Right of Way at Junctions

Sharing the road doesn’t always feel fair, but it isn’t guesswork either. At junctions especially, there are clear rules that determine who has priority. Knowing these rules—and using good judgement alongside them—is key to driving safely and confidently.

The Core Rules of Right of Way

In the UK, right of way is largely based on two simple principles. Traffic on a main road has priority over traffic joining from a minor road, and vehicles travelling straight ahead or turning left take priority over those turning right.
In reality, these rules often overlap. For example, you might be on a main road but still need to give way if you’re turning right across oncoming traffic. Because of this, every junction requires you to quickly assess both the road layout and the movement of other vehicles.

Junction layouts

T-Junctions

A T-junction is one of the most common and straightforward types of junction. One road ends and joins another, forming a “T” shape.
The first thing to establish is whether you’re on the main road or the minor road. If your road continues ahead, you’re on the main road. If it ends and forces you to turn left or right, you’re on the minor road.

If you’re travelling along the main road, you usually have priority over vehicles joining from the side. However, this changes if you intend to turn right, as you must then give way to oncoming traffic. Even when you do have priority, it’s important to stay alert—drivers pulling out from minor roads may be slow to accelerate, and you may need to adjust your speed.

If you’re emerging from a minor road, you must give way in all directions. You should wait patiently for a safe gap in traffic and only pull out when you can do so without forcing other drivers to slow down.

Crossroads

Crossroads can be more complex, as traffic may be moving in four directions at once. The level of control at the junction determines how you approach it.

At controlled crossroads with traffic lights, the process is straightforward: follow the signals. However, turning right still requires caution. Even with a green light, you must give way to oncoming traffic unless a filter arrow specifically gives you priority.
At marked crossroads without lights, priority usually follows the same main-road rules. Traffic travelling along the main road has priority, particularly when going straight or turning left. If you’re turning right, you must give way to vehicles coming towards you. Drivers emerging from minor roads must always wait for a safe gap.

A slightly more nuanced situation arises when you’re facing another vehicle on the opposite minor road. If you’re going straight ahead or turning left, you will usually have priority. If both of you are turning right, neither has clear priority, so communication—often through eye contact and careful positioning—becomes essential.

Unmarked crossroads are the most unpredictable. With no signs or markings, no one technically has priority. In practice, the first vehicle to arrive often proceeds first, but this isn’t guaranteed. In these situations, caution, observation, and clear communication matter far more than rigid rules.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing, and their rules are consistent across most layouts. As you approach, you must give way to traffic already on the roundabout—particularly traffic coming from your right.
Entering safely requires judgement. You need to assess how fast approaching vehicles are moving, whether they are signalling to exit, and whether your entry would force them to brake. Only proceed when you’re confident you won’t disrupt the flow.
Once you’re on the roundabout, you generally have priority, but you should still stay aware of other drivers, as lane changes and missed signals are common.

Mini-roundabouts follow the same rules, but the reduced space means decisions happen more quickly. It’s not unusual for multiple vehicles to approach at once, so caution and awareness are especially important.
Some larger roundabouts include traffic lights, which override the usual rules when active. Others may have left filter lanes that allow you to bypass the roundabout entirely. In these cases, road markings and signs will guide you.

Slip Roads and Merging

Joining a road from a slip road can feel intimidating because you’re merging into moving traffic. The key rule is simple: traffic already on the road has priority.

Your goal is to match the speed of the traffic and merge smoothly into a suitable gap. This requires good use of mirrors and awareness of your blind spot. While other drivers may adjust their speed or move lanes to help, you should never rely on this. Always be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary.

The Importance of Observation

Understanding the rules is only part of safe driving. Observation is what allows you to apply those rules correctly in real situations.
You should always be aware of what’s happening around you—how fast other vehicles are moving, how close they are, and what they might do next. This includes not just cars, but also cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.

The Mirror–Signal–Manoeuvre routine helps structure this awareness. Before taking any action, check your mirrors, signal your intention, and then carry out the manoeuvre safely. At junctions, this process is essential for judging gaps and avoiding hazards.

Different Types of Junctions

Junctions can vary not just in layout, but in visibility and control.

An open junction gives you a clear view of the road you’re joining, making it easier to judge whether it’s safe to proceed. A closed or blind junction restricts your view, often requiring you to slow down, stop, and edge forward carefully until you can see clearly.

Marked junctions provide guidance through signs and road markings, making priority easier to understand. Unmarked junctions, on the other hand, require you to rely entirely on observation and judgement, as no one has defined priority.
You’ll commonly encounter T-junctions, crossroads, roundabouts, and staggered junctions, each requiring slightly different positioning and awareness.

