ROGUE motorists who illegally pass Melbourne's newest trams will have their numberplates recorded and passed to police.

The two new E-Class trams, which hit tracks this month, feature external cameras.

Operator Yarra Trams says it will use footage to help identify drivers doing the wrong thing in a move welcomed by police, the Public Transport Users Association and the tram drivers' union.

Latest figures as at November 5 show tram drivers reported 267 incidents of vehicles passing stationary trams while passengers were alighting - a significant increase on the 151 reported in 2012. But the true number could be even higher, with a two-week trial in 2005 estimating 50,000 cars a month illegally passed trams.

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy said passenger safety was its highest priority and urged commuters to look before getting off.

He said tram drivers were encouraged to report vehicles illegally passing and details forwarded to transit police.

"The presence of external CCTV cameras on the next generation E-Class trams will be a very useful tool to ensure we can provide as much ­evidence as possible to assist any police investigation," Mr Murphy said.

Some of the worst recorded near-misses include:

A P-PLATER who came from behind a stopped tram on Victoria St, Richmond, slowed at the middle door, swerved around alighting passengers and sped away.

A SILVER 4WD passed a route 57 peak-hour tram as the tram's doors were open and nearly hit a passenger.

THREE passengers getting off a Route 78 tram on Chapel St, South Yarra, had a narrow escape after a dark-coloured Mitsubishi Lancer passed the stationary tram "at high speed".

Transit and Public Safety Command Supt John Hendrickson said passing a tram that had stopped was extremely dangerous.

"Not only could you face a penalty of $361 and three demerit points, you could potentially face criminal charges if you seriously injure or kill someone,’’ he said.

The E-Class trams currently only operate on Route 96, which has a relatively low number of reports of vehicles passing stationary trams (14 to November 5), presumably because most of the 14km route from East Brunswick to St Kilda is separated from traffic.

Another 48 E-Class trams will be on the network by 2018.

Route 72 from Melbourne University to Camberwell had the highest number of incidents (72).

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said currently there was little enforcement of the problem and the move would hopefully drive a culture change.

Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Helen Witton said motorists were required to give away to pedestrians getting on and off trams and urged the public to report incidents and numberplates to police.

There was the possibility tram passengers and car occupants could be injured when a tram driver applied the emergency brake, she said.

amelia.harris@news.com.au