Turning right across traffic

Watch it, then drive it

1. 1

   Watch how it is done

   Instructors film this one step by step. Watch a couple before your first try.

   More videos on YouTube↗
2. 2

   Drive it with the coach

   Guided mode puts the reference points on screen and stops you the moment you drift.

   Practise this in the simulator
3. 3

   Test yourself

   Test mode says nothing and marks you in the examiner's words. Three clean runs in a row and it is learnt.

The rule

Highway Code rule 179 says to check your mirrors, signal right and take up a position just left of the middle of the road before you turn. Rule 180 says to wait until there is a safe gap between you and any oncoming vehicle, and to watch for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians before you go. Turn when the front of your car reaches the centre of the side road, so you do not cut the corner.

Wheels straight while you wait

If you wait with the wheels already turned and someone hits you from behind, you are pushed straight into the oncoming traffic. Keep them straight and turn the wheel only when you go.

Where it sits on the marking sheet

Junctions – turning right covers positioning and judgement. Turning across an oncoming car so it has to brake is a serious fault in the simulator, as it would be on the test. The coach also tells you where to position and when to turn, so you build the whole routine, not just the wait.

How you practise it here

Watch drives it for you with the commentary running, so you see the whole thing once before you touch anything. Guided puts the reference points on screen and stops you the moment you drift. Test says nothing and marks you in the words the examiner uses. Three clean Test runs in a row counts as learned, and it comes back two days, a week and three weeks later so it is still there on the day.

Step by step

These are the words the simulator says to you, in order, the same commentary you would get from the passenger seat.

1. 1You will turn right into the side road ahead. Check your mirrors and blind spot, then move off.
2. 2Mirrors, then signal right. Move to just left of the centre line so traffic behind can pass on your left.
3. 3Cars are coming towards you and they go first. Slow down and stop with the front of your car level with the middle of the side road.
4. 4Keep your wheels straight while you wait: if someone hits you from behind, you are not pushed into the oncoming traffic. Wait for a gap big enough that nobody has to slow down.
5. 5Turn now, at a steady pace. Do not cut the corner: aim for your side of the new road.
6. 6Straighten up, check your mirror and make sure the signal has cancelled.
7. 7Slow down and stop on your side of the road.
8. 8You waited for a safe gap and turned without cutting the corner. Stop here and tap Finished.

Common questions