Roadwise States New Hampshire Driving lessons Steering and right-of-way New Hampshire driving lesson · Basic Driving
Steering and right-of-way A 3-minute lesson from the New Hampshire 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 Basic Driving
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 21
Right-of-way rules decide who goes first at intersections and merges. The law says who must yield, never who automatically gets to go, so always look at the actual situation before you proceed.
Know the rule
Hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock, knuckles and thumbs on the outside. Use hand-to-hand steering for slight turns and hand-over-hand for greater steering.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
RSA 265:28: at an intersection, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right, unless a traffic control device or police officer directs otherwise.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
RSA 265:29: when turning left at an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway, yield to oncoming vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
No one should assume they automatically have the right-of-way; always consider the situation at the intersection.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Yield the right-of-way to: Emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing lights, from any direction The driver who is at, or arrives at, the intersection first Oncoming traffic when you're turning left The driver on the right at a 4-way stop when you both arrive at the same time Drivers on a public highway when you enter from a driveway or private road Drivers already on a limited access or interstate highway, when you're on the entrance ramp Pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers still in the intersection Funeral processions Handbook p. 21 ↗ Same Time Rule: at a 4-way stop, the driver on the right goes first First Car Rule: the first vehicle to arrive goes first Know the rule
For an emergency vehicle, drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop until it passes, without blocking an intersection. Then signal and re-enter only when safe.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Let a funeral procession (vehicles with headlights on following a hearse) pass as a group.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
You and another car reach a 4-way stop at the same moment; she's on your right. She goes first. If you had clearly arrived first, you'd go 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.
What are the recommended hand positions for steering, according to the manual? 9-and-3, or 8-and-4 o'clock 12 o'clock with one hand 10 and 2 o'clock only 6 and 12 o'clock Answer: 9-and-3, or 8-and-4 o'clock
Hands should be at 9 and 3, or 8 and 4 o'clock positions.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Under RSA 265:28, who must a driver approaching an intersection on the left yield to? The vehicle on the right Any oncoming emergency vehicle only The vehicle on the left The vehicle going straight Answer: The vehicle on the right
A driver approaching an intersection on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Under RSA 265:29, a driver turning left within an intersection must yield to what? Pedestrians only, not vehicles Vehicles waiting behind it in its lane An oncoming vehicle close enough to be a hazard Any vehicle already stopped at a red light Answer: An oncoming vehicle close enough to be a hazard
A left-turning driver must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ At a four-way intersection controlled by stop signs, if two drivers arrive at the same time, who has the right-of-way? The larger vehicle Whoever signals first The driver on the right The driver on the left Answer: The driver on the right
If both drivers arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ When entering a public highway from a private driveway, a driver must yield to whom? Only pedestrians crossing the driveway Only vehicles signaling a turn Drivers already on the public highway No one, since driveways have priority Answer: Drivers already on the public highway
Drivers entering a highway from a driveway or private road must yield to drivers already on it.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a funeral procession following a hearse with headlights on. True False Answer: True
Drivers should allow vehicles following a hearse with headlights on to pass as a group.
Handbook p. 21 ↗
Previous lesson Loads, trailers, snow, and ice Next lesson Speed limits and safe speed
About the source Roadwise’s New Hampshire course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 21. 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
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check New Hampshire’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.