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Road scene · Lane and overtaking scenes

Two lanes merge with no line: the car ahead goes first

At a merge with no lane lines, whichever vehicle is in front goes first.

Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 149Asked in road safetyShown in 2 practice questions

What it means

Two lanes merge with no line: the car ahead goes first: what is the rule?

The road narrows from two lanes to one, its right edge angling in, with no line marking where a lane ends. A white car is already a little ahead in the left lane. The plate-yellow car, in the part being squeezed out, follows its yellow path in behind the white car rather than racing it. With no lane line, position decides: the vehicle in front has priority, whichever side it is on.

What to do

  1. 1

    Work out which vehicle is ahead as you approach the narrowing.

  2. 2

    Ease off and fall in behind if the other car is in front.

  3. 3

    Keep watching the other driver even when you are the one ahead.

Practice questions with this scene

Two lanes merge into one and there are no lane lines. The car on your left is slightly ahead of you. Who goes first?

Right.Not quite. The answer is C.

At a merge with no lane lines, the vehicle in front goes first.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 149

Two lanes merge into one and there are no lane lines. You are in the right lane, slightly ahead of the car on your left. Who goes first?

Right.Not quite. The answer is A.

Where lanes merge with no lines, the vehicle that is ahead goes first. Here that is you, but still watch the other car.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 149

Common questions

Who has right of way when two lanes merge into one in NSW?
With no lane lines, the vehicle that is ahead goes first. If the car beside you is in front, let it in.
What if I am slightly ahead in the right lane?
Then you go first, but keep an eye on the other car in case its driver misjudges the merge.
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