What you need to know about safe driving near trams
Published 27 May 2025
Last updated 27 May 2025
In this blog we look at how to drive safely in towns and cities with tram networks.
In recent weeks, your friends at Safe Driving for Life have seen quite a few news stories about the dangers of people not being aware of trams. Sometimes we’ve read about close shaves, where drivers have crossed tracks when they should not have, or parked on the tracks and managed to escape unscathed. On other occasions the reports have covered more serious consequences.
So why is there so much confusion about driving safely near trams? Well, let’s clear up one thing for a start: you’ll only find them in a few British cities. At the time of writing, there are networks in London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle and Blackpool, while Edinburgh is Scotland’s sole representative of the club.
You might think that the relatively low number of tram systems means you can safely skip this blog and move on to something else. But think about this: all the places in that list are big places, regional hubs if you will, so there’s always the possibility you might visit one day. Oh, and with trams widely seen as a way of reducing harmful emissions, they might be coming to a city near you soon!
Trams and tramways: the rules
The best place to start our journey is by looking at what trams are for. Obviously, yes, they carry passengers, but they’re also designed for rapid transit to and from city centres. That means they – inevitably – come into contact with drivers of other vehicles. Many of these tramlines run on shared roads, which makes it extra important to stay vigilant, scan for hazards and know what you should, and should not, be doing when you’re near them.
Here’s a quick-fire guide to the basics:
- If you’re driving to a place with trams, have a look at the relevant network map before you leave. Familiarising yourself with the extent of the system can help reduce any anxiety and help you plan your journey
- Some roads are reserved for trams only. Highway Code Rule 300 is very clear that you must not enter these roads. You’ll know if a route is tram only as it will be clearly marked by this blue circular sign:
Oh, the sign may also include the bus symbol, the bicycle symbol and/or the word ‘taxi’ if those vehicles are allowed to use the tram route too.
You might also see this blue circular sign on the junction sign, if trams have exclusive use of a section of the road ahead:
Due to trams using existing routes, the chances are that there will be some points where they cross the flow of traffic. Highway Code Rule 301 states that you must always give way to trams. Do not try to overtake them or pass them on the inside unless they are being held by tram signals in a designated lane or they’re at a station.
Finally, Rule 302 brings us back to the story I mentioned earlier. You must not park your vehicle on a tram track or stop on any part of the track, unless it’s in a bay that is clearly marked for the purpose. Remember, the tram runs on a fixed route and cannot swerve around obstructions. If you leave your car on the track, you’re trusting that the driver will see it and brake in time. Do yourself a favour and stay well clear.
The same goes for crossing the tracks. If there are any signals – be they road markings, signage, or otherwise – then stop. It’s better to stay alert and keep scanning all around your vehicle than end up on a video highlights reel of near misses like this – or worse.
The invisible tram
One last thing to consider is that as drivers, we often see what we expect to see. Sometimes that means that we can look at something that we do not expect to see (in this case trams) and miss it. The reason for this is simple: we do not encounter trams very often. We’re used to seeing cars, vans and lorries so we tend to pick them out more easily. We can look, but we do not always see.
This idea that something can be ‘hidden in plain sight’ informs a lot of thinking about hazard perception. The trick to dealing with this problem is to stay aware and take sensible precautions. Keep scanning the road ahead, around and behind your vehicle, as that way you’ll get the clues you need to anticipate emerging hazards.
On track to finish
That wraps up this edition of the blog, but if you’d like to learn more about driving safely, head on over to the Safe Driving for Life shop and pick up a copy of The Official DVSA Guide to Driving – The Essentials Skills.