Rules of the Road

This section deals with the rules of the road – regulations which have been put into place to keep road users safe and manage the flow of traffic.  These rules relate to speed limits, junctions, parking, pedestrian crossings and many others. You should read the Highway Code from start to finish in order to learn and understand as many rules of the road as possible.

General Rules of the Road

• You may drive over a footpath to get to a property
• No-one has priority at unmarked crossroads
• If you are approaching a junction and you realise you are in the wrong lane, you cannot change lanes and must carry on
• No stopping at any time in clearways
• No stopping in urban clearways except to pick up and put down passengers

Yellow Box Junctions

• Only enter when your exit road is clear
• If turning right, you may wait in the yellow box for oncoming traffic to pass

Cycle Lanes

• You are not allowed to drive in a cycle lane marked with a solid white line
• A broken white line indicates that you may drive or park in the cycle lane if unavoidable

Overtaking

• While driving on a three lane dual carriageway, use the right hand lane for overtaking and turning right
• You can overtake on either side if driving on a one-way street

Parking

Do not park in the following areas:

• Near a school entrance or exit
• At a bus stop or nearby
• Within 10m of a junction
• Near the brow of a hill
• On the right hand side of a road at night
• In disabled bays without a permit

Obstructions and Stopping

• If the obstruction is on your side of the road, you must give way to oncoming traffic
• You must stop when signalled to do so by the police, a traffic officer or at a school crossing patrol
• Always stop at red traffic lights
• If damage or injury is caused in an accident, you must stop immediately

Turning Left or Right

• If turning left from a main road into a minor road, keep well to the left
• If both you and the oncoming driver are turning right, keep the other vehicle on your right and turn behind it
• If turning right on a dual carriageway with a very narrow central reservation, make sure the road is clear in both directions before turning

Level Crossings

• If the train has passed but the lights keep flashing, you must continue waiting
• If the lights come on and the bell rings when you are already on the crossing, keep going until clear

Headlights

• Headlights must be used at night even in well-lit areas
• If a vehicle overtakes you at night, dip your headlights as soon as the vehicle has passed

Pedestrian Crossings

• Zebra crossing: although the actual rule is that you are only obliged to stop once a pedestrian is on the crossing, if you see someone waiting to cross, you should stop and allow them to do so
• Toucan crossing: be aware that cyclists as well as pedestrians may cross
• Pelican crossing: give way to pedestrians still on the crossing when the amber light is flashing

Reversing

• You may remove your seatbelt but don’t reverse any longer than necessary, and always check it’s safe to do so
• Never reverse from a side road directly into a main road
• If you are reversing into a side road, be aware that the greatest danger is when the front of your vehicle swings out

Rules Of The Road Theory Test Tips

The best way to pass the questions in this section is to do your best to learn and understand the rules.