Approaching and Emerging from Junctions

Dealing with junctions safely starts well before you reach them. Spotting a junction early gives you time to adjust your speed, choose the correct lane, and signal your intentions.

As you approach, you should check your mirrors and be aware of traffic around you, including vehicles behind or overtaking. Positioning is also important—especially when turning right, where you need to be correctly aligned without blocking other traffic.

Emerging from a junction is where careful judgement matters most. You should only move when you can clearly see that it’s safe, taking into account the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. Once you commit, act decisively—hesitation can be just as dangerous as rushing.
After joining a new road, a quick mirror check helps you settle into the flow of traffic safely.

Common Driving Test Mistakes

Junctions are one of the most common areas where learners lose marks. The biggest issue is poor observation—failing to check mirrors or properly assess traffic before moving.
Other common mistakes include approaching too quickly or too slowly, positioning the car incorrectly when turning, and pulling out in a way that forces other drivers to react. Hesitation can also be a problem, as it suggests uncertainty and can disrupt traffic flow.

Final Thoughts

Right of way isn’t just about memorising rules. It’s about understanding how those rules apply in constantly changing situations. Even when you technically have priority, staying alert and prepared to react is what truly keeps you—and everyone else on the road—safe.

Interested in booking lessons with one of our instructors?

Click here!

Still need help with junctions?

Check out our videos below covering:

– Emerging at T-Junctions
– Crossroads
– Junction Road Signs

“You emerge everytime that you leave a side road to enter or cross another road. The observation, timing and decision-making skills that you’ll be learning in this lesson about T-Junctions are also revelant at lots other junctions and in everyday situations, for example dealing with crossroads, leaving a garage forecourt, driving out of car parks, moving off from driveways and many more places.

During this lesson, you’ll be learning how to turn left and right from side roads into main roads at T-Junctions. We refer to this as emerging. You will learn about two types of junctions, open and closed, how the MSM routine is used when emerging, how to deal safely with other road users and the safety checks to make after joining the main road.”

“Driving instructors categorise T-Junctions in two ways, open and closed. The terms open and closed refer to your view in the main road as you approach the junction.

An open junction is one where you have a good view into the main road as you approach. At open junctions, it is sometimes possible to enter the new road without having to stop. Open junctions are usually controlled by give way signs and lines.

At a closed junction, you will not have a good view into the main road until you are very close to it or have arrived at the junction because of the limited view. Many closed junctions are controlled with stop signs and solid stop lines. You will almost always need to stop at a closed junction and you must always stop at a junction controlled with a stop line, even if you think the road might be clear.

By scanning the road ahead, you will see give way or stop signs well in advance. Other clues that you are approaching a T-Junction might include breaks in houses and traffic movement on the main road ahead.

Where there are road markings at the junction, there will usually be hazard warning lines on the approach. Long, white centre lines with short gap where there are signs.

You can even spot the junctions if the signs are dirty or masked by snow and ice. This is because the give way sign is the only inverted triangular sign and the stop sign is the only eight sided sign. These are unique.

The key points are:

– T-Junctions can be described as open or closed.
– Open junctions give the driver a good view on the approach
– At closed junctions, the view is restricted.
– By scanning the road you will see signs and/or traffic. movement well ahead.
– The unique shape of give way and stop signs means that they can be identified, even if they are dirty or snow covered.”

“When you know there is a junction ahead, begin your Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine with an early mirror check. You need to know what’s happening behind well before signalling, changing position or changing speed. Often the most useful mirror sequence will be interior and left door mirror for left turns and interior mirror and right door mirror for right turns. However, this is not fixed. Use whatever mirrors are necessary. The most important consideration is that you know what’s behind and how it will affect you. This means you might need all three mirrors or, on some occasions, start the mirror checks with the door mirror.

After checking your mirrors, signal for your intended direction. It’s important to signal before making any change in your road position. You will normally need to signal at a T-Junction even if there’s no one behind. This is because there may be drivers or other road users around the corner and out of your view. If you wait until you see them, it might be too late for a signal to be of use.

When turning left, keep to your normal road position remaining about a meter from the curb.

When turning right, unless the road is narrow, take up a position just left of the centre line. On narrow roads, maintain your normal road position. Where there are dedicated lanes for turning left or right, move into your lane as early as possible.

Your speed will depend on the conditions, but must be slow enough to enable you to stop safely at the junction if necessary. The gear you select will depend on your view. If you know that you are going to stop there is no need to change gear until you arrive at the junction where you can select first gear after you have stopped. Remember you must always stop when there is a stop sign and normally stop where your view into the main road is restricted. You will almost always need to stop when turning right unless you have a very early clear open view.

