What is a t junction

Whilst learning to drive you will need to experience a variety of road junctions in preparation for the driving test. The driving test will most certainly involve you having to deal with all the different types of junctions.

The junctions tutorial will guide you through all the different types of junctions and how you need to deal with them to not only drive safely but to of course pass the driving test.

T-junctions take many forms and examiners during the driving test are particularly scrupulous when it comes to the correct procedure of junctions. This in-depth tutorial will help not only learner drivers, but foreign drivers wishing to take the UK driving test.

Approaching junctions

Whilst learning to drive and during your driving test, one of the most important aspects of junctions is how you approach them. Other than the typical T-junction, crossroads and roundabouts are also forms of junctions and how you approach them depends on if they are what driving instructors and examiners call ‘open or closed’.

Locating a road junction

Approaching junctions inappropriately is a very common method of failing the driving test. During the test, it is important to locate a junction ahead as early as possible. Many learner driver are unaware of an approaching junction and realise far too late, often resulting in the need to stop the car too harshly, stopping over the give way line or the examiner having to use the dual controls. This is due to lack of appropriate observation.

Whilst driving, look for signs of a junction up ahead. This can of course be the triangle Give Way warning sign, a Stop sign or traffic lights. Try and look for other indications of a junction such as cars passing in front up ahead, or you may be able to see give way road markings and lines. Look at the UK road traffic signs section for examples of road signs. You will have to apply the MSN routine (mirror, signal, manoeuvre) if you intend on turning either left or right. We will cover this routine further in the next section. For further information, see:

• give way road markings
• signs and rules
• stop signs and rules

Open Junction Compared to Closed Junction

The following diagrams illustrate the difference between an open and closed junction.

Open and closed road junctions

Once you have located a junction, your approach needs to be slow. This depends on the type of road you are driving on, but often 2nd gear at around 10 to 15mph is usually appropriate. You will need to determine if the junction is open or closed. The open junction above gives the driver of the orange car a clear view of the road that they intend to move onto as they approach. There are no trees, bushes or houses obscuring their view. If the road is clear, the driver of the orange car can continue onto the new road in 2nd gear without the need to stop.

The image of the closed road junction is very different however. The approaching junction is obscured from the orange car drivers vision due to large bushes and trees. It is likely that they will need to stop before proceeding into the new road. Closed junctions are more common place in built up residential areas where roads are often quite narrow.

In such areas, there may be no signs traffic signals or even road markings to suggest there is a junction ahead. Driving on such roads requires an appropriately slow speed with careful observation. These types of roads are common place on the driving test and although often quiet, can be difficult.

The above examples of open and closed junctions are T-junctions. This can also apply to crossroads and roundabouts. Locating a junction as early as possible allows you to drive at the correct speed and to determine if it is open or closed.

Junctions and parked cars

In residential areas, it is possible to be approaching a T-junction where cars are parked on the left very close to the actual junction itself. This is highly hazardous as it may force you to position your car on the incorrect side of the road at or close to the junction. Be aware of these types of hazards during driving lessons and the driving test. Whilst driving on roads where there is a high level of street parking, always locate areas where it is possible to pull into so to give-way to oncoming cars.

When approaching a T-junction with parked cars, approach extremely slowly and if room permits, at the junction itself, try to remain on your side of the road as much as possible. To do this, the approach speed must be extremely slow so as to manoeuvre into position as the junction line nears.

When to pull out of a junction

Pulling out of junctions is frequently difficult for learner drivers due to a lack of understanding the approaching traffic speed. This applies especially if you intend on turning right and crossing two lanes. To give you an understanding on how to make this easier, the next time you are waiting to turn right out of a junction, imagine instead of sitting there in your car, you are standing there as a pedestrian.

When you feel it is safe to walk across the road as a pedestrian, this will also be an ideal time to pull out of the junction in your car. This technique only applies to a 30 mph city road. Also to become more confident whilst pulling out of a junction, a good level of proficiency for clutch control and the biting point will benefit a learner driver.

