Almost every trip crosses an intersection, so intersection rules make up a big part of the rules of the road section. The key is knowing who has right of way in each situation, and what to do when no one does.
Stop signs
- Stop sign (R1.1): stop behind the stop line. If there is no line, stop with the front of your vehicle in line with the sign. Go only when it is safe.
- Stop/yield sign (R1.2): if you are going straight, stop. If you are turning left, you may treat it as a yield sign and turn without stopping, giving way to any traffic close enough to be a hazard.
- Three-way and four-way stops (R1.3, R1.4): every vehicle stops. The first vehicle to stop is the first to go, and you may not move off before vehicles that stopped before you.
Yield signs
A yield sign (R2) means you must give way to other traffic. Slow down and, if traffic is approaching, stop. A yield sign does not require you to stop when the road is clear.
Robots
Obey the signal facing you. When robots are out of order, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. A traffic officer’s signals override the robots. Our guide to traffic lights and arrows covers every signal.
Uncontrolled intersections
At an intersection with no sign or signal, no one is given priority. Approach slowly, look right, left and ahead, and be ready to stop for traffic or pedestrians. Never assume another driver will give way to you.
Traffic circles
- Give way to traffic already in the circle, approaching from your right, unless signs or signals tell you otherwise.
- At a mini-circle, the vehicle that crosses its yield line first goes first. Signal left or right to show which way you are going.
- If you are taking the first exit, signal left as you approach. For a later exit, signal left just before your exit.
- Vehicles towing a trailer must stay in the left lane of a multi-lane traffic circle, unless signs show otherwise.
Turning
- When turning right, give way to oncoming traffic.
- When turning in either direction, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
- Do not enter an intersection if you would block it, for example when there is no space to complete your turn.
Warning signs before intersections
Crossroad warning signs show you whether you will have priority. On the priority crossroad sign (W102), the thicker line is your road: you have right of way, but be ready to stop if cross-traffic does not yield. On the secondary crossroad sign (W103), the thicker line crosses your road: you must yield to cross-traffic.
Test yourself
These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.
When approaching a four-way stop:
Practise more rules of the road questions