Sharing the road doesn't always feel fair, but it isn't guesswork either. At junctions especially, there are clear rules that decide who has priority, and knowing them is one of the most important skills for passing your driving test and staying safe afterwards. This guide covers who has right of way at every type of junction you'll meet: T-junctions, crossroads, roundabouts, staggered junctions and unmarked junctions, plus how to approach, emerge and observe safely at each one.
The Two Core Rules of Right of Way
In the UK, right of way at junctions comes down to two simple principles. Traffic on a main road has priority over traffic joining from a minor road, and vehicles going straight ahead or turning left take priority over those turning right.
In practice these often overlap. You might be on a main road but still need to give way if you're turning right across oncoming traffic. So every junction asks you to quickly read both the road layout and the movement of other vehicles, then apply good judgement on top of the rules.
Right of Way at T-Junctions
A T-junction is the most common junction, where one road ends and joins another in a "T" shape. The first thing to work out is whether you're on the main road or the minor road. If your road continues ahead, you're on the main road. If it ends and forces you to turn left or right, you're on the minor road.
On the main road you usually have priority over vehicles joining from the side, but this changes when you turn right, because you must then give way to oncoming traffic. Even with priority, stay alert: drivers pulling out from side roads may be slow to accelerate.
Emerging from the minor road, you must give way in all directions. Wait for a safe gap and only pull out when you won't force another driver to slow down.
Open and Closed T-Junctions
Instructors describe T-junctions as open or closed, depending on your view as you approach. At an open junction you have a good view into the main road and can sometimes emerge without stopping. At a closed junction, buildings, hedges or parked cars block your view until you're right at the line, so you'll almost always need to stop and edge forward using "creep and peep", moving slowly under clutch control until you can see enough to decide it's safe.
Right of Way at Crossroads
Crossroads are more complex because traffic can move in four directions at once, and how you approach depends on how the junction is controlled.
At traffic-light crossroads, follow the signals, but remember that turning right still means giving way to oncoming traffic unless a green filter arrow gives you priority. At marked crossroads without lights, the main-road rules apply: straight-ahead and left-turning traffic on the main road has priority, and anyone emerging from a minor road gives way.
A useful habit at crossroads is the 1-2-3 observation method: check the road to the right, the road opposite, then the road to the left, repeating as needed before you commit.
Turning Right at Crossroads
If a driver opposite also wants to turn right, you have three options: give way to each other, pass in front (nearside to nearside), or pass behind (offside to offside). The right choice depends on the junction size, traffic and what the other driver does. Passing behind gives the best view but often isn't practical for space. Where it matters, road markings will show which side to pass.
Staggered and Unmarked Crossroads
At a staggered crossroad the side roads aren't directly opposite, so a car pulling out ahead of you might slow rather than speed up as it aims for the second turn. Leave a bigger gap than usual.
Unmarked crossroads are the most unpredictable. With no signs or markings, no one has priority, not even a driver who knows the road is "the main one". Never assume priority: be ready to give way, and only proceed when you're 100% sure it's safe.
Right of Way at Roundabouts
At roundabouts you give way to traffic already on the roundabout, particularly traffic coming from your right. Judge how fast approaching vehicles are moving and whether they're signalling to exit, and only enter when you won't force anyone to brake. Once on the roundabout you generally have priority, but stay aware of lane changes and missed signals.
Mini-roundabouts follow the same rules, but the smaller space means decisions happen faster and it's common for several vehicles to arrive at once. Some larger roundabouts add traffic lights or left filter lanes, which override the usual rules, so follow the signs and markings.
Slip Roads and Merging
Joining from a slip road, the rule is simple: traffic already on the road has priority. Match your speed to the traffic and merge smoothly into a gap, using your mirrors and checking your blind spot. Other drivers may make room, but never rely on it, always be ready to adjust your speed.
Approaching and Emerging Safely
Dealing with junctions safely starts well before you arrive. Spotting a junction early gives you time to use the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine: check your mirrors, signal your intention in good time (even if there's no one behind, someone may be around the corner), then position and adjust speed for the turn.
Emerging is where judgement matters most. Only move when you can clearly see it's safe, taking account of the speed and distance of approaching traffic, and once you commit, act decisively, hesitation can be as dangerous as rushing. After joining the new road, a quick mirror check helps you settle safely into the flow.
Common Junction Mistakes on the Driving Test
Junctions are one of the biggest sources of lost marks on the driving test. The most common fault is poor observation: not checking mirrors or properly assessing traffic before moving. Others include approaching too fast or too slow, positioning the car incorrectly when turning right, pulling out so that another driver has to react, and hesitating so long that it disrupts traffic flow. Good observation and decisive, well-timed decisions are exactly what the examiner is looking for.
Summary: Who Has Priority at Junctions?
As a quick reference, priority at junctions usually comes down to this: main road beats minor road; straight-ahead and left-turning traffic beats right-turning traffic; on roundabouts, give way to the right; on slip roads, traffic already on the road has priority; and at unmarked junctions, nobody has automatic priority, so always be ready to give way. When you're not sure, the safest rule is the simplest one: if you don't know, don't go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has right of way at an unmarked crossroads?
Nobody has automatic priority at an unmarked crossroads. Even if you're on what looks like the main road, a driver on the other road may believe the same, so you must always be prepared to give way and only proceed when you're certain it's safe.
Do I have to give way when turning right from a main road?
Yes. Even with priority on the main road, turning right means crossing the path of oncoming traffic, so you must give way to vehicles coming towards you before you complete the turn.
What is the 1-2-3 method at crossroads?
It's a simple observation routine: check the road to your right, the road opposite, and the road to your left, repeating as needed. It helps you take in every road at a crossroads before deciding it's safe to go.
What does "creep and peep" mean?
Creep and peep is how you emerge safely when parked cars or obstructions block your view. You move forward very slowly using clutch control, looking all around, until you can see enough to decide it's safe to pull out.
Are junctions a common reason for failing the driving test?
Yes. Junctions are one of the most common places learners lose marks, usually through poor observation, incorrect positioning, or emerging in a way that makes another driver slow down. Practising the MSM routine and good observation is the best way to avoid these faults.