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. You are turning left at a green light with no green arrow. You must:

   Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic before turning

   A green ball without an arrow does not give left-turning traffic the right-of-way. You must yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the intersection before turning.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals

2. 2. As you merge onto an interstate from an entrance ramp, you must:

   Correct answer: Yield to traffic already on the highway

   Drivers entering a highway from an on-ramp must yield to the traffic already traveling on the highway and merge only when there is a safe gap.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding the Right-of-Way

3. 3. A pedestrian using a white cane or led by a guide dog is at the corner. Drivers must:

   Correct answer: Come to a complete stop

   A cane or guide dog signals a person who is blind or has low vision, so you must make a complete stop and let them cross safely.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pedestrians

4. 4. At an uncontrolled intersection with no signs or lights, if one vehicle clearly gets there before another, the right-of-way belongs to:

   Correct answer: The vehicle that arrived first

   When vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at different times, the one that got there first proceeds first.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding the Right-of-Way

5. 5. When making a right or left turn at an intersection, a driver must give the right-of-way to:

   Correct answer: Pedestrians who are crossing

   Pedestrians have the right-of-way at turns. Allow them to finish crossing before you begin your turn, and stay alert for people you cannot see behind other vehicles.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Sharing the Road

6. 6. When the signals at an intersection are completely dark and not working, each approaching driver must:

   Correct answer: Stop, with the left driver yielding to the right

   When the signals are out, all approaching vehicles must stop, and the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, just like an all-way stop.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding the Right-of-Way

7. 7. Entering a roundabout, a Virginia driver must yield to:

   Correct answer: Pedestrians and traffic already in the circle

   Before entering a roundabout you must yield to pedestrians and to any vehicles already circulating. Once inside, travel counter-clockwise and signal before your exit.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Roundabouts

8. 8. Two drivers heading toward each other both plan to turn left at the same intersection. They should:

   Correct answer: Pass in front of each other, passenger side to passenger side

   The safest path is for each driver to turn so that the passenger sides pass one another, meaning they turn in front of each other rather than around.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Turning

9. 9. On an undivided highway, an emergency vehicle is approaching in the oncoming lane with lights flashing. You must:

   Correct answer: Pull over to the edge and stop

   On an undivided road you must pull to the edge and stop until the emergency vehicle passes. This requirement does not apply within highway work zones.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights

10. 10. When you pull out onto a street from a private driveway, you are required to:

    Correct answer: Come to a stop and give way to all traffic and pedestrians

    Leaving a private road, driveway, alley, or parking lot, you are required to halt and give way to every vehicle and person already using the roadway.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding the Right-of-Way

11. 11. Two vehicles reach a four-way stop at exactly the same moment, side by side. Who goes first?

    Correct answer: The driver on the right

    When drivers reach an all-way stop at the same moment, the one on the left gives way so the driver at the right goes first.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding the Right-of-Way

12. 12. An emergency vehicle with siren and flashing lights is approaching from behind you. You should:

    Correct answer: Pull to the right and stop until it passes

    Steer to the right shoulder and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle goes by. Never trail one within 500 feet.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights