Topics · Who goes first?

Who goes first?: DMV test questions

Right of way and stops. Here are 54 questions like the ones on the written test, with answers and explanations.

Video lessonWho Goes First?4-way stop: who goes first?

54 questions with answers

1. 1. At a 4-way stop, who goes first?

   
   1. Whoever is on the wider or busier street
   2. The biggest vehicle
   3. The fastest car
   4. The first car to come to a complete stop
   Show answer

   Answer: The first car to come to a complete stop

   First to arrive and stop goes first. No debate.

2. 2. Two cars reach a 4-way stop at the same time. Who yields?

   1. Whoever is turning right
   2. The car on the left yields to the car on the right
   3. Nobody, they go together
   4. The car on the right yields to the left
   Show answer

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

   Tie: the car on the right goes first.

3. 3. You're turning left on a solid green light with no arrow. You must…

   1. Go first because the green light gives you priority
   2. Wait for red
   3. Honk and turn
   4. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
   Show answer

   Answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

   A round green doesn't give you priority to turn left. Wait for your gap.

4. 4. An ambulance with siren and lights comes up behind you. You…

   1. Pull to the left
   2. Speed up to get out of the way
   3. Stop right where you are, in your lane
   4. Pull to the right edge and stop
   Show answer

   Answer: Pull to the right edge and stop

   To the right and stay put until it passes.

5. 5. A pedestrian is in the crosswalk ahead. What do you do?

   1. Stop and let them cross
   2. Honk so they hurry
   3. Go if they see you
   4. Roll slowly behind them
   Show answer

   Answer: Stop and let them cross

   A pedestrian in the crosswalk wins. Always.

6. 6. You're pulling out of a driveway or parking lot onto the street. What do you do?

   1. They must yield to you
   2. Yield to traffic and pedestrians on the street
   3. Honk and go
   4. Whoever arrived first goes, you or the street traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: Yield to traffic and pedestrians on the street

   Coming out of private property? You wait.

7. 7. Entering a roundabout, who do you yield to?

   1. Cars entering the roundabout after you
   2. Only trucks
   3. Nobody
   4. Traffic already in the roundabout
   Show answer

   Answer: Traffic already in the roundabout

   Whoever is already circling has the right of way.

8. 8. You're merging onto the freeway from the on-ramp. You should…

   1. Always stop at the end of the ramp
   2. Turn on your hazards and enter slowly until there's a gap
   3. Just merge; they must brake
   4. Match speed and yield to traffic already on the freeway
   Show answer

   Answer: Match speed and yield to traffic already on the freeway

   Use the ramp to match speed and find your gap.

9. 9. Uncontrolled T intersection. You're on the road that ends. What do you do?

   1. Car on the right goes, like any open intersection
   2. Fastest goes
   3. They yield to you
   4. Yield to traffic on the through road
   Show answer

   Answer: Yield to traffic on the through road

   The road that ends waits.

10. 10. A pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog is about to cross. What do you do?

    1. Honk to let them know you're there
    2. Stop and let them cross
    3. Drive slowly in front of them
    4. Wave them across
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop and let them cross

    They can't see you, so you look out for them. And no honking, it can startle them.

11. 11. A funeral procession with headlights on is going through the intersection. What do you do?

    1. Go if your light is green, even if they're still crossing
    2. Honk so you can get through
    3. Yield until the procession has passed
    4. Cut in between the procession cars
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield until the procession has passed

    In most states the procession stays together. Show respect and wait.

12. 12. You reach an intersection with no signs or signals at the same time as a car on your right.

    1. Yield to the car on your right
    2. The bigger vehicle goes first
    3. The faster car goes first
    4. Go first since you're on the left
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield to the car on your right

    No signs and a tie: the car on the right goes. Same as a 4-way stop.

13. 13. You're approaching an intersection and a police car with siren and lights is coming.

    1. Stop in the middle of the intersection
    2. Don't enter; pull right and stop
    3. Hurry through before it arrives
    4. Keep going, you have a green light
    Show answer

    Answer: Don't enter; pull right and stop

    Never stop inside the intersection. Pull over before it and let them by.

14. 14. You're turning right and a pedestrian is crossing the street you're turning onto.

    1. Make a wider turn around them
    2. Wait until they finish crossing
    3. Honk so they hurry
    4. Go behind them without stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait until they finish crossing

    Even on a green, the pedestrian crossing goes first. Just wait a moment.

15. 15. At a 4-way stop you arrive at the same time as the car across from you. You're turning left; it's going straight.

    
    1. It yields to you
    2. You yield to it
    3. Whoever honks goes first
    4. You both go at once
    Show answer

    Answer: You yield to it

    The left turner waits for the car going straight. Simple as that.

