Right-of-Way

Study questions with answers

12 sample Right-of-Way questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which vehicle has the right-of-way?

   Correct answer: The vehicle facing uphill

   Priority goes to the driver headed uphill, since the downhill driver typically finds it easier to reverse and clear space for the other car to get by.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Mountain Roads

2. 2. A pedestrian steps into a crosswalk against the signal, directly in your path. You should:

   Correct answer: Slow, stop if needed, and avoid the pedestrian

   Even when a pedestrian is crossing unlawfully, you must do everything you reasonably can to avoid hitting them. Drivers must always exercise due care for a pedestrian's safety.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Pedestrians / Right-of-Way

3. 3. At an open intersection with no stop signs or signals, you must yield to a vehicle that:

   Correct answer: Has already entered the intersection or is on your right

   At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to any vehicle that has already entered the intersection, and to a vehicle that arrives at about the same time on your right.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules

4. 4. It is against the law to enter an intersection, even on a green light, if:

   Correct answer: You cannot get completely across before the light turns red

   You must not enter an intersection, even with a green light, unless you have enough room to get completely across before the signal turns red; otherwise you risk blocking the intersection.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules

5. 5. When you make a right turn at an intersection, in addition to checking for pedestrians in the crosswalk, you must also watch for:

   Correct answer: Motorcyclists and bicyclists riding alongside you

   A right turn calls for a careful look for anyone crossing on foot, plus riders on motorcycles or bicycles who may be traveling in the space right beside your vehicle.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules

6. 6. At a solid green traffic signal light, you may proceed, but you must still:

   Correct answer: Yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian still in the intersection

   A green light means go, but you must still stop for and yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian still in the intersection.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Traffic Signal Lights

7. 7. At a four-way stop where vehicles arrive at different times, who has the right-of-way?

   Correct answer: The vehicle that arrived and stopped first

   At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive and stop should go first. If you are unsure, yield to be safe.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules

8. 8. When an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and flashing lights on, you should:

   Correct answer: Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

   Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you are in an intersection, clear it first, then pull over.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Emergency Vehicles

9. 9. When you enter a roundabout (traffic circle), you must:

   Correct answer: Yield to traffic already in the circle

   Yield to traffic already in the roundabout, then enter when there is a safe gap and drive counterclockwise to your exit.

   Source: California Driver Handbook — Roundabouts

10. 10. At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at exactly the same time, who should yield?

    Correct answer: The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right

    When two vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules

11. 11. When a pedestrian is crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, you must:

    Correct answer: Yield and let the pedestrian cross

    Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk, whether it is marked with paint or unmarked (at a corner). Stop and let them cross.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Pedestrians

12. 12. When you are turning left at an intersection, you must:

    Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

    A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard, as well as to pedestrians.

    Source: California Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way Rules