A JUNCTION IS WHERE TWO OR MORE ROADS MEET.

For more information on road junctions see our pages on roundabouts, basic right/left turns and box junctions. Our driving test DVD has chapters on T-junctions, junctions on a bend, crossroads and staggered junctions.

When taking your practical driving test your examiner will expect you to-

Use the MSM routine effectively and in good time- Brake gently and in good time- Position your vehicle correctly- Look for pedestrians, obstacles and traffic- Read road signs correctly- Assess the speed of traffic.

Priorities At Junctions
Priorities are indicated by give way signs and road markings, stop signs and markings and traffic lights. On an uncontrolled junction, where there are no signs or markings indicating priority all vehicles have equal priority. If you encounter an uncontrolled junction you should slow down, look for traffic in all directions and be prepared to stop and give way if necessary.

Pedestrians and Priority
If you turn into a road that pedestrians have already started to cross then they have priority and you must give way.

Emerging From Junctions
When emerging from a junction you may be joining heavy or fast moving traffic. If making a right turn there is the additional hazard of crossing the path of oncoming vehicles. Cautious and careful judgment needs to be exercised and you should be constantly assessing the changing road environment.

When approaching and emerging left from a junction:

• as you approach the junction check your mirrors
• signal if necessary
• position your car to the left of the road with the front bumper just behind the stop or give way line
• reduce your speed and be prepared to stop and give way
• before pulling out look in all directions, check your left mirror for cyclists and motorcyclists passing on your nearside
• as you pull out check your mirrors and accelerate to a safe speed
• make sure your indicator is canceled

When approaching and emerging right from a junction:

• follow the above procedure but position you car as close to the centre of the road as you can

Whenever you have to stop at a junction for more the a few seconds you should apply your handbrake. This will prevent your car being shunted into traffic if hit from behind.

Assessing Traffic Speed
Remember you must be able to pull out of a junction without forcing other vehicles to slow down or change position. On the other hand you mustn't hesitate and miss an valid opportunity to pull out (do this on your driving test and you will earn a minor fault). To make such judgments takes a driver sometime to learn. However weather an experienced driver or not it is likely that you have experience in crossing a road on foot. So when waiting to pull out into traffic ask yourself this question

given the current road traffic situation would I cross the road on foot?

If the answer is yes then it is likely to be safe to pull out in your car.