How does the handbook describe the right-of-way?

Something the faster driver earns

Something the larger vehicle always has

You have the right-of-way, but the other driver does not follow the rules. What should you do?

Give the other driver the right-of-way

Keep going, since the law is on your side

You are on a two-lane road that meets a road with three or more lanes. Who must yield?

You must yield to vehicles on the road with three or more lanes

Vehicles on the larger road must yield to you

The vehicle on the right always goes first

You are on an unpaved road that meets a paved road. Who must yield?

You must yield to vehicles on the paved road

Vehicles on the paved road must yield to you

Whoever reaches the intersection first

At an intersection with no signs, signals, multiple lanes, or pavement differences, who must you yield to?

A vehicle that has entered or is approaching on your right

A vehicle approaching on your left

Only vehicles that are larger than yours

At an uncontrolled intersection the road to your right is clear. What else should you do before crossing?

Make sure no vehicles are approaching from the left

Nothing, you may cross at your normal speed

Stop and wait for a vehicle from the left to wave you on

You are turning left. Who must you yield to?

Any vehicle coming straight through from the other direction

Only vehicles that are also turning left

No one, a left-turning driver has the right-of-way

You are leaving a driveway to enter a street. Where must you stop?

At the edge of the street, past the sidewalk

You are entering a street from an alley. Who must you yield to?

All approaching vehicles and pedestrians

Only vehicles approaching from the left

Only pedestrians on the sidewalk

You are on a street that ends at a T-intersection with a through street. What must you do?

Stop and yield to vehicles on the through street

Proceed first, since vehicles on the through street must yield

Yield only to vehicles coming from your right

You are driving on the frontage road of a controlled-access highway. A vehicle is leaving the highway to enter the frontage road. Who yields?

You must yield to the vehicle entering the frontage road

The vehicle leaving the highway must yield to you

You are driving on a frontage road. A vehicle ahead is leaving the frontage road to enter the highway. Who yields?

You must yield to the vehicle entering the highway

The vehicle entering the highway must yield to you

Neither driver, both may proceed

On a road with three or more lanes going the same way, two vehicles enter the same lane, one from the right and one from the left. Who yields?

The vehicle entering from the right

The vehicle entering from the left

The vehicle that is traveling slower

Which of these requires you to stop at a railroad grade crossing?

A lowered crossing gate or a flag person warning of a train

A crossbuck sign with no train in sight

A railroad advance warning sign

You have stopped at a railroad grade crossing. How long must you stay stopped?

Until you are allowed to proceed or it is safe to proceed

For at least 10 seconds, then you may cross

Until the first car of the train has passed

A railroad crossing is marked only with a crossbuck sign. What should you do?

Look both ways and listen, stop if a train is coming

Stop every time, even if no train is coming

Cross at your normal speed, there is no active warning

Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing and a train is approaching. When may you go?

After the train passes and the lights stop flashing

As soon as the train has passed

When the train is still far enough away

The gates at a railroad crossing are down. When may you cross?

After the train passes and the gates are raised

When you can drive around the gates safely

As soon as the train has passed

A train has just passed a crossing with two sets of tracks. Why should you check again before crossing?

One train could be blocking the view of another

The gates may stay down for several minutes

The first train may come back in reverse

Your car stalls on the railroad tracks and no train is coming. What should you try first?

Get out and try to push the car off the tracks

Stay in the car and wait for help

Keep trying to restart it until a train appears

Your car is stalled on the tracks and a train is coming. Which way should you run?

Toward the approaching train, to the side of the tracks

Away from the train, along the tracks

Across the tracks in the direction the train is going

Who has the right-of-way at a railroad crossing?

The vehicle that reaches the crossing first

Vehicles, if the crossing has no gates

How can you hear a train whistle better as you approach a railroad crossing?

Roll your windows down and turn your radio down

Speed up so you spend less time near the tracks

You notice a railroad crossing signal is not working. What should you note before reporting it?

The identifying number of the crossing signal

The name of the railroad company only

In an emergency at a railroad crossing, who should you call using the ENS sign?

The railroad’s emergency contact number on the blue sign

The number of the nearest driver license office

The train engineer directly by radio

What does the USDOT National Crossing Inventory Number on an ENS sign tell the railroad?

The exact location of the crossing

How many trains use the crossing each day

The speed limit for trains at the crossing

An ambulance with a siren is coming toward you. If traffic allows, what should you do?

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

Stop right where you are in your lane

An emergency vehicle with a siren is behind you, but you cannot pull over to the right. What should you do?

Slow down and leave a clear path for it

Keep your speed and let it go around you

A fire truck has answered an alarm on a street. What does the law say about that street?

