DTT Give Way Rules and Junctions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When turning left at a junction in Ireland, which road users must you be especially alert for?
- Cyclists and pedestrians on the nearside (Correct answer)
- Oncoming vehicles in the right lane
- Vehicles overtaking you from behind
- Motorcycles filtering from the right
Correct answer: Cyclists and pedestrians on the nearside
When turning left, always check for cyclists who may be travelling alongside you on the nearside, and for pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
Question 2: What action should you take before reversing a vehicle?
- Check all around the vehicle including blind spots, and use a banksman if visibility is poor (Correct answer)
- Sound the horn once and reverse slowly
- Use hazard lights only
- Check the rear-view mirror only
Correct answer: Check all around the vehicle including blind spots, and use a banksman if visibility is poor
Before reversing, check all mirrors and look directly over both shoulders to cover blind spots. In limited visibility situations, use a banksman (guide) to direct you safely.
Question 3: A vehicle with a blue flashing light but no siren approaches. What should you do?
- Move safely out of its way — blue lights indicate an emergency vehicle (Correct answer)
- Only yield if a siren is also sounding
- Maintain your position — a siren is legally required to demand priority
- Stop completely regardless of your position
Correct answer: Move safely out of its way — blue lights indicate an emergency vehicle
Blue flashing lights indicate an emergency vehicle even without a siren. You should give way safely. Gardaí vehicles, ambulances, and fire engines may use lights without sirens in some circumstances.
Question 4: What is the correct way to approach a crossroads when your traffic light is on green but an emergency vehicle is approaching from a side road?
- Give way to the emergency vehicle even if you have a green light (Correct answer)
- Maintain your green-light right of way
- Stop and reverse to create space
- Accelerate to clear the junction quickly
Correct answer: Give way to the emergency vehicle even if you have a green light
Emergency vehicles always take precedence. Even if your light is green, you must give way to an approaching emergency vehicle. Accelerating to clear the junction can be dangerous.
Question 5: When overtaking a cyclist, what minimum lateral clearance should you allow?
- At least 1 metre in normal conditions — more at higher speeds (Correct answer)
- Half a metre is sufficient if passing slowly
- No legal minimum — just give reasonable space
- Pass as closely as needed and then move back
Correct answer: At least 1 metre in normal conditions — more at higher speeds
The RSA recommends at least 1 metre of clearance when overtaking a cyclist in normal conditions, and more at higher speeds. A cyclist can swerve unexpectedly if they hit a pothole.
Question 6: At a 'Yield' (Give Way) junction, under what condition must you come to a complete stop?
- When traffic on the major road makes it unsafe to proceed without stopping (Correct answer)
- Every time — a yield sign requires a full stop like a stop sign
- Only when a Garda is present
- Never — yield only requires slowing down
Correct answer: When traffic on the major road makes it unsafe to proceed without stopping
A Give Way sign requires you to yield — but if traffic conditions mean you cannot proceed safely without stopping, you must stop. It does not always mandate a full stop unlike a Stop sign.
DTT Give Way Rules and Junctions 3
When turning left at a junction in Ireland, which road users must you be especially alert for?