Remember the right of way for intersections? If not click here as it's important. Drivers must know who gets to go first, and why, before they learn how to turn at lights. Otherwise it results in confusion and possible issues later (like accidents or failing the test).
Turning right at lights without an arrow is one of the things many drivers (not just learners) get wrong or worry about. Yet it is one of the easiest and safest things when done right.
Wait in the intersection, put the drivers seat on the last line (you can be even further forward if the intersection is big enough). Don't go too far forward and make it hard for anyone opposite you turning right.
Make sure you wait for everyone opposite going straight. If everyone is equal it goes: straight, then left, then right. You're both on green lights, and you're turning right, so you're both equal, meaning those going straight get to go first.
Again, remember the rights of ways, meaning those turning left go second. So let everyone turning left go next. This is one many full-licenced drivers ignore, don't know, or forget. A lot of the time I see right turners go at the same time as someone turning left. The left turner exits into the left lane, the right turner exits into the right lane.
Technically this is not legal or safe. If one lane turns it can exit into any lane, so the left turner has the right to exit straight into the left lane. By turning right at the same time the right turner is cutting-off the left turner.
If they have an accident the person turning right would be at fault for failing to give way.
If there's one or two cars opposite turning right then you can turn right as well. But if there's too many cars turning right, or if you cannot see the left lane clearly, you should wait.
A car or something else could be coming along the left lane, and they have right of way. This is a common cause of accidents in built up or slow traffic areas. The issue is drivers look at the built up traffic, watch it stop, then turn without checking the other empty lane.
You can see an example of someone not checking the other lane when turning here.
Here's another great example of how things can appear suddenly, and why to watch out when turning.
Turning on the Orange
If the light turns orange don't worry, this is a good thing! Many beginners panic, it's counter-intuitive as they're taught to never go through an orange or red light, or to block intersections. And here they are, inside an intersection on an orange light.
Being here on an orange is good, it should be relaxing. When the light is green there's lots of questions to ask and things to consider. But when it turns orange there's one simple questions: Is the oncoming traffic stopping or has it already stopped? If yes, then go.
There is no rush on an orange light, it will be orange for three seconds. It'll only take half a second to one second to get through the intersection.
There is no rush on an orange light, it will be red for three seconds. It'll only take half a second to one second to get through the intersection.
Between the orange and red lights you have a total of six seconds to clear the intersection, which with driving is plenty of time. Even if you turn in the last few seconds of the red it will be fine.
The most common mistake is waiting behind the lines. People do this when they're nervous, scared about what they'll have to do. Waiting too far back is not a good thing for two reasons.
First, you'll need a much larger gap in traffic to turn as you're further back and have a larger turning line. This actually makes it more difficult to turn.
Second, if the lights change colour you're stuck. You cannot enter an orange light if it's possible to stop safely. You're already stopped, so you cannot go on the orange or red if you waited behind the line. And now you're holding up traffic as you could have turned.
Below is an example of a car waiting too far back.
- Aiming at Traffic:
Another mistake, and possibly the most dangerous, is pointing at moving traffic while waiting. When waiting for the intersection to be clear you MUST point where you want to go right this second.
If there's oncoming traffic do NOT point at it, I've seen this result in deaths. A car was pointing while waiting, they were hit from behind and flung forward. Right under an oncoming truck. If they'd pointed their wheels forward they would be fine, a simple mistake caused a big accident.
I have seen people fail the test for this as well, and sometimes argue the point. Personally, this is the most important mistake, and yet easiest to avoid.
Below is an example of a car pointing its wheels the wrong way while waiting.
- Waiting too far forward:
This is a less common mistake, but it is where the learner rolls too far into the intersection and makes it difficult for others to turn. If they can't turn easily neither can you, making it difficult for you as well.
Drivers do this when they focus too much on entering and turning, rather than assessing the situation around them. They're just thinking about getting in and getting out, not about what's around them and what others are doing.
Below is an example of a car waiting too far forward.
- Getting stuck:
This is the least common mistake, but possibly the most stressful and what most people are afraid of. Being in the middle of the intersection when the other lights are green and holding up traffic.
This is caused by hesitation and a poor understanding of how to turn right at lights, either by the learner or instructor (or often both).
As an instructor I have had three parents insist that the learner MUST reverse back when the lights turn orange or red, that they cannot turn. Which is incredibly unsafe and unwise, reversing back into traffic if there's even room. It's unsafe and illegal to reverse down the road in the wrong direction normally, let alone at lights.
