If you’ve ever sat in the back of a bus and wondered what a sign with a green bus, green arrow, and red car means, you’re not alone.
- Buses have the right of way when leaving the curb
- Don’t expect a bus to see you if you can’t see its mirror
- Fines and merits may apply
This is not to say that the bus driver has the right-of-way in all situations, but there are specific situations where it is required that other road users give way to the bus. Most of the different iterations of the law refer back to Australia’s Road Rule 77, Yield to buses:
“A driver operating a vehicle on a densely populated roadway, in the left lane, in the left lane must give way to the front bus if:
- (a) the bus has stopped, or is moving slowly, on the far left side of the road, on the curb, or in the bus compartment, and
- (b) the bus displays the right-of-way bus sign and the right-hand direction indicator of the bus is in operation, and
- (c) the bus is about to enter or enter the lane or flow of traffic the driver is driving.”
Based on NSW Traffic: “Drivers of other vehicles should yield to buses with yield signs in congested areas, when the bus is about to enter or enter a lane or stream of traffic, and the bus is on the opposite side of the road. in front of the driver. “
In NSW, the penalty is quite high if you are caught not giving way to a bus, up to $349 and three demerit points.
It is similar in Queensland: “When you are driving in a densely populated area and the speed limit is 70km/h or less, you must give way to a bus with a give way sign on the rear right hand side of the bus. and is signaling to enter traffic from:
- bus area, bus station or bus station
- curb, or the left side of the road
Likewise in QLD you can get a three-point, $258 fine for “failing to give way to a bus leaving a bus stop on a road in a residential area with a speed limit sign of no more than 70 km/h. “.
The Northern Territory The traffic rule book states, similarly, that drivers “must yield to the bus in all of the following cases:
- in the speed zone 70 km per hour or less
- if the bus displays a sign to give way to the bus
- if the bus light is on
- if the bus is about to enter or enter a lane or flow of traffic
However, the by NT Traffic regulations do not provide for any applicable penalties for failing to yield to buses.
The ACT There is an existing law on not giving way to buses, which states “drivers in the left lane/traffic/bicycle lane do not give way to buses”. You can be deducted 3 points and 307 dollars if caught.
Furthermore, an interesting reminder from Tasmania, that “the speed limit is 40 km/h when you are within 50 meters of the bus with a School Bus warning sign and a school bus warning light.”
Victoria, the land of trams, there is no specific law about giving way to buses, and neither does South Australia. But the latter has a “don’t give way when changing lanes” umbrella rule, which could land you three points and a $388 fine.
Western Australia there were no bus rules we could find, but there are some errors that are likely to apply to giving way: failing to give way during a merger – $100 fine, two demerit points; not yielding when changing lanes – fine of $100, minus three points.
Fun fact – do you know what in most jurisdictions a bus driver must signal for five (5) seconds before leaving a stationary position on the side of the road?
Indeed, the QLD’s Transportation page states that “buses, like all vehicles” must indicate for five seconds. I bet you didn’t turn on your flash and count your Mississippis the last time you pulled off the curb!
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
