Understanding Give Way Rules at Different Intersection Types in New Zealand

Master NZ give way rules with this comprehensive guide covering every intersection type. Learn the hierarchy of right-of-way, common scenarios, and test-critical situations you’ll encounter on NZ roads.

The Foundation: NZ Give Way Hierarchy

Understanding who has right of way follows a clear hierarchy in New Zealand:

Priority Order (Highest to Lowest)

Emergency vehicles (with sirens/lights active)
Traffic already in roundabouts
Traffic turning right (at uncontrolled intersections)
Traffic going straight ahead
Traffic turning left
Traffic from major roads (at T-intersections)
Traffic from the right (equal intersections)

The Golden Rule

“Give way to traffic that doesn’t have to give way to you” – This simple phrase covers most NZ give way situations.

Controlled Intersections

Traffic Light Intersections

Green Light Rules:

Straight ahead: Right of way over all turning traffic
Turning right: Give way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left
Turning left: Right of way over all other movements

Yellow Light Rules:

Can stop safely: You must stop
Cannot stop safely: Proceed with caution
Already in intersection: Complete your movement safely

Red Light Rules:

Complete stop required before the stop line
Turning left on red: Prohibited (unlike some countries)
Right turn on red: Prohibited in all circumstances

💡 Test Tip: Yellow light doesn’t mean “speed up” – it means prepare to stop.

Traffic Light + Arrow Combinations

Green Arrow Signals:

Right green arrow: Right of way over all traffic
Left green arrow: Protected left turn
Straight green arrow: Protected straight movement

Red Arrow Signals:

Red right arrow: Cannot turn right, even if main light is green
Red left arrow: Cannot turn left, even if main light is green

Flashing Arrows:

Flashing yellow arrow: Proceed with caution, give way to oncoming traffic
Flashing red arrow: Treat as stop sign, then proceed when safe

Uncontrolled Intersections

T-Intersections (One Road Ends)

Rule: Traffic on the continuing road has right of way over traffic from the terminating road.

Scenario 1: You’re on the continuing road

Going straight: You have right of way
Turning: You still have right of way over vehicles from the side road

Scenario 2: You’re on the terminating road

Any movement: Give way to all traffic on the continuing road
Wait for: A safe gap in both directions

Common Test Question: “At a T-intersection, who gives way?” Answer: The vehicle from the road that ends gives way to vehicles on the continuing road.

Cross Intersections (Four-Way, No Signs)

These are rare in NZ but still tested:

Right-Hand Rule: When no signs control the intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.

Turning Right Priority:

Traffic turning right has right of way over traffic turning left from the opposite direction
Both must give way to traffic going straight

Example Scenario:

Car A: Going straight from north
Car B: Turning right from south
Car C: Turning left from south
Car D: Approaching from east

Order of movement: A (straight), B (turning right), C (turning left), D (from right)

Side Road Intersections

Major Road Priority: Traffic on the major road (usually wider, better maintained) has right of way over traffic from minor side roads.

Visual Clues for Major Roads:

Wider pavement
Center line markings
Better surface condition
More traffic volume

Roundabout Rules

Basic Roundabout Principles

Entering the Roundabout:

Give way to traffic from your right (already in the roundabout)
Enter when safe gap appears
Choose correct lane before entering

Inside the Roundabout:

Traffic in roundabout has right of way over entering traffic
Stay in your lane – don’t change lanes inside
Signal your exit (left indicator as you pass the exit before yours)

Multi-Lane Roundabouts

Left Lane (Inner Lane):

Use for: Left turns and straight ahead
Exit: First or second exit

Right Lane (Outer Lane):

Use for: Right turns and straight ahead
Exit: Second, third, or subsequent exits

Lane Changing:

Not permitted inside roundabout
Choose correct lane before entering
If in wrong lane: Continue around and try again

💡 Test Trap: Many students think you can change lanes inside roundabouts – you cannot!

