Georgia DMV Permit Test Right of Way, Pedestrians, and Emergency Vehicles Summary

At an intersection with no stop signs, yield signs, or signals, when two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Wrong choices

• The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left: This is backwards. The driver on the right goes first.
• The driver going faster yields: Speed does not decide who goes first.
• The larger vehicle always goes first: Vehicle size does not give anyone the right of way.

When you turn left at an intersection or into a driveway or alley, you must yield to all traffic coming from the opposite direction, including bicycles, and to pedestrians crossing.

Wrong choices

• Whichever driver honks first: Honking never decides the right of way.
• You, because you got to the intersection first: Arriving first does not let you turn across oncoming traffic.
• You, because you have your turn signal on: A turn signal shows what you plan to do. It does not give you the right of way.

When an emergency vehicle uses its lights and siren, slow down, move to the shoulder or as far right as you can, and stop. Do not stop in a way that blocks an intersection or the vehicle's turn.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to stay ahead of it: Racing ahead of an emergency vehicle is dangerous and illegal.
• Stop right where you are, even in the middle of an intersection: Stopping in an intersection can block the emergency vehicle's path.
• Keep going at the same speed in your lane: You must get out of its way, not keep driving normally.

Georgia's Move Over law protects people working beside the road. Move over to the next lane if you can do it safely. If you cannot move over, slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop.

Wrong choices

• Keep your speed and lane, since the police car is off the road: Staying in the next lane at full speed is what the law is meant to stop.
• Speed up to get past quickly: Speeding up puts the officer at even more risk.
• Stop in your lane until the police car leaves: Stopping in a travel lane can cause a crash. Move over or slow down instead.

At a four-way stop, vehicles go in "first to arrive, first to go" order, after yielding to pedestrians. If two vehicles arrive at about the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.

Wrong choices

• Go first, because you are on the left: The driver on the left yields, so you should wait.
• Wait until all four directions are empty: You do not need every direction to be empty. Take your turn when it comes.
• Go at the same time as the other car: Going at the same time can cause a crash.

A school bus driver turns on flashing yellow lights when preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down, be ready to stop, and watch for children near the road. When the red lights flash and the stop arm comes out, you must stop.

Wrong choices

• The bus is pulling away, so you may pass it: Yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop, not that it is leaving.
• You must stop right now, even though the stop arm is not out: The legal stop comes with the red lights and stop arm. Yellow means prepare to stop.
• The bus has broken down: Yellow lights on a school bus are a warning about stopping, not a breakdown signal.

When a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and the stop arm out, it is illegal to pass it. On a road without a median, traffic in both directions must stop.

Wrong choices

• Stop only if you see children: You must stop whether or not you can see children.
• Honk and pass on the right: Passing a stopped school bus in any way is illegal.
• Slow down and pass carefully because you are on the other side: Being on the other side does not matter when there is no median. You must stop.

Georgia law says you must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is on your half of the roadway (all lanes going your direction), or who is within one lane of your half.

Wrong choices

• Keep going, because the pedestrian is not in your lane: Your half of the road means all the lanes going your way, not only your lane.
• Honk so the pedestrian stops: Honking does not give you the right of way. Pedestrians in crosswalks have it.
• Slow down and drive around the pedestrian: Driving around a person in a crosswalk is dangerous and illegal.

When you enter a road from an alley, driveway, or private road, you must stop before the sidewalk area and yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already traveling on the sidewalk or road.

Wrong choices

• Stop only if a sign tells you to: You must stop and yield even when no sign is posted.
• Honk and then pull out: Honking does not give you the right of way.
• Pull out slowly; traffic on the street must make room for you: Traffic on the street has the right of way. You must wait for a safe gap.

People who use a white cane or a guide dog are often blind or have low vision. You must give them the right of way at all times. Stop and wait until they are safely across.

Wrong choices

• Go first if you have a green light: A blind pedestrian has the right of way even when your light is green.
• Honk to let the person know you are there: Honking can confuse or frighten a blind pedestrian.
• Drive around the person slowly: Driving around the person is dangerous. Stop and wait.