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Road Safety Road Rules and commercial passenger vehicles

The Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (road rules) apply to drivers of commercial passenger vehicles in the same way they apply to drivers of private vehicles.

This page contains a summary of some of the signs that appear in the Road Rules, and how they apply to commercial passenger vehicles that are stopping, dropping off, or picking up passengers.

This information is a summary only and must not be relied upon as a substitute for the actual full road rules, including definitions and meanings.

The following information has been prepared to assist drivers

For the purposes of the road rules, a taxi is a commercial passenger vehicle that provides unbooked services and is fitted with a fare calculation device and approved security camera (metropolitan and urban zones only).

It is important for drivers to understand the signs, and what they mean in the interests of driver and passenger safety.

example of taxi zone sign

Taxi Zone – for taxi use only

A driver must not stop in a taxi zone, unless they are driving a taxi.

Other commercial passenger vehicles (i.e. hire cars/rideshare) are not permitted to stop in taxi zones.

example of no parking 

No parking

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle may stop in a no parking area if the driver is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.

example of loading zone sign 

Loading Zone

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle may stop in a loading zone if the driver is dropping off, or picking up, passengers

example of clearway sign

Clearway

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle may stop in a clearway if the driver is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.

bike lane sign

Bicycle Lane

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle may drive for up to 50 metres in a bicycle lane if the driver is dropping off, or picking up, passengers.

However, the driver must not stop if other ‘no stopping’ restrictions apply along the bicycle lane.

No stopping sign

No stopping

The driver must not stop on a length of road or in an area where a no stopping sign applies.

Bus Stop

Bus Stop

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle must not stop within 20 meters before a bus stop, 10 meters after a bus stop, or at a bus stop itself.

Tram Stop

Tram Stop

The driver of a commercial passenger vehicle must not stop on the road within 20 metres of a tram stop or at a tram stop itself.

The full road rules are available at the link below.

Road Safety Road Rules 2017

Enquiries on the Road Rules should be directed to VicRoads on telephone 13 11 71.