[Janelle Ward]

Here’s the scenario: you live on a main road and reverse out to get wherever you’re going. It’s often unnerving, depending on the traffic flow, but did you know it can also land you a fine?

The Drive team spoke to police and transport authorities in each state and territory to find out more.

In NSW

Although it isn’t strictly illegal, under certain circumstances reversing onto a motorway or main road in NSW could incur a penalty of $201, or $283 if the offence is committed in a school zone.

In Victoria

There’s no road rule stipulating that it is illegal to reverse onto a main road, said a Victorian Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson.

However, Road Rule 296 decrees that you must not reverse unless it’s safe to do so – and not further than is “reasonable in the circumstances”. The penalty? A $192 fine or a maximum three penalty units ($576).

In Queensland

There are no specific rules however, “drivers are encouraged to consider how they will safely pull out when parking, particularly on busy roads,” said a Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson.
Unsafe reversing could incur a $161 on-the-spot fine.

In Western Australia

“It isn’t illegal, but as with entering a road from land abutting, it must be done safely, and you need to give way to the vehicles on the road into which you are reversing,” said a WA Police spokesperson.

In South Australia

A person may reverse a motor vehicle onto a main road, said a police spokesperson, but some road rules may apply.
Under section 296 of the Australian Road Rules, the driver must not reverse unless they can do so safely. If they can’t, and they reverse anyway, they could face a fine of $598 (expiation fee) and no demerits.

In Tasmania

It’s not illegal to reverse on to a main road, but “reversing a vehicle when unsafe” could cost $195.

In the ACT

Again, there is no specific law, however Section 296 of the Road Transport (Road Rules) Regulation 2017 says a driver must not reverse a vehicle unless they can do so safely – penalty $316.

In the Northern Territory

There’s no rule stating that it’s illegal to reverse out of a driveway, but you can’t do it unless it’s safe to do so, said a spokesperson for NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services.

Do you have to reverse out onto a main road? Or do you reverse in and spare yourself the agony?

[Sue Bailey]

How can you not reverse out if you’re made to drive in when arriving home or at a place where there’s no way to ‘turn around’ and drive out?

There’s only one way to drive out, and that’s to pull up (with indicators on, of course), and reverse in, which could hold up traffic just the same way as reversing out would.

Some major roads (eg Bourke St Wagga) have ‘local’ roads beside them where there’s freedom to enter/exit your home, shops, etc, and then join the through traffic at designated intersections.

[Author]

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