Junctions

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.

Advanced Step-by-step lesson Common mistakes

This video has no narration. Follow the written steps below.

Practical test

Why it matters

This checks whether you can hold two rules in mind at once - box entry and turn safety - without either one distracting from the other.

What to look out for

Two rules, not one

The yellow box controls when you can enter and wait. The traffic picture and light phase control when the turn is actually safe.

Check the exit road first

Before you commit, confirm the road you're turning into has space to clear the junction.

Key steps

1 Identify the yellow box and your right-turn path before you reach the stop line.
2 Check mirrors, signal right early, and approach in the correct lane with enough speed control to stop if needed.
3 Only enter the box if your exit is clear, unless you're waiting to turn right and are only held up by oncoming traffic.
4 Wait with the car positioned safely, keeping the wheels straight until you're ready to complete the turn.
5 Complete the turn once the signal phase, oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and the exit road all make it safe.

Common mistakes

Entering when the exit is blocked

Only move into the box if you know where the car will finish - waiting to turn right because of oncoming traffic is different from entering when your exit is full.

Rushing because the lights are changing

A changing light doesn't remove the need to judge oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and the exit road before you turn.

Stopping at an awkward angle

If you're waiting in the box, keep the car controlled and avoid steering early so you're not pointing into oncoming traffic.

Example scenarios

Illustrative, AI-generated examples - not real photographs.

Positioned poorly while waiting in the box to turn right - waiting here is allowed when you're only held up by oncoming traffic, but the car's position ends up blocking the path that oncoming traffic needs to get through.

Failing to stop at the stop line while the light is red - the van has already crossed into the junction, blocking the marked crossing and leaving pedestrians with no safe way to get across.

Highway Code

This lesson is a revision aid, not a replacement for The Highway Code.

Rule 174

You MUST NOT enter a yellow box junction until your exit road is clear, unless you're turning right and are only stopped by oncoming traffic or vehicles waiting to turn right.

Read Rule 174 on GOV.UK

Rule 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 Rule 179 on GOV.UK

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