Approaching Intersections
Slow early, scan both ways, and be in the right lane before you arrive. Scored on most states' road tests.
Step by step
Begin easing off the accelerator well before the intersection — don't wait until you're on top of it.
Get into the correct lane for your turn or through-movement before you reach the intersection, not while you're in it.
Check both directions for cross traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists, even at a green light or a road you've been told has the right of way.
At an intersection with no signs or signals, keep your foot covering the brake and be ready to yield.
The rules that decide the score
- A green light isn't a guarantee (Important) — You still have to yield to a vehicle or pedestrian already in the intersection, even with a green light.
What ends the test here
Most mistakes cost points you can afford to lose. These do not — they end the drive on the spot, however well the rest went:
- Failing to yield — Entering an intersection without the right of way, forcing another road user to react, is one of the most commonly cited road-test failures.
Where this maneuver differs by state
Road tests are scored by the agency that runs yours, not by a national rule. These are the differences this app has sourced to a named agency:
- Washington: Washington scores intersection safety as one of 11 named competency areas on its road test, alongside signal usage and distance judgment. Source: Washington State Department of Licensing.
More road test maneuvers
Frequently asked questions
Approaching Intersections — is it on every state's road test?
No. Each state's licensing agency sets its own maneuver list. This one is scored on most state road tests. The road test guide lists the official sources this app checked.
Can Approaching Intersections fail the road test on its own?
Yes. Everything listed under “What ends the test here” is an automatic failure: it ends the drive immediately rather than costing points you could absorb elsewhere.
How do I practice this before test day?
Drive the maneuver with your supervising driver, and keep the written rules behind it sharp with the free turns, parking and backing module — no account needed.