16. 16. In a U.S. roundabout, which way do you travel?

    1. Counterclockwise
    2. Clockwise
    3. Whichever way is clearer
    4. It depends on its size
    Show answer

    Answer: Counterclockwise

    Enter to the right and go counterclockwise. No freestyle.

17. 17. You're exiting an alley or driveway that crosses a sidewalk. Where do you stop?

    1. On top of the sidewalk
    2. In the first lane of the street
    3. You don't need to stop
    4. Before the sidewalk
    Show answer

    Answer: Before the sidewalk

    Stop before the sidewalk, people walk there. Then check the street.

18. 18. You have the right of way, but another car isn't stopping. What do you do?

    1. Yield to avoid a crash
    2. Honk and keep going
    3. Speed up to get through first
    4. Keep going, the law is on your side
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield to avoid a crash

    Right of way is given, not taken. Being right won't fix your car.

19. 19. You're leaving a parking lot and a car is coming fast on the street, still a bit away. Who goes?

    1. Whoever honks first
    2. The car on the street; wait for a safe gap
    3. You, if you pull out fast with your lights on
    4. You, since you got to the edge first
    Show answer

    Answer: The car on the street; wait for a safe gap

    Coming out of a parking lot, you always yield. If in doubt, wait; the street isn't going anywhere.

20. 20. You come from a dirt road onto a paved road with no signs. Who goes first?

    1. Traffic on the paved road
    2. You, because you're going slower than them
    3. You, because you're coming from the right
    4. Whichever vehicle is bigger
    Show answer

    Answer: Traffic on the paved road

    The dirt road yields to the paved one. Wait for your gap and shake off the dust.

21. 21. You're on the through road at a T intersection with no signs. A car waits on the road that ends. What happens?

    1. You go, but watch in case it pulls out
    2. You both stop and take turns
    3. Whoever arrived first, no matter the road
    4. You stop to let that car pull out first
    Show answer

    Answer: You go, but watch in case it pulls out

    The road that ends yields. Still, keep your foot ready: not everyone knows the rule.

22. 22. You reach this sign and traffic is coming close. What do you do?

    
    1. Keep rolling slowly, they must brake for you
    2. Go in, because this sign is just advice
    3. Stop and wait for a safe gap
    4. Always stop, even when nobody is coming
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop and wait for a safe gap

    YIELD means slow down and stop if needed. If someone's coming, you wait.

23. 23. At an intersection with no signs, you're turning left and a car is coming straight toward you. Who goes?

    1. You, because you got there a second earlier
    2. The car going straight
    3. Whichever of the two is going faster
    4. You, because you used your turn signal
    Show answer

    Answer: The car going straight

    Left turns yield to oncoming traffic. Your signal warns, it doesn't give permission.

24. 24. You stopped on red to turn right and a pedestrian starts crossing in front of you. What do you do?

    1. Turn quickly before they reach you
    2. Honk so they know you're there
    3. Wait until they finish crossing
    4. Creep forward so they hurry up
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait until they finish crossing

    Turning on red is permission, not a race. The pedestrian goes first, always.

25. 25. Your light turns green, but a car is still crossing the intersection. What do you do?

    1. Inch forward to pressure it
    2. Honk so it hurries up
    3. Let it finish crossing
    4. Go ahead, the green light is yours
    Show answer

    Answer: Let it finish crossing

    Green doesn't mean «crash». Whoever is already in there gets to finish.

26. 26. You're approaching a two-lane roundabout. When do you choose your lane?

    1. When exiting, cutting to the outer lane
    2. Before entering, based on your exit
    3. Once inside, when you see which lane is open
    4. Any time, those lanes are flexible
    Show answer

    Answer: Before entering, based on your exit

    Read the signs and arrows before you enter. Inside is no time to decide.

27. 27. You're already inside a multi-lane roundabout. Can you change lanes?

    1. No, stay in your lane until you exit
    2. Yes, once you're getting close to your exit
    3. Yes, if you signal in time
    4. Yes, as long as nobody is behind you
    Show answer

    Answer: No, stay in your lane until you exit

    Inside the roundabout, everyone stays in their lane. Missed your exit? Go around again.

28. 28. A pedestrian is crossing mid-block, far from any crosswalk. What do you do?

    1. Yield so you don't hit them
    2. Speed up to pass before they get there
    3. Honk and keep going without braking
    4. Keep going, they're crossing illegally
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield so you don't hit them

    Even if they cross wrong, you must avoid hitting them. Life first, lecture later.

