The Purpose of Yellow Box Junctions

The reason why certain junctions have a yellow criss-cross box is to keep traffic moving at junctions. Yellow box junctions are often located in busy areas.

Understanding correctly how to use a yellow box junction and it’s rules is important as they are designed to keep traffic flowing. Blocking a box junction can result in a penalty as certain junctions use detection cameras for such purposes, and of course, inappropriate use of a yellow box junction will fail a driving test.

Yellow Box junction rules

A question frequently asked is ‘can you stop in a box junction?’.

The answer is yes, but a yellow box junction must not be entered unless your exit road is clear.

IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF IT - DON'T GO INTO IT!

If you do stop in a yellow box junction and your exit is not clear, you are committing a road traffic offence as you will prevent other vehicles from making progress and bring the entire junction to a standstill.

If entering a box junction during your driving test when the exit is not clear, this will be an instant test failure. Other than failing the test and making other motorists angry, it is also illegal AND MOST CITIES HAVE BOX JUNCTION CAMERAS - SO YOU WILL GET A FINE

Regardless of which direction that you are going at a box junction, the first thing you need to do is look and assess if you can completely get out of the yellow box.

In this example, the car turning left can see that his exit is clear and so can carry on.

If there was queue of traffic there which stopped him coming out of the box he would need to stay by the solid white line at the traffic lights, even if they were on green.

On this occasion the car has entered the yellow box junction area, but this time the learner cars exit is not clear.

So if the lights  change, the learner car will be stuck in the middle of the junction stopping cars coming from his left and right

If the cars exit does not clear in time, he will be blocking the junction and the progress of motorists.

This situation also applies to vehicles traveling straight instead of turning right; the box junction must remain clear.

stopping rules at Box junctions

Ideally the car should have stopped behind the first line of the cycle waiting area, even if the traffic lights are green.

If a vehicle has passed the first line and has entered the cycle area, the vehicle must stop at the second line and not enter the box junction.

This is still likely to fail a driving test although in terms of general driving, far more acceptable than remaining in the yellow box.

So whether turning left or right, even when the junction is controlled by traffic lights,

You still need to look ahead and make sure that your exit is clear and that you will be able to fully clear the yellow box junction