Right-of-way rules at intersections, explained
In most states, right-of-way at intersections comes down to a few rules. At a 4-way stop, the first car to stop goes first; if two arrive at the same time, the car on the right goes first. Drivers turning left yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and in a roundabout, traffic already circling has the right-of-way. Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. And remember: the law tells you when to yield, it never gives you the right to force your way. If another driver doesn't yield, avoiding the crash comes first.
Who goes first
| Situation | Who has the right-of-way |
|---|---|
| 4-way (all-way) stop | The first car to stop completely; if tied, the car on the right |
| Uncontrolled intersection | A car already in the intersection, then the car on the right |
| Turning left | Yield to oncoming cars going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians |
| T-intersection | Traffic on the ending road yields to traffic on the through road (most states) |
| Roundabout | Traffic already in the circle; yield when entering |
| Leaving a driveway or parking lot | Yield to traffic on the road and pedestrians on the sidewalk |
| Flashing red light | Treat it like a stop sign: stop fully, then go when it's safe |
| Flashing yellow light | Slow down and proceed with caution |
Turning right on red
In most places you may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. Some cities, such as New York City, ban it citywide.
Many states also allow a left turn on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street, but this varies, so check your handbook.
Emergency vehicles and school buses
When an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and lights on, from any direction, pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. If you're in an intersection, clear it first, then pull over.
When a school bus flashes its red lights and extends its stop arm, traffic in both directions must generally stop. Whether drivers on the other side of a divided highway must stop varies by state.
Common test traps
- Answers like "you have the right-of-way, so go" are usually wrong: the law only says who must yield
- At a 4-way stop, if you arrive at the same time as an oncoming car, the car going straight or turning right goes before the car turning left
- Pedestrians are protected at unmarked crosswalks (intersection corners), not just painted ones
- Even on a green light, wait if cars or pedestrians are still in the intersection
Practice with Permitly
Permitly's Right-of-way & signals topic gathers questions on exactly these situations, with an explanation for every answer. Questions you miss are saved automatically so you can retry them until you get them right.
This guide covers rules shared by most U.S. states and is for study only. Permitly is not affiliated with any DMV or government agency, and details can differ by state, so always check your state's official driver handbook.
Practice right-of-way questions, explained
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