Filtering, junctions and being seen

By the end of this topic you can

• You can choose a road position that helps drivers see you, including in their mirrors.
• You can approach junctions expecting vehicles to pull out, and be ready to stop.
• You can decide when filtering is safe and when to stay in the queue.
• You can filter at a low speed while watching for pedestrians and vehicles changing lanes.
• You can use advanced stop lines and box junctions correctly.

What you need to know and understand

• Drivers often fail to see motorcyclists at junctions, even in daylight.
• When filtering in slow-moving traffic, the Highway Code says to take care and keep your speed low.
• Watch for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles pulling out of side roads or changing lanes.
• You must stop at the first white line of an advanced stop line when the lights are amber or red.
• You must not overtake the moving vehicle nearest a pedestrian crossing, or one that has stopped to give way at it.
• Bright or fluorescent clothing and dipped headlights help you be seen in daylight; reflective materials help at night.

Making yourself visible

Wear bright or fluorescent kit in daylight and reflective strips at night, and ride with dipped headlights. Position yourself so the driver ahead can see you in their mirrors, rather than sitting in their blind spot. Never assume being visible means being seen: a driver may look straight at you and still pull out.

Junction danger zones

As you approach a side road on your left or right, cover your brakes, check for vehicles creeping forward and look at the driver and front wheels for signs of movement. Adjust your position and speed so you could stop if they pull out. Be especially wary when a queue of traffic has left a gap for a driver turning right across your path; that driver may be looking for cars, not bikes.

Turning right yourself, use the full Observation, Signal, Manoeuvre routine and a lifesaver check over your shoulder before you turn. For more on right turns and yellow box junctions, see our guide to turning right and box junctions.

Filtering: when and how

Filtering is only sensible when traffic is slow or stopped and you have a clear view and plenty of space. Ask yourself whether it is worth the risk, or whether staying in the queue is just as quick.

• Do not filter across solid white centre lines that you are not allowed to cross.
• Do not overtake on the approach to a pedestrian crossing on its zigzag lines.
• Do not filter past large vehicles near junctions, where the driver may not see you.
• Do not filter into the box of a yellow box junction unless your exit is clear.

1. Check mirrors and look over your shoulder before moving out of the queue.
2. Keep your speed low so you can stop if a door opens or a car changes lane.
3. Watch for gaps where pedestrians may step out or vehicles may turn into or out of side roads.
4. Look for indicators and drivers' heads turning, which suggest a lane change.
5. Rejoin the queue early, well before junctions, crossings, bends and the end of the queue.

Common mistakes

• Filtering too fast. Keep the speed low enough to stop for a door or pedestrian.
• Assuming a driver who looks your way has seen you. Be ready to stop at every junction.
• Sitting in a driver's blind spot. Position so you appear in their mirrors.
• Filtering right up to a junction or crossing. Rejoin the queue early.
• Forgetting the lifesaver check before turning right.

Test yourself: Filtering, junctions and being seen

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

Go deeper

• Junction Rules UK