Riding up to an intersection

If any other vehicle is approaching or crossing an intersection, do not speed up as you approach. Use the system of vehicle control to help you deal with hazards safely.

Course – look ahead for a safe and legal path.
Mirrors – look behind and in your blind spots.
Signal – for at least 3 seconds.
Brakes – slow down so that you can give way if required.
Gears – change if necessary.

When it's safe:

Accelerate – up to traffic speed.

Approaching an intersection

As you ride up to an intersection:

slow down and look in all directions – ahead, behind and to both sides
be ready to stop if you have to.

A 4 way intersection with the areas shaded that a driver should check.

The red shading in the diagram below shows you which areas to check carefully before entering an intersection.

What are the give way rules?

You must stop or give way as necessary at stop signs, give way signs and traffic signals.
If you’re turning, give way to vehicles not turning.
Note: if you’re leaving the path of a marked centre line, you’re considered to be turning and must give way to vehicles that are following the centre line.
If you’re turning right, give way to all vehicles coming towards you including those turning left.
Note: this applies if both vehicles are facing no signs or signals, or the same signs or signals.
At a T-intersection or driveway, traffic on a terminating road (bottom of the T) must give way to all traffic on a continuing road (top of the T).
In all other situations, give way to all vehicles coming from your right, for example, at a roundabout or crossroad controlled by traffic signals, when the signals have failed and all approaches have fl ashing yellow lights.

Two vehicles coming towards each other and turning right

When 2 vehicles are coming towards each other and both are turning right, no one should have to give way.

This is because normally they won't cross each other’s path, so both vehicles can turn safely. However, be careful if the other vehicle is a large truck or bus, as they may need more room to make the turn.

Remember to check for traffic coming towards you that's going straight through the intersection. Your view might be blocked by the turning vehicle.

At many intersections traffic is controlled by stop signs, give way signs and traffic signals. See the images below for when to use the give way rules at these intersections. If a police officer is directing traffic you must obey their directions as they overrule the give way rules.

Two vehicles are stopped opposite each other at give way signs at an intersection. They are both indicating to turn right. Black arrows indicate the path they take to turn right.

Two vehicles are stopped opposite each other at stop signs at an intersection. They are both indicating to turn right. Black arrows indicate the path they take to turn right.

Important

Giving way means that the road user you’re giving way to, whether they are a driver, cyclist, pedestrian or any other kind of road user, doesn’t need to stop, brake or slow down, swerve or take any other evasive action to avoid you.

Stop sign

At an intersection controlled by a stop sign:

come to a complete stop – do not just slow down
stop where you can see vehicles coming from all directions
stay stopped until you've given way to all other vehicles – this includes cycles and other motorcycles
if you and another vehicle are both facing stop signs, use the give way rule
Give way rules
you must not go until it is safe.

The word STOP and a single yellow line will be painted on the road.

A blue motorcycle is travelling straight through a 4-way intersection. A red car is approaching from the right on the intersecting road, also travelling straight through. The blue motorcycle is behind a stop sign and yellow line.

Helpful hint

If you are turning right, give way to all vehicles coming towards you who are turning left.

Give Way sign

At an intersection controlled by a give way sign:

slow down and be ready to stop
give way to all other vehicles, except those facing a stop sign
if you and another vehicle are both facing a give way sign, use the give way rules
Give way rules
you must not go until it's safe.

A blue motorcycle is travelling straight through a 4-way intersection. A red car is approaching from the right on the intersecting road, also travelling straight through. The blue car is behind a give way sign and white line.

A triangle give way marking and a white line will be painted on a sealed road.

A blue motorcycle is waiting behind a stop sign and yellow line, they're travelling straight through. A red car is also waiting to turn right on the opposite road behind a give way sign and a white line. The motorcycle at the stop sign gives way to the re

A vehicle facing a stop sign gives way to a vehicle facing a give way sign.

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