Give Way Rules in Western Australia: A Complete Guide for Learner Drivers

Give way errors are among the most common reasons for failing the Practical Driving Assessment in Western Australia. The rules themselves are straightforward, but applying them correctly under pressure — especially at intersections — requires solid understanding and practised habit.

This guide covers every give way situation you're likely to encounter in WA.

The Core Principle

Before getting into specific scenarios, understand the principle behind all give way rules: give way means come to a complete stop if necessary, and only proceed when it is safe to do so. Slowing down and hoping for the best is not giving way.

Give Way at Uncontrolled Intersections

At an intersection with no signs or traffic lights, the give way rule is:

Give way to any vehicle approaching from your right.

This applies when two roads of equal importance meet. If a vehicle is coming from your right, you must give way — even if you arrive at the intersection first.

If you arrive at the same time as a vehicle on your left, you have right of way over them (they give way to you, on their right).

Give Way Signs (Upside-Down Triangle)

When you approach a give way sign, you must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians on the road you are entering.

You don't have to stop unless it is necessary — but you must be prepared to stop. If there is any traffic on the priority road, stop and wait until it is clear.

Stop Signs (Octagon)

At a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop at the line before the intersection. A rolling pause is not a stop and is a common PDA failure point.

After stopping, give way to all vehicles and pedestrians on the road you're entering. Proceed only when it's clearly safe.

Turning Left

When turning left, you must give way to:

• Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning into
• Cyclists travelling along the road you're turning into

Turning Right

When turning right, you must give way to:

• Oncoming traffic travelling straight through the intersection
• Oncoming traffic turning left
• Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning into
• Cyclists travelling in any direction you're crossing

Right turns are one of the highest-risk manoeuvres on Australian roads and the most common source of give way errors in the PDA.

A key mistake: waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic and then turning right without checking for pedestrians crossing. Always check the pedestrian path before completing your right turn.

Giving Way on Roundabouts

In WA, you must give way to all vehicles already in the roundabout when entering. This means any vehicle approaching from your right inside the roundabout.

Steps at a roundabout:

1. Approach at an appropriate speed — slow enough to stop if needed
2. Check for vehicles circulating inside the roundabout
3. Signal your intended exit before entering (if practical — some small roundabouts don't require a signal on approach)
4. Give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout before entering
5. Signal left as you pass the exit before your intended one
6. Exit and check for pedestrians on the exit road

Do not assume the roundabout is clear from a quick glance. Look right and keep looking as you approach.

Giving Way to Pedestrians

Drivers must give way to pedestrians:

• Crossing at a marked crosswalk (zebra crossing or signalised crossing)
• Crossing at an intersection when you're turning (left or right)
• In a shared zone or pedestrian mall

If a pedestrian is at a zebra crossing — or clearly intending to cross — you must stop and allow them to cross before proceeding. You don't wait to see if they step off the kerb; if they're at the crossing and waiting, stop.

Giving Way When Merging

When two lanes of traffic merge into one, the vehicle that is merging gives way to the vehicle already in the lane being merged into.

On freeways with a lane that ends (not a full merge situation), give way to vehicles in the continuing lane.

A common mistake is treating a merge as a race to the front. Don't accelerate to beat other vehicles. Merge smoothly into a safe gap.

Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles

If an emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire truck, police) is approaching with lights and sirens active, you must:

• Move to the left and allow the vehicle to pass
• Not follow the emergency vehicle through an intersection on their right of way
• Not park within 20 metres of an intersection where the emergency vehicle is stopped

The PDA and Give Way

During your PDA, give way errors are taken seriously. A failure to give way at a stop sign, an incorrect right turn without checking for pedestrians, or pulling into a roundabout without giving way to circulating traffic can all result in immediate failure.

Practise give way scenarios until your response is automatic. Your instructor should specifically test you on right turns at busy intersections and at roundabouts of varying sizes.

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Work with a qualified WA driving instructor who will make sure your give way knowledge is test-ready.

Find an instructor on DriveBook →