Tasmania DKT Car cheat sheet

A steady red circle means stop behind the stop line, at the intersection edge, or before the crossing; no entry until the signal changes or a permitted turn arrow applies.

A flashing yellow circle means the signal is under manual or fault control: slow down, proceed only with caution, and give way as if at an unmarked intersection.

A green circle permits travel straight or turning, but turning traffic must still give way to pedestrians crossing the road being entered and to oncoming traffic when turning across it.

A red arrow prohibits movement in the direction shown; a green arrow permits that movement only and still requires giving way to pedestrians already crossing.

A flashing red circle at a railway crossing or other location means stop, then proceed only when it is safe and no train or conflicting traffic is approaching.

Solid white lane lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; a broken line may be crossed when safe, a solid line should not be crossed except to avoid an obstruction.

Double continuous centre lines must not be crossed by either direction except to enter or leave the road or to pass a parked obstruction when safe.

At a stop sign or stop line, the vehicle must come to a complete stop and give way to all traffic already on or approaching the intersecting road.

Regulatory signs (red circles, red slashes, or the word STOP/GIVE WAY) impose legal requirements; warning signs (yellow diamonds) advise of hazards ahead and do not themselves impose a limit.

A yellow diamond with a black symbol warns of a hazard such as a curve, crest, slippery surface, or railway crossing ahead; reduce speed and prepare to respond.

Temporary yellow signs and orange markings override permanent markings where works are in place; obey the directions of traffic controllers and signs over painted lines.

A painted yellow edge line on the left marks the edge of the carriageway; a painted island or chevron area bordered by solid lines must not be driven on.

A broken white line across the road before an intersection is a give-way line; a solid white line with the word STOP is a stop line requiring a complete stop.

A roundabout sign (circular arrows) and a give-way line at the entry mean all entering traffic must give way to traffic already circulating.

A 'No U-turn' sign prohibits turning the vehicle to travel in the opposite direction at that location; a 'No right turn' sign prohibits turning right even if the road is clear.

A red circle with a number and a diagonal slash (for example 60 with a slash) marks the end of a speed limit zone, not a new limit.

The safe following distance in good conditions is at least 3 seconds; in rain, at night, or behind heavy vehicles increase to 4 or more seconds.

To measure following distance, watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object and count seconds until your vehicle passes the same object; a count under 3 seconds means too close.

Scanning 12-15 seconds ahead allows time to identify hazards; keep the eyes moving and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.

A hazard is any object or condition that may require a change of speed or direction; identify it, predict what it may do, decide an action, and execute it.

Total stopping distance equals reaction distance plus braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed while braking distance grows with the square of speed.

At 60 km/h a typical reaction distance is about 17 metres and total stopping distance in dry conditions is roughly 45 metres; at 100 km/h total distance exceeds 100 metres.

Wet roads can double braking distance and gravel or ice can increase it several times; reduce speed before entering a hazard rather than braking within it.

Fatigue, alcohol, drugs, and phone use all increase reaction time; the only reliable remedy for fatigue is to stop and rest, not to open a window or turn up music.

At an unmarked intersection with no signs or lines, give way to vehicles approaching from your right; if turning across oncoming traffic, also give way to that traffic.

At a give-way sign or line, slow or stop as needed and give way to traffic on the intersecting road; you need not stop if the road is clear and it is safe to proceed.

When turning right at an intersection, give way to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead or turning left, and to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.

When turning left, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering and keep as close as practicable to the left side of the road.

At a roundabout, give way to all vehicles already circulating and to any vehicle entering from your right that is already in the roundabout; signal left to exit.

On approach to a roundabout, signal left when turning left, signal right when turning right, and do not signal on approach when going straight ahead.

A slip lane with a give-way or stop line requires giving way to traffic on the road being joined, even if the main road appears clear.

When two vehicles face each other and both intend to turn right, they may pass left of each other only if it is safe and there is room; otherwise wait.

In built-up areas in Tasmania the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise; on rural roads the default limit is 100 km/h unless signed lower.

