Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas, who announced the plan last week, said the new restrictions would be imposed on most Melbourne freeways by mid-year, with a progressive rollout to follow on all other freeways and EastLink.

Connect East managing director Dennis Cliche welcomed the initiative, which he expected to take effect on EastLink by mid-2011 in conjunction with extensive signage and a Government-funded driver education campaign.

The restrictions will apply only on the three-lane section of EastLink, between Springvale Road, Donvale, and Thompson Road, Lyndhurst.

"All vehicles should keep to the left on multi-lane roads unless overtaking and this initiative for trucks, which has been successfully implemented overseas, will further underline this basic driving etiquette for motorists," Mr Cliche said.

Victorian Transport Association chief executive Philip Lovel welcomed the new restrictions with a "positive but cautious view of the plan".

"VTA will be working with the Government to implement the exclusion lanes on the initial trial roads, and we will be closely monitoring the developments," he said.

Mr Pallas said the new restrictions were aimed at making some of Melbourne's busiest roads safer, while ensuring the needs of drivers were met.

He said other roads, including CityLink, the M1 corridor and the M80 Ring Road, were being investigated as part of the plan.