The rules outlined below are an overview, please refer to the rule references for more details.
Under the road rules, animals being ridden are regarded as a vehicle. Riders are generally subject to the same road rules as drivers. However, there are also some specific additional rules:
- Horse riders (and those being carried on a horse) under the age of 18 riding on a road, footpath or any road-related area must wear a helmet.
- If you are riding two-abreast with another rider, you must not ride more than 1.5 m apart.
- Riding of animals is allowed on footpaths and nature strips, unless specifically prohibited. However, you must give way to any pedestrian on a footpath or nature strip.
- Animal drawn vehicles, when used at night or in conditions of reduced visibility, must display a white light on each side at the front, a red light on each side at the rear (lights visible for 200m) and red reflectors on each side towards the rear.
Give Way To Stock signs are generally displayed around 300m before the stock crossing but may also apply to a length of road, for example, 'Give Way to Stock Next 5 km'.
- When a Give Way To Stock sign is displayed, you must slow down to a speed which will enable you to give way or stop if necessary to avoid hitting an animal.
- When a stop sign is displayed at a stock crossing, you must stop before reaching the crossing and must not proceed until all animals have crossed the road.
You must not drive if there is an animal on your lap. If you are a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle you must not lead an animal, including by tethering the animal to the motor vehicle or bicycle.
Road Safety Road Rules 2009
- 223 Using lights when riding an animal-drawn vehicle at night or in hazardous weather conditions
- 289 Driving on a nature strip
- 297 Driver to have proper control of a vehicle etc
- 301 Leading an animal while driving a vehicle
- 302 Rider of an animal on a footpath or nature strip to give way to pedestrians
- 303A Horse riding helmets to be worn by riders under 18
- 303 Riding an animal alongside more than 1 other rider
- 402 Giving way to stock
- 403 Requirement to travel at a safe speed near stock
- 404 Requirement to stop at a stock crossing
To look up these rules and check for other related rules, please refer to the Acts and Regulations administered by VicRoads.