The hierarchy of road users: rules H1 to H3

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Four questions on rules H1 to H3

Question 1 of 4

1. Under the hierarchy of road users, who bears the greatest responsibility to reduce danger?

   • A Whoever got there first
   • B Whoever is going fastest
   • C Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm Right
   • D Pedestrians

   The right answer is C: Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm

   WhyThose in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care. Everyone still has to look out for their own and others' safety.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule H1

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2. You are turning into a side road and someone is waiting to cross it. What should you do?

   • A Give way to them Right
   • B Turn before they step out
   • C Sound your horn
   • D Expect them to wait

   The right answer is A: Give way to them

   WhyAt a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule H2

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3. You want to turn left, and a cyclist is going straight ahead alongside you. Turning now would make them brake. What should you do?

   • A Turn, as long as you signal
   • B Move closer to the kerb first
   • C Expect the cyclist to stop
   • D Wait and let the cyclist go ahead Right

   The right answer is D: Wait and let the cyclist go ahead

   WhyDo not turn at a junction if it would make a cyclist going straight ahead stop or swerve. Stop and wait for a safe gap.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule H3

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4. You are about to leave a roundabout and a cyclist is still travelling around it on your left. What should you do?

   • A Leave as normal, the cyclist must give way
   • B Speed up to leave before the cyclist
   • C Sound your horn and leave anyway
   • D Give way and let the cyclist pass first Right

   The right answer is D: Give way and let the cyclist pass first

   WhyDo not cut across cyclists going around a roundabout; give way to them.

   Source: The Highway Code, rule H3

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The rule in plain words

The hierarchy of road users puts the people most likely to be hurt in a crash at the top: people walking, cycling, riding horses and riding motorbikes. Children, older people and disabled people are even more at risk. It does not mean they can do as they please. Everyone still has to behave responsibly.

H1: the bigger the risk you bring, the more care you owe. Drivers of lorries, buses, vans, cars and motorbikes carry the most responsibility, because their vehicles can do the most harm. Cyclists and horse riders in turn must take care around people walking.

H2: people crossing at a junction go first. When you turn into or out of a side road, give way to anyone crossing or waiting to cross it. On a zebra crossing you must give way to anyone who has stepped onto it.

H3: do not cut across cyclists. Treat a cyclist or horse rider going straight on as you would a car. If turning would make them stop or swerve, wait. In the Highway Code’s words: “Wait for the cyclist to pass the junction before turning.”

What rules H1 to H3 say

What it means in practice

You are turning left into a side road

Someone is standing at the kerb, about to cross the side road. Under H2 you give way and let them cross before you turn. A cyclist is also coming up on your left, going straight on. Under H3 you wait until they have passed the junction.

You are turning right across a queue

The traffic coming towards you has stopped and someone flashes their lights to let you through. Look for cyclists and motorcyclists riding up the inside of that queue before you turn. Rule 211 says to give way to them.

You are leaving a roundabout

A cyclist is still going round in the left-hand lane. Rule 186 says to give priority to cyclists on the roundabout, so you wait rather than cut across them to reach your exit.

Common mistakes

• Thinking the hierarchy gives pedestrians and cyclists all the rights. It does not remove anyone’s duty to behave responsibly, including people walking and cycling.
• Turning because you were there first. If the cyclist going straight on would have to brake or swerve, you are cutting across them, even if you were ahead a moment ago.
• Forgetting people waiting to cross. H2 covers people waiting at the kerb, not only people who have already stepped out.
• Waving people across. At a zebra crossing, do not wave or flash your lights. Another driver may not stop (rule 195).

Questions about the hierarchy of road users

What is the hierarchy of road users?

It is the idea at the start of the Highway Code that the people most at risk in a crash come first: people walking, cycling, riding horses and riding motorbikes. Those driving vehicles that can do more harm carry more responsibility. Source: The Highway Code, GOV.UK.

What does rule H2 say?

At a junction, give way to people crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into or out of. You must give way to people on a zebra crossing, and to people walking or cycling on a parallel crossing. Source: rule H2.

What does rule H3 say?

Do not cut across a cyclist, horse rider or horse-drawn vehicle going straight on when you turn or change lane. If they would have to stop or swerve, wait. Source: rule H3.

Do pedestrians always have right of way?

Not everywhere, but in many places. They have priority on a zebra crossing, at a light-controlled crossing when they have a green signal, and when they are crossing or waiting to cross a road you are turning into or out of. Source: rule H2.

Is the hierarchy in the theory test?

The theory test’s questions are based on the Highway Code and two other books, so yes, it can come up. It fits the vulnerable road users topic. Source: GOV.UK.

Read next

• Vulnerable road users theory test questions
• Rule 163: how much space to give cyclists, horses and walkers
• Pedestrian crossings: rules 191 to 199
• Pedestrian crossing sign
• More Highway Code rules, explained

Sources

(5)

1. The Highway Code: introduction and the hierarchy of road users (rules H1 to H3), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
2. The Highway Code, rule 186 (roundabouts), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
3. The Highway Code, rule 195 (zebra and parallel crossings), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
4. The Highway Code, rule 211 (motorcyclists and cyclists), GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.
5. Theory test: revision and practice, GOV.UK. Checked 4 November 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes from The Highway Code are Crown copyright. Sources and image credits.