29. 29. A school crossing guard raises a STOP sign. What do you do?

    1. Slow down but keep moving forward
    2. Keep going if you don't see any kids
    3. Stop only if you see kids waiting on the sidewalk
    4. Stop and wait until they signal you on
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop and wait until they signal you on

    The guard works like a STOP sign. You move when they tell you.

30. 30. A blind person with a white cane hesitates at the corner. What should you NOT do?

    1. Honk to let them know you're there
    2. Let them cross even if it takes a while
    3. Stop before the crosswalk
    4. Wait patiently for them to cross
    Show answer

    Answer: Honk to let them know you're there

    A honk can scare and confuse them. Stop, wait, and let them cross calmly.

31. 31. At a railroad crossing, who has the right of way?

    1. The train, only if it blows its horn
    2. Cars, if there are no gates
    3. Whoever gets to the crossing first
    4. The train, always
    Show answer

    Answer: The train, always

    A train can't stop fast or swerve. It always wins, kiddo, always.

32. 32. You're already in the intersection when you hear an ambulance siren. What do you do?

    1. Pull to the left inside the intersection
    2. Clear the intersection, then pull right
    3. Stop right there, in the middle of the intersection
    4. Back up to get out of the intersection
    Show answer

    Answer: Clear the intersection, then pull right

    Never stop inside the intersection. Get through, pull to the right and stop.

33. 33. A traffic light is dark and you arrive at the same time as a car on your right. Who goes?

    1. You, because you're on the bigger street
    2. The car on your right
    3. You, because the car on the right yields
    4. Whoever is brave enough to go first
    Show answer

    Answer: The car on your right

    In most states, a dark signal is an all-way stop. On a tie, the car on the right goes.

34. 34. Your light just turned green. Before you go, what do you do?

    1. Wait for the driver behind to honk
    2. Go right away so you don't hold up the line
    3. Look only in your rearview mirror
    4. Look both ways for anyone running the red
    Show answer

    Answer: Look both ways for anyone running the red

    There's always someone who runs the red. A quick look each way saves you the scare.

35. 35. You see this sign: your lane is ending. Who has the right of way?

    
    1. Whoever signals first
    2. Whichever driver is going faster
    3. Traffic in the lane that continues
    4. You, because your lane is running out
    Show answer

    Answer: Traffic in the lane that continues

    The merging driver finds a gap and yields. Signal, mirror and patience.

36. 36. In slow traffic, two lanes narrow into one. What's the most orderly way?

    1. Take turns, one by one, like a zipper
    2. Force your way in wherever you can
    3. The continuing lane lets nobody in
    4. The ending lane waits until the other clears
    Show answer

    Answer: Take turns, one by one, like a zipper

    One by one, like a zipper. Everyone moves and nobody gets mad.

37. 37. A transit bus with its turn signal on wants to pull back into your lane from its stop. What do several states require?

    1. That you pass it before it pulls out
    2. That you yield to it
    3. That you honk so it waits
    4. That you close the gap to block it
    Show answer

    Answer: That you yield to it

    Several states require you to yield to a bus leaving its stop. Check your handbook.

38. 38. To turn into a driveway, you must cross a bike lane or shared path. Who do you yield to?

    1. Only bicyclists who are going fast
    2. Bicyclists and pedestrians on the path
    3. Nobody, the path isn't part of the street
    4. Only pedestrians, bikes yield to you
    Show answer

    Answer: Bicyclists and pedestrians on the path

    You're crossing their path, so they go first. Look both ways, bikes are fast.

39. 39. You have a green light and a sign says «DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION». There's no room on the other side. You…

    1. Pull halfway in and wait there for the line to move
    2. Wait before the intersection until there's room
    3. Pull in and turn on your flashers so others wait
    4. Go ahead, since green always lets you enter
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait before the intersection until there's room

    If you're stuck in the middle when the light changes, you block everyone. And yes, it's a ticket.

40. 40. «KEEP CLEAR» is painted on the pavement in front of a side street, and traffic is stopped. You…

    1. Stop before the marking and leave it open
    2. Use it if nobody is pulling out right then
    3. Stop on it, since it's only a suggestion
    4. Stop on it only if your light is green
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop before the marking and leave it open

    That space lets others get in and out, even ambulances or fire trucks. Don't block it.

41. 41. You're driving down the street and a car wants to pull out of a home driveway. Who has the right-of-way?

    1. Whichever of the two cars is going faster
    2. The car pulling out, since it already started moving
    3. You do, but watch in case it doesn't yield
    4. Whichever car is on the right of the other
    Show answer

    Answer: You do, but watch in case it doesn't yield

    The car leaving a driveway yields. But if it doesn't see you, being right won't stop the crash.

