Junctions are where two or more roads meet, and they’re one of the trickiest areas for drivers, especially learners. Whether it’s a T-junction, crossroads, or staggered junction, handling them safely is crucial for passing your test and staying safe on the road.
Below you’ll find clear guidance, practical tips, and things I always tell my students to watch out for.
🛣 Types of Junctions You’ll Encounter
- T-junction – one road meets another perpendicularly.
- Crossroad/crossroads – two roads meet or cross at approximately right angles.
- Staggered junctions – similar to crossroads, but the side roads don’t line up exactly.
- Slip roads/merging junctions – entering or exiting dual carriageways or motorways.
- Roundabouts (though often their own topic) – junctions where traffic flows around a central island.
✅ Safe Approach to Junctions: Key Principles
- Spot signs and clues early
- Look for the Give Way triangle signs, Stop signs, traffic lights, or road markings.
- Watch for vehicles ahead slowing down, or side roads with vehicles waiting.
- Observation & anticipation
- Use MSM / MSM routines:
- Mirror → Signal → Manoeuvre
- For more complex moves, you may also use MSPSL (Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Look)
- Check for pedestrians, cyclists, or cars emerging from side roads.
- Use MSM / MSM routines:
- Who has priority/right of way
- At Give Way junctions, you must give way to traffic on the major road.
- At Stop signs, you must come to a complete stop and proceed only when safe.
- Be careful with emergencies turning – watch if others indicate intending to turn.
- Positioning
- For turning left: stay close to the left, give way, and take turns carefully.
- For turning right: get into the right-hand lane (if safe), signal early, and check for traffic in both directions before turning.
- Avoid cutting corners – stay within your lane.
- Speed control
- Slow down in good time before a junction, don’t brake too late.
- Use engine braking and smooth control, especially if road conditions are poor.
- Completing the manoeuvre
- Move into the lane gently, check mirrors again, and adjust your speed.
- Always re-establish good road position after turning or entering.
🧠 Instructor Tips (From My Experience)
- I often tell learners: “Don’t wait until you’re at the junction to decide what to do.” Planning begins several seconds earlier—scan the side roads, spot parked vehicles, and observe the direction traffic is flowing.
- In lessons, I sometimes call out “junction ahead” earlier than you see the sign – this trains you to be alert and look earlier.
- When practising, drive under different visibility and weather conditions so you get accustomed to spotting junctions in rain, dusk, or fog.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
| Mistake | Why It Happens | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Approaching too fast | Wait until the path is clear, use the correct lane | Scan ahead; reduce speed earlier |
| Failing to observe all directions | Tunnel vision or focusing straight ahead only | Use mirror + side observation before moving |
| Cutting the corner when turning right | Failing to anticipate or recognise a junction in time | Trying to make a turn quickly without ensuring space |
| Forgetting to signal | Either nervousness or oversight | Treat signalling as part of your routine—mirror & signal in one motion |
| Stopping over the “Give Way” line | Wait until the path is clear, and use the correct lane | Always ensure you can stop before the line, not after |
📋 Checklist for Junctions
- Spot signage or markings early
- Observe all directions (left, right, ahead)
- Use mirror → signal → manoeuvre (or MSPSL as needed)
- Position correctly (for left/right turns)
- Control your speed smoothly
- Re-check mirrors after manoeuvre
- Ensure you don’t cut corners
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I always have to stop at every junction?
A: No — only if there’s a Stop sign or you cannot safely proceed. At Give Way junctions, you slow and give priority, but need not always stop if there’s no conflicting traffic.
Q: What if another vehicle turns at the same time as me?
A: Use observation and communication: check mirrors, use signals, and yield where necessary. Be patient and let the other vehicle go if it has priority or a safer line of movement.
Q: Should I use MSM or MSPSL at junctions?
A: For simple turns (left/right), MSM is often sufficient. For more complex or multi-lane manoeuvres (e.g. turning across traffic), use MSPSL to help manage your position, speed, and observation.
📚 Attribution & Official Guidance
Some content below is adapted from the DVSA /Highway Code rules about junctions. FQ Driving Academy is not affiliated with DVSA. For official rules, see:
- The Highway Code – rules for junctions
- DVSA driving skills guidance