You may park there if you stay 50 feet away

You may drive on it at 10 mph or less

You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, on a highway with two lanes in your direction. What must you do?

Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle

Stop in your lane until it leaves

A school bus ahead in the opposite direction stops with alternately flashing red lights. On the same road, what must you do?

Continue, only traffic behind the bus must stop

You stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights. Which of these lets you pass it?

The bus driver signals you to proceed

The children have reached the sidewalk

When do you not have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

When the bus is on a different road

When you are on a two-lane road going the other way

A driver is convicted a second time within 5 years of passing a stopped school bus. What can happen to the license?

It can be suspended for up to six months

A driver previously convicted of passing a school bus and causing serious bodily injury does it again. What is the offense?

A state jail felony with 180 days to 2 years confinement

A Class B misdemeanor with up to 30 days in jail

A Class A misdemeanor with a $500 fine

A pedestrian is waiting to cross at an intersection with no traffic signs or signals. Who has the right-of-way?

The driver, since there is no WALK signal

There is no pedestrian signal at an intersection. When must you yield to a pedestrian crossing?

When the pedestrian is crossing on a green light

Only when the pedestrian is in your lane

Never, without a WALK signal the driver goes first

A pedestrian entered the crosswalk and the light then changes. Who has the right-of-way?

You do, once your light turns green

The pedestrian must go back to the curb

Where is a “Yield Here to Pedestrians” sign used?

Where yield lines come before a marked crosswalk on an uncontrolled multi-lane road

At every school crossing with a crossing guard

At intersections with a pedestrian signal

Where is an “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” sign placed?

In the road on the center line, a lane line, or a median island

On the right-hand side of the road

On a pole above the middle of the road

Right-of-way

Practice this topic55 questions

Questions and answers

How does the handbook describe the right-of-way?

Something given, not taken

No driver owns the right-of-way. The law only says who must give it to whom.
Chapter 4 · Chapter 4: Right-of-Way ↗PDF, 29 MB
You have the right-of-way, but the other driver does not follow the rules. What should you do?

Give the other driver the right-of-way

Even when the rules favor you, let the other driver go if he or she does not yield. Avoiding a crash comes first.
Chapter 4 · Chapter 4: Right-of-Way ↗PDF, 29 MB
A driver fails to yield the right-of-way and causes bodily injury to another person. What is the fine?

$500 to $2,000

Failing to yield that causes bodily injury brings a fine of $500 to $2,000. Serious bodily injury raises it.
Chapter 4 · Table 14: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way ↗PDF, 29 MB
A driver fails to yield the right-of-way and causes serious bodily injury to another person. What is the fine?

$1,000 to $4,000

When a failure to yield causes serious bodily injury, the fine is $1,000 to $4,000.
Chapter 4 · Table 14: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are on a two-lane road that meets a road with three or more lanes. Who must yield?

You must yield to vehicles on the road with three or more lanes

Traffic from a single or two-lane road yields to traffic on a divided road or a road with three or more lanes.
Chapter 4 · Single or Two-Lane Road Intersecting a Multi-Lane Road ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are on an unpaved road that meets a paved road. Who must yield?

You must yield to vehicles on the paved road

A driver coming from an unpaved road yields to vehicles traveling on the paved road.
Chapter 4 · Unpaved Road Intersecting a Paved Road ↗PDF, 29 MB
At an intersection with no signs, signals, multiple lanes, or pavement differences, who must you yield to?

A vehicle that has entered or is approaching on your right

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to a vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection on your right.
Chapter 4 · Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement ↗PDF, 29 MB
At an uncontrolled intersection the road to your right is clear. What else should you do before crossing?

Make sure no vehicles are approaching from the left

With no traffic controls, check the left as well. You may have the right-of-way, but make sure the other driver yields.
Chapter 4 · Intersections Not Controlled by Signs, Signals, Multi-Lanes, or Pavement ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are turning left. Who must you yield to?

Any vehicle coming straight through from the other direction

A left-turning driver always yields to oncoming vehicles going straight.
Chapter 4 · Turning Left ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are leaving a driveway to enter a street. Where must you stop?

Before the sidewalk

When entering a road from a private road, alley, building, or driveway, stop before the sidewalk.
Chapter 4 · Private Roads and Driveways ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are entering a street from an alley. Who must you yield to?

All approaching vehicles and pedestrians

A driver coming out of an alley, driveway, or private road yields to all approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
Chapter 4 · Private Roads and Driveways ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are on a street that ends at a T-intersection with a through street. What must you do?

Stop and yield to vehicles on the through street

The driver on the street that ends must stop and let traffic on the through street go first.
Chapter 4 · T-Intersection ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are driving on the frontage road of a controlled-access highway. A vehicle is leaving the highway to enter the frontage road. Who yields?

