Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in Queensland

By the end of this topic you can

• You can apply the give way rules at signed, unsigned and T-intersections.
• You can enter, travel through and leave a roundabout in the correct lane with the correct signals.
• You can give way correctly to pedestrians, cyclists and buses.
• You can use the right merging rule for marked lanes and for unmarked lines of traffic.
• You can give way when entering a road from a driveway or a parked position.

What you need to know and understand

• At an uncontrolled crossroad (no signs, lights or lines) you give way to vehicles on your right.
• On a road that ends at a T-intersection you give way to all vehicles on the continuing road, except those doing a U-turn.
• When turning right you give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning left.
• A stop sign is not stronger than a give way sign; if two drivers face them, normal give way rules decide.
• At a roundabout you give way to all vehicles already on it, whichever side they are on.
• When turning you must give way to pedestrians and bike or e-scooter riders crossing the road you are entering, including in slip lanes.
• In a built-up area with a limit of 70 km/h or less, give way to a bus displaying a give way to buses sign that is signalling to pull out.
• Moving off from the kerb, you give way to all traffic and signal for at least 5 seconds.

Intersections without the myths

• Facing a stop or give way sign or line: give way to all other traffic, even a car turning right across your path that has no sign.
• Two cars facing signs (stop and give way) at the same time: both give way to other traffic first, then the car turning right gives way to the one going straight.
• Slip lane: give way to all traffic on the road you are entering (except U-turning vehicles) and to pedestrians crossing the slip lane.
• Driveway or car park: give way to pedestrians and riders on the footpath and to all vehicles on the road, whether you are driving forwards or in reverse.
• U-turn: give way to all other road users.

Roundabouts step by step

Some multi-lane roundabouts use spiral line marking to guide you into the right exit lane. Never turn right from the left lane unless arrows on the road allow it.

1. Choose your lane early. Unless arrows say otherwise: left lane to turn left, right lane to turn right or U-turn, either lane to go straight.
2. Signal left when turning left, right when turning right; no signal is needed on the approach when going straight.
3. Give way to every vehicle already on the roundabout.
4. Keep in your lane through the roundabout.
5. Signal left before you exit (where practical) and cancel the indicator once you have left.

Merging and changing lanes

Queensland has two different merging rules. Where lanes are marked and your lane ends, you are changing lanes, so you give way to traffic already in the lane you move into. Where there are no marked lanes and lines of traffic join together, you give way to any vehicle ahead of you.

On a motorway, use the on-ramp to build up to the speed of the traffic, find a safe gap, and signal long enough to warn others. Hook turns are a feature of central Melbourne in Victoria and are not part of these Queensland rules. Our deeper guide on Brisbane tunnels and motorways covers merging in tunnels.

Common mistakes

• Giving way to the right at a roundabout only. You must give way to every vehicle already on the roundabout, wherever it is.
• Treating a stop sign as more powerful than a give way sign. Apply the normal give way rules.
• Forgetting pedestrians when turning on a green light. They have priority on the road you are turning into.
• Zipping ahead when your marked lane ends. You must give way to traffic in the lane you are joining.

Test yourself: Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in Queensland

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• PrepL Queensland
• Driving in Brisbane Tunnels and on Queensland Motorways
• Hazardous Localities in Queensland