If you are 100% certain that the road is clear at a give-way or unmarked junction you can proceed without stopping. In order to achieve this safely, you will usually use first or second gear. When proceeding without stopping, your speed should be at its lowest approximately one car length before you arrive at the junction. This will give time for the gear change.

Before steering, if you cannot see clearly at a minimum of one car length from the junction, you will almost certainly need to stop. When waiting to emerge, take up this position for turning left and this position for turning right. When you arrive at the junction, look both ways for gaps in the traffic in the same way you would when crossing the road on foot.

When entering a two-way road you will usually look to the right first because that’s where moving traffic is nearest to you. If the road is clear or you can see the gap that you are going to take, it will not be necessary to use the handbrake, even at a stop line. If you can’t see your gap and have to wait or if the junction is on a hill, pull on the handbrake to keep the car secure while you wait.

When turning right make sure that the main road is clear in both directions before you start to emerge otherwise you could be left in a dangerous position halfway across. After emerging, check your mirrors in the new road to make sure that it is safe to accelerate away from the junction.

The key points are:

– Start your Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine early, as soon as you know that there is a junction ahead
– You will need to signal even if there is no one behind. There could be someone around the corner who will benefit
– Keep your normal road position for turning left
– Move just left of centre for turning right
– Use the handbrake if you have to wait for a gap in traffic or if the junction is on a hill
– Make sure you are 100% sure that it is safe to move out before proceeding”

“Sometimes there will be parked vehicles or other obstructirons blocking your view at a T-Junction. This will make it difficult for you to see into the main road and difficult for drivers and riders on the main road to see you.

In these situations, you will need to use creep and peep.

Creep and peep accurately describes the careful and cautious approach that is necssary to move out safely and involves moving out very slowly using clutch control until you are in a position from which you can see well enough to make your final decision to proceed.

As you move forwards, keep looking right, left and all around and be ready to stop if necessary. Here, we can see the car creeping out slowly until the driver has a good view and can see enough to decide that it’s safe to proceed.

Sometimes you will see vehicles to your right on the main raod, signalling to turn into the road you are emerging from, this can happen whether or not your view is restricted

If you see another vehicle signalling never assume that it will turn. The driver may be signalling in error, perhaps they are lost or could be intending to pull up after the junction. Always make sure they are slowing down and turning before you pull out.

The key points are:

– Creep and peep when the view is restricted.
– Keep looking right, left and all around.
– As you move forwards, do not pull out until you are 100% sure that it is safe.
– Take care when other drivers are signalling.
– Always make sure that they are turning before you proceed.”

“In this lesson, you’ll learn about stop signs and closed junctions. The key points are:

– Using the MSM routine when approaching.
– Stopping.
– The reason for the stop sign.
– Safety checks after turning.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the mirrors signal manoeuvre routine. Mirrors. Ask yourself these questions. Is it safe to signal, slow down and turn? How will my signal, positioning and turning affect drivers behind?

Signal. After checking your mirrors, scan the road ahead to make sure that it’s safe to turn and then signal. Your signal needs to be eraly enough to give plenty of warning to other road users.

Manoeuvre. When approaching a stop sign, the manoeuvre element of the MSM routine will be position, stop and look even. Even if you can see that the road ahead is clear, you must always stop at a stop sign.

Stopping. There is no need to select a lower to gear to stop. Stop in the gear that you are in and keep both hands firmly on the wheel until the car has come to a complete stop at or just before the stop line.

After stopping, decide whether you need the parking brake. If the road is clear in both directions, you can select first gear and mvoe off. However, if the road is not clear, select first gear so that you’re ready to move, but use the parking brake while you wait for a clear gap.

The reason for stop lines, stop signs and solid white lines: closed junctions. The term closed junction describes a situation where you cannot see clearly into the road you intend to join until oyu actually arrive at the junction. Even when you arrive, it might still be difficult to see clearly. You must stop in order to make safe and effective observation.

After turning, make sure your signal is cancelled and check your mirrors. This will tell you whether it’s safe to increase your speed.”

“You will be asked to turn either left or right at several T-Junctions during your driving test. These might be controlled by give way or stop signs, or could be unmarked. Your examiner will be looking for the same things at T-Junctions as at any other junction.

Thsee include a safe approach using the mirror-signal-manouevre routine, good observation and good decision-making, giving way to other road users when necessary.

The examiner will give you route directions in good time, allowing enough time for you to complete your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine.

If the examiner does not give you a route direction and you are not in the independent driving phase of the test, you might be missing a road sign. For example, a sign instructing you to turn left only. Be on the lookout for signs and road markings all the time.

