Rule 303 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Tram stops. Where the tram stops at a platform, either in the middle or at the side of the road, you MUST follow the route shown by the road signs and markings. At stops without platforms you MUST NOT drive between a tram and the left-hand kerb when a tram has stopped to pick up passengers. If there is no alternative route signed, do not overtake the tram - wait until it moves off. Law RTRA sects 5 & 8
Highway Code · Rule 303
Highway Code Rule 303
Road works, level crossings and tramways (288 to 307). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).
- Road works, level crossings and tramways
- Legal requirement
- OGL v3.0
What the rule says
Law · MUSTRule text reproduced verbatim from the official Highway Code (Crown copyright) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, see the attribution at the foot of this page.
In plain English
Stripped of the formal wording, Rule 303 comes down to one idea: rule 303 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Tram stops. Because it is written with “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, it carries the force of law, ignore it and you are committing an offence, not simply driving badly.
It belongs to the road works, level crossings and tramways part of the Code, the habits a confident, considerate driver builds until they are automatic. The aim is not to memorise the sentence word for word, but to understand the hazard it protects you from, so you apply it without having to think when it counts.
If you are learning, treat this rule as one piece of a connected set rather than an isolated fact. The related rules below sit in the same section and reinforce each other, reading them together is how the road works, level crossings and tramways part of the Code starts to feel like common sense rather than a list to revise.
Because this is a legal rule, the consequences of ignoring it reach beyond the test: a “MUST” or “MUST NOT” breach can mean a fixed penalty, points on your licence, or in serious cases prosecution. Either way, the safe move is to build the habit early, while a driving instructor can correct it, rather than relearning it under test pressure. That is exactly what the practice routes and coaching in the DriveRoutes app are designed to help with, turning the rules below into the way you naturally drive.
Why rule 303 matters on the road
Temporary layouts remove the cues drivers rely on, so the risk of a wrong-lane decision or a late stop climbs. Reading the signs early and committing to the correct lane keeps you and the road workers safe.
Common faults examiners record
In the road works, level crossings and tramways part of the Code, the faults most often written on the marking sheet tend to be the same handful. Knowing them in advance is the quickest way to drive them out of your own habits:
- Choosing the wrong lane because the temporary signs were read too late.
- Braking harshly at a crossing or signal that should have been anticipated.
- Stopping over a marking or in a box junction when the exit is not clear.
On the day
On the day, applying Rule 303 is about doing the safe, deliberate thing slightly earlier than feels necessary: read the situation in good time, observe fully, and act smoothly. The examiner is looking for planned driving, not perfection, and good habits formed in lessons carry you through.
Quick checklist
- Read the situation early and plan your response.
- Observe fully before you commit to anything.
- Keep your speed suitable for the road and conditions.
More from Road works, level crossings and tramways
Related Highway Code rules
- Rule 302Highway Code Rule 302Rule 302 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) You MUST NOT park your vehicle where it would get in the way of trams or where it would force other drivers to do so.
- Rule 304Highway Code Rule 304Rule 304 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Look out for pedestrians, especially children, running to catch a tram approaching a stop.
- Rule 301Highway Code Rule 301Rule 301 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Take extra care where the track crosses from one side of the road to the other and where the road narrows and the tracks come close to the kerb.
- Rule 305Highway Code Rule 305Rule 305 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Always give priority to trams, especially when they signal to pull away from stops, unless it would be unsafe to do so.
- Rule 300Highway Code Rule 300Rule 300 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) You MUST NOT enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams.
- Rule 306Highway Code Rule 306Rule 306 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) All road users, but particularly cyclists and motorcyclists, should take extra care when driving or riding close to or crossing the tracks, especially if the ra…
Rule 303, your questions
Rule 303 (Tramways (rules 300 to 307)) Tram stops. It is a legal requirement, it uses “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, so breaking it is a criminal offence that can mean a fine, penalty points, or disqualification.
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