Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
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.
Rectangular signs are mainly used for information, directions and route guidance rather than a single universal instruction.
Triangular signs in Northern Ireland are warning signs used to alert drivers to hazards ahead.
Blue circular signs generally give positive instructions or indicate a mandatory route or movement.
Red circular signs generally give prohibitions or restrictions; the exact symbol or wording tells you what is forbidden.
On a Northern Ireland motorway, leave at least a two-second gap in good dry conditions and increase it substantially in poor weather or visibility.
Lane hogging means remaining in a middle or right-hand motorway lane when the lane to the left is clear and there is no need to stay out for overtaking.
A driver may pass traffic on the left on a Northern Ireland motorway when congested lanes are moving at different speeds and you simply keep up with the traffic in your own lane.
Undertaking is not a separate named offence in itself, but deliberately moving left to pass another vehicle on a Northern Ireland motorway is contrary to the Highway Code and can amount to careless or dangerous driving.
