As a 46yr old passing my test on the second attempt before my 18th (approx 1994) this is something i did not know. Thankyou for teaching an old dog a new trick
Good video form a long time driver. I’ve driven on many narrow roads and technically the speed limit would be quite dangerous. Driving needs to be based on the road and conditions and lots of common sense !
Thank you so much Richard, I have passed my test today with 1 minor and i truly mean it when i say, i couldn't of done it without your videos, the detail and analysis is amazing and really helped me get over my nerves... just drive.
Under some of the dash cam video, people got confused about who should give way when approaching mini roundabouts,this one explained clearly. thank you for up load this one!
Interesting video and accurate too. Now retired but in my time I installed some 40 small/mini roundabouts in my area, then in the SE and the North. Most of them remain in operation and images of them are in my guide book now sold out. The rule about the double give-way or yield line is that it may traverse the whole of the bellmouth if its length is less than something but don’t ask me what that is now! A relevant point is that a regulation governs how drivers must yield when crossing the double line but not specifically any other lateral marking except the various STOP lines. At most mini-roundabouts the only regulation required drivers so far as possible to steer to the left of the central road marking; strange one that!
Thanks for another great video, Richard! I wonder if you could make a video on the repeater traffic light at some point, as personally, I found them confusing, particularly when the junction becomes very big and complex? In some cases, it can be confusing as to whether one is a repeater light (esp. with faded or excessive lane markings, particularly turning into a road).
I have always thought of it as double broken whites mean give way and if it is only on the one side the traffic entering the new road has to give way to the traffic already on the main road but if the broken White lines are all the way across then traffic entering and exiting the side road has to give way to each other
Heya Richard. Passed first time this morning, 2 minors. Huge thanks goes to your channel. Also, you remind me of a friend. I kinda want to do a (videoed) mock test with you as a thanks: is that something you do?
There's quite a lot of those island junctions here, I think they're just a rural thing to make pulling out onto main roads safer by giving you a better view, especially if there's a bend.
I saw recently someone claiming that the difference between single and double dashed give way lines on mini roundabouts is to show who is supposed to have priority after all traffic comes to a stop, however a lot of mini roundabouts I’m familiar with don’t use double dashed lines at all.
I think they just made that up. There is no mention of that in the Highway Code or the Traffic Signs Regulations. The Regulations say about the single thick dashed line: "Vehicular traffic approaching a roundabout with small central island or approaching a junction marked by signs as shown in diagram 611.1 should give way at or immediately beyond the line to traffic circulating on the carriageway of the roundabout" (611.1 is the mini-roundabout sign) There are no rules on who gives way to who if you both arrive at the mini-roundabout at the same time. You just have to figure it out for yourselves.
We have a mini-roundabout that used to be a T-junction. Many drivers are so used to the main road being a main road that they ignore cars from the side leading to many close misses.
You have highlighted an important issue with the design of mini roundabouts. In Essex many are just painted on the original junction and you have to rely on signage and give way signs. This is ok in normal conditions, but on a wet night with headlights reflecting on a wet road the clues are less obvious. Over the border in Suffolk the route of the principal road is usually deflected towards the roundabout by adjusting the the kerb line. There is a mini roundabout in Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds where there is no deflection and this is the roundabout which sometimes appears on dashcam footage of cars continuing without seeing the roundabout.
With the miniroundabout example, I always assumed the double line on the major road was because its unusual to give way to minor road, but thats what you for the roundabout. That would explain why the double give way line only appears when you are furthest (or clockwise) from the minor branch road.
Thank you so much for this video Richard 🙃 There’s a road just down the street here from where I live that has double broken give way lines across the whole road, I always wondered if it was one way or two way..always assume a road is two way..if it is one way there will be road signs or road markings saying it’s one way..very wise words 🙃
The example you used at 2:47 is unclear. The markings are unclear and the road looked more like a gated entrance (white post and close board fence). As for some getting it wrong, year's ago (when cars had no power steering and the brakes didn't really work) I got pulled over by a "Traffic Officer" for entering a one-way road... Same markings and no other signs. The case was withdrawn. 😂😂
I'm no driving instructor, and far be it for me to tell you how to do your job; but at video point 6:53 when approaching the mini roundabout, could it be the reason the dotted line is only a single line is because of priorities? That lane doesn't have to give way to the branch road, whereas the lane in the other direction with the double dotted line does have to give way to the branch road. This would make more sense to me instead of it being about whether the roundabout is more or less obvious? Just a thought... Keep up the good work, Graham
A no entry road normally has a no entry sign up...... Roads i find amusing are roads that are semi one way and semi two way. There was one behind my old house, join the road and the road is 2 way , until you pass a junction on your left, where it becomes 1 way for the remaining distance.
