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Rules of the road · about 2 min read

Freeway restrictions and vehicle towing

Understand the rule, its conditions and how to apply it

What you will learn

  • Explain the purpose of this rule.
  • Apply the procedure and recognise its limitations.

Purpose and essential terms

A freeway is designated by the appropriate freeway sign. Its higher-speed traffic and restricted access make ordinary roadside activities unsafe. Do not stop voluntarily except in an authorised stopping area. Traffic-control stops and circumstances beyond your control are exceptions, not permission to stop for a map or passenger.

The reference excludes pedestrians in normal circumstances, pedal cycles, animal-drawn vehicles, motorcycles of 50 cc or less and other listed classes. Current treatment of vehicle technologies must be confirmed rather than inferred from a 2012 list.

Key idea: A freeway is designated by the appropriate freeway sign.

How to apply the rule

Keep left and pass on the right as permitted. Check merging traffic and allow safe space; do not block an on-ramp vehicle by accelerating. If you miss an exit, continue to the next permitted exit rather than stopping, reversing or cutting across a separation area.

Towing a disabled vehicle has separate requirements. A motorcycle may not tow another vehicle. A tow rope, chain or bar between vehicles may not exceed 3.5 metres. Rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed steering must be controlled by someone correctly licensed for the vehicle, and the connection and brake requirements must be met.

Key idea: Reject the arrangement: both the listed separation and rope-towing speed exceed the reference limits.

Conditions and easily confused points

A rigid tow-bar can change a particular rope-or-chain restriction, but it does not remove all speed, vehicle-class and passenger rules. Do not assume that switching connection type automatically makes a tow suitable for a freeway. Use qualified recovery where safety or legality is uncertain.

The manual normally restricts a combination to the drawing vehicle and at most two trailers, or one other non-trailer motor vehicle, with a described emergency exception. Vehicle licensing and combination limits still apply.

Key idea: Apply the full rule to the actual vehicle, road and conditions.

Worked road situation

A driver proposes towing a broken-down car with a 5-metre rope at 60 km/h.

  1. Reject the arrangement: both the listed separation and rope-towing speed exceed the reference limits.
  2. Check the brakes, steering controller, legal route and approved towing equipment.
  3. Arrange qualified recovery if a compliant safe tow cannot be established.

Quick recap

  • Reject the arrangement: both the listed separation and rope-towing speed exceed the reference limits.
  • Check the brakes, steering controller, legal route and approved towing equipment.
  • Arrange qualified recovery if a compliant safe tow cannot be established.

Practice questions on freeway restrictions and vehicle towing

1 May a motorcycle tow another vehicle?

  1. Yes, using a short rope
  2. No
  3. Yes, on a freeway
Show the answer

Answer B: No

Do not stop voluntarily on a freeway except in a permitted area; exceptions include traffic controls and reasons beyond your control. Motorcycles of 50 cc or less and pedal cycles are excluded. Do not tow another vehicle using a motorcycle. A tow rope, chain or bar may not exceed 3.5 m; rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed vehicle needs a correctly licensed person controlling its steering as required.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

2 What is the maximum length between vehicles using a tow rope, chain or tow-bar?

  1. 3.5 metres
  2. 15 metres
  3. 10 metres
Show the answer

Answer A: 3.5 metres

Do not stop voluntarily on a freeway except in a permitted area; exceptions include traffic controls and reasons beyond your control. Motorcycles of 50 cc or less and pedal cycles are excluded. Do not tow another vehicle using a motorcycle. A tow rope, chain or bar may not exceed 3.5 m; rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed vehicle needs a correctly licensed person controlling its steering as required.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

3 What maximum speed applies to rope or chain towing?

  1. 80 km/h
  2. 120 km/h
  3. 30 km/h
Show the answer

Answer C: 30 km/h

Do not stop voluntarily on a freeway except in a permitted area; exceptions include traffic controls and reasons beyond your control. Motorcycles of 50 cc or less and pedal cycles are excluded. Do not tow another vehicle using a motorcycle. A tow rope, chain or bar may not exceed 3.5 m; rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed vehicle needs a correctly licensed person controlling its steering as required.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

4 May you stop on a freeway to read a map outside a designated stopping area?

  1. Yes, in the left lane
  2. No, this is not a permitted voluntary stop
  3. Yes, using hazard lights
Show the answer

Answer B: No, this is not a permitted voluntary stop

Do not stop voluntarily on a freeway except in a permitted area; exceptions include traffic controls and reasons beyond your control. Motorcycles of 50 cc or less and pedal cycles are excluded. Do not tow another vehicle using a motorcycle. A tow rope, chain or bar may not exceed 3.5 m; rope or chain towing is limited to 30 km/h. The towed vehicle needs a correctly licensed person controlling its steering as required.

Memory tip: Read the full rule, including its conditions and exceptions.

All vehicle codes

Part of the guide: Freeways

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, PDF pp. 39–40, sections 6.56–6.58; iDriving K53 manual, PDF pp. 91–102 (comparison; incomplete text extraction checked against official reference).

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.