Junctions
Junctions
Lesson breakdown
Sub-skills
Lesson 1
Turning left from a main road into a side road
The turn itself should be the easy part - it's the approach (mirrors, signal, speed, position) that decides whether there's anything left to react to once you're actually turning.
Open lesson
Lesson 2
Turning right from a main road
Waiting to turn right isn't one continuous movement - it's a controlled stop with the wheels straight, followed by a separate decision once the gap is actually there.
Open lesson
Lesson 3
Turning right from a main road into a side road at a crossroads
A crossroads doubles the observation - you're still judging oncoming traffic, but now both side roads can also produce something you need to react to.
Open lesson
Practical test
Why it matters
Junctions reveal observation, judgement and positioning. Turning across a cyclist, cutting a corner, or not giving way to a pedestrian crossing the road you're entering can be recorded as a fault - and more seriously if someone has to stop or change course for you.
What to look out for
Priority at a junction
Pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you're turning into go first. Cyclists and motorcyclists going straight on have priority too - stay behind them, don't cut across.
The approach decides the turn
Mirrors, signal, speed and position sorted early leave you free to watch the junction and the crossing, instead of rushing the steering.
Key steps
- 1 Check mirrors and signal in good time, and get into the correct position early - just left of centre to turn right, or a normal left position to turn left.
- 2 Slow down on approach so you can stop if needed and read the junction: oncoming traffic, both directions of any side road, and the pavements.
- 3 Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you're turning into - they have priority - and stay behind cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders going straight on rather than cutting across them.
- 4 Wait with the wheels straight if you're turning right, then complete the turn only when the oncoming lane, the exit road and the crossing area are all clear.
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Common mistakes
Turning across traffic too early
Wait until the oncoming path is clearly safe, and don't cut across a cyclist or motorcyclist going straight on.
Forgetting pedestrian priority
At a junction, pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you're turning into have priority - give way to them, don't expect them to wait.
Poor position
Use the road markings and your intended exit to position early, rather than drifting into the wrong lane at the last moment.
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Highway Code
This lesson is a revision aid, not a replacement for The Highway Code.
Rule 170
Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning - they have priority - and stay behind cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders at junctions rather than cutting across them.
Read on GOV.UKRule 179
Well before turning right, use your mirrors, signal, and position just left of the middle of the road, or in a marked right-turn lane.
Read on GOV.UKRule 182
Use your mirrors and signal left well before you turn. Do not overtake just before turning left, and watch for traffic coming up on your left.
Read on GOV.UK