Road Traffic Regs require a minimum number of broken lines to be lawful. This can mean across an entire road because it is too narrow if only halfway. You must remember give way to all traffic on the main road, not just to that coming from the right.
Been gavo g interesting experiences on mimi-roundabout in Barking. Twice tge other drivers didnt give waybto the driver on the right. One driver didnt go round the roundabout just turned straight to turn right and more in the left lane and came face to wuth another vehicle it qas a miracle it wasn't a head-on collision. Another driver didnt go round the roundabout cut and drove right over it and nearly crashed into me head-on even though I was stationary...some terrible drivers on the road
Why would anybody think it meant no exit? It's a single track lane, and there's limited space. If it was no entry there would, by law, have to be a no entry sign.
Before I watched this I thought the answer was obvious, not so indeed. Now I’m worried about what else I don’t know. So much has changed since I took my test, in the 70s.
so your example does mean "no entry" since the "one way" is the exit from that road onto the other. I think that would be confusing for foreign drivers, when signage such as a "no entry" or "wrong way" sign would be more appropriate.
so it just means give way at the junction. Logical. In Australia give way intersections have a single broken line across that half of the road on which you're exiting from, not across the entire thing. And normally such an intersection also has the Give Way (or Yield in other countries) signage, typically the red triangle, white background, black text sign.
How come the short joining road shown from 2:50 to 3:05 has a line down the middle and double-lines and single lines on the side of the smaller road, but only single lines and no line down the middle on the side of the busy road? The busy side seems to be more dangerous, as that looks more like an exit only road from the main road.
Can anyone explain the markings on a local road. The first 20 yards is one way. Where it becomes a 2 way road, the road markings are double dotted across the left half of the road and single across the right hand side. There is no chance of meeting another vehicle here unless that driver is ignoring the no entry. Any idea why these markings are appropriate or useful. I would have thought a single line was sufficient.
Roads are not always marked one way. I have recently accidentally driven down a one way road the wrong way after turning left onto it from a t junction. There wasnt a blue arrow pointing right only and no other markings. Soon to be met by someone head on and having to turn round. I thought maybe I had missed the sign, so checked on street view once home and there are none.
The state of road markings in this country can be absolutely awful. Leaves are one thing, but there were others on this video that were just so faded. Do other countries rely so much on faded paint on a road surface for critical information? I'd rather have more signs. Good signs. And fewer ELMTREE RISE --> signs.
Hi Richard, There was some confusion on another video yesterday. Please could you clarify - 1) is the circular tarmac around a roundabout a road? I think so but others seem to think different rules apply as it is a roundabout. 2) are the rules the same for roundabouts and mini roundabouts, 3) do you have to give way to people already committed to a roundabout? and 4) does the "give way to the right" apply to the road to the right or any vehicle coming from the right (I'd guess both, but that's not the same as many people have been led to believe).
I am not Richard. Let’s see if I’m right. 1. Yes it’s a road. 2. No. You cannot put drive wheels over the centre of a regular roundabout. It is not always necessary to signal to exit a mini. 3. Yes. If they are using/ heading to use the lane you intend to use, you giveway. If you can’t read their mind: giveway also. 4. Any vehicle coming from the right. I could say you can fit on if there’s space and your oncoming vehicle is using a distant lane. But what if they change their mind? Isn’t it safer to wait? 😊
there are some side streets in Edgware that are DBWL right across, most people I've seen navigating them (or trying to) have no idea. I nearly got Deliveroo'd off my bike by one idiot who didn't even bother looking, he just piled in in his little fartmobile (I think it was a BMW Mini) and nearly hit me head on. Sinnis Hoodlum, 35-35 dipped beam running light so as bright as the Sun.
It's better to start driving the car within a few seconds of starting the engine. This will heat up the exhaust catalyst more quickly leading to less emissions and reduce the time the engine is running rich which is good for fuel economy and should reduce the chances of cylinder wash. Waiting for the blue light to go out is too long, a matter of seconds is likely all your engine needs, I recommend referring to the owners manual for your particular car to see if there is a recommendation.
