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The rules regarding double solid lines on roads vary from state to state and are far from a uniform “never cross the line” rule. But which states have the strictest rules?

Simply put, the presence of a solid line means that overtaking or driving into the adjacent lane is prohibited, except in certain, very specific circumstances.

But these signs are actually a little more complicated than “never cross.” And the rules vary from state to state.

In New South Wales, double solid lines are probably the most lenient. Firstly, you can overtake if the vehicle you are overtaking is a bicycle. You can also cross a double line if you are going around an obstruction on the road, as long as the “obstruction” is not a slower or stopped vehicle.

Likewise, if you are entering or leaving a driveway, you may cross a solid double line unless a sign specifically states otherwise. The same rule applies when turning right onto a road unless there is a “No Right Turn” sign.

Queensland’s rules are much stricter: “Double continuous centre lines must not be crossed except to safely overtake a cyclist.”

The same rules apply in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory: vehicles are only allowed to cross double white lines when overtaking cyclists.

Victoria has the strictest rules: even overtaking a cyclist on a road with double solid lines is illegal. Roads Victoria states: “You must not cross these lines for any reason unless you need to avoid an obstacle and it is safe to do so. You cannot overtake, turn, enter or leave the road across double solid lines.”

The definition of ‘obstruction’ is also very specific. A similar statement from Roads Victoria is: ‘Obstructions include hazards on the road but do not include vehicles because the vehicle is stopped or moving slower than other vehicles in the traffic flow. Obstructions do not include bicycles.’

Oddly enough, the above content is taken directly from the VicRoads website and directly contradicts the following content, which is also posted in another section of the same site. Perhaps an example of Schrodinger’s bicycle?

Update: One eagle-eyed reader pointed out that the law on overtaking cyclists allows drivers to cross dual carriageways, provided it is safe to do so. According to VicRoads: “A driver may briefly cross the centre line of a single or dual carriageway to overtake a cyclist, provided the road ahead is clear and it is safe to do so.”

South Australia is similar to Victoria, and although overtaking cyclists is permitted in Tasmania, the rules regarding consecutive double lanes are similar to those in New South Wales.

The requirements are also more relaxed in Western Australia, where the rule is: “You are prohibited from overtaking across these lines, but you may cross these lines to make a right turn, make a U-turn or enter/leave the road at a junction.”

And most of us probably don’t know this. Want to park on a road with a continuous double lane? Sure, you can, but once you’ve parked your car, there must be more than three meters between it and the markings. Failure to provide sufficient space can result in large fines.