Road rules in NT

Changing lanes and turning

When you change lanes you must give way to any vehicle in the lane you are moving to – even if your lane is ending.

You must signal to let others know what you plan to do. Give plenty of warning by signalling before you turn left or right, or changing lanes.

Make sure your indicator is turned off after each turn or lane change.

If your indicators are not working, you must get them fixed. You must use a hand signal when turning right or stopping.

Illustration showing a driver signalling a right turn by placing their right arm straight out of the drivers side window

You are turning right

Illustration showing a driver signalling that they are stopping or slowing by placing their right out of the drivers side window with the elbow bent and the hand straight up

You are stopping or slowing down

You can turn into either lane, depending on traffic.

Illustration showing a three lane road at an intersection with a car in each lane. Cars can only turn according to road markings and traffic.

You must follow any road markings that show how the turn must be made. If there are no road markings, you must make a right turn by passing as near as possible to the right of the centre of the intersection.

Illustration showing cars turning into a road with a median strip

Turning and median strips

When making a right turn through a divided road with a median strip, you must:

  • wait for a suitable gap in the oncoming traffic, checking mirrors and blind spots
  • drive as far as you can into the central dividing part of the road and stop until it is safe to continue
  • make sure you obey all give way or stop signs or traffic lights.

U-turns

You must not make a U-turn:

  • where there is a no U-turn sign
  • across any single unbroken (continuous) line or double centre lines, whether or not one line is broken
  • at traffic lights unless you see a U-turn permitted sign at the intersection.

When making a u-turn:

  • check mirrors and blind spots and that you have a clear view of any approaching traffic
  • start your U-turn from the lane nearest to the centre of the road or, if there are no lane markings, the left of the centre of the road
  • give way to all vehicles and pedestrians and signal before you start to turn.

Three-point turn

Before starting a three-point or U-turn, signal, check your mirrors and blind spots.

After completing the turn, signal and check your mirrors and blind spots, before re-joining the traffic.

Illustration showing a car completing a three point turn. The car turns right and reaches the opposite lane's curb, reverses while turning left to reach the middle of the original lane, then drives forward into the opposite lane completing the turn.

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