By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026 · How we check our content
Short answer: Turning left? Oncoming traffic goes first. Arriving together with no controls? The car on the right goes first. Coming out of a driveway? Everyone on the road and sidewalk goes first. Right-of-way is something the law tells you to give, not something you may take.
Everyday situations
- Turning left: wait until no oncoming vehicle would have to slow down for you, even on a green light.
- No signs or signals: if you arrive together, the car on your right goes first.
- Leaving a driveway or parking lot: stop before the sidewalk, then wait for people walking and for road traffic.
- Entering a highway: vehicles already on the highway go first. Use the speed-change lane to build up speed.
- Roundabouts: give way to cars already circling, and travel counterclockwise.
Emergency vehicles
When a siren or flashing lights approach, pull to the right edge and stop if traffic lets you. If an emergency vehicle is stopped with its lights on, leave the closest lane if your side has two or more lanes. If you cannot, slow to 20 mph under a limit of 25 mph or more, or to 5 mph where the limit is under 25.
School buses
Flashing red lights on a school bus stop traffic in both directions. Stay stopped until the bus moves, the driver signals you, or the lights go off. A painted center line or turn lane does not change this. The exception is a separate roadway, such as one across a raised median.
Railroad crossings
- Never go around or under a lowering gate.
- Only start across when your whole car can clear the tracks on the other side.
People walking
- A green light does not let you turn through someone crossing lawfully.
- Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. It may be hiding someone.
- A white cane or guide dog tells you to take extra care and let the person cross.
Checked against the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026). Laws change, so check Texas DPS for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 4.
Check yourself
Try these 7 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the rules of the road practice test.
Question 1 · Right of Way
Two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. The other vehicle is on your right. What should you do?
- A. Let the vehicle on your right go first
- B. Wave the other driver into your lane
- C. Accelerate before the other vehicle moves
- D. Go first because you are traveling straight
Show answer
Answer: A. Let the vehicle on your right go first
When two cars arrive together at a crossing with no controls, the car on the right goes first. Never force your way in.
Question 2 · Right of Way
You want to turn left across the path of an approaching car going straight. Who should wait?
- A. The larger vehicle goes first
- B. Whoever signals first goes first
- C. The approaching driver must stop for your signal
- D. You should wait for a safe gap
Show answer
Answer: D. You should wait for a safe gap
A left turn must not interfere with approaching traffic. A turn signal communicates intent but does not grant priority.
Question 3 · Right of Way
You are leaving a store driveway and entering a public street. What must happen before you enter?
- A. Sound the horn and enter immediately
- B. Stop first, then give way to road traffic and people on the sidewalk
- C. Yield only to vehicles coming from the left
- D. Enter halfway so other drivers must stop
Show answer
Answer: B. Stop first, then give way to road traffic and people on the sidewalk
Coming out of a private drive, you stop before any sidewalk and let road traffic and pedestrians pass first.
Question 4 · Right of Way
An ambulance approaches from behind with its siren and emergency lights operating. What is the proper response when you are clear of an intersection?
- A. Pull toward the right edge and stop safely
- B. Drive faster to keep ahead of it
- C. Follow it through the next red light
- D. Stop abruptly in your travel lane
Show answer
Answer: A. Pull toward the right edge and stop safely
Move to the right edge and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle. Keep intersections clear.
Question 5 · Right of Way
A school bus on the opposite side of an undivided road stops with red lights flashing. What must you do?
- A. Stop only if the bus driver waves
- B. Continue because the bus is across the centerline
- C. Pass slowly if no child is visible
- D. Stop until legally permitted to proceed
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop until legally permitted to proceed
Traffic in both directions stops for a school bus displaying its required stop signals on an undivided road. An ordinary centerline is not a physical separation.
Question 6 · Right of Way
A school bus stops on the opposite roadway beyond a raised physical median. Its red lights flash. What does the divided roadway exception mean for you?
- A. You may ignore pedestrians on your roadway
- B. You need not stop solely for that bus but must remain alert
- C. Every vehicle on every roadway must stop
- D. The exception also applies to a painted center turn lane
Show answer
Answer: B. You need not stop solely for that bus but must remain alert
A driver on a separate roadway need not stop for the bus across the physical separation. A painted median or turn lane does not create that exception.
Question 7 · Right of Way
You approach a roundabout with traffic already circulating. What should you do?
- A. Yield to circulating traffic and enter a safe gap
- B. Drive clockwise to shorten your route
- C. Stop inside the circle to choose an exit
- D. Enter first because arriving traffic has priority
Show answer
Answer: A. Yield to circulating traffic and enter a safe gap
Roundabout entrants yield to traffic already circulating. Follow lane markings and travel counterclockwise.
Next: Numbers worth memorizing. Parking distances, headlight rules, default speeds and following gaps.