Road markings
Yellow Box Junctions and Road Markings for BTT
A guide to yellow box junctions, stop-lines, give-way markings, arrows, chevrons, merging arrows, and crossing markings.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026. Handbook baseline: 35-43, 49, 55.
Do not enter a yellow box if your exit is blocked.
Stop-lines and give-way markings control where vehicles should wait.
Lane arrows and merging arrows tell drivers how to position early.
Study cue
road markings across and along the carriageway
Remember
Do not enter a yellow box if your exit is blocked.
Remember
Stop-lines and give-way markings control where vehicles should wait.
Remember
Lane arrows and merging arrows tell drivers how to position early.
The yellow box question is about obstruction
A green light does not automatically make it correct to enter a yellow box. The key condition is whether your exit is clear. If entering means you may stop in the box and block cross traffic, wait before the box.
Check the exit, not only the signal.
Do not enter if traffic ahead is blocking your lane.
Keep the box clear for crossing traffic.
Stop-lines and give-way lines set position
Road markings tell you where to place the vehicle. A correct answer often requires stopping before a line, not after it. This matters at traffic signals, STOP signs, give-way junctions, and crossings.
Stop before the stop-line.
Give way before entering the priority road.
Avoid blocking pedestrian crossing space.
Arrows solve lane choice early
Direction arrows and merging arrows exist so drivers do not make sudden choices at the last moment. If the lane marking points straight only, do not use it for a turn. If lanes merge, cooperate early.
Choose the correct lane before the junction.
Follow the direction indicated by lane arrows.
Use alternate movement where merging arrows indicate a merge.
Chevron and keep-clear markings are not storage space
Marked areas that channel traffic or keep access clear should not be treated as waiting space. The safe test answer avoids driving, parking, or stopping where the marking is designed to keep vehicles out.
Do not park in chevron-marked areas.
Do not stop in keep-clear areas when traffic is blocked.
Read markings as instructions, not decoration.
Scenario check
Apply the rule before you move on.
These short checks are intentionally close to how test traps feel: one detail changes the answer.
Question
Your light is green, but traffic ahead blocks your exit from the yellow box.
Answer
Wait before the box until the exit is clear.
Question
A lane arrow permits straight movement only, but you want to turn.
Answer
Choose the correct lane early instead of turning from the wrong lane.
Question
Two lanes merge into one with merging arrows.
Answer
Merge in an orderly way and avoid forcing through.
Next step
Turn this guide into active recall.
Read the related module for full explanation, then use flashcards to check whether the distinction is actually memorised.
Related topic guides
Road markings
Yellow Lines
A practical guide to single yellow lines, double yellow lines, and yellow zig-zag markings so learners can separate parking restrictions from no-stopping rules.
Special lanes
Bus Lanes
A timetable-style guide to normal bus lanes, full-day bus lanes, bus-only lanes, and the dotted-section turn exception learners often miss.
Legal traps
DIPS
A learner-friendly explanation of the Driver Improvement Points System, probation risk, suspension thresholds, and why some offences go to court.