The key points are:

– For your driving test, you will be asked to emerge at several junctions.
– During your test, the junctions can include giveway, stop and unmarked.
– The examiner will be looking for use of the MSM routine, good observation and decision-making.
– The examiner will give directions in good time.
– Look out for road signs – The examiner will not direct you where there are clear signs and markings.”

“If you have watched the lessons about approaching and emerging at junctions, you will have already learned the basic skills that you will need to deal safely with crossroads. Just like the junctions covered in other lessons, crossroads might be marked or unmarked. At marked crossroads, you must pay attention to the signs and lines, and at unmarked crossroads you will need to take special care and must not assume that you have priority over other traffic, even if you know that you are on a main road.

In this lesson, we will recap junction skills and explain how crossroads differ from the junctions you have looked at so far. The crossroads that you will meet when driving will range from simple four-way crossroads to complex staggered crossroads.

The information in this lesson will help you to deal with any type of crossroad that you encounter during this lesson we will look at recognising crossorads, turning left and turning right at crossroads, going straight ahead at crossroads, staggered and unmarked crossroads and crossroads during your driving test.”

“In the lesson about emerging at T-Junctions, we talked about open and closed junctions. The term open adn closed refer to your view into the main road.

As you approach the view at crossroads can also be open or closed, the available view will affect how you emerge from the side roads and the speed that you drive through when you are on a main road.

An open junction is one where you have a good view into the side roads from the main road and from the side roads into the main road. At a closed view crossroad, you will not be able to see into the other roads until you are very close or have arrived at the junction.

Because of this, you would need to take special care by scanning the road ahead. You will see give way or stop signs well in advance. Other clues that you are approaching a crossorad might include breaks in houses or hedges or brakes in the tree line or verges on an open road.

You will often be able to see traffic movements crossing your intended path ahead or vehicles waiitng to emerge from side roads. Whether you are on the main road or a side road, it’s likely that there will be hazard lines on the approach – Long white centre lines with short gaps.

When you are on the main road, you might see a crossroad warning sign in advance of the junction.

The key points are:

– Crossroads can be described as open or closed.
– Open crossroads give the driver a good view on the approach.
– Extra care is needed when the view is closed.
– By scanning the road well ahead, you will see clues that there is a crossroad – These include gaps in houses and traffic movement. On side roads, you may see stop or give way signs.
– Ahead and on main roads you will often see crossroad warning signs in advance of the junction.”

“The main difference between turning left at a crossroad and turning left at other junctions is that you will have at least one extra road to check, but doing this is as easy as counting 1,2,3 as you’ll see in a moment.

When turning left at crossroads, check your mirrors early to start your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine. Signal in good time and maintain your normal road position as you approach. Because there will be at least one extra road to check at crossroads, it is more likely that you will need to stop.

When emerging from a side road, as you are arriving, start the easy as 1, 2, 3 checks as soon as possible.

1 – Check the road to the right.
2 – Check the road opposite.
3 – Check the road to the left.

You will need to make these checks at least twice and may have to repeat them several times. You are checking right and left for traffic or pedestrians who might be crossing the main road. You need to check the road oppsotie for vehicles that might turn in front of you.

When there is a suitable gap in the traffic on the main road, make a final check at the road opposite. Drivers coming towards you will often give way to you when you are turning left or going straight ahead, but there are no rules that say they have to do this if they have started to turn and have entered the main road before you start to move.

After turning, check you rmirrors to make sure that it is safe to increase your speed when turning left from a main road to a side road.

At crossroads, you will again use the 1, 2, 3 observation method. Start this early by scanning the road ahead as you approach. Remember you might need to check each road several times.

1 – Check the road ahead for anyone who might try to turn in front of you, although they should give way, some drivers take dangerous risks.
2 – Check the road to your right. Will anyone pull out in front of you. This is always an important check, but ebcomes even more important at unmarked crossroads where there is no defined priority. Drivers from the side road may think they are on the main road, especially if they are not from the local area.
3 – Check the road that you are turning into to make sure that it is clear and that there are no pedestrians.

After turning, check your mirrors to make sure that it is safe to increase your speed occasionally You will encounter a crossroad type junction where there are more roads coming together. These are usually controlled by traffic lights, but not always. In these situations instead of counting to three, simply count up to four or five to make sure that you check every road.

The key points are:

– Use your Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine on the approach to the crossroad.
– At crossroads, there will be at least one extra road to check.
– Use the 1, 2, 3 method to help you to remember to check each road.
– When emerging left, traffic opposite might not give way to you.
– There could be a higher risk of pedestrians crossing the road, be prepared to give way to pedestrians who were crossing the road that you were turning into.
– When turning left from a main road to a side road, be especially careful at unmarked junctions.”

