Shared zone sign
What the Shared zone sign means: The limit is 10 km/h and you must give way to any pedestrian in the zone, because people on foot share the road with vehicles.
- Group
- Speed limit signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. The number is a maximum for good conditions.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Drop to the very low limit shown on the sign as you enter.
- Give way to every pedestrian in the zone, wherever they are standing or walking.
- Move at a pace where you could stop immediately, because people will step in front of you and are entitled to.
- Park only in marked bays, since the whole surface is shared rather than a road with a footpath beside it.
Where you see it
In laneways and small precincts in city centres, at shopping centre entries, around markets, and in some residential courtyard streets.
Across the states and territories
The sign carries its own number, and 10 km/h is the usual one. The give way duty to pedestrians throughout the zone is the part that matters and it is consistent nationally. Shared zones are far more common in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide laneways than in the newer street layouts of the outer suburbs.
Tell it apart from these
- Shared zonethis pageShared path
A shared path is for people walking and riding. A shared zone is a road where vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists all mix and pedestrians have priority.
Shared path: People walking and people riding bicycles both use this path, so ride slowly and give way to those on foot.
- Shared zonethis pagePedestrian crossing
A crossing gives pedestrians priority at one marked place. A shared zone gives them priority along its whole length.
Pedestrian crossing: You must give way to any pedestrian on the crossing and be ready to stop before it.
How the knowledge tests use it
The question is nearly always about who gives way, and the answer is that you give way to pedestrians anywhere in the zone rather than only at a crossing.
What does this sign mean?
A shared zone is a street built for people and vehicles together, such as a laneway or a plaza, with a very low limit shown on the sign.
State and territory driver handbooks, shared zones
Common questions
- What does the Shared zone sign mean?
- The limit is 10 km/h and you must give way to any pedestrian in the zone, because people on foot share the road with vehicles.
- What should you do when you see a Shared zone sign?
- Drop to the very low limit shown on the sign as you enter. Give way to every pedestrian in the zone, wherever they are standing or walking. Move at a pace where you could stop immediately, because people will step in front of you and are entitled to. Park only in marked bays, since the whole surface is shared rather than a road with a footpath beside it.
- Where is the Shared zone sign used?
- In laneways and small precincts in city centres, at shopping centre entries, around markets, and in some residential courtyard streets.
- What is the Shared zone sign confused with?
- Shared path: A shared path is for people walking and riding. A shared zone is a road where vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists all mix and pedestrians have priority. Pedestrian crossing: A crossing gives pedestrians priority at one marked place. A shared zone gives them priority along its whole length.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Shared zone sign?
- The question is nearly always about who gives way, and the answer is that you give way to pedestrians anywhere in the zone rather than only at a crossing.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More speed limit signs
A number in a red circle on a white plate.