You must yield to the vehicle entering the frontage road

The driver on the frontage road yields to vehicles coming onto the frontage road from the highway.
Chapter 4 · Enter or Leave Controlled-Access Highway ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are driving on a frontage road. A vehicle ahead is leaving the frontage road to enter the highway. Who yields?

You must yield to the vehicle entering the highway

The frontage road driver yields to vehicles both coming off the highway and going onto it.
Chapter 4 · Enter or Leave Controlled-Access Highway ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a road with three or more lanes going the same way, two vehicles enter the same lane, one from the right and one from the left. Who yields?

The vehicle entering from the right

When two vehicles move into the same lane, the one coming from the right yields to the one coming from the left.
Chapter 4 · Driving on Multiple-Lane Roads ↗PDF, 29 MB
When you must stop at a railroad grade crossing, how far from the nearest rail should you stop?

Between 15 and 50 feet

Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.
Chapter 4 · Railroad Grade Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
You must stop at a railroad crossing when an approaching train is within about how many feet of it?

1,500 feet

A train within about 1,500 feet of the crossing is an immediate hazard, and it will sound an audible signal.
Chapter 4 · Railroad Grade Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
Which of these requires you to stop at a railroad grade crossing?

A lowered crossing gate or a flag person warning of a train

A lowered gate or a flag person warning of a train means you must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the rail.
Chapter 4 · Railroad Grade Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
You have stopped at a railroad grade crossing. How long must you stay stopped?

Until you are allowed to proceed or it is safe to proceed

After stopping at a grade crossing, stay stopped until you are allowed to go or it is safe.
Chapter 4 · Railroad Grade Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
What is the fine for failing to obey the law at a railroad grade crossing?

$50 to $200

Breaking the railroad grade crossing law brings a fine of $50 to $200.
Chapter 4 · Railroad Grade Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
A railroad crossing is marked only with a crossbuck sign. What should you do?

Look both ways and listen, stop if a train is coming

At a crossing with only a crossbuck or reduce speed sign, look and listen. Stop if a train approaches, otherwise proceed with caution.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing and a train is approaching. When may you go?

After the train passes and the lights stop flashing

Stay stopped until the train has passed and the flashing lights have stopped.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
The gates at a railroad crossing are down. When may you cross?

After the train passes and the gates are raised

Wait at lowered gates until the train has passed and the gates go back up.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
A train has just passed a crossing with two sets of tracks. Why should you check again before crossing?

One train could be blocking the view of another

There may be more than one set of tracks, and a second train can be hidden behind the first.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your car stalls on the railroad tracks and no train is coming. What should you try first?

Get out and try to push the car off the tracks

If you cannot restart the car, get out and try to push it off the tracks. If you cannot, get help.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your car is stalled on the tracks and a train is coming. Which way should you run?

Toward the approaching train, to the side of the tracks

Get out quickly and move away from the tracks toward the train, off to the side. This helps you avoid flying debris.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
Who has the right-of-way at a railroad crossing?

Trains, always

Trains do not and cannot stop at crossings, so they always have the right-of-way.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
How can you hear a train whistle better as you approach a railroad crossing?

Roll your windows down and turn your radio down

Whistles can be hard to hear. Lower the windows, turn down the radio, and listen carefully.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
You notice a railroad crossing signal is not working. What should you note before reporting it?

The identifying number of the crossing signal

Each crossing signal has an identifying number. Note it and give it when you report the problem.
Chapter 4 · Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings ↗PDF, 29 MB
What color is the Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign at a railroad crossing?

Blue and white

In an emergency at a grade crossing, look for the blue and white ENS sign.
Chapter 4 · In Case of Emergency ↗PDF, 29 MB
In an emergency at a railroad crossing, who should you call using the ENS sign?

The railroad’s emergency contact number on the blue sign

Call the railroad’s emergency number listed on the blue sign and give the crossing number and the problem.
Chapter 4 · In Case of Emergency ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does the USDOT National Crossing Inventory Number on an ENS sign tell the railroad?

The exact location of the crossing

The inventory number identifies exactly where the crossing is, so help can be sent to the right place.
Chapter 4 · In Case of Emergency ↗PDF, 29 MB
An ambulance with a siren is coming toward you. If traffic allows, what should you do?

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

Yield to emergency vehicles with a siren, bell, or flashing red light by pulling to the right edge and stopping.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
An emergency vehicle with a siren is behind you, but you cannot pull over to the right. What should you do?

Slow down and leave a clear path for it

If you are unable to pull right, slow down and keep a clear path open for the emergency vehicle.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
How close may you follow a fire truck answering an alarm?

No closer than 500 feet

You may not follow within 500 feet of a fire truck answering an alarm or an ambulance with flashing red lights on.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
A fire truck has answered an alarm on a street. What does the law say about that street?