“In this lesson, you will learn about following the road ahead at crossroads where you do not have priority. The key points are:

– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Dealing with traffic on the main road.
– Dealing with road users opposite.
– Safety checks after the junction.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine.

As soon as you see the junction, check your mirrors. What are the drivers behind doing? Is it safe to slow down? Do you need to activate the brake lights as an early warning signal? As part of your hazard routine, you will always consider a signal. Because this driver is going straight ahead, a direction signal is not needed However, the brake lights signal that the car is slowing and stopping.

When going straight ahead, keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions.

When going ahead, unless there is a very open view into the main road, you will normally need to stop, if only for a short time in order to check that the road is clear. As a general rule, you will also need to stop if there are any vehicles waiting to emerge from the road opposite, again to give yourself time to assess the situation.

As, with any junctions controlled by give way or stop lines, you must be 100% sure that you can emerge safely without causing danger or inconvenience to traffic on the main road. You must not cause any vehicle to slow down or change direction, this includes bicycles.

At crossroads, look right, left and ahead at least twice before emerging. Also check your mirrors to make srue that there are no vehicles trying to pass you. Use your left door mirror to look for cyclists who may be trying to pass on the left, especially in busy traffic.

Always make sure that there is enough space for you to fully cross the main road before you start to move out. If there is a traffic jam in the road opposite, wait behind the give way line.

It’s important to remember both the road you are emerging from and the road opposite are controlled by give way lines. This means that only traffic on the main road has priority and as soon as a vehicle opposite enters the main road, you must give way, regardless of which way it is turning.

In this clip, the car with the L plate pauses to see what the red car is going to do. When the red car moves into the main road, the driver gives way. If you are not sure whether to wait or go, you must wait until you are sure, remember the basic rule, if you don’t know, don’t go.

It’s not only other vehicles that you need to look for, you must also be prepared to give way to any pedestrians who are crossing the road opposite.

After crossing the junction, check your mirrors before increasing your speed.”

“At crossroads, as with turning left at crossroads, check your mirrors early to start your mirrors, signal manouevre routine. Signal in good time and, where space permits, take up a position near to the centre of the road. Where there is a centre line, your position will be just to the left of the line when emerging from a side road.

Start the easy as 1-2-3 checks as you are arriving at the junction. 1 – The road to the right. 2 – The road opposite. 3 – The road to the left.

You will need to make these checks at least twice and perhaps several times. You are checking right and left for traffic or pedestrians who might be crossing the main road, and the road oppsoite for vehicles that might affect your turn.

When there is a suitable gap in traffic on the main road, make a final check of the road opposite. It is usual practice to give way to drivers who are turning left or coming straight across from the road opposite, but this is not a legal requirement and there is no highway code rule stating that you must give way, however it is often best to give way because that’s what the other driver might be expecting.

At crossroads, you will again use the easy as 1-2-3 observation method. Start this early by scanning the road ahead as you approach. Remember you might need to check each road several times.

1 – Check the road ahead. You must give priority to approaching traffic when turning right.

2 – Check the road to your left. Will anyone pull out in front of you. This is always an important check but, as when turning left, it becomes even more important at unmarked crossroads when there is no defined priority. Drivers from the side road may think that they are on the main road, especially if they are not from the local area.

3 – Check that the road that you are turning into to make sure that it is safe to increase your speed. If a driver opposite waves to beckon you out or flashes their lights to give way to you, always double check that the signal is for you and that the road is clear. Never trust the judgement of another driver.

The key points are:

– Use your MSM routine on approach to the crossroads.
– Use the easy as 1-2-3 method to remember to check each road.
– When emerging to the right, you will often have to give way to approaching traffic.
– You must give way to oncoming vehicles when turning right from a main road to a side road.
– Make sure that you can complete the turn before you start to move.
– Take care if someone flashes or waves – Never trust the judgement of another driver.”

“This additional information about turning right covers turning options in situations where a driver opposite also wishes to turn to right. If the driver opposite also wishes to turn right, that is to turn into the road on your left, there are three options that you can choose from.

1 – Give way to the other driver or the other driver gives way to you.

2 – Pass in front of the other driver.

3 – Pass behidn the other driver.

The action you choose will depend on the size of the junction, volume of traffic and actions of the other driver. The easiest option will often be to give way and allow the driver opposite to turn first. If the other driver is giving way to you, always check for yourself. Make sure that the road is clear. Remember, never trust the judgement of other drivers.

