Junctions
Traffic lights and controlled junctions
Lesson breakdown
Sub-skills
Lesson 1
Turning right at controlled traffic lights
A green light gives you permission to go, not confirmation that it's safe - the actual decision still comes from what the oncoming traffic and the junction ahead are doing.
Open lesson
Lesson 2
Turning right at multi-lane controlled traffic lights
At a multi-lane junction the lane decision usually needs to be made before you even reach the lights - sorting it out at the stop line is already too late.
Open lesson
Lesson 3
Turning right in a right turn box
The right-turn box gives you somewhere predictable to wait - it doesn't give you permission to turn, which is still a separate decision based on oncoming traffic and the exit road.
Open lesson
Lesson 4
Turning right at traffic lights: example 2
Every controlled right turn asks the same three questions - lane, signal phase, and gap - this is another chance to answer all three under slightly different conditions.
Open lesson
Lesson 5
Turning left at traffic lights
A left turn at lights brings pedestrians and cyclists closer to your path than almost any other manoeuvre - the green light only tells you the road ahead is yours to use, not that the kerbside is clear.
Open lesson
Lesson 6
Turning right at traffic lights with a yellow box junction
A yellow box and a right turn are two separate sets of rules running at the same time - the box controls when you can enter and wait, the traffic picture controls when the turn itself is safe.
Open lesson
Practical test
Why it matters
Controlled junctions assess anticipation, obeying the signals correctly, lane discipline and awareness of pedestrians and cyclists. Crossing on red, blocking the junction, or missing someone crossing can be recorded as a fault - and more seriously if a road user is put at risk.
What to look out for
The light permits, you decide
Green means the movement is allowed. Whether it's actually safe still depends on the junction ahead, oncoming traffic and anyone crossing.
Amber isn't 'hurry up'
Amber means stop, unless you're already over the line or so close that stopping might cause a collision. Read the lights early so amber is never a surprise.
Key steps
- 1 Approach at a speed that lets you stop smoothly if the lights change - never so fast that a green forces a choice between racing it and stopping hard.
- 2 Read the whole junction early: your lane and its arrows, the stop line, any yellow box, and where pedestrians and cyclists will be.
- 3 Obey the signal for your lane. Red means stop behind the line; amber means stop unless you're already over the line or so close that stopping might cause a collision; green means go only if the junction ahead is clear.
- 4 On green, still check the junction is clear and give way to pedestrians already crossing before you move.
- 5 Watch for cyclists - many junctions have an advanced stop line (the cyclists' box). Stop at the first line on amber or red and give cyclists room to move off.
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Common mistakes
Racing an amber
Amber means stop unless you're already over the line or too close to pull up safely - not a cue to speed up.
Going on green without looking
A green light is permission, not a clear road. Check the junction ahead has room and that no pedestrian is still crossing before you enter.
Forgetting cyclists at the stop line
Where there's an advanced stop line, don't creep into the cyclists' box - stop at the first line and let them move off first.
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Highway Code
This lesson is a revision aid, not a replacement for The Highway Code.
Rule 175
You MUST stop behind the white 'Stop' line unless the light is green. On amber you may go on only if you have already crossed the line or are so close that stopping might cause a collision.
Read on GOV.UKRule 176
You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Go forward on green only if there is room to clear the junction safely.
Read on GOV.UKRule 177
A green filter arrow shows a filter lane; you may proceed in the direction of the arrow when the arrow (or the full green light) shows, if there is room to clear the junction.
Read on GOV.UKRule 178
At an advanced stop line for cyclists, you MUST stop at the first white line if the lights are amber or red, and give cyclists time and room to move off when the green shows.
Read on GOV.UK