Avoid this simply by learning the road rules and becoming a competent confident driver. It's a very easy mistake to avoid, I've never had a student stuck like this.
Below is an example of a car stuck in the intersection.
Turning right at lights without an arrow is one of the things many drivers (not just learners) get wrong or worry about. Yet it is one of the easiest and safest things when done right.
Wait in the intersection, put the drivers seat on the last line (you can be even further forward if the intersection is big enough). Don't go too far forward and make it hard for anyone opposite you turning right.
 |
| Positioning into the intersection correctly. |
 |
| Waiting for everyone to go straight. |
Technically this is not legal or safe. If one lane turns it can exit into any lane, so the left turner has the right to exit straight into the left lane. By turning right at the same time the right turner is cutting-off the left turner.
If they have an accident the person turning right would be at fault for failing to give way.
 |
| Waiting for the left turners. |
A car or something else could be coming along the left lane, and they have right of way. This is a common cause of accidents in built up or slow traffic areas. The issue is drivers look at the built up traffic, watch it stop, then turn without checking the other empty lane.
You can see an example of someone not checking the other lane when turning here.
Here's another great example of how things can appear suddenly, and why to watch out when turning.
 |
| Waiting for the left lane to be clear. |
If the light turns orange don't worry, this is a good thing! Many beginners panic, it's counter-intuitive as they're taught to never go through an orange or red light, or to block intersections. And here they are, inside an intersection on an orange light.
Being here on an orange is good, it should be relaxing. When the light is green there's lots of questions to ask and things to consider. But when it turns orange there's one simple questions: Is the oncoming traffic stopping or has it already stopped? If yes, then go.
 |
| Waiting at the orange light. |
Turning on the Red
If the light turns red many people, including full-licenced drivers panic. Again, it should be a moment of relief, because if the intersection is safe you get to go. Simple.
There is no rush on an orange light, it will be red for three seconds. It'll only take half a second to one second to get through the intersection.
Between the orange and red lights you have a total of six seconds to clear the intersection, which with driving is plenty of time. Even if you turn in the last few seconds of the red it will be fine.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting too far back:The most common mistake is waiting behind the lines. People do this when they're nervous, scared about what they'll have to do. Waiting too far back is not a good thing for two reasons.
First, you'll need a much larger gap in traffic to turn as you're further back and have a larger turning line. This actually makes it more difficult to turn.
Second, if the lights change colour you're stuck. You cannot enter an orange light if it's possible to stop safely. You're already stopped, so you cannot go on the orange or red if you waited behind the line. And now you're holding up traffic as you could have turned.
Below is an example of a car waiting too far back.
- Aiming at Traffic:
Another mistake, and possibly the most dangerous, is pointing at moving traffic while waiting. When waiting for the intersection to be clear you MUST point where you want to go right this second.
If there's oncoming traffic do NOT point at it, I've seen this result in deaths. A car was pointing while waiting, they were hit from behind and flung forward. Right under an oncoming truck. If they'd pointed their wheels forward they would be fine, a simple mistake caused a big accident.
I have seen people fail the test for this as well, and sometimes argue the point. Personally, this is the most important mistake, and yet easiest to avoid.
Below is an example of a car pointing its wheels the wrong way while waiting.
- Waiting too far forward:
This is a less common mistake, but it is where the learner rolls too far into the intersection and makes it difficult for others to turn. If they can't turn easily neither can you, making it difficult for you as well.
Drivers do this when they focus too much on entering and turning, rather than assessing the situation around them. They're just thinking about getting in and getting out, not about what's around them and what others are doing.
Below is an example of a car waiting too far forward.
- Getting stuck:
This is the least common mistake, but possibly the most stressful and what most people are afraid of. Being in the middle of the intersection when the other lights are green and holding up traffic.
This is caused by hesitation and a poor understanding of how to turn right at lights, either by the learner or instructor (or often both).
As an instructor I have had three parents insist that the learner MUST reverse back when the lights turn orange or red, that they cannot turn. Which is incredibly unsafe and unwise, reversing back into traffic if there's even room. It's unsafe and illegal to reverse down the road in the wrong direction normally, let alone at lights.
Avoid this simply by learning the road rules and becoming a competent confident driver. It's a very easy mistake to avoid, I've never had a student stuck like this.
Below is an example of a car stuck in the intersection.
