Right of Way
Master intersections, pedestrians, and who goes first.
Most missed rules in this lane come from movement order, not memorizing one exact picture. Focus on four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, turns across traffic, crosswalks, railroad crossings, and emergency vehicles so you can explain who yields, who proceeds, and what changes when a pedestrian or train enters the scene.
Read this in the handbook
Start with the handbook sections that match this module, then come back for sample questions and drills.
Lesson videos
Practice right of way questions
When turning left at a green light, you must yield to:
- A. Only pedestrians
- B. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing
- C. Only oncoming traffic going straight
- D. No one — you have the green light
Show answer
B. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians crossing — A green light permits you to turn left but does not give you automatic right-of-way. You must yield to oncoming traffic traveling straight through the intersection and to pedestrians crossing.
When can you turn left on a red light?
- A. Never — red means stop
- B. Only in states that have legalized it by referendum
- C. Only at T-intersections, not standard four-way intersections
- D. From a one-way street turning left onto another one-way street, unless prohibited by sign
Show answer
D. From a one-way street turning left onto another one-way street, unless prohibited by sign — In most states, you may turn LEFT on a red light when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street (moving in the direction of traffic). You must still come to a complete stop and yield first. Some states and cities prohibit this — check your state laws.
This sign means:
- A. A playground is closed for construction
- B. This is an area where children frequently play near the road — slow down and watch for children who might run into the street
- C. It marks a bus stop only completely at all times
- D. The sign only applies during official school hours
Show answer
B. This is an area where children frequently play near the road — slow down and watch for children who might run into the street — This sign warns of an area, often residential, where kids regularly play close to traffic; slow down since a child could dart into the street unexpectedly.
You approach a railroad crossing where the gate is down. A train passes. The gate begins to rise. You should:
- A. Immediately drive across — the gate rising means it is safe
- B. Honk to signal other drivers that the crossing is clear
- C. Proceed as soon as the gate is halfway up to avoid traffic backup
- D. Wait until the gate is fully raised AND the signal lights stop and there is no second train approaching
Show answer
D. Wait until the gate is fully raised AND the signal lights stop and there is no second train approaching — Wait for the gate to fully rise and the signal lights to stop flashing completely before crossing. Gates sometimes lower again immediately if a second train is approaching.
This sign means:
- A. State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in this crosswalk — stop and let any pedestrian in or approaching the crosswalk cross safely
- B. This sign only applies to school children as required by traffic law
- C. You must stop only if a pedestrian is already in the exact center of the crosswalk
- D. Pedestrians must yield to vehicles at this specific crossing
Show answer
A. State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in this crosswalk — stop and let any pedestrian in or approaching the crosswalk cross safely — This regulatory sign restates the state law requirement to yield to pedestrians in or approaching a crosswalk, not just those already directly in your path.
Get the full question bank, targeted drills, and mastery tracking in the free app.
