Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in New South Wales

By the end of this topic you can

• You can apply the give way rules at Stop and Give Way signs.
• You can decide who goes first at an intersection with no signs or lights.
• You can enter, signal through and leave a roundabout correctly.
• You can use a slip lane and merge safely when lanes end.
• You can keep intersections clear in heavy traffic.

What you need to know and understand

• At a roundabout, give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout.
• When turning at any intersection, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
• At a T-intersection, drivers on the road that ends give way to all vehicles on the continuing road, unless a sign says otherwise.
• When turning right at an intersection without signs, give way to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead or turning left.
• When two lanes become one and there are no markings, give way to the vehicle ahead of you (a zipper merge).
• Do not enter an intersection unless there is space for your vehicle on the other side.

Stop signs, Give Way signs and no signs at all

At a Stop sign or Stop line you must stop completely, as close as possible to the line, then give way to vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection. At a Give Way sign or broken Give Way line, slow down, be ready to stop and give way in the same way. There are a few exceptions, such as an oncoming vehicle turning right from a Stop or Give Way sign.

At an intersection with no signs, lights or roundabout, the basic rule is that if you turn across another vehicle's path you give way to it. Turning left, give way to vehicles on your right. Turning right, give way to vehicles from the right, oncoming vehicles going straight ahead and oncoming vehicles turning left.

Roundabouts step by step

Watch for bicycle riders. On a multi-lane roundabout they may turn right from the left lane, giving way to vehicles leaving.

1. Plan your lane early. Turning left, use the left lane and indicate left. Turning right or making a full U-turn, use the right lane and indicate right. Going straight, use any lane unless arrows say otherwise.
2. Slow down or stop and give way to every vehicle already in the roundabout.
3. Keep indicating as you turn and follow any lane arrows. Only change lanes across a broken line, giving way to vehicles in the lane you move into.
4. Indicate left as you leave, if practical, and switch the indicator off once you have left.

Slip lanes, lane ends and merging

• You must use a slip lane to turn left where one is provided. In it, give way to vehicles on the road you are entering, oncoming vehicles turning right into that road, and pedestrians.
• When your lane ends and you cross a broken line into another lane, such as joining a motorway, give way to vehicles already in that lane.
• When lanes merge and there are no markings, the vehicle that is ahead goes first.

Turning right without blocking traffic

Turning right, move as close as possible to the dividing line, or use the right lane or an arrowed lane on a multi-lane road. Keep your front wheels pointing straight while you wait, so a crash from behind will not push you into oncoming traffic. If the lights change while you are waiting in the intersection, complete the turn as soon as it is safe. A deeper guide on this site works through every chapter of the Road User Handbook.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a Stop sign. You must come to a complete stop at the line even when the road looks empty.
• Forgetting pedestrians when turning. They have priority on the road you are turning into.
• Not indicating left when leaving a roundabout. Signal left if it is practical to do so.
• Speeding up to beat a merging car. At a zipper merge, the vehicle in front has priority.

Test yourself: Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in New South Wales

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

Go deeper

• NSW Road User Handbook Study Guide