Dealing with junctions, Turning from a major road into a minor road is something you’ll do often as a driver. The key is planning ahead, using the MSM–PSL routine correctly, and always being aware of hazards.

Left Turn – Major Road to Minor Road

Objective

To safely approach and carry out a left turn, using the MSM–PSL routine and identifying hazards.

1. Planning Ahead & Locating the Junction

Look for early clues that a junction is coming up:

• Advance warning signs (triangular, showing a side road).
• Gaps in buildings, hedges, or trees.
• Road markings – arrows or side road markings.
• Street lights – a cluster may indicate a junction.
• Traffic behaviour – cars slowing or signalling to turn.

⚠️ Concealed junctions can be hard to see. Slow down early.

2. MSM–PSL Routine

• M – Mirrors: Check interior and left mirror for cyclists or pedestrians.
• S – Signal: Signal left in good time, but not so early it confuses.
• P – Position: Keep normal road position, about 1 metre from the kerb. Don’t swing out.
• S – Speed: Ease off the gas, brake gently, and select the correct gear (usually 2nd, sometimes 1st). Aim for 10–15 mph before turning.
• L – Look / Assess / Decide: Look into the new road, check for pedestrians or vehicles pulling out, then decide if it’s safe to continue.

Open vs Closed Junctions (when turning)

• Open Junctions:
  • You can clearly see into the side road as you approach.
  • The turn is usually smoother and can normally be taken in 2nd gear.
• Closed Junctions:
  • Your view into the side road is blocked by buildings, hedges, or parked cars.
  • Approach more slowly, often in 1st gear, and be ready to stop if the road is not clear.

👉 Always match your speed and gear to what you can see — not what you expect.

3. Executing the Turn

• Begin steering as your car reaches the curve of the kerb.
• Steer smoothly, don’t cut across the corner.
• Watch for pedestrians already crossing – they have priority.
• Straighten up in the new road, re-check mirrors, and accelerate gently.

4. Hazards to Remember

• Concealed junctions – approach more slowly, ready to stop.
• Cyclists – check your left mirror before turning.
• Pedestrians – may appear suddenly.
• Oncoming vehicles turning right – could cut across your path.

Right Turn – Major Road to Minor Road

Objective

To safely approach and carry out a right turn, using the MSM–PSL routine, giving way to oncoming traffic, and avoiding cutting the corner.

1. Planning Ahead & Locating the Junction

Look well ahead for:

• Advance warning signs showing a right side road.
• Gaps in buildings, hedges, or trees.
• Road markings – widening centre lines or right-turn arrows.
• Traffic behaviour – vehicles ahead slowing or signalling.

⚠️ Right turns are more complex because you must cross oncoming traffic.

2. MSM–PSL Routine

• M – Mirrors: Check interior mirror, then right mirror for overtaking vehicles.
• S – Signal: Signal right in good time, but not too early.
• P – Position: Move up to the centre line, keeping just left of it. Keep wheels straight while waiting. Never cut the corner – stay in your lane.
• S – Speed: Ease off gas, brake smoothly, and select the correct gear (2nd if moving, 1st if stopping).
• L – Look / Assess / Decide: Look into the new road. Assess oncoming traffic – you must give way to them. Only turn when there’s a safe gap.

3. Executing the Turn

• Steer right when your front wheels reach the centre of the junction.
• Always wait if oncoming traffic is close or fast-moving.
• Steer smoothly into your lane – do not cut the corner.
• Check for pedestrians crossing the side road.
• Straighten up in the new road, check mirrors, and accelerate gently.

4. Hazards to Remember

• Oncoming traffic – the main danger. Always give way.
• Cutting the corner – turning too early can put you in the path of vehicles emerging.
• Following traffic – brake early and gently to warn them.
• Cyclists / motorcyclists – check mirrors before moving across.
• Pedestrians – may be hidden by oncoming vehicles.
• Large vehicles – may need extra space to turn.

Golden Rules

✅ For left turns: Don’t swing wide – stay close to the kerb.
✅ For right turns: Don’t cut the corner – always give way to oncoming traffic.
👉 For both: If in doubt, slow down more or stop. Safety first.

Driving Tips: Emerging from Junctions (Turning Left & Right)

When you emerge from a minor road into a major road, you must give priority to traffic on the major road. Correct use of the MSM–PS–LAD routine, careful observation, and patience are the keys to safety.

