New Zealand Legislation: Regulations

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 signal 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)(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).