How to read NZ give-way diagrams

Why diagrams feel hard

Intersection questions rarely hide the rule in the wording alone. The picture usually carries the decision: who faces a Stop or Give Way sign, who is turning, who is going straight, and whether the layout is a crossroads or a T. If you jump straight to “who is on my right?” you can pick the wrong rule for that picture.

Treat each question as a small scene. Spend a few seconds on the scene before you look at the answer choices.

A three-step method

Step 1 — Control: what is controlling the approach?

Ask, for every vehicle in the diagram:

• Is there a Stop sign, a Give Way sign, or traffic signals?
• Are both vehicles facing the same type of control (or no signs at all)?
• Is the intersection uncontrolled (no signs or signals)?
• If signals are shown, are they green, red, yellow, or flashing yellow?

Controls come first because they change how the give-way rules apply. For example, a driver facing a Stop sign must give way to a driver facing a Give Way sign; matching controls require the relevant give-way rules. Check any directional signal arrows as well as the main lights, and do not infer priority from the turn alone.

Official guidance also stresses that giving way means the other road user should not need to stop, brake, slow, swerve, or take other evasive action to avoid you. In a theory diagram, that idea is a useful check: which choice would force the other vehicle to react?

Step 2 — Paths: what is each vehicle doing?

Next, mark the movement of each vehicle (or cyclist) in the picture:

• Going straight ahead
• Turning left
• Turning right
• Leaving or following a marked centre line
• Entering from a driveway or the stem of a T-intersection

Path matters as much as direction of travel. Under the Road Code, if you are turning, you give way to traffic that is not turning. Leaving the path of a marked centre line at an uncontrolled intersection counts as turning, even when the vehicle looks as if it is going “straight” on the map of the junction.

Also watch for other road users the picture may include: cyclists, bus-lane traffic, or people on a footpath or shared path. Give-way rules are not only about car-versus-car.

Step 3 — Rule: match the scene to the right give-way rule

With control and paths clear, work through these Road Code rules. Stop signs, Give Way signs and traffic signals still govern the approach; this list does not override them.

1. If you are turning, give way to traffic that is not turning — including, where relevant, cyclists and vehicles using cycle or bus lanes.
2. If you are turning right, give way to opposing vehicles going straight ahead or turning left. This also applies when both vehicles face the same control (for example matching Stop signs, Give Way signs, or green signals).
3. At a T-intersection or driveway, traffic on the terminating road (bottom of the T) gives way to traffic on the continuing road (top of the T). When leaving a driveway, also check for people using the footpath, cycle path or shared path and give way to them.
4. Otherwise, give way to traffic coming from your right — for example at many uncontrolled crossroads, or when signals have failed and all approaches show flashing yellow. At roundabouts, apply the roundabout-specific rules in the official Road Code.

If two vehicles are both turning right and their paths do not cross, they may often proceed together when it is safe — but that is a paths question again: check whether the diagram’s paths actually conflict.

Do not invent a fifth “rule” such as “whoever arrived first” or “the smaller vehicle goes last.” Arrival order and vehicle size are common distractors in practice questions; they are not how you decide priority from a standard diagram.

Worked examples (free practice)

Example A — Left turn versus opposing right turn

Open: Question 1021

The statement claims that if you are turning left, you must give way to all vehicles coming towards you that are turning right.

Apply the method:

• Control: read the question and check any controls shown. Compare the turns under equivalent controls; the explanation notes that a Stop sign can change who gives way.
• Paths: one vehicle left, one opposing right.
• Rule: the driver turning right must give way to oncoming traffic, including traffic turning left.

So the statement is false when controls are equivalent: the right-turning vehicle normally gives way to the left-turning vehicle — not the other way around. Reveal the answer on the practice page and read the short explanation; then ask yourself which step you skipped if you got it wrong.

Example B — Matching Give Way signs, turn versus straight

Open: Question 1048

Two opposing vehicles both face Give Way signs. One turns across the path of the other, which goes straight. Who must give way?

• Control: same Give Way signs on both approaches.
• Paths: one turning across, one straight ahead.
• Rule: the turning vehicle gives way to conflicting opposing straight-ahead traffic.

Arrival order and vehicle size appear as wrong options on purpose. Once you have locked control + paths, those distractors are easier to ignore.

A short checklist before you tap an answer

Use this as a quiet checklist on every intersection diagram:

1. Name the control on your approach and on the other approaches.
2. Label each arrow: straight / left / right / leaving centre line / from stem of T.
3. Ask: is anyone turning while another is not?
4. Ask: is anyone turning right across an oncoming left turn or straight-through?
5. Ask: is this a T or driveway (bottom of T versus top of T)?
6. Only if none of those settle it: who is coming from the right?
7. Would your chosen movement force someone else to brake or swerve? If yes, you may not be giving way.

Then choose the answer and read the explanation even when you are correct — explanations often name the exact rule the diagram was testing.

Practise next (free)

• Topic hub: Intersections and giving way — short study notes plus a path into more intersection practice.
• Example questions from this guide: 1021 · 1048
• Timed mock: Open the car mock-test hub and choose a test when you are ready.

No account is required to learn on GO Drive. Use the mock after you can walk the three steps without rushing.

Related on GO Drive

• Intersections and giving way
• Car study guides

Official further reading

Use the official sources below to check rule wording. The NZTA Road Code remains the source of truth.

• NZTA Road Code — The give way rules
• NZTA Road Code — Driving up to an intersection
• Drive — The give way rules
• Drive — Give way rules summary (PDF)

This guide supports practice. It does not replace the official Road Code or professional driving instruction.

Put the method into practice

Control → path → rule

Open the intersection topic, then try both worked examples. Read the explanation after each answer.

Practise intersections →Try question 1021 →Try question 1048 →