Intersections

Intersections are where most crashes occur, and they’re the single biggest test focus for restricted and full licence candidates in New Zealand.

A good approach involves:

Early identification: Spot signs, lane markings, and other vehicles well before arrival.
Controlled approach: Adjust speed early so you’re prepared to stop or take the gap smoothly.
Clear decision-making: Commit to a safe manoeuvre without hesitation or dangerous rushes.
Right of way awareness: Always know who must give way before you enter.
Smooth, decisive action: Avoid stalling, jerky steering, or inconsistent speed.

Common test failures at intersections:

Hesitating too long when a safe gap is available (holding up traffic).
Entering too early and forcing others to brake or swerve.
Poor lane discipline inside roundabouts.
Failing to check mirrors/blind spots before turning.
Rolling through stop signs.
Entering on marginal gaps — better to wait 2–3 extra seconds than risk a forced slow from oncoming traffic.
Incorrect lane choice at roundabouts.
Failing to indicate left when exiting.
Drifting over lane markings when exiting tight corners.

Remember, while caution is important, don't drive too slowly through intersections. Slower speeds can close gaps quickly, making previously safe opportunities hazardous.

Uncontrolled Intersections (T-junctions, cross roads)

This is where there are no signs or signals to tell you what to do. Apply the general give-way rules — vehicles turning must give way to those going straight, and always give way to your right. Slow down until you’re 100% sure it’s safe to proceed.

Approach:
- As you approach intersections, especially complex ones, reduce your speed. This gives you more time to assess what’s in front of you and anticipate what’s coming next.
- Slow to a speed where you could comfortably stop if another vehicle appears (generally 20–30 km/h in built-up areas).
- Apply the general give-way rules — vehicles turning must give way to those going straight, and always give way to your right. Slow down more than you think is necessary until you’re 100% sure it’s safe to proceed.
- Be confident in your right of way; excessive braking when you have the right of way can lead to confusion and potential hazards for other drivers.
Observation sequence:
- Check mirrors to see who’s behind you.
- Scan 12 seconds ahead for movement.
- Sweep left–right–left before reaching the intersection.
Decision making: If there is no signage, give way to your right. If you and the other vehicle arrive at the same time, whoever is on the left must give way.

Extra tips and tricks:

Use the “seconds rule” for gap selection: calculate how long it will take you to enter and accelerate to the road’s speed limit, and ensure the approaching vehicle is at least 2–3 seconds beyond that point.
Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn right — if you’re hit from behind, you won’t be pushed into oncoming traffic.
If visibility is poor, creep forward in controlled stages, scanning after each stop.

Controlled Intersections (traffic lights, give way and stop signs)

At controlled intersections, use the sign or lights as your first cue, but scan early for hazards the sign doesn’t control — such as pedestrians, cyclists, or emergency vehicles.

Roundabouts

Approach speed: Slow early to allow time to observe all entry points, especially your right - keep an eye out for gaps in traffic.
Lane position: Be in the correct lane well before entering.

For single-lane roundabouts, keep it simple and stay left in your lane.
For multi-lane roundabouts
- Check the markings before entering — if there are none, default to left lane for left/straight, right lane for right/U-turn.
- Maintain lane discipline inside the roundabout — cutting lanes is a common test fail.
- Watch for other drivers drifting between lanes unexpectedly, particularly large vehicles that require more room to turn.

Gap selection:
- If you see a gap on approach, maintain your speed or accelerate to smoothly take the gap.
- If you need to stop to give way, you should start accelerating just as the last car passes you. This helps ensure you don't miss the gap or get caught mid-motion when a new vehicle approaches.
- Since the intentions of other motorists at roundabouts can be unclear, pay attention to their speed and wheels. This will give you a better indication of their direction than indicators alone. For example, an approaching vehicle travelling very fast with straight wheels is likely to be driving straight through.
- Always take roundabouts wide and only turn the wheel to match the curvature of the roundabout. Overturning can lead to driving onto the roundabout incorrectly, especially after passing the halfway point.
- On double-lane roundabouts, if you’re in the left lane and a vehicle in the right lane is beside you, they can act as a 'shield'. If using a shield vehicle, keep pace so you remain protected from oncoming vehicles until it’s safe to exit. Don't use this method unless you're 100% sure it's safe.
Exiting: Indicate left and check your blind spot just as you pass the barrier before your exit, and scan for pedestrians and cyclists. This gives you enough time to brake if a vehicle isn’t yielding, helping maintain traffic flow. Indicating after leaving the roundabout instead of during the exit can be marked as a critical error.

Extra tips and tricks

Small roundabouts — Take them slower and wider to avoid clipping the central island. If you accelerate too early before your exit, the steering wheel won’t have time to transition from a hard right to partial left, and you’ll veer toward the middle of the road.
U-turns — Start wide and keep speed low; the tighter turning circle means any excess speed will cause understeer.
Pedestrian crossings near exits — Always be prepared to stop after you’ve committed to exiting.

Stop and give way signs

While it’s legal to have just your wheels behind the line at traffic lights or Give Way/Stop signs, it’s advisable to stop with your number plate just behind the line instead. This reduces the risk of overstepping and provides extra space for larger vehicles, like buses, that may need to cut corners.

STOP sign - you must come to a complete halt at or before the stop line, even if the road looks clear.
- A “rolling stop” is an immediate fail in the test — your wheels must stop rotating completely.
- Scan left and right to ensure it’s safe to proceed.
- If visibility is poor, creep forward slowly until you can see clearly, then decide.
GIVE WAY sign - slow down enough to stop if needed, but proceed if the road is clear.
- You do not have to stop if the road is clear, but approach at a speed where you could stop easily.

Extra tips and tricks

 Don't creep forward when trying to find a gap, as this often results in your car driving over the give way line, overexposing your vehicle’s nose and increasing the risk of a crash.
Avoid looking only in the direction of the main hazard — always scan both ways before committing.
If traffic flow is heavy, look for “shields” — vehicles that create natural gaps behind them.

Traffic Lights

Green: Go straight ahead, but always scan ahead and check left and right for hazards. If turning right, give way to oncoming traffic.
Green turning arrow: You have right away to turn, but scan for hazards first.
Amber: Stop, if it's safe to do so.“Safe” means you can stop smoothly before the line without harsh braking.
Red: Stop.
Red turning arrow: Stop. Do not turn until green, even if the way looks clear.
Don’t creep into the intersection too early — move forward only when you have a green or green arrow, and it’s safe to go.
Prepare for changing lights — if they’ve been green for a long time, be ready for an amber.
Fun fact: Stopping slightly back from the line still allows you to activate ground sensors at traffic lights while maintaining a safe distance. To avoid being rear-ended, brake early for traffic lights and intersections. Your brake lights serve as an added signal for inattentive drivers. This practice also conserves fuel and reduces strain on your brake pads, extending their lifespan.
When near traffic lights, avoid excessively scanning too far ahead as it may cause you to miss a light change. If you need to look around, focus on one thing before returning your attention to the lights.
Be aware of where to stop at traffic lights. Most have pedestrian lines; if yours is faded, consider where pedestrians would walk and stop a meter behind that line.
When both you and pedestrians have a green light, they have the right of way. Drive slowly up to the first pedestrian line, to give vehicles behind you the option to go straight through the green light.
Be mindful of green sections on the road surrounded by solid lines; these are designated for cyclists and must not be used by vehicles for stopping.

Extra tips and tricks:

If turning right at a green light, keep wheels straight until you commit — protects you from rear-end collisions.
Watch for traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings; the green light doesn’t mean the crossing is clear.
If you’re first in line, check the intersection is clear before moving off, even when your light turns green.