The give way rules

There are give way rules that apply at intersections.

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

Give way - no signs

Give way - with signs

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

Give way to cyclists

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

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.

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.

Leaving the path of the centre line

If you're turning right and the opposing vehicle is turning left (or going straight through), you must give way.

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

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

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

A red signal means stop. 

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

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

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

Reading the traffic signals

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.
	Turning left	Must stop.
Straight through	Must stop.
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 signal. A cyclist, moped or motorcycle rider lawfully using a bus lane may go when the white B light is showing.