Complex Roundabout Scenarios

Scenario 1: Emergency vehicle approaching

Action: Exit the roundabout if safely possible, then pull over
If cannot exit: Continue to next safe exit point

Scenario 2: Pedestrian crossing at roundabout

Rule: Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Location: Usually between roundabout and approach roads

Scenario 3: Breakdown in roundabout

Action: Try to exit if possible
If stuck: Turn on hazard lights, call for help
Other traffic: Pass carefully on the left if safe

Give Way Sign Intersections

Understanding Give Way Signs

Sign Placement: Installed where traffic must give way to traffic on another road

Required Action:

Slow down as you approach
Be prepared to stop
Give way to traffic that doesn’t have to give way to you
Proceed when safe

Give Way vs Stop Signs

AspectGive WayStopRequired ActionSlow down, prepare to stopComplete stop requiredWhen to UseGood visibility, lighter trafficPoor visibility, heavy trafficLegal RequirementStop only if necessaryMust stop completelyShapeInverted triangleOctagon

Common Give Way Scenarios

Scenario 1: Give way sign facing you, no sign for cross traffic

You must: Give way to all cross traffic
Cross traffic: Has right of way over you

Scenario 2: Give way signs on multiple approaches

Rule: Give way to traffic from your right
Exception: Traffic turning right gives way to traffic going straight

Scenario 3: Give way + traffic lights

During normal operation: Follow traffic lights
During malfunction: Treat intersection as if only give way signs exist

Special Intersection Types

Hook Turns (Rare in NZ)

Purpose: Used occasionally in city centers for right turns Method:

Move to left lane
Proceed straight to far side of intersection
Wait for traffic light cycle
Turn right when safe

Note: Only where specifically signed – very uncommon in NZ

Slip Lanes

Definition: Separate lane allowing left turns without stopping at main intersection

Rules for Slip Lanes:

Give way to pedestrians crossing the slip lane
Give way to cyclists in bike lanes
Merge safely with traffic on destination road
Speed: Reduce speed for safe turning

Bridge Intersections

One-Lane Bridges:

Signs indicate: Who has right of way
Generally: Traffic going uphill has right of way
If equal: First vehicle onto bridge has right of way

Two-Way Bridges with Restrictions:

Weight limits: Heavy vehicles may need to wait
Width limits: Large vehicles use center of bridge

Pedestrian Crossings and Give Way

Zebra Crossings (Black and White Stripes)

Driver Obligations:

Give way to pedestrians on the crossing
Give way to pedestrians obviously intending to cross
Stop if necessary to allow crossing
Do not overtake vehicles stopped at crossings

Pedestrian Rights:

Right of way when on crossing
Must not delay unnecessarily on crossing
Should check traffic has stopped before crossing

School Crossings

Patrol Crossings:

Stop when signaled by school patrol
Remain stopped until patrol signals all clear
Speed limit: 40 km/h when patrol active

Kea Crossings (Red Light Pedestrian Crossings):

Red light: Stop completely, pedestrians may cross
Flashing red: Stop, then proceed when pedestrians clear
No light: Normal intersection rules apply

Cyclist and Motorcycle Considerations

Cyclists at Intersections

Cyclist Rights:

Same road rules apply as for cars
Bike lanes: Cars must give way to cyclists in bike lanes
Hook turns: Cyclists may use hook turn method at any intersection

Driver Responsibilities:

Check blind spots before turning
Give extra room when passing cyclists
Be patient – cyclists take longer to accelerate

Motorcycle Visibility

Common Issues:

Harder to see approaching motorcycles
Speed perception: Motorcycles may appear slower than actual speed
Size: Smaller profile makes distance judgment difficult

Best Practices:

Take extra time to check for motorcycles
Look twice before proceeding
Give larger gaps than you think necessary

Weather Condition Considerations

Wet Weather Give Way

Extended Stopping Distances:

Double your following distance in wet conditions
Earlier decisions: Decide to give way earlier than normal
Brake earlier: Takes longer to stop on wet roads

Fog and Visibility

Reduced Visibility Rules:

Use headlights even during day
Increase following distance significantly
Be extra cautious at intersections
Pull over safely if visibility too poor

Ice and Snow

Winter Driving Considerations:

Even slower speeds at intersections
Gentle movements: Smooth acceleration and braking
Choose different routes: Avoid steep intersections if possible

Common Give Way Test Questions

Question Type 1: Priority Scenarios

Example: “At an uncontrolled intersection, Car A is turning right and Car B is going straight. Who gives way?”

