone and when they are driving towards you.

You may flash your headlights briefly before overtaking another vehicle, but make sure they do not dazzle other road users. You may be fined for incorrectly using your high beam lights.

All traffic turn (left or right) signs

You must turn in the direction of the arrow on the sign at the intersection.

A hospital zone is an area near a hospital where there are lots of pedestrians. You may need to drive at a slower speed.

Turning left

Turning left at a roundabout

1. Position your vehicle in the left lane, unless arrows on the road or signs indicate otherwise.
2. Use your left indicator as you approach and enter the roundabout.
3. Give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
4. Remain in the left lane as you complete your turn.
5. Continue to use your left indicator as you exit the roundabout.
6. Stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Stopping on the side of a highway should be your last resort. If possible, make your way to an exit and pull over where there is less fast-moving traffic.

Turning right or U-turns

No, motorcycle riders must not exceed 30km/h They must also ensure they have enough space between themselves and other vehicles to lane filter safely. The rider must hold an open class RE or R licence (not a provisional or learner licence) and is not permitted to lane filter in a school zone.

Lights

You must have your headlights, tail-lights and number plate lights on when you drive at night or in bad weather that causes reduced visibility (such as heavy rain).

If you are driving during the day in fog or in other bad weather with reduced visibility, you may drive with your front fog lights on, with or without your headlights.

Transit lane signs

These transit lane signs show the start and end of a transit lane.

A T2 transit lane means you must have 2 or more people in the vehicle to use the lane.

A T3 transit lane means you must have 3 or more people in the vehicle to use the lane.

Buses, taxis, limousines, bicycles, and motorcycles can travel in transit lanes with or without passengers.

Parking area signs

These signs let you know what the parking restrictions are for the area and include:

• the name of the parking area
• how long you can park for
• hours and days of the week and
• if you need to pay at a parking meter.

For example, 2P on a sign indicates that you can park for up to 2 hours between the hours indicated. A ½ P sign indicates that you can park for a maximum of half an hour during the time specified.

Bridge load limit signs

You must not drive past these signs if your vehicle weighs more than the amount shown on the sign.

This restriction applies to heavy vehicles approaching a bridge.

Roadwork sign

This roadwork sign lets you know the road ahead is undergoing works.

The roadwork sign may have a speed limit sign displayed.

It is illegal to do a U-turn at traffic lights unless there is a U-turn permitted sign. This is consistent across most Australian states and territories. A sign will only be placed if it is deemed safe to perform a U-turn at that intersection.

Two-way sign

Vehicles travel in both directions on this section of road.

You must drive to the left of the centre of the road if there is no dividing line.

Shared zone signs

A shared zone is an area where pedestrians and vehicles share the road. You must give way to pedestrians and keep to the speed shown on the sign.

A shared zone sign will mark where the shared area begins and will show a speed limit for the area.

The shared zone will end when you see the end shared zone sign. If there are no other signs, the default speed limit and rules for giving way to pedestrians apply.

Crashes

If you are involved in a crash, you must stop and if you are able, give your contact details to:

• any other driver
• any other person injured in the crash or their representative
• the owner of any property or vehicle that has been damaged from the crash.

At a T-intersection, Vehicle A must give way to Vehicle B. Vehicle A has reached the end of the road it’s travelling on and must give way to vehicles on the road it is entering.