Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in Tasmania

By the end of this topic you can

• You can give way correctly at uncontrolled intersections and T-intersections.
• You can stop and give way properly at a Stop sign.
• You can enter, travel around and leave a roundabout with the right signals.
• You can merge when lanes end, with or without line markings.
• You can decide when a U-turn is legal and safe.

What you need to know and understand

• At an uncontrolled intersection you give way to all traffic coming from your right.
• At a T-intersection, drivers on the terminating road give way to traffic and pedestrians on the continuing road.
• At a Stop sign you must stop completely at the stop line, even if no traffic is around.
• When entering a roundabout you give way to vehicles already in it, not to vehicles that have not yet entered.
• When turning left or right you give way to pedestrians on the road you are entering.
• If you use a slip lane, you give way to traffic on the road you are entering and to oncoming vehicles turning right into it.

Roundabouts step by step

1. Slow down on approach so you can stop if needed.
2. Choose your lane: left lane or a left-arrow lane to turn left; any lane with a straight arrow (or any lane if unmarked) to go straight; right lane or right-arrow lane to go more than halfway round.
3. Signal left if turning left, right if going more than halfway round or doing a U-turn. No entry signal is needed to go straight ahead.
4. Give way to every vehicle already in the roundabout.
5. Indicate left as you leave, where practical, then cancel your indicator.

Merging and changing lanes

When a marked lane ends and you must cross a broken line into the next lane, indicate and give way to traffic in the lane you are entering.

When the number of lanes reduces on a road without line markings, you merge by giving way to any vehicle that is ahead of you. This is often called a zip merge. Always indicate before changing lanes, including inside a multi-lane roundabout.

When a U-turn is not allowed

You must always indicate for a U-turn, have a clear view of approaching traffic and give way to all traffic and pedestrians. You must not U-turn:

• across a single continuous line, double continuous lines or double broken lines
• where there is a No U-turn sign
• at an intersection with traffic lights, unless a U-turn permitted sign is shown
• where you would unreasonably block traffic

Turning at traffic lights

On a green light with no arrow, a right-turning driver gives way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left, and to pedestrians. If every light is flashing yellow, the uncontrolled intersection rules apply. Our hazard perception test guide shows how to judge gaps when turning.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a Stop sign. You must come to a complete stop at the line every time.
• Waiting at a roundabout for cars on your right that have not entered yet. You only give way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
• Forgetting pedestrians crossing the side street you are turning into.
• Not indicating left when leaving a roundabout, which confuses drivers waiting to enter.

Test yourself: Giving way, roundabouts and intersections in Tasmania

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

Go deeper

• Getting Your Full Licence in Tasmania and the Safer Driver Reward
• Learning to Drive in Tasmania
• Tasmania Hazard Perception Test