Do not drive or park on it

Keep off the street where a fire truck has answered an alarm, both driving and parking.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, on a highway with two lanes in your direction. What must you do?

Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle

Unless an officer directs otherwise, vacate the lane nearest the stopped emergency vehicle when there are two or more lanes your way.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
The posted speed limit is 60 mph and you pass a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on. What is the most you may drive?

40 mph

When the posted limit is 25 mph or more, slow to no more than 20 mph below the limit. 60 minus 20 is 40.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
The posted speed limit is 20 mph and you pass a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on. How slow must you go?

Less than 5 mph

When the posted limit is under 25 mph, slow to less than 5 mph past a stopped emergency vehicle.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles ↗PDF, 29 MB
A school bus ahead in the opposite direction stops with alternately flashing red lights. On the same road, what must you do?

Stop

Drivers coming from either direction must stop for a school bus showing alternately flashing red lights.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to School Buses ↗PDF, 29 MB
You stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights. Which of these lets you pass it?

The bus driver signals you to proceed

Do not pass until the bus moves again, the driver signals you on, or the red lights stop flashing.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to School Buses ↗PDF, 29 MB
When do you not have to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

When the bus is on a different road

You need not stop when the bus is on a different road, or on a controlled-access highway where the bus is in a loading zone and pedestrians may not cross.
Chapter 4 · Yield Right-of-Way to School Buses ↗PDF, 29 MB
What is the fine for a first conviction of passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights?

$500 to $1,250

A first conviction for failing to stop for a school bus brings a fine of $500 to $1,250.
Chapter 4 · Table 15: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus ↗PDF, 29 MB
A driver is convicted a second time within 5 years of passing a stopped school bus. What can happen to the license?

It can be suspended for up to six months

A second or later conviction within 5 years brings a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and a possible suspension of up to six months.
Chapter 4 · Table 15: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus ↗PDF, 29 MB
Passing a stopped school bus and causing serious bodily injury is what offense?

A Class A misdemeanor

Causing serious bodily injury while passing a stopped school bus is a Class A misdemeanor, with a fine up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail.
Chapter 4 · Table 15: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus ↗PDF, 29 MB
A driver previously convicted of passing a school bus and causing serious bodily injury does it again. What is the offense?

A state jail felony with 180 days to 2 years confinement

A repeat offense that causes serious bodily injury is a state jail felony, with 180 days to 2 years and a fine up to $10,000.
Chapter 4 · Table 15: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus ↗PDF, 29 MB
A pedestrian is waiting to cross at an intersection with no traffic signs or signals. Who has the right-of-way?

The pedestrian

At an uncontrolled intersection, drivers must give the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Chapter 4 · Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly Weapon ↗PDF, 29 MB
There is no pedestrian signal at an intersection. When must you yield to a pedestrian crossing?

When the pedestrian is crossing on a green light

Without a pedestrian control signal, the pedestrian has the right-of-way on a green light.
Chapter 4 · Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly Weapon ↗PDF, 29 MB
A pedestrian entered the crosswalk and the light then changes. Who has the right-of-way?

The pedestrian still does

If the light changes after the pedestrian has entered the crosswalk, still let the pedestrian finish crossing.
Chapter 4 · Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly Weapon ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where is a “Yield Here to Pedestrians” sign used?

Where yield lines come before a marked crosswalk on an uncontrolled multi-lane road

This sign goes with yield lines placed ahead of a marked crosswalk across an uncontrolled multi-lane roadway.
Chapter 4 · Yield Here to Pedestrian Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where is an “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” sign placed?

In the road on the center line, a lane line, or a median island

These signs stand in the road at the crosswalk. They are not posted on the left or right side of the road.
Chapter 4 · In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where is a pedestrian hybrid beacon installed?

Only at a marked crosswalk

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is activated by pedestrians and is only installed at a marked crosswalk.
Chapter 4 · Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons ↗PDF, 29 MB
A pedestrian hybrid beacon shows you alternating flashing red lights. What should you do?

Stop, then go if the crosswalk is clear

Alternating flashing red on a pedestrian hybrid beacon means stop, then go if it is clear.
Chapter 4 · Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons ↗PDF, 29 MB
What are in-roadway lights?

Lights in the road surface that warn of a condition you may not see

In-roadway lights are set in the pavement to warn of a condition ahead that may require you to slow down or stop.
Chapter 4 · In-Roadway Lights ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where are in-roadway lights typically placed?

At midblock crossings and school crosswalks

They are used where pedestrian safety is a concern, such as midblock crossings, school crosswalks, and before roundabouts.
Chapter 4 · In-Roadway Lights ↗PDF, 29 MB