Illinois DMV Permit Test: Right of Way and Intersections Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 15% (estimate)
Overview
Right of way rules decide who goes first when two road users want the same space. This chapter covers four-way stops, intersections without signs, turns, roundabouts, and the times when you must stop or yield for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, school buses, and trains.
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, and the same rule applies at intersections with no signs or signals. When you turn left on a plain green light, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. You may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. At a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle.
Some road users always get special care. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and stop before the sidewalk when you leave a driveway or alley. For an emergency vehicle using a siren and flashing lights, pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Under Scott's Law, when you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, change to a lane away from it if you safely can, or slow down and pass with care.
For a school bus with red lights flashing and its stop arm out, traffic going both ways must stop on a two-lane road. On a highway with 4 or more lanes and at least 2 lanes going each way, traffic going the opposite direction does not have to stop. At a railroad crossing with flashing signals, a lowered gate, a flagger, or a train close by, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
Key concepts
Four-way stop
Every vehicle must stop. The first vehicle to stop goes first. If two arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Memory tipFirst come, first served. A tie goes to the driver on the right.
Source: Illinois Rules of the Road (Illinois Secretary of State) · as of 2026
Turning
On a plain green light, a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, and you must yield first.
Memory tipStop, look, yield, then turn.
Emergency vehicles
For an emergency vehicle using a siren and flashing lights, pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. Do not stop inside an intersection.
Memory tipHear a siren: pull right and stop.
Scott's Law (Move Over)
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, go with due care. Change to a lane that is not next to it if you can do so safely. If not, slow down and pass with care.
Memory tipMove over, or slow down.
Source: Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-907 · as of 2026
School bus
When a school bus stops with red lights flashing and the stop arm out, stop and stay stopped until the lights stop and the arm is pulled back. On a highway with 4 or more lanes and at least 2 lanes going each way, traffic going the opposite direction does not have to stop.
Memory tipRed lights on a bus: stop, unless a 4-lane highway puts you on the other side.
Source: Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1414 · as of 2026
Railroad crossing stop
When signals flash, a gate is down, a flagger signals, or a train is close, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, and go only when it is safe.
Memory tipStop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks.
Source: Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1201 · as of 2026
Often tested
- At a four-way stop, the first to stop goes first.
- If two arrive together, yield to the driver on the right.
- Pull right and stop for a siren and flashing lights.
- Under Scott's Law, move over or slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle.
- On a 4-lane highway, traffic going the other way need not stop for a school bus.
- Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail when a train is coming.
Easy to confuse: Who stops for a stopped school bus
| Road | Same direction as the bus | Opposite direction |
|---|---|---|
| Two-lane road | Stop | Stop |
| Highway with 4 or more lanes (at least 2 each way) | Stop | No need to stop, but watch for children |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. At a four-way stop, who goes first?
- ① The vehicle that arrived and stopped first
- ② The largest vehicle
- ③ The vehicle turning left
- ④ The fastest vehicle
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Answer: ① The vehicle that arrived and stopped first
Key point: Four-way stop: first to stop goes first
At a four-way stop, every vehicle must stop. The vehicle that arrived and stopped first goes first.
Wrong choices
- The largest vehicle: Vehicle size does not decide right of way.
- The vehicle turning left: A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic.
- The fastest vehicle: Speed never gives you the right of way.
Question 2. Two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Who should go first?
- ① The car on the left
- ② The car with more passengers
- ③ The car on the right
- ④ Whoever honks first
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Answer: ③ The car on the right
Key point: Tie at a four-way stop: car on the right goes
If two vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The car on the right goes first.
Wrong choices
- The car on the left: It is the car on the left that must yield.
- The car with more passengers: The number of passengers does not matter.
- Whoever honks first: Honking never gives you the right of way.
Question 3. You want to turn left at a green light (not an arrow). What must you do?
- ① Turn right away, because green means go
- ② Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it is safe
- ③ Wait for the light to turn red
- ④ Honk to warn oncoming cars, then turn
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Answer: ② Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it is safe
Key point: Left on plain green: yield to oncoming traffic
On a plain green light, a left turn is not protected. Yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians crossing the street, then turn when there is a safe gap.
Wrong choices
- Turn right away, because green means go: Green lets you go, but you must still yield before turning left.
- Wait for the light to turn red: Waiting for red is not the rule. Turn when there is a safe gap.
- Honk to warn oncoming cars, then turn: Honking does not give you the right of way.
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