Road Rule Turning When Turning Right

idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 11:01
Last edited 24/07/2025 - 11:03

In Bass Hill, NSW turning into Hume Highway

For cars in lane A and B, when turning right, which lane number can they turn into?

I've been following "in lane B, I turn right into the right most lane (lane 3)".

But in lane A, I can turn right into lane 1 or 2.

This is confusing for a lot of drivers in the area because it's a 2 lane road which becomes 3 lanes after turning and there are no dividing lines to guide where to turn. Often cars in lane B will turn into lane 2, causing accidents.

If you can source the NSW road rule which governs this, thank you!

Obligatory MS paint diagram https://ibb.co/J6Mztk3

google map view https://ibb.co/tpcHVsMS

birds eye view https://ibb.co/JwBH3qj4

Poll Options

  • 2
    Lane A can turn into lane 1 and 2
  • 2
    Lane A can only turn into lane 1
  • 2
    Lane B can turn into lane 2 and 3
  • 55
    Lane B can only turn into lane 3
Automotive

Comments

  • jv on 24/07/2025 - 11:19
    -1

    B must go to lane 3

    Often cars in lane B will turn into lane 2, causing accidents.

    Hope the have insurance.

  • JIMB0 on 24/07/2025 - 11:21
    +9

    Your poll has multiple correct answers.

    • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 11:38
      +1

      so you are saying when I did multiple choice in high school, I wasn't supposed to circle 3 of the 4 answers?

      • Caped Baldy on 24/07/2025 - 13:49
        +5

        Both Lane A can turn into lane 1 and 2 and Lane B can only turn into lane 3 are correct.

        • Gunnar on 24/07/2025 - 16:54

          This is correct, also because his sister in laws also work at the motor registry

          • bobbified on 26/07/2025 - 16:54

            @Gunnar: Working at the motor registry doesn't mean someone knows all the rules.
            Even the police, who are supposed to be out there every day enforcing these rules, don't know all the rules.

        • SmiTTy on 24/07/2025 - 21:11

          100% this

      • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 13:19

        It depends, was the fourth option "all of the above"?

  • Davo1111 on 24/07/2025 - 11:45
    +1

    https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rr201410…

    https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-s…

    Turning right

    When making a right turn, you must:

    • indicate right

    • follow any road markings for turning, such as lane lines and painted arrows

    • move as close as possible to the dividing line on the road you’re turning from

    • stay in the same lane as you turn from one road to another.

    10 seconds on google.

    • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 14:46

      None of the dot points address this situation.

      • no lane lines when turning
      • 2 lanes becomes 3 lanes so what's considered "same lane"
      • Davo1111 on 24/07/2025 - 17:27
        -1

        stay in the same lane as you turn from one road to another.

        When you turn right from the right lane, you turn into the right lane.
        When you turn right from the second right lane, you turn into the second right lane

        When you turn left from the left lane, you turn into the left lane.
        When you turn left from the second left lane, you turn into the second left lane

        The exception is when the lines are marked.

      • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 14:27

        • no lane lines when turning

        Sure looks like both roads have lane markings to me?

        Looks like Johnson road has lane markings indicating two distinct lanes and the aerial view definitely shows the other road has lane markings which create three lanes.

        The only part that doesn't seem to have lane markings is the actual intersection.

        I can't recall off the top of my head seeing any intersections with lane markings running through them. I think they're typically left blank to accomodate for the various directions traffic may be moving whilst passing through the intersection.

        It would quite simply be too confusing if they provided lane markings in an intersection that indicated every direction vehicles have the potential to travel taking into consideration from where they entered the intersection and intend to pass through and exit.

        For the purposes of any driver turning left out of Johnson Rd, that third lane on the major road doesn't exist. If the dude turning right from the left side lane of Johnson Street decides to swing into the far lane on the three way, they're surely taking the Mickey?

        It's not like they can install a no entry sign on it for the numpties who aren't familiar with the road rules.

        • stay in the same lane as you turn from one road to another.

        Really does seem to cover it, no? That third lane marking is extremely clear.

        The only vehicle using that third lane on the right of the intersection should be anything that had been using the third lane to the left of the intersection before entering it.

        C'mon, a short sighted octopus riding sidesaddle on a three legged goat can work out that lane allocation.

  • Drakesy on 24/07/2025 - 13:16
    +3

    Really it comes down to the line markings, they could put a dashed divider that forces Lane A into lane 1 and Lane B gets the choice of 2 or 3. But in lieu of this Lane B has to go to Lane 3.

    • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 14:46

      Exactly, there are no lane markings.

    • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 15:17
      -1

      Nooooo

      Presuming vehicle in Lane B on Johnson Rd is on the left side of Lane A, for him to proceed in the same lane after turning onto the three lane, he must turn right into Lane 2 - the middle lane. For everyone turning right from Johnson Rd, Lane 3 of the three lane rd is the red headed step child and none of them travelling from Johnson Rd, want anything to do with him.

      If you're two lanes from centre when leaving Johnson Rd to turn right onto the three way, your designated lane becomes the corresponding lane that is also two lanes from centre (the traffic island in this scenario) on the three lanes road.

      The third lane to the right of the intersection only exists because it is a continuation of the three lane road to the left of the intersection. It's not an opportunity to play eenie, meenie, minee moe or to pick whichever lane suits your fancy.

      If vehicle in Lane B of Johnson Rd turned right into the outside lane (Lane 3) of the three lane, he'd only be able to do so if he was changing lanes from the "middle" lane (Lane2?) into that outer lane.

      Despite being legal in Victoria, it is not considered good driving practise to change lanes whilst moving through an intersection because it can be confusing (and dangerous) for other road users using and/or approaching that intersection (RACV).

      If the vehicle did decide to move into the outer lane of the three way (Lane3), he'd have to use his left indicator before doing so to provide notification of his intention to move out of lane 2.

      Considering that when changing lanes in Victoria you're supposed to indicate for "long enough to give sufficient warning to other road users to be able to have ample time to see your signal and understand your intention to change lanes", it's unlikely that Evel Knievel would have the time or opportunity to do that whilst simultaneously using his right turn signal to indicate his initial intention to turn right from Johnson Rd.

  • Danstar on 24/07/2025 - 14:16
    -1

    Labe A can 'merge' into lane 1 as they have no other potential traffic in that lane. Lane B cannot do this, if there is car in Lane A turning with them.

    • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 14:46
      -1

      Yes that's obvious but the point of contention is lane 2.

      • oscargamer on 24/07/2025 - 15:31

        Don't turn into lane 2 then

        • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 15:21

          For anybody turning right at that intersection out of Johnson Rd, Lane 3 on the three lane road doesn't exist. For all intents and purposes, at best it is imaginary, but as a last resort, could possibly be used as a break down lane, I suppose.

  • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 14:48

    From the poll, it's obvious that Lane B can only turn into Lane 3 which is what I've always thought.

    But no one has yet to cite the road rule which addresses this specific situation (no lane markings when turning right).

  • mrkorrupt on 24/07/2025 - 15:16

    there is no need for a Car in B (near the median) to choose any other lane then the one closest to the median, where as the car in the kerb side land should stay in the kerb side line. As someone who travels the area, they should make it 6 lanes. 3 Right and 3 left as there is plenty of space.

  • pegaxs on 24/07/2025 - 17:10
    +1

    Nice poll… 2 right answers, well done.

    For NSW, it is Road Rule #32 and #33 and perhaps a dash of #148 as well.

    B cant pick a lane to go into because they would need to give way to cars in the A lane next to them. Similarly, A cannot turn into lane 3 for the same reason (they would need to give way to cars in lane B.)

    A can pick lane 1 or 2 because there are no other lanes turning that they would need to give way to.

    Now, if there were 3 lanes, A, B and C, turning into lanes 1, 2 and 3, they would all absolutely need to say in their respective lanes.

    • Muppet Detector on 26/07/2025 - 15:43

      A can pick lane 1 or 2 because there are no other lanes turning that they would need to give way to.

      Is A, the vehicle travelling from the inside lane on Johnson Rd?

      If it is, consider a vehicle simultaneously travelling to the left of the inner lane (so closest to the kerb) on Johnson Rd (likely called B for this example).

      if vehicle originally travelling in Lane A of Johnson Rd (further est away from kerb) turned left into Lane 2 (centre lane) of three way, if there is a vehicle turning from Lane B on Johnson Rd, where is he supposed to go? Hasn't vehicle from Lane A just changed lanes and cut dude from Lane B off/crashed into him?

      Lane A (further est from kerb on Johnson st) continues into Lane 1 (also furtheredt from kerb) on three lane road.

      Lane B continues into centre lane, alternatively known as Lane 2 on three lane road.

      There is no Lane C on Johnson Rd, so there is no road to continue into Lane 3 (outside lane) of three way road.

      For the purposes of this example, Lane 3 may as well be The Ministry of Magic, because there's no way for the Muggles to gain entry to it from Johnson Rd.

  • apsilon on 24/07/2025 - 20:36
    +2

    Given the area and the fact it has the worst drivers in Sydney you should take the safest option regardless of the road rules. If you're in the right lane, turn into the right most lane, if you're in the left, turn into the left most lane. Leave the middle lane for those that want to take the risk. Change lanes further along if you need to.

    • idonteven on 24/07/2025 - 22:41

      Yes, this is exactly what I do.

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