42. 42. On a narrow street, cars are parked on YOUR side and only one car fits. Another car is coming. You…

    1. Wait before the narrow part and let it pass
    2. Go first, since you got there before it did
    3. Flash your lights so it pulls over for you
    4. Speed through, squeezing past the parked cars
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait before the narrow part and let it pass

    The obstacle is in your lane, so you wait. A few seconds won't cost you anything.

43. 43. At a crosswalk with no signal, a pedestrian started crossing on the far half of the street and is heading your way. You…

    1. Yield: they'll reach your lane soon
    2. Go, since they're still on the other half
    3. Honk so they know to wait for you
    4. Speed by before they reach your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield: they'll reach your lane soon

    They're already crossing and will be in front of you in seconds. Wait, kiddo.

44. 44. You're about to pull out of an alley onto the street, and there's no sidewalk. You…

    1. Stop only if you see cars very close
    2. Honk and pull out, since they heard you
    3. Stop before entering and yield to everyone
    4. Roll out slowly without stopping, since there's no sidewalk
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop before entering and yield to everyone

    Coming out of an alley, you always stop, sidewalk or not. Ease out and yield to cars and people.

45. 45. You're coming up to this stop sign. Where do you stop?

    1. Before the white line
    2. On top of the white line
    3. Right at the corner, next to the STOP sign post
    4. Wherever you can see the other street best
    Show answer

    Answer: Before the white line

    Before the limit line. No line? Before the crosswalk. No crosswalk either? Before you enter the intersection.

46. 46. Nobody's coming. Is slowing down and rolling through enough?

    1. Yes, if you're under 5 mph
    2. Yes, if nobody's really coming
    3. Yes, if you honk first
    4. No: a full stop, wheels not moving
    Show answer

    Answer: No: a full stop, wheels not moving

    At a stop sign you come to a full stop, even if nobody's coming. Rolling through gets you a ticket, and it fails your road test.

47. 47. You've stopped. The red car is coming on the street with no stop sign. Who goes?

    1. You, if you wave for them to wait
    2. The red car
    3. You, because you already stopped
    4. Whoever is faster
    Show answer

    Answer: The red car

    You have the stop sign; the other street doesn't. You yield to its traffic and go when it's clear.

48. 48. You stopped at the line, but the van parked at the corner blocks your view. What do you do?

    1. Go fast to get across quickly
    2. Stay put until someone waves you on
    3. Edge forward slowly until you can see
    4. Honk and go
    Show answer

    Answer: Edge forward slowly until you can see

    If you still can't see after stopping, edge forward slowly until you can. That way crossing drivers see the front of your car too.

49. 49. You're turning left. A car is coming from the left and another from the right. When do you go?

    1. As soon as the right one passes
    2. When both sides are clear
    3. As soon as the left one passes
    4. Right now, before they get here
    Show answer

    Answer: When both sides are clear

    Turning left crosses both lanes: you need both sides clear. Until then, you wait at the line.

50. 50. The gray car has its turn signal on, as if it's turning into your street. Do you go?

    1. Yes, if the other car is going slowly
    2. No: wait until you see it actually turn
    3. Yes, if you wave at the driver
    4. Yes, it's about to turn
    Show answer

    Answer: No: wait until you see it actually turn

    A turn signal isn't a promise. Wait until you see the car actually start to turn.

51. 51. All-way stop. The red car was already stopped when you got there. Who goes?

    1. Whoever is on the right
    2. Both at once, carefully
    3. You, because you're going straight
    4. The red car, it got there first
    Show answer

    Answer: The red car, it got there first

    At an all-way stop, whoever arrived and stopped first goes first. Then you.

52. 52. You arrive at the same time. The other car is on your right. Who goes?

    1. You
    2. The car on your right
    3. Whoever is faster
    4. Whoever goes first
    Show answer

    Answer: The car on your right

    If you arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The other car is on your right: it goes.

53. 53. You arrive at the same time. This time the other car is on your left. Who goes?

    1. You
    2. The car on your left
    3. Nobody: wait for someone to wave
    4. Whoever is on the wider street
    Show answer

    Answer: You

    Same rule: the left yields to the right. You're the one on the right: you go, carefully.

54. 54. There's an ALL-WAY plaque under the STOP sign. What does it tell you?

    1. Everyone arriving has a stop sign
    2. Only you have a stop sign
    3. You can go without stopping if nobody's coming
    4. The stop sign is only for trucks
    Show answer

    Answer: Everyone arriving has a stop sign

    ALL-WAY means every corner has a stop sign. Cars go in the order they arrived.