Often, other drivers will be expecting you to pass in front of them. This is called near side to near side passing. If you choose this method, take special care to watch out for cyclists or motorcyclists, who might pass on the left of the approaching car, or even cars and vans on wider roads.

Passing behind the approaching vehicle, offside to offside, will give you the best view of the road opposite as you turn, but in many places this method is impractical because there will not be enough space. That’s why, in some places, like at these traffic lights for example, there will be road markings showing you which side to pass.

The key points are:

– You have three options when turning right; give way, pass in front or pass behind.
– The easiest option might be to give way to the approaching driver.
– If others give way to you, you always check the road for yourself – Never trust the judgement of other drivers.
– Drivers will often expect you to pass in front, near side to near side.
– Take care when passing near side to near side – Look out for cyclists or even larger vehicles on wide roads and turning behind off-side to off-side will give you the best view of the road.”

“In this lesson, you will learn about the most common way of turning right at crossroads. The key points are:

– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Making sure that it’s safe to turn.
– Being prepared to give way.
– Safety checks after turning.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine:

Mirrors – Is it safe to slow and turn? How will turning affect drivers behind? You will generally need to cehck the mirrors again, another couple of times before turning.

Signal – After checking your mirrors, signal right. Your signal needs to be early enough to give pletny of warning to other road users.

Position – Take up a right turn position on a road with no parked cars or other obstructions on the right. This will be just to the left of the centre line.

Speed – You will usually need to stop at the junction to stop at the junction to allow time to assess what oncoming drivers intend to do, making sure it’s safe to turn.

When an oncoming vehicle is turning across your path, as seen here, the most common way to turn is to pass in front of it. But take special care to make sure there’s nothing coming towards you on the near side of the oncoming vehicle. The approaching vehicle can often block your view of this space.

Although this is the most common way of turning, it won’t always be practical. This could be because of the road layout or becasue of a limited view. If this is the case, give way and allow the approaching car to go first, unless it is obvious that the driver is giving way to you. Making eye contact with drivers can help you to determine their intentions.

After turning, make sure your signal is cancelled and check your mirrors before increasing your speed.”

“In this lesson, you will learn about turning right at crossroads using the offside to offside method. The key points are:

Using the hazard routine when approaching.
Making sure that it’s safe to turn.
Being prepared to give way.
Safety checks after turning.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine:

Mirrors – Is it safe to slow and turn? How will turning affect drivers behind? You will generally need to cehck the mirrors again, another couple of times before turning.

Signal – After checking your mirrors, signal right. Your signal needs to be early enough to give pletny of warning to other road users.

Position – Take up a right turn position on a road with no parked cars or other obstructions on the right. This will be just to the left of the centre line.

Speed – You will usually need to stop at the junction to allow time to assess what oncoming drivers intend to do, making sure it’s safe to turn.

When an oncoming vehicle is turning across your path, as seen here, the safest way to turn is to pass behind it. This is called offside to offside passing.

Passing behind the approaching car is safer, because you will be able to see the road ahead more clearly without the other car restricting your view.

Although this is the safest way of turning, it’s not practical in many situations because of the road layout or volume of traffic. If this is the case, either give way and allow the approaching car to go first, unless it is obvious that the driver opposite is giving way to you or use teh near side to near side method of turning to pass in front of the approaching vehicle.

After turning, make sure that your signal is cancelled and check your mirrors before increasing your speed.”

“When emerging to go ahead at crossroads, use your mirror-signal-manouevre routine on the approach and maintain your normal roaad position.

Use the 1-2-3 method for observation. 1 – Look right. 2 – Look ahead. 3 – Look left.

Check the main road by looking right and left as much as possible, scanning the road ahead as you do. So when the main road is clear, make sure that the road ahead is clear enough for you to complete your manoeuvre. If there are pedestrians crossing the road or if there is not enoguh space to fully enter the new road, perhaps because of a traffic queue, do not start to emerge. Wait until it it’s safe.

If a driver in the road opposite wishes to turn to their right and cross in front of you, they will usually give way but remember that there is no rule that says they have to, so you must be prepared to give way to oncoming vehicles if necessary.

Cars opposite who intend to turn left, that is to your right, or go straight ahead should not affect you when you are going ahead on the main road. You still need to take care, there may be pedestrian and cyclist activity at crossroads in town. Also, because there are two side roads to consider.

The risk of someone pulling out without care is doubled. Watch out for the clues that a crossroad is coming up and use your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine on approach. Check your mirrors and ease off the gas to scan the road left, right and ahead as you approach, rememebring easy as 1-2-3. Check 1 and 2 in case vehicles on the side road don’t stop and 3 to make sure that the approaching drivers are not going to turn in front of you.

