Junctions

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.

Core skill Step-by-step lesson Common mistakes

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

Practical test

Why it matters

This checks whether extra hazards (two side roads instead of one) change your observation, without changing how calmly you wait for the gap.

What to look out for

Two extra checks, not one

Don't only judge oncoming traffic - check what could emerge from the left and right side roads before you turn.

Set the car up before the gap

Good position and straight wheels make it easier to wait calmly, then turn positively once the gap is genuinely safe.

Key steps

1 Identify the crossroads and the side road you're aiming for early, so there's time to plan mirrors, signal, speed, and position.
2 Check mirrors, signal right in good time, and position near the centre line without drifting into the oncoming lane.
3 Reduce speed progressively and wait with the wheels straight, judging oncoming traffic and anything emerging from either side road.
4 Complete the turn only once the oncoming lane, the side-road entrance and your exit path are all clear - and give way to any pedestrian crossing or waiting to cross the road you're turning into.

Common mistakes

Treating it like a simple side-road turn

At a crossroads, scan both side roads as well as the oncoming lane before committing - either one can produce a hazard.

Waiting with the wheels turned

Keep the wheels straight until the turn begins, so the car stays stable if hit from behind while you wait.

Cutting across the junction too tightly

Use a proper right-turn path and enter the side road on the correct side, rather than cutting the corner.

Example scenarios

Illustrative, AI-generated examples - not real photographs.

Waiting to turn right while sitting across the centre line, with the car in the oncoming lane instead of held just short of it. Waiting inside the box is allowed when oncoming traffic is the only thing stopping you — the fault is the position: anything coming the other way has to steer around a stationary car to get past. That's potentially dangerous — a serious fault, and a test fail.

Highway Code

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

Rule 181

At crossroads, turn right side to right side (generally the safer method) or left side to left side, so oncoming traffic doesn't block your view of the road you're joining.

Read Rule 181 on GOV.UK

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 Rule 170 on GOV.UK

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