1. Road Markings – Give Way vs Stop

• Give Way Lines
  • Two broken white lines across the junction.
  • You must give way to traffic on the major road but don’t always have to stop if it’s clear.
  • Approach slowly and be prepared to stop.
• Stop Lines
  • Two solid white lines with a red STOP sign.
  • You must stop every time, even if the road looks clear.
  • After stopping, creep forward slowly until you can see clearly, then go when safe.

⚠️ Failing to stop at a STOP line is an offence.

2. MSM–PS–LAD Routine

M – Mirrors

• Check interior mirror (traffic behind).
• Check side mirrors (pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikes).

S – Signal

• Signal left or right clearly in good time.

M – Manoeuvre (broken into PS–LAD):

• P – Position
  • Turning left: keep close to the kerb.
  • Turning right: move up to the centre line. Keep wheels straight while waiting.
• S – Speed
  • Slow right down, usually into 1st gear.
  • Be prepared to stop at the Give Way or Stop line.
• L – Look
  • Look both ways along the major road.
  • Prioritise traffic from the right but check left as well.
  • Keep looking until you’ve fully emerged.
• A – Assess
  • Judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic.
  • Is the gap large enough to emerge safely without forcing other drivers to slow down?
• D – Decide
  • If safe, emerge smoothly into the correct lane.
  • If not safe, wait in position and try again when a bigger gap appears.

Open vs Closed Junctions (when turning)

• Open Junctions:
  • You can clearly see into the side road as you approach.
  • The turn is usually smoother and can normally be taken in 2nd gear.
• Closed Junctions:
  • Your view into the side road is blocked by buildings, hedges, or parked cars.
  • Approach more slowly, often in 1st gear, and be ready to stop if the road is not clear.

👉 Always match your speed and gear to what you can see — not what you expect.

3. Emerging Left

• Position: Keep close to the kerb.
• Look: Check right first (traffic coming from that direction), then left.
• Hazards: Pedestrians, cyclists, or parked cars blocking the view.
• Turning: Steer smoothly into your lane – don’t swing wide.

4. Emerging Right

• Position: Move up to the centre line. Keep wheels straight.
• Look: Both directions – you need a gap from both sides.
• Hazards: Oncoming vehicles, motorbikes, pedestrians crossing, vehicles turning into your road.
• Turning: Only go when you have a safe gap. Turn smoothly into your lane, avoiding cutting across.

5. Restricted View – “Creep and Peep”

When buildings, hedges, or parked cars block your view:

• Approach very slowly in 1st gear.
• Creep forward a little at a time, clutch at biting point.
• Peep left and right – move your head to widen your view.
• Keep repeating until you can see clearly.
• Only emerge when 100% safe.

⚠️ Never rush – creeping forward gives you time to stop if traffic appears suddenly.

6. Common Hazards to Watch For

• Fast traffic on the major road – may be closer than you think.
• Motorbikes / cyclists – harder to see, especially if overtaking.
• Pedestrians – crossing at the junction mouth.
• Large vehicles – may block your view or swing wide.
• Weather / darkness – poor visibility makes judging gaps harder.

A slow minor road joining a high-speed major road can be challenging, particularly for novice drivers. New drivers can struggle to judge the speed of traffic when attempting to join a new road.

Look for signs that may indicate a speed limit change on the new road. If you see a national speed limit sign (white with black diagonal stripe) and the road you intend on joining is single carriageway, the speed limit is 60 mph.

If you are unsure what speed a vehicle is traveling at and whether it is safe to emerge or not, don’t risk it. Wait only for a safe gap that you’re confident for entering the new road. When entering a high-speed road, following vehicles can catch up quickly. As soon as entering the new road, check your interior mirror and apply the accelerator accordingly

Downhill junctions generally don’t cause too much concern as the car can be secured simply with the brake pedal or handbrake. It’s uphill junctions that put the fear into many drivers either due to stalling over the junction line in the path of an oncoming vehicle, or rolling backwards into the car behind.

Essentially this is all to do with clutch control. If you need to stop at the junction, select first gear and apply the handbrake. Then find the clutch bite point and give a little gas (accelerator). If you don’t find the bite point, the car will roll backwards regardless of how much gas you apply once the handbrake has been released.

The steeper the uphill gradient, the more gas you’ll need. Too little gas will result in a stall and releasing the clutch pedal too quickly can also result in a stall. Junctions on a hill take practice, so find a quiet road to do just that.

Golden Rules for Emerging

✅ Always use the MSM–PS–LAD routine.
✅ At a STOP line – stop every time.
✅ Use creep and peep if your view is restricted.
✅ If in doubt, wait for a bigger gap – never rush.

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