Right of Way & Intersections — California
California DMV practice test: 617 free practice questions (38 official sample questions · Official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. Right of Way & Intersections: 39 questions.
Who goes first at intersections, roundabouts, merges and uncontrolled crossings.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | Right of Way & Intersections |
| License test | California Car learner's permit test (Class C) |
| Topic questions | 39 (6% of 617 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
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Questions (39)
1. What should you do when reaching an intersection where a person operating a motorized wheelchair has entered the crosswalk?
- Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair has safely finished crossing. ✓
- Remain stopped behind the nearest crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair is beyond the range of your vehicle.
- Assume right-of-way if the motorized wheelchair stops in the crosswalk.
Answer: A. Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair has safely finished crossing.
Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair has safely finished crossing. The handbook says pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and you must stop at the limit line when there is one so they can cross. It also defines a pedestrian as including a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair for transportation. That means a person in a motorized wheelchair gets the same protection. The handbook notes that people with disabilities may need extra time, so you wait until they have safely finished crossing.
2. What should a driver do who is stopped at an intersection and wants to make a left turn?
- Turn immediately if there are no pedestrians.
- Take the right-of-way turn before oncoming traffic.
- Give the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous. ✓
Answer: C. Give the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous.
3. What should you do when traffic is slow and heavy, and you must cross railroad tracks before reaching the upcoming intersection?
- Begin crossing when the vehicle in front of you is crossing the tracks.
- Wait on the tracks until the stoplight at the intersection turns green.
- Wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding. ✓
Answer: C. Wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding.
When traffic is slow and heavy, wait until you can completely cross the tracks before you start across. The handbook says never to stop on the railroad tracks, and it tells you to hold back and not begin crossing if there is not enough room to get all the way across. In backed-up traffic the car ahead may stop short of the far side, leaving you sitting on the rails. Waiting until there is room to clear the tracks keeps you off them, which matters because being on the tracks puts you at risk of injury or death.
4. What should you do to make a right turn at an upcoming intersection?
- Merge into the bicycle lane before making the turn. ✓
- Wait until the bicycle lane ends, then make the turn.
- Make the turn from your current lane and do not enter the bicycle lane.
Answer: A. Merge into the bicycle lane before making the turn.
Merge into the bicycle lane before making the right turn, using the bike lane within 200 feet of the turn. The California handbook's right-turn steps tell you to drive close to the right edge of the road and say you may drive in a bike lane within 200 feet of the turn. It also tells you to check your blind spots for bicyclists and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists between your vehicle and the curb. So moving into the bike lane before turning is the setup the handbook describes, not staying out of it or waiting for the lane to end.
5. You must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle that is using its siren and flashing lights by:
- Driving as closely to the right edge of the road as possible and stopping. ✓
- Moving into the right lane and driving slowly until it has passed.
- Stopping immediately, even if you are within an intersection.
Answer: A. Driving as closely to the right edge of the road as possible and stopping.
Drive as close to the right edge of the road as possible and stop for the emergency vehicle. The handbook says to give the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle that is using a siren and red lights. It tells drivers to move to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you are already in an intersection, the handbook says to continue through it first, then pull to the right when it is safe and stop. That makes pulling to the right edge and stopping the correct response.
6. Blocking an intersection during "rush hour" traffic is not permitted:
- Unless you entered the intersection on a green light.
- Under any circumstances, even if your light is green. ✓
- Unless you have the right-of-way or a green light.
Answer: B. Under any circumstances, even if your light is green.
Blocking an intersection is not allowed under any circumstances, even when your light is green. The handbook says a green light means go, but it does not give you the right to occupy an intersection you cannot clear. You should stop for any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian already in the intersection, and you should stay out of the box when there is not enough room to clear it before the light changes. It also warns against pulling into the intersection on green when pedestrians or vehicles are in your way. Rush-hour congestion does not create an exception; if there is no room, you wait.
7. If a motorist sees pedestrians in an upcoming crosswalk, what should the motorist do?
- Continue ahead. The motorist has the right-of-way.
- Wait for the pedestrians to cross the street. ✓
- Pull to the right and go around the pedestrians.
Answer: B. Wait for the pedestrians to cross the street.
You should wait for the pedestrians to cross the street. The handbook says pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks. When someone is crossing a roadway, with or without a crosswalk, you must use caution, reduce speed, or stop so the person can safely finish crossing. If a limit line is present, stop there and let pedestrians cross. The handbook also warns not to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, since a pedestrian may be hidden from view.
8. At intersections with a "Yield" sign, you must:
- Yield the right-of-way to cross traffic that is near enough to cause conflict. ✓
- Yield the right-of-way only to vehicles on your right.
- Always slow down and proceed without stopping.
Answer: A. Yield the right-of-way to cross traffic that is near enough to cause conflict.
At a Yield sign, you must give the right-of-way to cross traffic that is close enough to create a conflict. The handbook says that when you approach signs, you should yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nearby vehicles that may have the right-of-way. It also tells you to check an intersection before entering and to be ready to slow down or stop if needed. That fits the Yield sign rule: you let traffic near enough to matter go first, rather than assuming you always have priority or watching only one side.
9. When arriving to an uncontrolled intersection at the same time as vehicles to your right and left, you should:
- Yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your left.
- Yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right. ✓
- Wait until there are no vehicles at the intersection before proceeding.
Answer: B. Yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right.
You should yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right. The handbook says that at an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way. When you and another vehicle get there at the same time, you give the right-of-way to the vehicle on your right. That rule applies whether the other vehicle is on your right or your left; the one on your right goes first.
10. You are involved in a minor collision at an intersection. There are no injuries and there is very little vehicle damage. You should:
- Leave your vehicle in the traffic lane until law enforcement arrives.
- Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible. ✓
- Not move your vehicle for any reason.
Answer: B. Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible.
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Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Not yet verified
Updated: · 38 official sample questions · Official driver handbook