Right of way at intersections: the hardest topic, simply

Right of way at an intersection is decided in a strict order: 1) is there a working traffic light or a traffic controller — you obey only them, and priority signs do not apply (points 20, 173); 2) if the intersection is unregulated, traffic on the main road goes first (point 96); 3) between equals the right-hand rule applies — you give way to whoever approaches from your right (point 98); 4) a driver turning left or making a U-turn gives way to oncoming traffic going straight or right (point 99). Those four steps answer every intersection question in the exam bank.

Intersections are where candidates make the most mistakes. Memorizing doesn't work here — you have to play each picture out. Below are the rules in detail and the special cases. Point numbers refer to the Rules of the Road (Annex 1 to RA Government Decision No. 955-N of June 28, 2007, referred to below as the Rules).

Step one: decide which kind of intersection it is

Every intersection question starts with one question: is it regulated or unregulated?

• It is regulated when the order of passage is set by a traffic controller or by traffic lights (Rules, point 89). Then the "Main road" and "Give way" signs do not apply: where light signals contradict the requirements of priority signs, drivers follow the lights (point 173), and a controller's signals must be obeyed even when they contradict the lights, the signs or the markings (point 20).
• It is unregulated when there is no traffic light or controller, the light isn't working, or flashing amber is on (Rules, points 7(4), 95). That's where the signs and the right-hand rule do the work.

A lot of mistakes are born at this step: the picture has both a light and a sign, and the candidate starts applying the sign — but with a working light the priority sign does not apply. The signals themselves are covered separately, in the post on traffic light and traffic controller signals.

An unregulated intersection: three rules, in order

1. Traffic on the main road always goes first

If you are on the main road — sign 2.1 "Main road" is posted, or you are crossing a road that has 2.4 "Give way" or 2.5 "No driving without stopping" (the sign everyone calls STOP) at its entry — drivers coming from the secondary road must give way to you, whatever direction they will take next (Rules, point 96).

The difference between those two signs is what they demand of the driver who faces them. With 2.4, giving way is enough. With 2.5 you must also stop: before the stop line, or, if there is none, before the edge of the crossed roadway.

2. Between equals, the right-hand rule applies

When you are both on the main road, or both on the secondary road, priority is decided by the right-hand rule: you give way to whoever approaches from your right (Rules, point 98). The same rule governs an intersection of equal roads where there are no signs at all, and tram drivers apply it among themselves.

3. A driver turning left gives way to oncoming traffic

If you and the oncoming car are on equal terms (both on the main road or both on the secondary), then when turning left or making a U-turn you must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right (Rules, point 99).

These three rules apply in exactly that order: first work out the status of the roads, then who is approaching from the right, then the give-way duty when turning left.

Special cases the exam likes to ask

A tram has priority on equal terms. When a tram and a non-rail vehicle are equal (both on the main road or both on the secondary), the tram goes first whatever direction it is taking (Rules, points 96, 98, 100).

The main road can change direction. With plate 8.13 "Direction of the main road", the main road turns at the intersection. Drivers who are on it then apply the equal-road rules among themselves, and so do the drivers on the secondary roads (Rules, point 97).

Roundabouts. When entering a roundabout marked with sign 4.3 "Roundabout", you must give way to vehicles already moving around it (Rules, point 98.1). There is no "unless the signs say otherwise" here: this is the exception written into point 98 itself, which is why the right-hand rule does not work on a roundabout.

You can't tell whether the road is paved. If you cannot tell whether the road is paved (dark time of day, mud, snow and so on) and there are no priority signs, assume you are on the secondary road (Rules, point 101). This is a classic trap in the pictures.

A jam beyond the intersection. You may not enter an intersection if congestion ahead would force you to stop and block traffic on the crossing road, except when turning right or left as the Rules allow (Rules, point 88). And you must approach at a speed that lets you stop and let through the vehicles that have priority (point 86.1).

How to solve any intersection question

In the exam, always run the same algorithm.

1. Is the intersection regulated? → if yes, follow the light or the controller, and that's the whole answer (Rules, points 20, 89, 173).
2. Who is on the main road? → those on the main road go first (point 96).
3. Between equals → the right-hand rule (point 98).
4. Are you turning left or making a U-turn? → give way to oncoming traffic (point 99).

Approach every question in that order and the "hard" intersections stop being hard.

Practice this exact topic

In bibip's practice section, the official intersection questions with their pictures sit mostly in Group 5 · Right of way at intersections, and questions about regulated intersections turn up in Group 6 · Traffic light and traffic controller signals as well. You can work through them without registering. There is also a cross-group set, Intersections, which pulls those questions together, and a short theory chapter for group 5 that gives the same rules with the point numbers. Once your score in these groups is reliably high, test yourself in the full exam simulation: 3 psychological-test questions, then 20 knowledge questions from across the topics, 30 minutes, and a pass mark of at least 18 of 20.

See also: left turn and lane choice.