Australia’s updated 2025 traffic enforcement rules are issuing fines up to $600 for misusing newly emphasised road markings, with common mistakes around chevrons, continuous yellow edges, solid whites, and painted traffic islands leading to hundreds of infringements nationwide .
Why the markings changed in 2025
Road authorities have standardised markings to reduce crashes from lane drift and unclear separation, aligning treatments like chevron zones and solid delineation lines across states to improve predictability for all motorists .
The intent is to create unmistakable visual boundaries that discourage risky overtakes, illegal stopping, and unsafe merges, particularly on multi-lane and high-speed corridors where errors scale into severe collisions .
The $600 penalty landscape
Under intensified enforcement rolling through 2025, chevron areas and painted traffic islands attract some of the highest on-the-spot fines, with several jurisdictions applying penalties in the $450–$600 band when drivers enter, straddle, or stop within restricted paint zones .
Offences involving continuous yellow edge lines and solid white lane separators are also drawing significant penalties, with fine amounts varying by state but trending higher where the conduct endangers traffic flow or obstructs no-stopping zones .
What each marking means
- Continuous yellow edge line: A strict no‑stopping boundary at the kerb or edge; even brief stopping can constitute an offence during enforcement windows unless signs explicitly permit .
- Chevron area: A diagonally striped separation zone used to keep vehicles out of buffer space; entering, driving in, or stopping within chevrons is generally prohibited .
- Solid white line (lane divider): A no‑change barrier; crossing to overtake or weave is unlawful where the line is continuous .
- Painted traffic island: A marked island that separates lanes or defines turning paths; driving across or queuing on the island is restricted unless signage indicates an exception .
Where drivers get caught out
Motorists commonly stray into chevrons while overtaking slow vehicles, clip painted islands during last‑second turn decisions, or roll over solid whites when merging from turn lanes, each triggering attention from patrols and cameras .
Another frequent mistake is stopping on continuous yellow edge lines for pickups or quick deliveries, which remains a no‑stopping breach even if hazards are activated or the driver stays in the vehicle .
State focus and intensified enforcement
Transport regulators in Queensland and New South Wales have issued targeted reminders that crossing restricted paint zones without explicit allowance is a traffic offence, with heightened enforcement slated ahead of nationwide standardisation milestones in late 2025 .
Other states are aligning practice using similar offence categories—such as failing to obey road markings or not keeping within a lane—so behaviour that violates paint‑based controls is increasingly treated consistently across borders .
Fine bands and typical penalties
- Chevron area misuse: Commonly enforced up to about $600 for entering, driving within, or stopping in the zone absent an explicit exemption .
- Continuous yellow edge line: No‑stopping offences frequently fall in the $250–$600 range depending on location, signage, and time‑of‑day restrictions .
- Solid white line crossing: Overtaking or lane changing across a continuous white can attract fines around $350–$550 where safety is compromised .
- Painted traffic island: Driving over or queuing on the island often draws $450–$600 penalties, especially near intersections or multi‑lane splits .
Practical ways to avoid a $600 hit
- Read the paint: Treat chevrons, painted islands, and solid whites as physical barriers—if a manoeuvre requires crossing painted separation, assume it’s illegal unless a sign says otherwise .
- Use permitted gaps only: Change lanes only across broken white lines; if a merge is missed, continue safely and loop back rather than forcing a crossing over solids or islands .
- Respect yellow edges: Do not stop at continuous yellow edges for drop‑offs, deliveries, or quick calls; use designated bays or side streets where stopping is lawful .
Turning guides and special treatments
New turning guides and zigzag or triangle‑style warnings before crossings and school zones are designed to slow approach speeds and sharpen driver attention, and misusing these approaches—such as overtaking or lane weaving through the patterns—can trigger distraction or improper‑control offences .
Painted triangles near slip lanes and channelised turns flag areas not intended for through traffic; encroachment is treated similarly to island or chevron entry where it disrupts intended traffic paths .
What to do if unsure
If a marking’s meaning is unclear in the moment, reduce speed, remain within the current lane, and follow nearby regulatory signs; do not enter hatched or chevron areas to “make space” unless directed by signage or an officer .
For clarity, review the official road marking guides for the current state or territory, and consider a short refresher module—many infringements stem from habits formed before recent standardisation efforts .
Quick reference: markings and penalties
| Marking type | Meaning | Prohibited action | Penalty (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous yellow edge line | No stopping/parking boundary | Stopping even briefly without exemption | $250–$600 |
| Chevron area | Restricted separation zone | Driving/standing in chevrons | $600 |
| Solid white line | No lane change across solid | Crossing to overtake or merge | $350–$550 |
| Painted traffic island | Separates lanes/turning paths | Driving over or queuing on island | $450–$600 |
| Broken white line | Lane change permitted when safe | Unsafe or signal‑free change | ~$200 |
Bottom line for 2025
Paint means control in 2025: chevrons, yellow edges, solid whites, and painted islands are being enforced with penalties up to $600, and the margin for “just this once” manoeuvres is shrinking as roadside and camera enforcement expands .
Staying within permitted lanes, obeying painted boundaries, and using only signed exceptions will prevent costly fines and, more importantly, reduce the lane‑drift and last‑second merges that drive serious crashes on Australian roads .