If you can’t see clearly, perhaps because of parked vehicles, reduce your speed further until you are sure that it is safe to carry on through the junction, perhaps selecting a lower gear.

This becomes especially important on unmarked crossroads. As you pass the crossroad, check your mirrors again before increasing speed. The key points are:

– Use your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine on approach to the crossroad.
– Use the easy as 1-2-3 method to remember to check each road.
– There might be more pedestrian or cyclist activity, especially in town.
– When you are on the main road, ease off the gas and be prepared to slow down further – If necessary, remember that two side roads means twice te danger.
– Take special care when going ahead an unmarked crossroads.
– Check your mirrors again as you pass through the crossroad.”

“In this lesson, you’ll learn about following the road straight ahead at a priority crossroad. The key points are:

– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Being aware of other road users.
– Safety checks after the junction.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre routine. As soon as you see the junction or advanced warning sign check your mirrors. What are the drivers behind doing? Is it safe to slow down?

As part of your hazard routine, you will always consider a signal. Because you are going straight ahead, you don’t need a direction signal, but, if you slow down with the brakes, you will be giving a brake light signal.

Keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions.

Your speed will vary from junction to junction on some wide, clear roads. There will be no change of speed in a situation like this. You will need to ease off the gas to create time to assess what the other drivers intend to do.

Here, the drivers in the side roads are stopping to give way, but never assume that other drivers will automatically do the correct thing. Also, watch out for cyclists or pedestrians who might be hidden from view by the waiting vehicles.

After passing through the junction, check your mirrors. This will tell you whether it’s safe to increase your speed.”

“A staggered crossroad is one where the side roads are not opposite each other. When you see a staggered crossroad sign, it indicates that you are on the main road and that road will be joining on both sides. This sign shows that the first road will be on the left and the second road will be on the right.

As with all junctions, you need to scan the road well ahead to identify where the side roads are and look for traffic and pedestrian movement.

At some staggered junctions, the side roads are quite a long way apart. Because of this, you must always be aware that a vehicle, that is pulled out of the first side road ahead of you, might not pick up speed. It might be about to turn off into the second side road.

When emerging at a staggered crossroads, you need to be aware of traffic that might be pulling out from the junction on the opposite side of teh main road. What is the red car doing here? The driver has signal to turn right but has he or she seen the yellow car? The red car might pull out at the same time as the yellow car. This is not a problem as long as the drivers are aware, but could cause major problems if they have not seen each other.

If you intend to turn left and then right, or vice versa, take special care to ensure that you don’t cause problems for drivers on the main road. When they see you pull out, they will probably be expecting you to increase speed as you would normally do when emerging from a T-Junction and could be taken by surprise when you go slowly in order to make your second turn. This means that you need to leave bigger safety margins, making sure that the gap in the traffic is big enough to allow you to complete the turn safely.

The key points are:

– A staggered crossroad is one where the side roads are not opposite each other.

– Staggered crossroad signs indicate which side road is nearest.

– Drivers pulling out of the side road at a staggered crossroad might not speed up.

– Leave a bigger gap than normal in traffic when emerging to go ahead at a staggered crossroad.”

“In this lesson, you will learn about dealing with unmarked crossroads.

The key points are:

– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Dealing with traffic on the other roads.
– Safety checks after passing the junction.

For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine.

Mirrors – As soon as you see the junction, check your mirrors. What are the drivers behind doing? Is it safe to slow down? Do you need to activate the brake lights to warn drivers behind that you might be slowing or stopping.

Signal – Because this driver is going straight on, a direction signal is not needed. The brake lights give a warning to following drivers.

Position – When going straight ahead, keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions.

Speed – As you approach an unmarked junction, you must be prepared to stop if necessary. Therefore, your speed has to allow for this,

When there are no road markings, no one has priority. This does not mean that you will always have to give way, but does mean that you must be ready to give way if necessary.

You might think or even know that you are on the main road, but drivers on the other road might be thinking that they are on the main road as well. So, you need to be very careful.

As you approach an unmarked junction, look for traffic on the other roads. Are the other vehicles going to give way to you? Here, the blue car approaches very quickly. Perhaps the driver thinks that he has priority. Approaching this quickly can be dangerous and can cause alarm to other drivers to be safe.

The car with the L plate stops to give way. You must always be 100% sure that either the road is clear or that other drivers or riders are giving way to you before proceeding through an unmarked junction.

Every situation needs to be judged on what’s happening at the time, however there is a simple rule that you can always apply. Never assume that you have priority. If you remember this and you are prepared to give way, you should always be safe.

After you have passed through the junction, check your mirrors to make sure that it’s safe to increase your speed before accelerating up to a safe normal driving speed.”

