Iowa driving lesson · Right-of-Way, School Buses & Parking
Right-of-way at intersections
A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Right-of-way rules say who must wait when paths cross and no sign or signal decides it. The law never GIVES anyone the right-of-way—it only says who must yield. Whoever is 'right,' do everything you can to avoid striking a pedestrian or another vehicle.
Know the rule
The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way.
Two-way stop: the red car turning left must yield to the green car going straightAll-way stop: arriving together, the car on the left yields to the car on the rightYield signs: the red cars yield to cross traffic
Know the rule
At uncontrolled intersections (no stop sign or signal), all drivers must slow down and approach carefully. The same rules as at controlled intersections apply, with extra caution.
Uncontrolled intersection: arriving at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
Put it into practice
At a four-way stop you and a car on your right stop at the same moment. The car on your right goes first. Had you clearly arrived first, you would go first after your complete stop.
Put it into practice
You're pulling out of a parking lot across a sidewalk. Stop, yield to anyone walking on the sidewalk, then yield to vehicles already on the street.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Two vehicles arrive at an all-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?
The vehicle to the left
Whichever vehicle is larger
The vehicle going straight
The vehicle to the right
Answer: The vehicle to the right
When vehicles arrive at an all-way stop at the same time, the vehicle to the right goes first.
