Emerging From Junctions: Give Way, Stop Lines and Pulling Out Safely

To emerge from a junction: use MSPSL on the approach, stop or slow at the line depending on the markings and your view, look right, left and right again, and only pull out when there’s a gap big enough to join the main road safely. Lessons 3 and 4 were about turning into side roads. This lesson is about coming out of them, where you have to give way.

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 (you are here)
• Lesson 10: Crossroads
• Lesson 11: Pedestrian crossings
• Coming next: dual carriageways, meeting traffic, hill starts and manoeuvres

Next: Crossroads →

• STOP sign and a solid white line: you must stop behind the line, every time, even if the road looks clear. Then wait for a safe gap.
• Give Way sign or triangle, with broken white lines: you must give way to traffic on the main road. You only need to stop if it isn’t safe to go.
• No markings at all: on quiet side roads, treat it as a give way and take extra care. The Highway Code warns that some junctions are unmarked and nobody has priority.

Instructors often talk about two types of junction:

• Open junction: you can see well both ways as you approach. If it’s clear and it’s a give way, you may be able to emerge without stopping, in second gear.
• Closed junction: your view is blocked by walls, hedges, buildings or parked cars. Slow right down, usually to first gear, and be ready to stop at the line.

At a closed junction, creep forward slowly, using clutch control, until you can see properly. Keep looking both ways as your view opens up. Don’t pull out until you can see far enough to be sure it’s safe, and watch for pedestrians crossing the end of the road.

• Look right, left and right again, and keep looking. Traffic changes quickly.
• Allow for the speed of the traffic. A car on a 40mph road closes the gap much faster than one on a 20mph street.
• Take a second look for motorcyclists and cyclists. They are small and easy to miss.
• Don’t assume a car signalling left will turn. Wait until it actually starts turning.
• Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you’re turning out of.

• Turning left: you only need a gap in traffic from your right, but still check left for overtaking vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Turning right: you need a gap from both directions at the same time. Position just left of the centre line of the side road, and look right, left and right again before you go.

• Rolling over a solid STOP line instead of stopping completely.
• Pulling out because the road “looked clear” after one quick glance.
• Waiting too long at an open junction when it was clearly safe.
• Stalling while creeping forward. Keep the clutch at the biting point.

Why it matters on test day: not making effective observations at junctions is the most common reason people fail the driving test in Great Britain. See all top 10 reasons people fail.

Next: junctions where four roads meet, in Lesson 10: crossroads.

Our DVSA-approved instructors practise emerging on quiet estates first, then busier Manchester main roads. 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.

Do I have to stop at a give way line?

No, only if it is not safe to go. At a STOP sign with a solid white line you must always stop behind the line.

What is a closed junction?

A junction where your view of the main road is blocked by walls, hedges, buildings or parked cars. Slow down, creep forward and look carefully before emerging.

What gear should I emerge in?

Usually first gear at a closed junction, and sometimes second gear at an open junction when it is clear.

Why do so many people fail at junctions?

Not making effective observations at junctions is the most common driving test fault in Great Britain. Look right, left and right again, and take a second look for motorcyclists.