Locating a road junction

Always look well ahead whilst driving, keeping a close eye for signs or signals indicating a junction is approaching. See junction signs for the various types of signs that tell a motorist a junction is ahead.

Tutorials and Guides Related to Junctions

Everything you need to know about junctions.

Amara Ukaigwe

Last Updated: 11 April 2022

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In this article

Introduction

When two or more roads meet from different directions, they do so at a junction. There are several types of junctions and each has its own characteristics. On your driving lessons, you will learn how to approach, emerge and remain safe when at a junction. You’ll also learn how to position your vehicle and how to anticipate the actions of other road users at junctions.

A junction is a point at which two or more roads meet. In the UK junctions are used to control traffic, and they come in various shapes, sizes and layouts. They make up a fundamental part of the road system and you need to learn how to deal with junctions safely, as they are considered accident hotspots.

The most common driving test fault is inadequate observation at junctions. Incorrect positioning when turning right at a junction also makes the top 10 list, so you’ll be unable to pass your test if you haven’t mastered the different types of junction you’re likely to face on your driving test.

These driving test tips will help you prepare for junctions on your driving test.

You will need to drive safely through a number of junctions in order to pass your driving test. The type of junctions you are likely to face depends on how built up the area is in and around your chosen driving test centre. As you learn to drive you will encounter each of the different junctions and these include;

These are junctions where a minor road joins with a major road, with the intersection forming a T shape. They are found in most urban areas and they will be marked out by either signs, road markings or a combination of the two. A key characteristic of this type of junction is that vehicles on the minor road are required to give way to vehicles on the major road.

Open Junction

Wide junctions with good visibility are often considered open junctions. If you can see clearly into the new road and there are no parked cars, trees or buildings restricting your view, you can enter into the new road without stopping at around 10 – 15 mph. Second gear is appropriate for such junctions, however, you still need to be mindful of your speed whenever you take a corner.

Closed Junctions

When you are unable to clearly see into the new road as you approach, you will in most cases be required to slow right down and select gear one before making the turn. Such junctions will be considered closed and the majority of junctions in built-up residential areas are likely to require you to reduce your speed before entering.

Marked Junctions

In most residential areas you will be made aware of a junction or crossroad via road markings or signage. Marked junctions can have give way road markings or stop signs indicating priority and the presence of the junction. It’s important you look ahead into the road to spot the signs or markings in good time, which will allow you to prepare for the new road without rushing.

Unmarked Junctions

Not all junctions have signs and markings making you aware of their presence. On residential backstreets and in rural country lanes many of the junctions are unmarked and these can be quite tricky to navigate when the roads are busy. The rules for unmarked junctions vary however in some cases, no road has priority over the other and you will need to make good judgement when emerging at an unmarked junction. Gauge the speed of approaching traffic, look out for signals from other vehicles and only enter the junction when there is a significant gap for you to do so.

Controlled Junctions

Junctions that are controlled by traffic lights are known as controlled junctions. These junctions are found in busy built-up areas and they are extremely common. Some contain cycle lanes and an advanced stop line which designates a box in front of the stop line, but before the traffic light, to allow cyclists to position themselves in front of waiting traffic. Be mindful at controlled junctions and ensure you do not cross the stop line as this will result in you failing your driving test and look out for filter lights controlling traffic turning into a different road too, as you can also fail your test if your fail to move off at a green light.

Learn how to use the mirror signal manoeuvre routine when dealing with junctions, The MSM routine as it is known is considered the cornerstone of safe driving.

Yellow box junctions are used to ease the flow of traffic in urban areas by preventing queuing traffic from blocking the intersection. They are marked out with yellow criss-cross hatch markings, and you’re only allowed to enter the yellow box when your exit is clear or oncoming traffic has blocked you from turning right.

When two or more minor roads join a major road, but not exactly in the same place, they form a staggered junction. If the distance between the two minor roads is large, when crossing from one to the other, you should treat the crossing as two separate manoeuvres instead of one as you would on a traditional crossroad. If the distance between the two roads is not significant, you can cross the junction in one manoeuvre, as you would on a standard crossroad.