You fail to mention that if a road is wide enough for traffic in both directions there is a central road marking, which a lot of drivers ignore and cut across being too lazy or travelling too fast to take the junction correctly.
Top tip: If you don't fancy giving way at a junction, drive on the right More seriously: I've always wondered about this. Common sense prevails in practice, but it's a great summary and never really been clarified to me before
Whichever way you cut it, double broken white lines means give way no matter where it is. This also applies to on slips to motorways‼️‼️‼️ This seems to be ignored by 99.99% of people who have no clue how to join motorways and just barge their way on with no consideration for traffic already on the motorway. 🤬😡
I did say you have to give way to the right. I was explaining the difference between a T junction and mini roundabouts. At T junctions you have to give way to the right and left, but at mini roundabouts you don't have to give way to the right and left, you only have to give way to the right.
Ah got you. I missed the t junction part. But these double give way lines seem dangerous especially if its a narrow road. Apart from the ones with signs. New driver always get bamboozled😊
Dear Richard, Thank you so much. I passed my test today in Melbourne, Australia and your videos helped me achieve it. Thank you for the wonderful work you do, explaining difficult topics in such an approachable, patient and easy to understand way. ❤ 🎉
In France, even if the road is wide enough for only one car, the give way or stop line will only be half the size of the road entry way to indicate it's two way road. if the line goes accross the entire road then it's one way only.
I passed last week, 1st try, with 2 minors, with the help of your videos! If I had to give any advice to learners now it would be to just take your time and be really on top of your observations. You got this!
Very informative and comprehensive and the double 'Give Way' markings are used extensively on unlit roads particularly where the speed limit approaches the National Speed Limit as they are reflective to head lights and assist driver's on the main road to see the unsigned junction
Yes, it makes you more cautious but it’s two-way unless there’s a no entry sign or a one-way sign or no entry written on the road or one-way written on the road with arrows. 🙃
Question. What do you tell your pupils on how to deal with large vehicles and emergency vehicles when driving? Another video that made an ancient driver go..."Awww, of course. I was today years old when I found out! Thank you.
Hi, I’d like to ask why in some videos you wear a reflective vest and in other videos you don’t? I am not from the UK and here in Czechia I never saw a driving instructor wearing it. Is that a requirement in some cases in the UK? Thank you!
Why GB doesn't use more road signs for this kind of roads? In most of europe if a road is one way you always find the One way sign(arrow on a blue square) at one end(where you can enter) and a "do not enter" sign on the other side. If a road is confusing beacause is too narrow for 2 cars but is still a 2 way one they add the sign that confirm is two say road(two apposite arrows on a triangle). You don't have to rely on road markings that can get covered or faded away. Even if they would use just road markings in the example you gave where there where 2 interrupted lines they can make the one on the right uninterrupted and you know you can't cross it.
Great video Richard, very interesting about the mini-roundabout lines. We could do with some of those more obvious "you NEED to give way" lines near Llantrisant test centre as there are a lot of junctions that are converted mini roundabouts that look suspiciously like a T-junction until you get closer. They were converted into mini roundabouts a long time ago however! Would love to see more of your "Driving round test centre routes" videos - one in Wales now that the 20mph is in full force would be very interesting from an english drivers perspective (and the very different geography). Llantrisant is a good example of this as there are many roads where people do NOT obey these limits (and there are a lot of steep hills and blind corners!). Your videos were a massive help in passing my test also, and still watch your videos as they are so interesting. (I could probably drive around a fair bit of Colchester now and know where to go even though I have never been there in my life haha!)
This is the most helpful video I have ever seen of yours. Thank you so much! Several other videos were a good reminders that I forgot about that so good refresh. But this one is a genuine WTF ffs moment; several times in my 25 years of driving, I thought, have I gone this wrong? Am I driving down a one-way street (without knowing why I had that feeling)? You have generally taught me something I did not know. Great instructor 👏👏👏
I passed my test in 1988 and still remember very nearly all of the advice and tips in your videos. I'm astounded that people don't know the simplest of rules, even when they might have only passed months or a few years ago. I'd like car insurance renewal to include a mandatory online test including questions on lane discipline, parking partly on the pavement, and other common mistakes. The more questions you get wrong, the higher your insurance rates for the forthcoming year. Yes, people might cheat by looking up the answers, but that's okay because they'll then know how to do it correctly.
