Is This Queue Jumping or Good Driving? Merging in Turn (Zip Merging)

Merging in turn which is also known as zip merging is something many drivers in Great Britain disagree with. Some drivers even position their vehicle to deliberately block cars behind. So what does the highway code say about merging in turn? Is it legal, is it good driving, does it help traffic flow or is it just queue jumping? All explained in this video.

Get a competitive quote for your insurance via these links:

Collingwood (up to 35% discount via the link):

Confused:

The above links are affiliate links and Conquer Driving may receive a small commission if you use them but they will cost you nothing to use. Thank you for watching and supporting the channel.

This video is created by an experienced driving instructor, please subscribe to get my latest videos as I upload them to help you pass the GB Driving Test.

Here is my driving school's website:

This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in Great Britain, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 Highway code rule
00:19 What is it?
00:51 The benefits
02:25 Lane blocking
02:38 At speed
03:26 Real example
05:10 Outro

[Glaiceana]

There needs to be a TV advert to explain merge in turn in the UK, barely anyone understands the benefits!

[Hoschie-wwio]

In Germany it’s even forbidden to slow down early to find a gap and block the traffic behind you. You have to drive until the lanes merge and use the zip merging method

[ianl]

Very well explained. Ashley Neil would be proud of you. The self appointed "Lane police" are a particular bug bear of mine.

[ibs]

Ah yes this old chestnut of merging in turn. I'm dual British and Canadian and this principle seems better understood back in Canada as well as across the border in the USA, though certainly not always perfect there either. Here in the UK where lanes reduce due to road works, I'm sure we've all seen where the authorities put up signs to the effect of "When queuing use both lanes" but even then issues can still occur. As someone else mentioned, there really needs to be a big publicity campaign on this. Have to say Richard, you covered the subject beautifully. Especially also with your own two examples. Amazing the difference in queue lengths in your second example but there again, if everyone used both lanes then both queues would be roughly the same length. Which would not then generate such a feeling that folks are queue jumping, as well as assist traffic flow in the ways you mentioned. See you at the supermarket checkout!

[itstimeforham]

I feel like if they added the merge arrows in both lanes it would be a lot clearer. Right now the merge left arrows make it feel like a hierarchy. If the lanes merged into one theoretical ‘middle’ lane that only exists after the merge lanes, nobody could be angry.

[scottmackintosh]

Such a simple, perfect explanation. I bet people will still not get it. If you aren’t meant to be in that lane they would have closed the lane earlier. The lane is shut in 600 yards. Not now.

[xproductions]

Passed first time last week with 4 minors. Richard, thank you so much for these videos that you create. They really have been the biggest help in learning outside of lessons, the best information and the best tips to succeed. I shall continue to watch to ensure safe driving going forward but thank you! Good luck to anyone learning or attending a test soon! :)

[quadangries]

Here's another comment from a noob driver thanking you for these videos. Really appreciate your pragmatic approach and your ability to take into account what a learner will be feeling/thinking in every one of them. Really helps this process feel less robotic and much more human. Thanks!

[burntbacn]

Passed my test last week, your videos helped a lot. Thanks for all the work you put into them.

[stevegeek]

Well explained. I have some double lanes coming up to traffic lights in my town and it makes sense to use both lanes when it’s busy, but what annoys me is when it’s just me and one other vehicle, which goes on my outside to try and get past me, when I’m driving sensibly within the speed limit. More often than not it’s a big 4x4 or well-known German make, driving aggressively. I have to tell myself not to get annoyed and just be grateful they are in front and not “up my exhaust pipe”!

[honestchris]

I really hope that a lot of people watch this explanation of the merge in turn, so many still think that you are queue jumping but you cant stop and explain to them that they are wrong.

[Drekal]

I recently saw a video of a truck blocking both lanes (and forcing a car off the road) to avoid people "queue jumping" and SOOO many people where justifying the dangerous behavior with backwards reasons like "zipper merging is only used when the traffic is moving" "what about emergency vehicles" and other nonsensical arguments. I'm really glad to see this video and hope it'll reach a lot of people so we don't see this kind of behavior and people defending it anymore.

[lildowny]

Passed my test a few months ago but always interested in watching your videos, very informative

[PedroConejo]

Lane blockers need prosecuting but I have never heard of it happening. Videos like this help spread the good word though.

[jonathanbrockway]

Ah merging in turn, one of my personal favourites to teach my pupils, almost everyone (experienced drivers included) get it all wrong!😂🤣

[rutube]

People get very aggressive when you do the right thing like this. Just because they don't understand what the right thing to do is.

[Rdrunner]

Great video. Loved the explanation that "You are just joining the shorter queue."

In practice, I find using lane 2 works best if you drive in lane 2 at a reasonable speed instead of driving fast. You modelled it beautifully but it's worth explaining why.

Keeping speed relative to lane 1 low is for two reasons:

1. You have space and time to brake if somebody jumps out in front of you. Like the self-appointed "Queue police".

2. You are less likely to arouse road rage in the drivers who have chosen to stay in lane 1. That way it's easier to get in.

When I approach the merge point, I simply put on a left turn indicator and then wait for a gap to open. I only start to steer left when the gap emerges (usually but not always accompanied by a flash of headlamps from the vehicle creating the gap).

95% of the time the driver beside me will open the gap. He/she has seen you are being polite and non-aggressive.

In 5% of cases the driver will shut the space. Simply wait calmly for the next driver who will have seen the first driver do the aggressive thing and will decide to do the decent thing themselves. As you say, I have never had to wait for the third driver.

And, yes, love the "Thank you" wave. Never omit that.

Finally, kudos for stating right at the start there is a difference between the Northern Ireland and GB Highway Code. In this case, as in virtually all the rules, they are identical but there are a few differences. Nice one. 🙂👍

[richardboon]

Best explanation and reasoning of merge in turn I have seen Richard. Thankyou. Love your videos

[SolPhantasmagoria]

_In my city, we don't have too many merge in turn opportunities, however, what we do have, and something I've noticed is often not used correctly is Bus Lanes with hours of operation written on them. I have several friendly conversations with other drivers who believe that driving in the bus lane is something one cannot do at any time._

[grease]

Hi Richard, I'd just like to say a massive thanks to all your videos. I managed to pass with 4 minors on Friday, and I'd say a large part of that is thanks to you! Thanks 😁👍