Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
Crossing a solid white line is tightly restricted; do not assume a cyclist automatically gives you permission to cross it to overtake.
Northern Ireland road-safety guidance advises drivers to pass cyclists slowly and, where possible, leave about 1.5 metres of space.
Yes. Cyclists can ride two abreast in Northern Ireland, although they should consider road width, traffic conditions and whether riding single file would be safer.
Pelican, puffin and toucan crossings are all signal-controlled, but they operate differently and toucan crossings also allow cyclists to ride across.
At a pelican crossing you must stop on red; when flashing amber appears, give way to anyone still on the crossing and proceed only if it is clear.
Brake and take avoiding action as safely as possible; the Highway Code specifically warns that pedestrians, especially children, may step unexpectedly into the road.
A driver should slow down and be prepared to stop when someone is waiting at a zebra crossing, even though the strict duty to give way applies once they are on the crossing.
At a zebra crossing, drivers must give way once a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.
Drivers must give way where the Highway Code or traffic controls require it, including to pedestrians who have already started crossing a road into which the driver is turning.
Hatched markings bordered by a solid white line should not be entered except in an emergency or where legally permitted by a specific exception.
KEEP CLEAR road markings are intended to keep access or a section of carriageway unobstructed, but their exact legal effect depends on accompanying signs and the specific restriction.
Yes, in the recognised right-turn exception: you may wait in the yellow box when your exit is clear but oncoming traffic or other right-turning vehicles prevent you completing the turn.
A yellow box junction is a keep-clear area; in general you must not enter unless your exit road or lane is clear.
Yes. At a Stop sign you must stop at the stop line even when the road appears completely clear.
A Give Way line requires you to give priority to traffic on the road you are joining or crossing and proceed only when it is safe.
If parked vehicles obstruct your side of a narrow road, you should normally give way to approaching traffic that has the unobstructed path.
Reverse from a driveway only when it can be done safely; where possible, reverse into the driveway and drive out forwards.
A driver emerging from a driveway must give way to pedestrians on the footway and to cyclists using a cycle lane or track they cross.
Merge in turn means vehicles from two lanes take turns to join the continuing lane, typically where slow-moving traffic is narrowing into one lane.
Neither driver should force priority when two lanes merge; follow signs and markings and merge safely into the available gap.
Traffic on the major road normally has priority over a vehicle emerging from the terminating road at a T-junction, subject to signs and markings.
There is no automatic priority rule that lets one driver simply claim an unmarked crossroads in Northern Ireland.
No general rule allows a driver to turn left through a red traffic light in Northern Ireland.
A green filter arrow allows traffic to move in the direction shown by the arrow, provided the way is clear.
Traffic-signal offences can be enforced in Northern Ireland, including by camera technology where an approved system is in use.
Driving through a red traffic light is a road-traffic offence and can lead to enforcement, a fine and penalty points.
Yes, but only where the amber appears when you are already beyond the stop line or so close that stopping might cause a collision.
A steady amber traffic light means stop at the stop line unless you have already crossed it or are so close that stopping could cause a collision.
At a pelican crossing, a flashing amber signal means you must give way to pedestrians still on the crossing; if it is clear, you may proceed with caution.
A red X above a motorway lane means that lane is closed and you must not continue in it.
