Published
Work through the intersection
Does a stop sign mean the driver must wait for someone at a give way sign, whatever direction the cars are going? This diagram, originally shared from RACQ, highlights a common misunderstanding. Look at each vehicle's path as well as its sign.
Original RACQ diagram. The blue car's right turn crosses the path of the yellow car turning left.
The blue car gives way
Both drivers first obey their own sign and give way to through traffic. The yellow car must come to a complete stop. Once both can proceed relative to the through road, the blue car must also give way to the yellow car, because blue is turning right across yellow's path.
A stop sign does not give the opposing give-way driver priority over every other movement. Queensland's official giving-way examples explain this same combination of opposing signs.
Read the signs, then read the paths
- Obey your sign. At a stop sign, stop completely. At a give way sign, slow down and stop if necessary. A stop sign's stopping requirement still applies even when the road appears clear.
- Check the traffic you must yield to. In this diagram, both vehicles face controls before entering the through road.
- Consider the opposing vehicle's turn. Here, the blue car is turning right across the yellow car's left-turn path, so blue waits.
The Queensland regulatory sign guide explains the difference between stopping and giving way. Apply the rules for the intersection you are actually approaching: a different set of signs or traffic lights can change what you need to do.
See more give way examples
This Transport and Main Roads video also covers unsigned crossroads, T-intersections and U-turns. The official giving-way page includes a written transcript and diagrams if you prefer to read the explanations.
Watch the TMR giving-way video on YouTube.
If an intersection still feels confusing, ask for an explanation before practising it. Coastwide's driving instructors who explain road rules can help you connect a diagram like this with observation and decisions on the road.