Illinois DMV Permit Test Right of Way and Intersections Summary

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.

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.

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.

When an emergency vehicle uses its siren and flashing lights, pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Stay stopped until it has passed. Do not stop inside an intersection.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up can cause a crash.
• Stop in the middle of the lane: Stopping in the middle of the lane may block the emergency vehicle.
• Keep driving at the same speed: You must yield. Keeping the same speed does not let it pass safely.

You must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Stop and wait until they have crossed safely.

Wrong choices

• Honk so they hurry: Honking can scare or confuse a pedestrian.
• Drive around them: Driving around a pedestrian in a crosswalk is dangerous and illegal.
• Go if they are not in your lane yet: A pedestrian can reach your lane quickly. Wait until they are safely across.

When a school bus stops with red lights flashing and its stop arm out, traffic going both ways must stop on a two-lane road. Stay stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is pulled back, or the driver waves you on. Children may cross in front of the bus.

Wrong choices

• Keep going, because the bus is on the other side of the road: On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
• Slow to 20 mph and pass carefully: Slowing down is not enough. You must stop.
• Honk and pass on the shoulder: Passing on the shoulder is dangerous and illegal.

Illinois's Scott's Law says that when you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you must go with due care. Change to a lane that is not next to it if you can do it safely. If you cannot change lanes safely, slow down and pass with care.

Wrong choices

• Keep your speed and lane: Keeping your speed and lane next to the vehicle puts workers in danger.
• Stop in your lane until it leaves: Stopping in a traffic lane can cause a crash. The law asks you to move over or slow down.
• Honk to let the workers know you are coming: Honking does not make anyone safer. Move over or slow down.

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), when two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Slow down and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left: It is the opposite: the driver on the left must yield.
• The driver going faster yields: Speed does not decide who goes first.
• No one needs to yield: Someone must always yield to avoid a crash.

Under Illinois law, on a highway with 4 or more lanes where at least 2 lanes go in the opposite direction, drivers going the other way do not have to stop for a stopped school bus. Traffic going the same direction as the bus must still stop. Drive slowly and watch for children.

Wrong choices

• You must stop: On a highway like this, traffic going the opposite way is not required to stop.
• You must stop only if a child is outside the bus: The rule does not depend on whether you see a child outside.
• You must change lanes and stop: There is no rule to change lanes and stop in this case.

When you come out of a driveway or alley, stop before the sidewalk and yield to people walking. Then yield to all traffic on the street before you enter.

Wrong choices

• Go first, because cars on the street must wait for you: Drivers on the street have the right of way, not you.
• Honk and enter slowly without stopping: Honking does not replace stopping and yielding.
• Stop only if a car is coming: You must stop and check for pedestrians even if no car is coming.