Give way rules decide who goes first. They’re behind a large share of DKT questions, often in diagram form, and behind a large share of real crashes too. Around half of all crashes on NSW roads happen at intersections. This guide walks through each situation in plain English, using the rules in the NSW Road User Handbook.
Key Fact: In every one of these situations, arriving first doesn’t give you right of way. The rules decide who goes. The clock doesn’t.
The Quick Reference
| Situation | Who you give way to |
|---|---|
| Intersection with no signs, going straight | Vehicles on your right |
| No signs, turning left | Vehicles on your right, and pedestrians on the road you’re entering |
| No signs, turning right | Vehicles on your right, oncoming vehicles going straight or turning left, and pedestrians |
| T-intersection, on the road that ends | All vehicles on the continuing road |
| Stop sign or line | Stop fully, then give way to vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection |
| Give Way sign or line | Slow down, then give way to vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection |
| Roundabout | All vehicles already on the roundabout |
| Making a U-turn | All vehicles and pedestrians |
| Lane ends (line marked) | Vehicles in the lane you’re moving into |
| Lanes merge (no markings) | The vehicle ahead of you |
| Emergency vehicle with siren or flashing lights | Always give way |
Intersections Without Signs or Lights
These are the rules for the “plain” intersection with no signs, no lights and no roundabout.
Going Straight Ahead
Give way to vehicles approaching from your right. Vehicles on your left must give way to you.
Turning Left
Give way to:
- vehicles approaching from your right;
- pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning into.
Indicate left and keep to the left side of both roads.
Turning Right
This is the one that causes the most trouble. When turning right you must give way to:
- vehicles approaching from your right;
- oncoming vehicles going straight ahead;
- oncoming vehicles turning left;
- pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning into.
While you wait, keep your wheels pointing straight ahead. That stops the car angling into oncoming traffic. Turn only when there’s a safe gap.
Both Turning Right
If you and an oncoming car are both turning right, you can turn at the same time. Pass in front of each other, not behind.
DKT Tip: In diagram questions, label each car “straight”, “left” or “right” before reading the options. Once you know what everyone is doing, the rule usually answers itself.
T-Intersections
If the road you’re on ends at a T-intersection, you give way to every vehicle on the continuing road, from both the left and the right, unless a sign says otherwise. It doesn’t matter whether those vehicles are going straight or turning into your road.
Watch for one tricky case. Sometimes the continuing road bends around a corner. It’s still the continuing road. A driver who follows the bend keeps priority, and a driver who leaves it to turn into the other road must give way.
Stop Signs and Give Way Signs
| Stop sign or continuous line | Give Way sign or broken line | |
|---|---|---|
| Must you stop? | Yes, every time | Only if needed |
| Where? | As close as possible to the line, or to the intersection if there’s no line | Before the line, if you need to stop |
| Then | Give way to vehicles in, entering or approaching the intersection | Same |
A painted line without a sign has the same meaning as the matching sign.
Two Exceptions Worth Learning
- Opposite signs, one turning right. Two cars may face Stop or Give Way signs on opposite sides of an intersection. The car turning right gives way to the oncoming car turning left or going straight.
- U-turns. A driver making a U-turn gives way to all vehicles and pedestrians. That applies even if you’re the one facing the Give Way sign.
A Stop sign with three black dots under it, found at traffic lights, applies only when the lights are off or flashing yellow. If police or a traffic controller are directing traffic, follow them over everything else.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts have their own give way rule, and it’s not “give way to the right”.
Key Fact: When you enter a roundabout, slow down or stop and give way to all vehicles already on it. That includes vehicles that entered from your left or from directly opposite you.
Vehicles on the roundabout don’t give way to vehicles entering. Here’s how to signal and choose your lane:
| Your move | Lane (unless arrows say otherwise) | Indicating |
|---|---|---|
| Turning left | Left lane | Indicate left on approach and keep it on until you’ve exited |
| Going straight | Any lane | No signal on approach; indicate left just before your exit, if practical |
| Turning right | Right lane | Indicate right on approach; indicate left before your exit, if practical |
| U-turn (full turn) | Right lane | As for a right turn |
More roundabout rules:
- Follow the arrows. If your lane’s arrows don’t allow your turn, you’re in the wrong lane. Plan ahead.
- Changing lanes on a roundabout is allowed only across a broken line, with a signal, and giving way to the other lane. Plan so you don’t need to.
- Bicycle riders may turn right from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout. When they do, they give way to vehicles leaving it. Watch for them.
- Don’t assume. A car on the roundabout may exit at the next exit without indicating, because the exit signal is required only if practical.
Pedestrians
Whenever you turn, at any kind of intersection, you must give way to pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning into. A flashing red “don’t walk” signal only stops people starting to cross. Anyone already crossing can finish, and you wait for them.
Merging and Changing Lanes
Merging is a give way situation too:
- Your lane ends and a line is marked: give way to vehicles already in the lane you’re moving into. This applies when you join a motorway.
- Lanes merge with no markings: give way to the vehicle ahead of you. This is the “zipper”.
- Changing lanes at any time: indicate, check mirrors and blind spots, and give way to vehicles in the lane you’re moving into.
- Buses: if you’re in the left lane, give way to a bus showing a “Give way to buses” sign that’s indicating right to pull out in front of you.
Slip Lanes
When turning left from a slip lane, give way to:
- vehicles on the road you’re entering;
- oncoming vehicles turning right into that road;
- pedestrians.
You must use a slip lane where one is provided.
Level Crossings and Trams
Trains always have priority. At a Stop sign at a level crossing, stop every time. Never enter a crossing or an intersection unless there’s room for your whole car on the other side. Trams can’t swerve, so never turn in front of one.
Practise Until It’s Automatic
Give way rules are easy to understand and easy to get wrong under pressure. Read our full Intersections study guide and the Traffic Lights and Lanes guide. Then drill the diagrams in the Intersections quiz until you can answer without hesitating, and check yourself with a full mock test.
The Learners Test app includes intersection and roundabout diagrams with every answer explained. Download it here.
The Learners Test is an independent study app and isn’t affiliated with Transport for NSW or Service NSW.
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