Answer: Car A (turning right) gives way to Car B (going straight).

Key Rule: Straight traffic has priority over turning traffic.

Question Type 2: Multiple Vehicle Scenarios

Example: “Four cars approach a four-way intersection with give way signs on all approaches. What is the order of movement?”

Answer:

Cars going straight (by right-hand rule if multiple)
Cars turning right (by right-hand rule if multiple)
Cars turning left (by right-hand rule if multiple)

Question Type 3: Complex Intersections

Example: “At a roundabout, you’re in the right lane wanting to go straight ahead. Is this correct?”

Answer: Yes, either lane can be used for going straight ahead, but right lane is preferred for exits beyond the second exit.

Real-World Application Tips

Developing Good Judgment

Gap Assessment:

3-second rule: Minimum gap in normal conditions
6-second rule: Minimum gap in poor conditions
When in doubt: Wait for a larger gap

Communication with Other Drivers:

Eye contact: Make eye contact when possible
Hand signals: Wave to acknowledge give way
Be predictable: Signal intentions clearly

Defensive Driving:

Assume others might not see you
Have an escape plan at every intersection
Don’t rely on others to follow rules correctly

Technology and Modern Intersections

Smart Traffic Lights:

Sensors detect vehicles and adjust timing
May have longer delays for side roads
Be patient: System is optimizing for overall traffic flow

Roundabout Cameras:

Red light cameras: Some roundabouts have cameras
Enforcement: Fines for entering on red or failing to give way

Emergency Situations

Emergency Vehicle Approach

When You Hear Sirens:

Look around to locate emergency vehicle
Move left and stop if safe to do so
Clear the intersection if you’re in it
Don’t block the emergency vehicle’s path

At Traffic Lights:

Don’t run red lights to clear the path
Move as far left as possible while staying legal
Emergency vehicles can navigate around stopped traffic

Accident at Intersection

If Accident Occurs:

Stop safely clear of traffic
Turn on hazard lights
Call 111 if injuries or major damage
Don’t move vehicles if injuries suspected

Traffic Management:

Other drivers: Exercise extreme caution
Give wide berth to accident scene
Be patient: Emergency services have priority

Advanced Give Way Concepts

Legal vs Practical Right of Way

Legal Right of Way:

What the law says you should do
Basis for traffic violations and insurance claims
Clear rules for most situations

Practical Right of Way:

What actually happens on the road
Influenced by: Traffic volume, time of day, driver behavior
Sometimes differs: From legal requirements

Best Practice: Always follow legal rules, but be prepared for others who might not.

Cultural Considerations

NZ Driving Culture:

Generally courteous: Most drivers follow give way rules
Rush hour exceptions: Some drivers become more aggressive
Tourist areas: International visitors may follow different customs

Accommodation Strategies:

Be extra patient in tourist areas
Don’t assume all drivers know NZ rules
Lead by example – follow rules consistently

Practice Scenarios for Test Preparation

Scenario Set 1: Basic Intersections

Practice Question 1: You’re at a T-intersection on the road that ends. Traffic is approaching from both directions on the continuing road. When can you proceed?

Answer: When there’s a safe gap in traffic from both directions on the continuing road.

Practice Question 2: You’re turning right at traffic lights. The light is green but there’s oncoming traffic. What do you do?

Answer: Wait in the intersection until oncoming traffic clears, then complete your turn (even if light changes).

Scenario Set 2: Roundabouts

Practice Question 3: You’re approaching a roundabout and want to turn left (first exit). Which lane should you use?

Answer: Left lane, and signal left as you approach.

Practice Question 4: You’re in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches with sirens. What should you do?

Answer: Continue to the next safe exit, then pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.

Scenario Set 3: Complex Situations

Practice Question 5: At an intersection with give way signs on all approaches, four cars arrive simultaneously from different directions. Who goes first?

Answer: The car going straight from the direction that would be on the right of the others, followed by the right-hand rule for remaining movements.

Ready to test your give way knowledge? Take our comprehensive intersection practice quiz to master these critical road rules before your learner licence test.

Give way rules are fundamental to road safety. When in doubt, always choose the most cautious approach and wait for a clearly safe opportunity to proceed.