Roadwise States Massachusetts Driving lessons Right-of-Way at Intersections Massachusetts driving lesson · Right-of-Way, Turns, Lanes & Parking
Right-of-Way at Intersections A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Right-of-Way, Turns, Lanes & Parking
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 104, 107, 108, 109 Right-of-way rules handle traffic situations not controlled by signs or signals. They're based on safety and courtesy and give you no "rights": the right-of-way is something you give, not take.
Know the rule
If another driver doesn't follow the right-of-way rules, you should always give the right-of-way.
Handbook p. 107 ↗ Know the rule
It is illegal to block an intersection. Enter an intersection or cross a crosswalk only if there is room to drive through safely.
Handbook p. 104 ↗ Know the rule
At an intersection not controlled by signs or signals, slow down and look left and right. Yield to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from your right or is coming from your right.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ Know the rule
Watch traffic from the left too: even when you have the legal right-of-way, make sure the other driver is yielding before you proceed.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ At a four-way stop, yield to: Any vehicle that has already come to a full stop A vehicle directly to your right that stopped at the same time as you Handbook p. 108 ↗ Know the rule
At a four-way stop, vehicles go in the order they stopped: the first to stop is the next to go. If in doubt, give the right-of-way to the driver on your right. Try to make eye contact with other drivers.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ Before any left turn, yield to: Oncoming vehicles Vehicles already in the intersection Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your intended path Handbook p. 108 ↗ Know the rule
When entering a paved road from a private road, a driveway or an unpaved road, you must stop, then yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles on the road you're entering.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ Know the rule
On a designated throughway, you must yield the right-of-way to traffic on the throughway before you turn.
Handbook p. 109 ↗ Know the rule
On a single or two-lane road that meets a divided highway or a road with three or more lanes, you must yield the right-of-way.
Handbook p. 109 ↗ Know the rule
If you're turning, yield to bicyclists going straight through the intersection, and never cut in front of a bicyclist.
Handbook p. 104 ↗ Put it into practice
You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same moment, and the other car is directly to your right. Yield and let it go first.
A useful reminder No signs, or a tie at a four-way stop? The vehicle on the right goes first.
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.
At a four-way stop where two vehicles arrive and stop at the exact same time, who goes first? The driver on your left Yield to the driver on your right The larger vehicle always goes first The driver going straight Answer: Yield to the driver on your right
If in doubt at a simultaneous stop, give the right-of-way to the driver on your right.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ At an uncontrolled intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way? The vehicle approaching from your left The vehicle approaching from your right Whoever arrives first, regardless of direction The larger vehicle Answer: The vehicle approaching from your right
You must yield to any vehicle approaching from your right at an uncontrolled intersection.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ When making a left turn, who must you yield to? Only oncoming traffic Only pedestrians Oncoming traffic, vehicles in the intersection, and pedestrians or bicyclists No one, since you have a green light Answer: Oncoming traffic, vehicles in the intersection, and pedestrians or bicyclists
A left turn requires yielding to oncoming vehicles, vehicles already in the intersection, and pedestrians or bicyclists.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ Before entering a paved road from a private driveway, what must you do? Slow down but you don't need to stop Honk before proceeding Only yield if a sign is posted Stop and yield to road traffic Answer: Stop and yield to road traffic
Entering from a private road or driveway requires stopping and yielding to the road you're entering.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ At a four-way stop, which vehicle has the right to go first? The first one to fully stop The vehicle on the left The heaviest vehicle Whichever vehicle is turning left Answer: The first one to fully stop
At a four-way stop, vehicles go in the order they stopped.
Handbook p. 108 ↗ On a single-lane or two-lane road approaching a divided highway or road with three or more lanes, you must yield the right-of-way. True False Answer: True
Traffic on a smaller road must yield when meeting a divided highway or road with three-plus lanes.
Handbook p. 109 ↗ Previous lesson Warning Signs Next lesson Rotaries & Roundabouts More in Right-of-Way, Turns, Lanes & Parking About the source Roadwise’s Massachusetts course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 104, 107, 108, 109. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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