Rules of the Road

The rules that govern who goes first, how you use lanes, speed limits, and how to handle junctions and roundabouts.

If everyone follows the same rules, traffic flows safely. Breaking them causes collisions, fines and points on your licence.

• Stopping in a yellow box junction when your exit isn't clear.
• Overtaking on the approach to a pedestrian crossing.
• Not giving way to traffic from the right at a roundabout.
• Driving in a bus lane during its hours of operation.

• At a roundabout: give way to traffic from your right unless signs say otherwise.
• At an unmarked crossroads, nobody has priority — proceed with care.
• Speed limits are a maximum, not a target. Drive to the conditions.
• You can enter a yellow box to turn right if only oncoming traffic is stopping you.

• Turning right at a roundabout: approach in the right-hand lane, signal right, signal left as you pass the exit before yours.
• At a T-junction with broken white lines, you must give way to traffic on the major road.

• Built-up area: 30 mph unless signed.
• Single carriageway: 60 mph cars.
• Dual carriageway / motorway: 70 mph cars (60 mph if towing).
• New drivers lose licence at 6 points within 2 years of passing.