Junctions and right of way theory test practice
Free, no accountBased on the Rules of the Road
What you need to know
Junctions are where most conflicts happen, so the theory test asks plenty about them. The basic idea is that no one has an absolute right of way: signs, markings and lights tell you who goes first, and you must still take care. A signal such as an indicator or a horn never gives you priority, it only tells others what you intend to do.
At a stop sign you must come to a complete stop at the line, even if the road looks empty, then give way to all traffic before going on. A yield sign (Geill Sli) is different: slow down, look, and stop only if you need to in order to let traffic on the major road pass. At an unmarked junction between roads of equal importance, traffic coming from your right has priority.
Traffic lights change from green to amber to red. Red means stop at the line, and amber means stop unless you are too close to stop safely. Green means go only if the way is clear. A green filter arrow lets you move in that direction even when the main light is red. Lights that are out of order should be treated as a junction where you stop and give way to all.
Turning needs good positioning and observation. When turning right, stay just left of the centre line and give way to oncoming traffic going straight on. Do not cut the corner. Never enter a yellow box junction unless your exit is clear, except when turning right and waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic. Always watch for pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
Rules of the Road: Junctions · Signs · Traffic lights · Yellow box junctions · Signalling
20 practice questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.
You reach a stop sign and the road is completely clear. What must you do?
Mark one answer · keys A to D
All the questions with answers
1. You reach a stop sign and the road is completely clear. What must you do?
Answer: Stop at the line anyway
A stop sign means you must stop at the line every time, even when it is clear.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
2. What does a yield (Geill Sli) sign tell you to do?
Answer: Slow down, and stop only if necessary
At a yield sign you slow down, check, and stop only if you need to let traffic on the major road go first.
Rules of the Road: Signs
3. Two roads of equal importance meet at an unmarked crossroads. Who normally has priority?
Answer: Traffic coming from the right
At unmarked junctions between equal roads, traffic coming from the right has priority.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
4. You are waiting to turn right at a crossroads and an oncoming car is going straight ahead. Who goes first?
Answer: The oncoming car going straight
When turning right you must give way to oncoming traffic going straight ahead.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
5. What does a steady amber traffic light mean?
Answer: Stop, unless you are too close to stop safely
Amber means stop at the line unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
6. The traffic light is green. What should you do?
Answer: Go, if the way is clear
Green means go if the way is clear. It does not give an absolute right of way.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
7. A traffic light is red but there is a green filter arrow pointing left. What may you do?
Answer: Turn left, taking care
A green filter arrow allows you to move in the direction of the arrow even when the main light is red.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
8. What should you do when the traffic lights at a junction are out of order?
Answer: Stop at the line and go when safe, giving way to all
Lights that are not working are treated with caution: stop at the line, proceed only when it is safe and give way to all traffic.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
9. When may you enter a yellow box junction?
Answer: When your exit from the box is clear
You should not enter a yellow box unless your exit is clear, so that you do not block the junction.
Rules of the Road: Yellow box junctions
10. You are in a yellow box junction waiting to turn right and oncoming traffic stops you. Is this allowed?
Answer: Yes, as long as you do not block traffic with right of way
Turning right is the exception: you may wait in the box for a gap, provided you are not blocking traffic with priority.
Rules of the Road: Yellow box junctions
11. You are leaving a private driveway onto a public road. Who should you give way to?
Answer: All traffic on the public road
When exiting a private entrance, you must give way to traffic and pedestrians already on the road.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
12. You are turning left into a side road and pedestrians have started crossing it. What should you do?
Answer: Give way to the pedestrians
Pedestrians already crossing at a junction have priority, and you must give way to them.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
13. You are about to turn right at a junction. Where should you position your car?
Answer: Just left of the centre of the road
Position your car just left of the centre line when turning right, and do not cut the corner.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
14. Why should you avoid cutting the corner when turning right at a junction?
Answer: You may collide with oncoming traffic
Cutting the corner puts you into the path of oncoming vehicles, so you should always turn in the correct position.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
15. Does an indicator signal give you right of way at a junction?
Answer: No, it only shows your intention
A signal never gives you right of way. It tells others what you plan to do.
Rules of the Road: Signalling
16. You have just stopped at a stop line at a T-junction. Whose turn is it to go?
Answer: Traffic already on the road you are joining
At a T-junction, traffic already on the road you are joining goes first.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
17. What should you never do when leaving a minor road to join a major road?
Answer: Reverse out from the minor road
You should never reverse from a minor road onto a major road, because you cannot see clearly or be seen.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
18. Two cars face each other at a crossroads, and both want to turn right. What is the safest way to turn?
Answer: Back to back, if you can see the road
Turn right back to back (each passing behind the other) when possible, or near side to near side if not.
Rules of the Road: Junctions
19. You are stopped in a queue of traffic at a junction with a cyclist's advanced stop line. Where should your car wait?
Answer: Behind the first white line
Cars stop at the first line, leaving the box for cyclists to wait in and set off first.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
20. You are waiting in a right-turn box at traffic lights and the main lights turn red. What should you do?
Answer: Stay in the box and wait, do not go through on red
If you are already in the right-turn box, wait there. Do not cross the junction on a red light.
Rules of the Road: Traffic lights
Questions people ask
- Who has right of way at a junction with no signs in Ireland?
- Where roads are of equal importance and there are no signs or markings, traffic coming from your right has priority. Slow down, look and be ready to stop, as right of way is never absolute.
- What is the difference between a stop sign and a yield sign in Ireland?
- At a stop sign you must always stop at the line, even if the road is clear. At a yield sign you slow down and only stop if you need to let other traffic pass.
- Can I enter a yellow box junction if my exit is not clear?
- No. You should not enter a yellow box unless your exit is clear. The only exception is when you are turning right and are held up by oncoming traffic, and you are not blocking any traffic that has right of way.
- What does a green filter arrow at traffic lights mean?
- It means you may go in the direction of the arrow even if the main traffic light is red, as long as the way is clear. Give way to any pedestrians who are crossing.
Other theory test topics
- Learner permits and licences
- Penalty points and offences
- Alcohol, drugs, phones and fatigue
- Vehicle safety and passengers
- Speed limits and stopping distances
- Roundabouts and turning
- Road signs and markings
- Motorways, overtaking and lanes
- Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
- Parking and stopping
- Hazards, emergencies and breakdowns
Rules summarised from the Rules of the Road (© Road Safety Authority). Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official Driver Theory Test questions.