Right-of-Way, Intersections, and Crosswalks
Key Takeaways
- Right-of-way is a rule for preventing conflicts, not permission to force another driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian to yield.
- At uncontrolled intersections, the first to arrive goes first; if arrival is simultaneous, yield to the road user on your right.
- A left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians close enough to be a hazard.
- Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and drivers must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
- Entering a roundabout means yielding to traffic already circulating and then moving counterclockwise to the correct exit.
Right-of-Way, Intersections, and Crosswalks
Right-of-way questions test judgment, not aggressiveness. California DMV frames the rule as who should go first, but the safe driver never assumes others will obey. If taking your turn would cause a collision, give up the right-of-way and let the danger clear.
Intersection Priority
| Situation | Who goes first | What you should check |
|---|---|---|
| No signs or signals | First road user to arrive | Look left, right, and ahead before entering |
| Same-time arrival | Road user on the right | Yield if you are on the left |
| Four-way stop | Stop first, then proceed by arrival order | If tied, use the right-side rule |
| T intersection without signs | Traffic on the through road | Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists too |
| Left turn | Oncoming traffic and pedestrians go first if close enough to be dangerous | Wait until the gap is real, not assumed |
| Entering traffic from a driveway or curb | Traffic already in the lane goes first | Signal and accelerate only when there is space |
A common trap is treating a green light as absolute permission. A green signal lets you proceed with caution, but pedestrians still have priority and you may not enter an intersection you cannot clear before the signal changes. Blocking the box is both unsafe and illegal.
Crosswalks and Pedestrians
California recognizes both marked and unmarked crosswalks. A marked crosswalk may have white lines, while school crossings may use yellow lines. An unmarked crosswalk can exist at an intersection even when no paint is visible. If a limit line appears before the crosswalk, stop at the limit line so the crossing area stays open.
Use these crosswalk rules on the test:
- Yield to pedestrians crossing with or without painted lines.
- Slow or stop so the pedestrian can finish safely.
- Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; it may be hiding a pedestrian.
- Give extra time to children, older adults, people with small children, and people with disabilities.
- Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes have the right-of-way at all times.
Roundabouts and Special Roads
At a roundabout, slow before entry, yield to traffic already circulating, enter to the right when a safe gap appears, travel counterclockwise, and signal when changing lanes or exiting. Do not stop inside the circle just because you missed an exit; continue around until you can leave safely.
On a steep narrow mountain road where two vehicles cannot pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The downhill driver should back up when necessary because backing downhill gives more control than forcing the uphill vehicle to reverse.
Railroad Crossings
Rail crossings combine sign recognition with right-of-way. When gates are down, red lights are flashing, or a person warns that a train is coming, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track. Do not drive around lowered gates. Do not begin crossing unless there is enough room to clear every track completely.
The right answer in a right-of-way scenario is usually the one that prevents a conflict before it starts. Stop where you can see, yield to the vulnerable road user, and proceed only when your path is legal and clear.
At an uncontrolled T intersection, you are on the road that ends and want to turn left onto the through road. There are no signs. What is the safest legal rule?
A car ahead stops at a crosswalk, but you cannot see anyone in front of it. What should you do?