Crossroads: Who Goes First and How to Turn Safely

At crossroads, the road markings decide who goes first. If you have a give way or stop line, the traffic on the other road has priority. At unmarked crossroads nobody has priority, so slow right down, look all ways and be ready to stop. A crossroads is simply two junctions facing each other, so you use the same MSPSL routine, with more to watch.

Lesson Journey: this guide is part of our lesson-by-lesson series for learner drivers.

• Lesson 1: The cockpit drill (DSSSM)
• Lesson 2: Moving off and stopping
• Lesson 3: Turning left (MSPSL)
• Lesson 4: Turning right (MSPSL)
• Lesson 5: Turning left at traffic lights
• Lesson 6: Turning right at traffic lights
• Lesson 7: Roundabouts
• Lesson 8: Multi-lane and spiral roundabouts
• Lesson 9: Emerging from junctions
• Lesson 10: Crossroads (you are here)
• Lesson 11: Pedestrian crossings
• Coming next: dual carriageways, meeting traffic, hill starts and manoeuvres

Next: Pedestrian crossings →

• You have the give way or stop line: treat it like emerging from a T-junction. Look both ways along the main road, and also check the road opposite you for traffic that may cross or turn.
• You are on the main road: you have priority, but watch for drivers pulling out of either side road, and be ready to slow down.
• Traffic lights: many crossroads in Manchester are controlled by lights. Follow Lesson 5 and Lesson 6.

You’ll find these on housing estates and quiet back streets around Greater Manchester. There are no lines and no signs, and nobody has priority.

• Slow right down as you approach, usually to first or second gear.
• Look left, right and ahead, and keep looking as your view opens up.
• Be ready to stop, and be prepared to give way even if you think you were there first.
• Make eye contact with other drivers if you can, but never rely on a wave alone.

The Highway Code describes two ways to do this:

• Right side to right side (offside to offside): keep the other car on your right and turn behind it. This is generally safer because you can see oncoming traffic.
• Left side to left side (nearside to nearside): you turn in front of each other. This can block your view of oncoming traffic, so take extra care, especially for cyclists and motorcyclists.

Road layout, markings or how the other driver positions can decide which way works. Watch what the other driver does and be ready to adapt.

Check your mirrors, don’t signal, and look for traffic from the side roads. If you have the give way line, you need a gap from both directions before you cross. Watch for pedestrians crossing at the corners.

• Driving through unmarked crossroads too fast, as if you had priority.
• Forgetting to check the road straight ahead for oncoming vehicles turning.
• Cutting across an oncoming right-turner’s path.
• Not looking for pedestrians crossing at the corners.

Why it matters on test day: observation at junctions is the most common fail and positioning when turning right is the 4th. See all top 10 reasons people fail.

Next: stopping safely for people on foot, in Lesson 11: pedestrian crossings.

Our DVSA-approved instructors know the tricky crossroads around Manchester and will practise them with you. Manual and automatic lessons across Greater Manchester, from £35 an hour, 7 days a week from 7am to 11:30pm.

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with an instructor near you, or call 07758 837589.

The Highway Code, GOV.UK. Checked 12 November 2026. Routines like DSSSM and MSPSL are how instructors teach the Highway Code; your instructor may use a slightly different version.

Who has priority at an unmarked crossroads?

Nobody. Slow down, look all ways and be ready to stop and give way.

Who goes first at a crossroads with give way lines?

Traffic on the road without the lines. If the give way line is on your side, you must give way to traffic on the main road.

How do two cars turning right at a crossroads pass each other?

Usually right side to right side (offside to offside), which is generally safer. Sometimes the layout means left side to left side, so take extra care then.

Do I signal when going straight across a crossroads?

No. Check your mirrors and keep to your lane, and look out for traffic from the side roads.