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Virginia driving lesson · Safe Driving Basics

Right-of-Way & Roundabouts

A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Safe Driving Basics
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
18, 19

Right-of-way rules decide who goes first, so two drivers never both assume they can. Yielding also means stopping if you can't merge safely. Roundabouts follow one simple principle: traffic already in the circle goes first.

Who yields at intersections:

  • Different arrival times: the vehicle that arrives first goes first
  • Same time, no signs or signals: the driver on the left lets the driver on the right go first
  • Signals not working: everyone stops; the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
  • Entering an interstate from a ramp: yield to traffic already on the highway
  • Entering any intersection or roundabout: yield to traffic already in it
  • From a private road or driveway: stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing within a clearly marked crosswalk or at an unmarked intersection. Turns on red are especially hazardous to pedestrians.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Yield to funeral processions; don't cut through, join or interfere. Unless police escort it, the lead vehicle obeys all signs and signals; others may follow without stopping and may use hazard lights.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

You must yield to all military convoys. Never cut through or join one.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Roundabout

A circular intersection with an island in the center and one or more lanes. Each approach has a yield sign and may have yield line markings.

Handbook p. 18 ↗

Know the rule

Entering traffic must yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the circle, then travel counter-clockwise.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
Roundabout right-of-way
Paths through a two-lane roundabout

Choosing a lane in a roundabout

Choosing a lane in a roundabout
Your planWhere to enter
Turn rightStay to the right
Go straight (dual-lane)Either lane
Turn leftStay to the left
Handbook p. 18 ↗

Roundabout tips:

  • Slow down on approach; read street and direction signs to know your exit
  • Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles already inside
  • Your entry may be controlled by a stop sign, yield sign or signal
  • Stay in your lane until ready to exit; use your right turn signal to exit
  • Before changing lanes or exiting, glance over your shoulder for vehicles beside or behind you
Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

You and another car reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same moment; the other car is on your right. You're the driver on the left, so let them 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.

When two vehicles arrive at an intersection with no signs or signals at the same time, who must yield?
  1. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
  2. Whoever is driving the larger vehicle yields
  3. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
  4. Neither driver yields; both proceed together

Answer: The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right

When vehicles arrive at the same time with no signs or signals, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
Drivers entering a highway from an entrance ramp must yield to whom?
  1. No one, since they have the right-of-way
  2. Only vehicles signaling a lane change
  3. Vehicles behind them on the ramp
  4. Traffic already on the highway

Answer: Traffic already on the highway

Drivers entering an interstate from an entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to traffic already on the highway.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
When entering a roadway from a private driveway, what must you do?
  1. Stop and yield to all traffic and walkers
  2. Yield only if a car is visibly approaching
  3. Slow down and merge without stopping
  4. Proceed if no stop sign is posted

Answer: Stop and yield to all traffic and walkers

When entering a roadway from a private road or driveway, you must stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
In a funeral procession without a police escort, how must the lead vehicle behave at traffic signals?
  1. It may proceed through red lights without stopping
  2. It must obey all traffic signs and signals
  3. It may travel in any lane regardless of markings
  4. It may use flashers to go through signals

Answer: It must obey all traffic signs and signals

Unless led by a police escort, the lead vehicle in a funeral procession must obey all traffic signs and signals.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
In a roundabout, entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to whom?
  1. Only vehicles exiting the circle
  2. Only vehicles approaching from the left
  3. No one; entering traffic always has priority
  4. Pedestrians and circulating traffic

Answer: Pedestrians and circulating traffic

Entering traffic at a roundabout must yield to pedestrians and to traffic already circulating.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
If you plan to turn left at a dual-lane roundabout, where should you position your vehicle when entering?
  1. Stay to the right as you enter
  2. Stay to the left as you enter
  3. Use either lane, it does not matter
  4. Enter on the right, then move left inside

Answer: Stay to the left as you enter

If you plan to turn left, stay to the left as you enter the roundabout.

Handbook p. 18 ↗
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