Generally, a road controlling authority that is providing a special route or setting aside a specific area of the roadway for a specified class or classes of road user that imposes restrictions on other road users must provide signs or markings as detailed within the specific types of lanes provided for within the TCD Rule.
Specifically, as stated in clause 11.2 of the TCD Rule:
(1) If defining a part of a road as a special vehicle lane, a road controlling authority must, at the start of the special vehicle lane and after each intersection, along its length:
(a) mark on the road surface a white symbol, that complies with Schedule 2, defining the class or classes of vehicle for which the lane has been reserved; and
if for other than a 24-hour restriction, install a special vehicle lane sign that complies with Schedule 1:
(b) defining the class or classes of vehicle for which the lane has been reserved; and
(i) stating the periods for which the reservation applies.
(2) A road controlling authority may provide the following traffic control devices to discourage use of a special vehicle lane by other vehicles, or to draw attention to the likely presence of vehicles entitled to the use of the lane:
(a) additional white special vehicle lane symbols described in 11.2(1)(a) or signs described in 11.2(1)(b) along the length of the lane; or
if for a 24-hour restriction, special vehicle lane signs; or
a surface treatment that provides a contrasting colour or texture to that of adjacent lanes used by other vehicles:
(b) at locations along the length of the lane; or
(i) along the length of the lane.
Road controlling authorities should also note that clauses 2.3(4) of the Land Transport Road User Rule 2004 specifies that:
(1) A driver may also drive wholly or partly in a lane that is unavailable to the driver under subclause (1) or clause 4.6(2) to (4) if the driver-
(a) Drives in the lane to cross it to-
(b) Make a turn; or
(c) Leave a road; or
(d) Enter a marked lane or line of traffic from the side of the road; or
(e) Enter a marked lane or line of traffic from another marked lane; or
(f) Park in a place clear of a special vehicle lane, if the lane that the driver crosses is a special vehicle lane; or
(g) Enter a specified stopping place or loading zone to pick up or drop off passengers or a load, if the driver is driving a passenger service vehicle or goods vehicle and he lane that the driver crosses is not reserved for a vehicle of that class; and
(h) Drives in the lane for the minimum length necessary to complete the manoeuvre and for no more than a maximum length of 50 m; and
(i) Gives way to vehicles entitled to use the lane.
Under the Land Transport Rule clause 11.3:
(1) If a light-rail vehicle track is within, and runs parallel to, a roadway, a road controlling authority may:
(a) separate the track from other traffic by installing a traffic island, kerbs or other physical means of channelling traffic; or
(b) define a special vehicle lane for light-rail vehicles by marking symbols or words defining the class and, where appropriate, installing signs conforming with clause 11.2(1)(b) [of the TCD Rule]
which states
if for other than a 24-hour restriction [a road controlling authority must] install a special vehicle lane sign that complies with the Schedule
of the Rule.
(2) At a designated light-rail vehicle stop, a road controlling authority may provide a safety zone to warn drivers of, and provide some protection for, passengers entering or leaving the light-rail vehicle