An idea for a future video: the dangers of the RIGHT turn filter arrow. There’s a traffic-lighted crossroads near me (the junction of Hunnyhill and Hunnycross Way, Newport, Isle of Wight, if you’re interested) where three of the approaches have a dedicated right turn lane, but the fourth is on a bridge so there isn’t room for an extra lane. Therefore, so that these people turning right don’t cause a hold-up, this approach gets a green right-turn filter arrow when it’s busy. The problem with this is that, when cars waiting in the middle of the junction coming from the opposite direction see their light turn RED, they assume it’s now safe for them to turn right even though oncoming traffic still has a green light. One car recently tried to pull across my path when I had the green light, presumably assumed I had run a red light, and then tried to do it again with the car behind me. I think this is something people should be explicitly taught/reminded about.
Your videos are extremely helpful. Everyone who drives must look at the Highway Code book as the answers are all in it. People need to look at this book to pass the road tests?
3:05 people coming the other direction may be even more likely to think it's one way, because there's only a single hatched line and not two! Doesn't look much different to a slip road off.
Canadian here. I just recently spent two weeks driving in Yorkshire and was totally oblivious to these markings. I never hit anyone though. Do you have a video explaining the Highway Code to ignorant North Americans?
Richard I know Ive commented before about your teaching before but you're so talented at delivering information in a passionate but orderly way. I wish I had learned under you originally but your videos help my skills stay sharp! Thank you for being an amazing example to all us drivers and keep on posting!
The give away ought to be the lack of a centre line, dividing the road in to 2 lanes. Of course, the road is usually plenty wide enough for some road users (like those on 2 wheels) so it could well be better to mark narrow roads with singles & doubles to emphasise the lack of space & assert the priority of those already on them over those wanting to turn in to them.
I come back to these How-To's because I believe going back to first principles is a continual process. I've been driving a very long time but I don't take anything in the motoring scene for granted....revising is essential, if only to keep up to date with Highway Code amendments. Conquer Driving is excellent for the forgoing!
Well said. Have a look at Young St. Manchester. I had an interesting conversation with a half-wit coming the other way on the wrong side of the road. Hope he sees this video!
Very useful! I've made this mistake of assuming the double-dashed lines means one-way/no-entry on country roads near where I take my car for servicing and it just so happens to be a bit of a mobile network-free area so I can't even rely on sat nav to tell which which roads are ok to drive.
@ConquerDriving my instructor taught me reverse parallel parking and although his advice worked for the example I'm not sure it'll work especially after watching your videos. He said to get parallel to the carin front, then reverse until my car's door handle is between the 2 doors and then one full turn left. Once you can see the 2 rear lights, go straight back until the door handle touches the kerb in the left mirror and then do full lock right and then straighten the wheels. This to me seems like a problem as the car could be parked other way round and different cars have different lengths and door positions. What would you say?
Get your car straight in the road (12 o,clock) Make sure your car’s bum is further back than the one you’re next to. One complete turn left. (360 degrees) Bring the front round to 1 o’clock Straighten your wheels (360 degrees back) Reverse to the kerb, don’t hit it. 😅 One complete turn right (360 degrees) Bring the front round to 12 o’clock again. Straighten your wheels (360 degrees back) Once again: position your bum, left, straighten, reverse, right, straighten. As Richard would say, if left and right confuse you, use ‘towards’ and ‘away’. I am not affiliated or associated with Richard in any way. I just like his videos. 😊
Hey Richard, used to watch your videos a lot while learning, 20k miles after passing in less than a year and still enjoying driving everyday, and I got comfortable driving everywhere especially in London, really fun. thanks for the videos through the learning process
This is exactly what caught me out when practising for my test 12 years ago. Where the A93 joins the eastern end of the B972 - I turned in and my instructor shouted TWO WAY ROAD! WRONG SIDE! As a highway engineer, I'd realign the junction, but.... there's also a driveway entrance, which makes it not possible. :(
I failed my test because I got into a road thinking it was a 2way road, but it was a 1way road. It was coming into the Lawford Heath Ln from the A4071 in Rugby. I felt gutted because that was the only fault I had.
I do despair at the poor level of knowledge and understanding of the basic rules of the road and the lack of common sense. 🙄 Not just drivers, but cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Many would do well to read a copy of the latest Highway Code, or even the official DSA "Driving, the essential skills' book. Ignorance and complacency are a dangerous combination.
Back in the 80's my local test centre has (had?) 4 way crossroads with NO markings. Those were a favourite for the examiner to take you to. Everybody had equal priority and on your test it was terrifying.
