Driving in Melbourne is like driving in most other capital cities in Australia except for a couple of notable exceptions, trams and hook turns. Melbourne has a public transport system that operates Trams. Trams run the length and breadth of the city and are useful modes of transport as they are regular and no matter what time of the day you can pretty much squeeze on one. Trams run along tram tracks and require electricity supplied by overhead lines. In the CBD area of the city trams have their own central lane, however head a couple of minutes out of the Melbourne CBD and trams are mixing it with cars, trucks, buses and pedestrians so things become a little more complex.

Rules with Trams

When a tram stops, vehicles travelling behind them stop also. This is because as soon as the tram stops the doors are flung open and people start to pile off and head for the footpath at the side of the road. To avoid hitting anyone you should stop your vehicle at the rear of the tram when it stops.

The Hook Turn

For the uninitiated this can be daunting but it simple when you get the hang of it. The purpose of a hook turn is to

enable trams and other through traffic to continue whilst a traffic signal is green. So essentially a hook turn is making a right turn from the left lane. Lets walk through it. At some not all intersections a sign indicating a hook turn is displayed. To make a right turn you must be in the left lane prior to entering the intersection. If you are not you will not be able to turn right. Continue on to the next intersection if you are caught out. If you are positioned correctly in the left lane enter the intersection and stop in front of the opposing traffic. Traffic will continue through the intersection whilst you are stopped in the left lane. The traffic signal will change to red and the traffic signal facing your right side will change to green. You will complete your right turn now. Once you have turned and exited the intersection the other traffic will follow.

Up to 3 cars will queue in the intersection waiting to turn right. If you miss being in the left lane continue to the next intersection and turn there, hook turn or otherwise. Melbourne’s streets are in a grid so finding your way back to the street you were meant to be on is easy.