The give way rules

There are give way rules that apply at intersections and driveways.

If you’re turning, give way to all traffic that’s not turning.

A blue motorcycle and a red car are travelling in opposite directions on the top of a T intersection. The motorcycle is indicating to turn right onto the bottom road, the red car is going straight ahead. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

This includes giving way to cyclists using cycle and bus lanes, and vehicles using bus lanes.

A blue motorcycle and a cyclist are a approaching a green light at an intersection. The blue car is turning left. The cyclist is in the bicycle lane and is travelling straight through. The motorcycle must give way to the cyclist.

It also applies when both vehicles are facing the same control, such as stop signs, give way signs and green traffic signals.

Two cars on opposite sides of the intersection behind stop signs. The blue motorcycle is turning right. The red car is driving straight through. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

A blue motorcycle and a red car on opposite sides of the intersection behind give way signs. The blue motorcycle is turning right. The red car is driving straight through. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

A blue motorcycle and a red car on opposite sides of the intersection behind traffic lights. The blue motorcycle is turning right. The red car is driving straight through. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

If you're leaving the path of a marked centre line at an uncontrolled intersection, you must give way to vehicles following the centre line.

A blue motorcycle is approaching a Y intersection. The centre line curves left but the motorcycle is going straight through to the road on the right. A cyclist is going in the opposite direction. The motorcycle must give way to the cyclist.

This is because vehicles leaving the path of the centre line are legally turning, even though sometimes they might actually be going in a straight line, and the give way rules apply.

If you're turning right and the opposing vehicle is turning left, you must give way.

A blue motorcycle and a red car are on opposite sides of the intersection behind traffic lights. The motorcycle is turning right. The is turning left. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

A blue motorcycle is indicating right at a 4-way intersection controlled by give way signs. An oncoming red car is indicating left. Neither have give way signs. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

A blue motorcycle and a red car are travelling in opposite directions on the top of a T intersection. The motorcycle is indicating to turn right onto the bottom road, the red car turning left into the same road. The motorcycle must give way to the red car

A blue motorcycle and a red car are on opposite sides of the intersection behind stop signs. The motorcycle is turning right. The is turning left. The motorcycle must give way to the red car.

If you're on the terminating road (bottom of the T), give way to traffic on the continuing road (top of the T). This also applies at driveways.

A blue motorcycle is indicating left to turn onto the continuing road of a T intersection. A red car is approaching from the right in the lane the blue car wants to enter. The blue car must give way to the red car.

A blue motorcycle is indicating left to turn onto the continuing road from a drive way. A bicycle is approaching from the left and wants to turn into the driveway. The motorcycle must give way to the cyclist.

A blue motorcycle is indicating right to turn onto the continuing road from a driveway. A pedestrian is approaching from the right on a footpath. The motorcycle must give way to the bicycle.

A blue motorcycle is indicating right to turn onto the continuing road from a driveway. A bicycle is approaching from the right on a footpath. The motorcycle must give way to the bicycle.

You must give way to all traffic on the road and any road user on a footpath, cycle path or shared path.

In all other situations give way to your right. For example at a roundabout, an uncontrolled intersection or crossroads controlled by traffic signals when signals have failed and all approaches have a flashing yellow light.

Traffic signals

The following rules apply at an intersection controlled by traffic signals – also known as traffic lights.

A red signal means stop.

A three light traffic signal with the top red light on.

A green signal means you can go, provided it's safe, and:

if you're turning right, you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are going straight through, or vehicles turning left
you give way to pedestrians crossing. This includes riders of mobility devices and wheeled recreational devices.

A 3 light traffic signal with the bottom green light on.

A yellow signal means stop, unless you're so close to the intersection you can’t stop safely. It means the lights will soon turn red.

A 3 light traffic signal with the middle yellow light on.

A flashing yellow signal means the traffic signals aren't working. In this case, you must apply the give way rules.

A 3 light traffic signal with the middle yellow light on and flashing.

Arrow traffic signals

When arrows are displayed on traffic signals, they apply only to vehicles going in the direction the arrow is pointing.

A red arrow means you must stop if you're travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing.

A 3 light traffic signal with the top red arrow light on.

A yellow arrow means you must stop if you're travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing, unless you're so close to the intersection that you can’t stop safely.

A 3 light traffic signal with the middle yellow arrow light on.

A green arrow means you can go if you're travelling in the direction the arrow is pointing, provided it's safe.

A 3 light traffic signal with the bottom green arrow light on.

Reading the traffic signals

The following examples will help you get to know what traffic signals and arrows mean.

Signal	Vehicle path	Action
	Turning left	Must stop. The red arrow protects pedestrians crossing the road.
	Straight through	May go, if it’s safe.
	Turning right	May go, if: it's safe, and you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are going straight through the intersection, and you give way to vehicles coming towards you that are turning left at the intersection.
	Turning left	May go, if it’s safe.
	Straight through	May go, if it’s safe.
	Turning right	Must stop, unless it's not safe to do so.
	Turning left	May go, if it’s safe.
	Straight through	May go, if it’s safe.
	Turning right	May go, if it’s safe. All vehicles coming towards you or turning left should be stopped.

Cycle, tram and bus signals

At some intersections, there are special signals for cycles, trams and buses. Cycles, trams and buses can move when these signals are on, but all other vehicles must wait for the green traffic light.

A cyclist, moped or motorcycle rider lawfully using a bus lane may go when the white B light is showing.

A black circle with a yellow bicycle, a black circle with a white capital T, a black circle with a white capital B.

Online services

Traffic signals

Arrow traffic signals

Reading the traffic signals

Signal

Vehicle path

Action

Cycle, tram and bus signals