Knowledge base Road rules Updated 16 Oct 2026 7 min read

Junctions, roundabouts, and U-turns

Highway Code junction and roundabout priority, statutory give-way and turning duties, U-turn restrictions and procedure, and current Traffic Police points and composition fines.

junction roundabout U-turn give-way Highway-Code

Primary source: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/RTA1961-R11?ProvIds=P1IV-

Uncontrolled junctions

The Highway Code gives the following priority rules when approaching a junction (SSO, Highway Code, paras. 69A–72):

Going straight across: give way to traffic going straight from the right.
Turning right: give way to traffic going from all directions, to traffic turning right from the right, and to traffic turning left from the opposite direction.
Turning left: give way to traffic going straight from the right.
At a junction with a major road, slow down gradually and give way to traffic on that road. If there is a “STOP” sign, stop at the major road.
Where there are no traffic lights, give-way signs or stop signs, give way to all traffic on your right, including cyclists. Look right, then left, then right again, and do not move off until you are sure it is safe.

Road Traffic Rules r. 11 supplies the statutory vehicle-priority rules for uncontrolled junctions: generally give way to a vehicle approaching from the right; at an uncontrolled junction on a one-way road, the direction of traffic determines which side has priority. At a roundabout, give way to any vehicle or stream of vehicles immediately approaching from the right (SSO, Road Traffic Rules, r. 11).

Turning

Well before turning right, take account of traffic behind, signal early, and move cautiously towards the centre of the junction. Give way to approaching vehicles and crossing pedestrians beside you. Wait until it is safe to cross or for the green arrow signal, then turn to the correct lane while watching for pedestrians. When turning left, keep left, signal in good time and do not swing out to the right before or after the turn. Drivers turning left or right must give way to vehicles going straight and to pedestrians (SSO, Highway Code, paras. 73–75).

At a controlled junction, a driver turning right moves as near as possible to the centre once the junction opens and waits for a safe opportunity to complete the turn, with due regard for crossing pedestrians. A driver must not turn left while the signal closes the junction unless the rules specifically permit it; where signs, lines or notices permit a left turn into crossing traffic, proceed with due regard for pedestrians and that traffic stream (SSO, Road Traffic Rules, rr. 8–9).

OneMotoring’s RAG-arrow rule for signalised right turns is covered in road-markings-and-parking. Yellow-box obstruction is covered in yellow-box-junctions.

Roundabouts

The Highway Code says to slow down and give way to traffic approaching from the right. Its illustrated general lane guidance is Lane A to exit A, Lane B to exit B, and Lane C to exit C. If the correct lane is overcrowded, another lane may be used only with clear early signals, while obeying the right-hand rule, not inconveniencing other drivers and using mirrors to avoid obstructing vehicles behind. These are the Code's general illustrated guidance; follow lane arrows, signs and markings at the actual roundabout (SSO, current Highway Code, para. 76; LTA, Driving Rules and Information).

Road Traffic Rules r. 11(3) says that a driver arriving at a roundabout must give way to any vehicle or stream of vehicles immediately approaching from the right (SSO, Road Traffic Rules, r. 11). LTA’s roundabout guidance says drivers are required to give way to others already in the roundabout before entering; its warning-sign caption says to slow down, stop if necessary, and give way to traffic on the right (OneMotoring, Road Safety; OneMotoring, Driving Rules and Information).

Some Silver Zone roundabouts have widened centre dividers and speed humps to slow approaching vehicles and encourage drivers to give way before entering. LTA says low-height aprons at these roundabouts allow long vehicles such as public buses to pass through safely (OneMotoring, Road Safety).

U-turns

Do not make a U-turn at an intersection, junction or opening in a road divider unless a road sign permits it. Under Road Traffic Rules r. 13, when making a permitted U-turn, move as near as possible to the right-hand edge, give way to oncoming vehicles, wait for a safe opportunity, and make the turn after the U-turn sign (SSO, Highway Code, para. 66; SSO, Road Traffic Rules, r. 13).

SPF’s current Basic Theory of Driving handbook also advises drivers to negotiate U-turns carefully where trees or hedges obstruct the view and to watch for vehicles, especially motorcycles, turning alongside on the right (SPF, Basic Theory of Driving handbook).

Never cross double white lines; a U-turn or right turn is not allowed on a road where those lines are painted (SSO, Highway Code, para. 53).

Composition as published by Traffic Police

SPF groups making an unauthorised U-turn with stopping in a yellow box and insufficient warning signals. That row lists no demerit points, with a composition fine of $100 for light vehicles and $150 for heavy vehicles (SPF, Penalties for Traffic Offences).

SPF's current penalty table lists failing to give way to oncoming traffic at a controlled junction, and failing to give way at an uncontrolled junction, junction, or roundabout, as 4 demerit points with composition fines of $150 for light vehicles and $200 for heavy vehicles. Both entries are asterisked zone-uplift offences. Forming up incorrectly when turning left or right is in the same 4-point group (SPF, Penalties for Traffic Offences).

Coverage debt

The Highway Code and Road Traffic Rules r. 11 use “traffic approaching from the right” and “immediately approaching from the right”; LTA’s road-safety summary describes giving way to traffic already in the roundabout. The official sources do not explain the relationship between these wordings.
Highway Code para. 76's lane-letter diagram is a general illustration. The actual lane arrangement may be controlled by road arrows, signs and markings.
The Woodlands Centre Road right-turn restriction towards Woodlands Checkpoint is a separate operational rule, not a general U-turn rule.