NSW give way rules

Signs, stop lines and give way lines

To give way is to let someone else go ahead of you safely. Sometimes that takes a stop, and sometimes only slowing.

• At a give way sign with nobody around, you may keep moving after checking.
• At a stop sign you stop completely, even on an empty road, and then give way.
• A solid stop line with no sign has the same effect as a stop sign.
• A broken line painted across your lane means the same as a give way sign.
• A give way sign before a narrow bridge means vehicles already on it, or approaching from the opposite end, get it first.

Driveways, the kerb and your own lane

Many everyday give way questions happen nowhere near an intersection.

• Leaving a driveway or car park: give way to traffic on the road and people on the footpath.
• Turning left into a driveway: people walking along the footpath go first.
• Turning right into a driveway: oncoming traffic and people on the footpath both go first.
• Pulling out from the kerb: every vehicle on the road goes first, cyclists included.
• Moving sideways within a wide lane, say around a parked car: a rider or driver already in that space has priority.
• Making a U-turn: you give way to all vehicles and all pedestrians.

Lane changes, merges and painted islands

When lanes meet, whoever is already there usually wins.

• Moving across a broken lane line: vehicles already in that lane have priority.
• Two lines merging with no lane lines: the vehicle that is ahead goes first.
• Your lane is ending: give way to traffic in the lane that continues.
• Crossing a painted island into a turning lane: any car already in the turning lane goes first.
• Crossing through a median gap, or waiting in a median turning bay: traffic on the road you cross or join goes first.

Give way at intersections

Here the shape of the junction and its signs set the order.

• No signs or lights: the vehicle on your right goes first, whether you go straight or turn left.
• At a T-intersection, traffic on the road that ends waits for the through road.
• Turning right: oncoming traffic going straight or turning left goes before you.
• Turning either way, including on a green circle: pedestrians crossing the road you enter go first.
• A LEFT TURN ON RED PERMITTED AFTER STOPPING sign: come to a full stop first, then turn only once vehicles from the right and people crossing are clear.
• Entering a roundabout: give way to everyone already circulating, bikes too.

Turning left as an oncoming car turns right into the same street? You go first.

People on foot

Pedestrians have priority in more places than many learners expect.

• Anyone on a pedestrian crossing has priority, so stop and let them cross.
• When the flags are out at a children's crossing, stay stopped while anyone is on it. A supervisor's hand-held STOP sign keeps you there until it comes down or you are waved through.
• Flashing yellow at mid block pedestrian lights: anyone on the crossing goes first, and you may move off once it is empty.
• In a shared zone, people on foot have priority wherever they walk.
• Away from any crossing, a person on the road still gets your care: slow down or stop so you do not hit them.

Emergency vehicles, police, buses, trams and trains

Some road users get priority because of the job they do.

• Emergency vehicles sounding a siren or showing flashing blue or red lights, even just one of the two: never pull out ahead of them, make room when safe, and let them through on your green.
• A police officer directing traffic overrides the lights, so follow their direction.
• Do not cut into or drive through a funeral procession.
• In a built-up area, let a bus with a give way to buses sign pull out from a stop when it signals.
• Keep clear of trams in tram lanes, and at a level crossing with a give way sign, let any train go first.