Will a learner hesitating at give way signs count against them in the test?

A short, sensible pause to check it is safe is fine and often exactly what an examiner wants to see. What tends to cost marks is not looking properly, or stopping dead when the way is clearly clear and holding up traffic. It usually settles with practice at a few local give way signs.

GIVE WAY RULES - WHO GOES FIRST | Metro Driving School

Give way rules are one of the parts of driving that look obvious from the passenger seat and get trickier the moment you are the one deciding. Most of the confusion comes down to a handful of situations that keep catching people out, so this guide sorts them by scenario. Pick the one you want, and it tells you who gives way and who goes first in Queensland.

Work out who goes first in this order

It sounds simple written down. On the road you are often reading the intersection, checking mirrors and watching for pedestrians at the same time, which is exactly why a clear routine helps. Once the order becomes second nature, the individual scenarios get much easier to judge.

Pick your scenario

Roundabout T-intersection Turning right Stop & give way Merging U-turn Bus pulling out Entering a road

Roundabouts Already on wins

Approaching a roundabout.

You give way toEvery vehicle already on the roundabout, whether it is on your left or your right.

Then you goWhen there is a safe gap and nothing already circulating is in your path, you can enter without stopping.

Common mix-upIt is not a give-way-to-the-right rule. If a vehicle is already on the roundabout it has right of way, full stop. Signal left as you leave your exit.

T-intersections

One road ends, the other continues.

You give way toIf your road ends at the T, give way to all traffic on the road that continues through, from both directions.

You go first ifYou are on the continuing road, the top of the T. Traffic joining from the ending road gives way to you.

Watch forA give way or stop sign can still be added at a T-intersection. If there is a sign, follow the sign.

Turning right with no signs

A crossroads with no signs, signals or markings.

You give way toOncoming vehicles going straight ahead or turning left, and any vehicle on your right.

The right-hand ruleAt an uncontrolled crossroads, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.

In practiceIf you are turning right and someone opposite is coming straight through, they go first. Wait for a clear gap before you turn.

Stop and give way signs

Signed intersections.

Give way signSlow down, be ready to stop, and give way to all traffic before you continue.

Stop signCome to a complete stop at the line, then give way to all traffic before you go.

Common mythA stop sign does not outrank a give way sign. If both roads are signed, give way to the vehicle on your right and to any traffic your path would cross.

Merging lanes

Two lanes becoming one.

Marked lane endsWhere lane lines are painted and your lane ends, give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving into.

Lines of traffic mergeWhere there are no lane markings, give way to any vehicle that is ahead of you. This is the zip merge.

Common mix-upMerging is not give way to the right. Take turns like a zip, indicate early, and turn the indicator off once you are across.

U-turns

Turning to face the other way.

You give way toAll other vehicles and pedestrians before you start the turn.

Where it is allowedOnly where you have a clear view and no sign bans it. You cannot U-turn across a single continuous centre line or at some signals.

In practiceA U-turn gives you no right of way at all. If in doubt, wait for a long gap in both directions.

Buses pulling out

A bus re-entering traffic.

You give way toA bus signalling to move off from a bus stop, bus zone or shoulder while it displays a give way sign.

Where it appliesOnly in a built-up area where the speed limit is 70 km/h or less.

In practiceEase off, let the bus move out, then carry on. Above 70 km/h the bus gives way to you instead.

Entering or leaving a road

Driveways, kerbs and side entrances.

Leaving a drivewayGive way to pedestrians and bicycle or personal mobility device riders on the footpath, and to all traffic on the road you are entering.

Pulling out from a parkGive way to moving traffic before you pull back out from the kerb.

Turning into a roadGive way to pedestrians and riders already on or crossing the road you are turning into.

RememberWhen you are the one entering traffic, everyone already on the road goes first.

Reminders that catch people out

A few give-way situations trip up experienced drivers as often as learners. These are worth keeping in mind.

🚦

Signs and signals first

Lights, signs and markings always decide before the general give-way rules do.

➡️

Give way to your right

At an unsigned crossroads, the vehicle on your right goes first.

🔄

Roundabouts: already on wins

Anyone already circulating has right of way, left side or right.

🚛

Give trucks room

Large vehicles swing wide, especially turning left. Hang back rather than sit beside them.

🚶

Pedestrians when you turn

Give way to people crossing the road you are turning into.

🅿️

Pulling out from a park

Give way to traffic before you leave the kerb and rejoin the road.

Common questions from Queensland drivers

Who gives way at a roundabout in Queensland? +

You give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout, whether it is approaching from your left or your right. It does not matter which direction it came from. Once there is a safe gap and nothing already on the roundabout is in your path, you can enter, and you signal left as you leave your exit.

At a crossroads with no signs, who goes first? +

At an uncontrolled crossroads you give way to any vehicle on your right. If you are turning right, you also give way to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead or turning left. When two drivers arrive together and both are unsure, a little patience and eye contact usually sorts it out safely.

Does a stop sign beat a give way sign? +

No. A stop sign is not more powerful than a give way sign when it comes to who goes first. The only difference is that a stop sign requires a complete stop at the line, while a give way sign lets you keep rolling if it is clearly safe. If both roads at an intersection are signed, you still give way to the vehicle on your right.

My learner keeps hesitating at give way signs. Will that count against them in the test? +

A short, sensible pause to check it is safe is fine, and often exactly what an examiner wants to see. What tends to cost marks is either not looking properly or stopping dead when the way is clearly clear and holding up traffic. It usually settles with practice at a few local give way signs, so the decision starts to feel routine rather than something to agonise over. A patient instructor can talk a nervous learner through the judgement without the pressure of a parent in the passenger seat.

Do I give way to the right when merging in Brisbane traffic? +

Not as a rule. When your marked lane ends, you give way to traffic already in the lane you are moving into. When two lines of traffic merge and there are no lane markings, you give way to whichever vehicle is ahead of you, taking turns like a zip. The give-way-to-the-right idea is a common misunderstanding that does not apply to merging.

GIVE WAY RULES - WHO GOES FIRST

Give way rules: who goes first

On this page