Turning Right at Traffic Lights: Waiting, Gaps and Box Junctions

To turn right at traffic lights: get into the right-turn lane early and signal right. When the light is green, move forward to the turning point if you need to wait for oncoming traffic, keep your wheels straight, and turn when there’s a safe gap. It builds on Lesson 4 and Lesson 5.

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 (you are here)
• Lesson 7: Roundabouts
• Lesson 8: Multi-lane and spiral roundabouts
• Coming next: emerging from junctions, crossroads, pedestrian crossings and manoeuvres

Next: Roundabouts →

1. Mirrors: check your interior and right door mirrors well before the junction.
2. Signal: signal right in good time.
3. Position: use the lane marked for right, or position just left of the middle of the road if there is only one lane.
4. Speed: slow down and be ready to stop at the white line if the light is red or amber.
5. Look: check the lights, oncoming traffic, and the road you’re turning into.

When the light is green but oncoming traffic is coming through, the Highway Code lets you move forward to position for your right turn. Move up to the turning point, roughly opposite the centre line of the road you’re turning into, and wait there.

• Keep your wheels straight while you wait. If you’re hit from behind with your wheels turned, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.
• If the lights change while you’re waiting, you’ve already crossed the stop line, so complete your turn when it’s safe, once oncoming traffic has stopped.
• Watch for late runners: some drivers go through on amber. Take a second look before you turn.

When an oncoming car is also turning right, you’ll usually pass each other right side to right side, keeping the other car on your right. This is generally safer because you can see oncoming traffic. Some junctions are marked so you pass left side to left side. Then your view is blocked, so take extra care and creep forward if you need to.

Many lights in Greater Manchester have a green arrow pointing right. When it shows, oncoming traffic is held on red, so you can turn without waiting for a gap. Still check for pedestrians and anyone running a late light.

You must not enter a yellow box unless your exit road or lane is clear. When turning right, you may enter the box and wait if the only thing stopping you is oncoming traffic or other cars waiting to turn right. At signal-controlled roundabouts, you must not enter the box unless you can cross it completely without stopping.

• Waiting behind the stop line on green when you could have moved forward to the turning point.
• Turning the wheel while waiting.
• Cutting the corner into the new road.
• Stopping inside a yellow box when your exit isn’t clear.

Traffic light faults are the 5th most common reason people fail, and positioning when turning right is the 4th. See all top 10 reasons people fail.

Our DVSA-approved instructors practise right turns at lights until waiting in the junction feels natural. 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.

Can I wait in the middle of a junction to turn right?

Yes. On green, you can move forward to the turning point and wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic, keeping your wheels straight.

What if the lights turn red while I am waiting to turn right?

You have already crossed the stop line, so complete the turn when it is safe, once oncoming traffic has stopped.

Can I enter a yellow box junction to turn right?

Yes, if your exit is clear and the only thing stopping you is oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.

Do I pass oncoming right-turning cars on the left or right?

Usually right side to right side (offside to offside), which is generally safer. Follow the road markings where they show otherwise.