Speed limits apply to the whole road, not just the lane; drive to the conditions even below the limit when visibility, surface, or traffic requires it.

Stopping distance formula: total distance = speed (m/s) x reaction time + speed squared / (2 x deceleration); at 50 km/h (13.9 m/s) with 1.5 s reaction and 7 m/s² braking, total is about 35 metres.

Braking distance increases with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h increases braking distance roughly four times, from about 14 to about 56 metres.

Maintain a steady speed and use gentle steering and braking inputs; harsh inputs reduce traction, especially on wet or gravel surfaces.

When descending a steep hill, select a lower gear to use engine braking and avoid overheating the brakes through continuous application.

Tyre grip is reduced by worn tread, low pressure, and load; check pressures when cold and replace tyres before tread reaches the legal minimum.

Speed limits in roadworks and school zones may be reduced and are enforced; a 40 km/h school zone applies during posted times when children are present.

For a learner or provisional licence holder in Tasmania the blood alcohol limit is zero; for full licence holders the general limit is 0.05 grams per 100 mL of blood.

Alcohol impairs judgement, slows reaction time, and reduces peripheral vision; the effects begin at the first drink and cannot be reversed by coffee, food, or sleep alone.

Illegal drugs and impairing prescription or over-the-counter medicines must not be used before driving; check labels for warnings and ask a pharmacist if unsure.

Random breath testing and roadside drug testing are conducted in Tasmania; refusing a test carries penalties similar to or greater than a high-range offence.

Fatigue signs include yawning, heavy eyes, drifting, and poor concentration; the safe response is to stop in a safe place and rest, not to continue.

Plan long trips with a break at least every 2 hours, share driving, and avoid driving during normal sleep hours; fatigue crashes are often severe because there is no braking.

Mobile phone use while driving is illegal unless the phone is in a fixed cradle and used hands-free; even hands-free calls increase distraction and crash risk.

Distraction sources include phones, navigation entry, eating, smoking, and passengers; set up devices before moving and keep attention on the road.

Pedestrians at a marked crossing have right of way once they are on the crossing; approach at a speed allowing a stop and do not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

When passing a cyclist, leave at least 1 metre at speeds up to 60 km/h and at least 1.5 metres above 60 km/h; if this is not possible, wait until it is safe.

Motorcyclists and cyclists are harder to see at intersections; check mirrors and blind spots twice before turning or changing lanes.

Heavy vehicles have large blind spots (no-zones) behind, beside, and in front; avoid lingering alongside a truck and never pass on the right when it is turning right.

A truck turning left or right needs extra road width and may swing wide or track over the centre line; do not move into the space beside it.

Buses pulling out from a bus stop in built-up areas should be given way to where signs or rules require; watch for passengers crossing after alighting.

Children, older pedestrians, and people with disabilities may move unpredictably or slowly; reduce speed in school zones, near shops, and around parked cars.

When sharing with horses or livestock, slow down, do not sound the horn, and pass wide and quietly.

A learner licence in Tasmania requires passing a knowledge test and eyesight check; learner drivers must display L plates and be supervised by a full licence holder.

Provisional licence holders must display P plates and observe conditions including a zero blood alcohol limit and limits on passengers for the first 12 months for P1 drivers.

Demerit points accumulate for traffic offences; exceeding the threshold results in suspension, and the threshold is lower for learner and provisional drivers than for full licence holders.

Driving unlicensed, unregistered, or uninsured is an offence; third-party insurance is compulsory and registration must be current before the vehicle is driven.

A police officer may require a driver to produce a licence, submit to a breath or drug test, and stop the vehicle; failing to comply is an offence.

Serious offences such as dangerous driving, drink driving, and driving while disqualified carry court penalties including fines, licence disqualification, and imprisonment.

If you are involved in a crash, stop, give assistance, exchange details, and report to police if anyone is injured or a vehicle is towed away.

Report changes of address to the licensing authority within the required period and carry your licence when driving; a digital licence may be accepted where authorised.