Road position and lane discipline
Road position is where your car sits on the road, both side to side and in relation to other traffic. A good position keeps you away from danger, lets others see what you plan to do and gives you room to react.
In Ireland you drive on the left. Correct positioning is covered in EDT lessons 2 and 5, and poor position is a common reason for driving test faults.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can keep a safe normal position on the left without hugging the kerb.
- You can stay in the middle of your lane and change lanes only when needed and safe.
- You can position correctly to turn left, turn right or go straight ahead.
- You can adjust your position on bends and narrow roads.
- You can leave enough room when passing parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
What you need to know and understand
- You must drive on the left, except when overtaking or where signs or markings tell you otherwise.
- Keep to the left of a continuous white centre line, except in an emergency or for access.
- On a multi-lane road, keep left unless you are overtaking or turning right.
- Follow lane arrows at junctions and get in the correct lane early.
- Failing to drive on the left is a penalty point offence.
- Hatched areas separate traffic and you must not enter them.
Your everyday spot on the road
On a normal two-way road, keep well to the left but not so close that you clip the kerb, drains or the edge of the road. Adjust for the road width and what is around you: a little further out on a wide road with side turnings, closer in on a narrow one. Drive in a straight line rather than weaving in and out between parked cars.
Where there is a broken yellow line marking a hard shoulder, it is normally for pedestrians and cyclists. Do not drive along it as if it were a lane.
Lanes, turns and junctions
- Turning left: keep to the left and follow the kerb round.
- Turning right: move to just left of the centre of the road, or into the right-hand lane where there is one.
- Going straight: follow the lane markings, usually the left lane unless arrows show otherwise.
- Changing lane: mirrors, signal, blind spot check, then move gradually. Do not straddle lanes.
- Get into the right lane early. If you are in the wrong lane, carry on and find another way round.
Bends, narrow roads and hazards
On a left-hand bend, keep left so you are not drawn towards oncoming traffic. On a right-hand bend, stay left too, because cutting the corner puts you on the wrong side where you cannot see. On narrow rural roads without centre lines, keep left and be ready to stop or pull in where it is wide enough.
Give parked cars enough room in case a door opens or someone steps out. Give cyclists plenty of room when passing, and wait behind them if there is not enough space. Move your position early so following drivers understand what you are doing.
Common mistakes
- Driving too close to the kerb. It narrows your space and hides you from drivers at junctions.
- Cutting right-hand corners. Keep left until you reach the turning point.
- Drifting between lanes on bends or roundabouts. Keep in your lane all the way round.
- Staying in the right lane of a dual carriageway after overtaking. Move back left when safe.
- Weaving between parked cars. Keep a steady line.
Test yourself: Road position and lane discipline
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Rules of the Road, good driving practice and road markings (Road Safety Authority, rsa.ie); RSA Essential Driver Training lesson outline (rsa.ie); Penalty points information (Citizens Information, citizensinformation.ie). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.