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Road scene · Intersection scenes

Turning right across oncoming traffic

When you turn right, oncoming vehicles going straight or turning left go first.

Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 72Asked in general knowledgeShown in 4 practice questions

What it means

Turning right across oncoming traffic: what is the rule?

The yellow car has come up from the bottom of the crossroad and wants to turn right. A white car is coming the other way, heading straight down through the junction. Their paths cross, and the turning driver is the one who waits. The same idea holds on a green circle at traffic lights: green lets you turn right, but only once oncoming traffic is clear.

What to do

  1. 1

    Position near the centre of the road with your wheels pointing straight while you wait.

  2. 2

    Turn only when oncoming traffic has passed or leaves a safe gap.

  3. 3

    Check for pedestrians crossing the street you are turning into.

Practice questions with this scene

You are turning right at an intersection without lights and a car is coming the other way to go straight. Who goes first?

Right.Not quite. The answer is B.

A driver turning right gives way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning left.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 72

You are on the through road of a T-intersection, waiting to turn right into the side road. An oncoming car is continuing straight along the through road. Who goes first?

Right.Not quite. The answer is B.

When you turn right off the through road, you give way to oncoming traffic. Being on the through road only gives you priority over the road that ends.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 73

Common questions

Who goes first when you turn right and an oncoming car turns left?
The oncoming car turning left. A right turning driver gives way to oncoming left turns too.
Why keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn right?
If you are hit from behind, straight wheels stop the car being pushed into oncoming traffic.
NSW Learner mock exam screen: 45 questions, no time limit, two sections with their pass marks
A practice question in NSW Learner answered correctly, with the explanation card
LP

Your L plate turns green when you would pass

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