“We have already mentioned unmarked crossroads in the earlier videos, but understanding priority is so important that we think they are worth mentioning again here.

Unmarked junctions present more room for error. If you, or other road users, are not fully alert. Because of this, you always need to take special care to make sure that you know what the other road users intend to do. Here’s a question for oyu.

Look at the diagram. Ask yourself, which of the cars is on the major road and has priority. The red car or the yellow car?

If your answer is the red car, I’m afraid that you are incorrect and if you answered the yellow car, you are also incorrect. At an unmarked crossroads, no one has automatic priority. Even if they are on the main road. Full marks if you answered neither.

Even if you are the driver of the red car and you drive on that road every day, knowing it to be the main road, the driver of the yellow car may be a stranger to the district and think that they have priority. If both drivers assume that they have priority with the buildings blocking their view, they won’t see each other until it’s too late.

Here’s an example of an unmarked crossroad that could catch out a non-local driver. The main road goes around to the left. Treat all unmarked junctions, especially crossroads, with extra caution. This doesn’t mean that you have to crawl at a snail’s pace, but oyu must be able to stop if necessary.

There are three simple rules that you can base all of your driving decisions on and that are particularly helpful at unmarked crossorads. When driving, you need to consider what you can see, what you can’t see and what might reasonably be expected to happen.

If the driver of the yellow car applies this rule, his thinking will be something like ‘Can I see a crossroad with no markings”, “I can’t see past the houses on each side” and “There may be a driver or rider on the other road who doesn’t know I’m here, I’ll ease off the gas until I am 100% sure that it’s safe to proceed.”

Start to apply these simple rules in all of your driving and you will be going a long way towards being safe behind the wheel.

The key points are:

– At at unmarked crossroads, there is no defined priority.
– You must always be prepared to give way.
– Never assume that you have priority.
– Base your decisions on:
– What you see, what you can’t see
– What might be reasonably expected to happen.”

“Depending on your local area, your driving test is likely to include a number of crossroads. These might include straight or staggered crossroads, quiet unmarekd crossroads, crossroads controlled by give way or stop lines, or busy traffic light control crossroads.

Regardless of the type of crossroad, your examiner will be looking for the same thing as with any other junction; a routine approach, good observation and good decision making.

If your examiner does not give you a route direction on the approach to a crossroad and you are not in the independent drive part of the test, follow the road ahead or look for signs which might indicate the direction that you have to take.

As with other junctions, the examiner will assess your use to the Mirrors-Signal-Manoeuvre routine, your observation on approach and, at the crossroads, your compliance with road signs and markings, your positioning before and after the junction and the action you take to deal with other road users.

The key points are:

– There might be several crossorads on your driving test.
– The crossroads might be on quiet or busy roads and might be unmarked.
– If the examiner doesn’t give you a route direction, follow the road ahead or as directed by road signs.
– The examiner will assess the way that you deal with other road users.”

“So again, we’re driving along. Hey, there’s a road sign and we’ve spotted it’s a warning triangle road sign and it’s some sort of junction. We know this because there is a thick, black line. That’s the road that we are on adn it’s going from the bottom of the sign towards the top.

In this case, look at the diagram. What we have is our road turns a sharp left and on that corner, there is a minor road to our right and if you look at that with your eyes squinted up a little bit, it looks a bit like a letter T.

So, this is called a T-Junction now. There are other versions of this T-Junction. Clearly, if our road goes around to the right and there’s a minor road to the left, we could call that a T-Junction as well.

A T-Junction is often seen as arriving at another road from our road, so we are going from the bottom of the sign to the top of the sign and across, left to right, we are meeting with another road. That’s a traditional T-Junction and at that traditional T-Junction, you’re likely to have to give way to traffic on the main road.

On the previous examples, such as this one, you’re not giving way to the traffic on your right in this diagram, because the main road itself that we are going on is going to the left. Hope that makes sense.”

“Okay, so we’ve spotted the sign. We’ve spotted that it’s a warning triangle. This sign is showing a vertical black line, that’s us, that’s our road and there is a thinner minor road line, across to the right.

So we are approaching a junction to the right.

A different sign might show the junction to the left, so whatever it is. This sign, we’ve got a junction coming up ti the left, so we can anticipate traffic in front of us possibly wanting to go into that junction and, because of oncoming traffic, they may well have to stop right in front of us, so beware of that.

If we are wanting to turn right into that, we’ve got to give way to oncoming traffic and we’ve got to give way to pedestrians and anybody else at that junction.

So there’s a lot going on here, plenty of reasons to check your mirrors in case you have to slow down or change position.”