Michigan DMV Permit Test: Right of Way, Emergency Vehicles, School Buses, and Railroad Crossings Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 20% (estimate)
Overview
Right of way rules decide who goes first. Drivers turning left yield to oncoming traffic, and drivers turning right yield too, including on a red light. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on its right. At a T-intersection, traffic on the through road goes first.
Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way even when your light is green. Yield to a person with a white cane or guide dog, to people crossing from a driveway or alley, and to anyone who started across before the signal changed. In a roundabout, entering traffic yields to vehicles already circling, which come from the left.
Emergency vehicles and school buses need special care. Pull to the right edge and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle with lights and siren. Slow down and move over for one that is stopped. Stop well back from a school bus with flashing red lights unless it is on the other side of a divided highway.
At railroad crossings, stop for flashing lights, bells, or lowered gates, and never go around them. Do not start across unless there is room to clear the tracks. If your car stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and away first.
Key concepts
School bus red lights
Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red overhead lights, and stay stopped until the lights go off or the bus moves. Flashing yellow overhead lights mean be prepared to stop.
Memory tipRed lights on the bus: stop 20 feet back.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Divided highway exception
If a barrier such as a concrete or grass median separates you from a stopped school bus on the other side, you do not have to stop. Drivers on the bus's side of the road must stop.
Memory tipMedian between you and the bus: no stop needed.
Emergency vehicles
Pull to the right edge, clear of intersections, and stop for lights and siren. Stay at least 500 feet behind a moving one. For a stopped one, slow at least 10 mph below the limit and move over if safe.
Memory tipMoving: pull right. Stopped: slow down and move over.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Four-way stop
The first vehicle to stop goes first. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on its right.
Memory tipTie at a four-way stop: yield to the right.
Roundabout
Traffic goes counterclockwise. Entering traffic yields to traffic from the left, including bicyclists and pedestrians. If an emergency vehicle comes, leave at the nearest exit and pull over.
Memory tipLook left, wait for a gap, never turn left to enter.
Railroad crossing
Stop when lights flash, bells ring, or gates are down or moving. Do not cross unless your vehicle can clear the far side by at least 6 feet.
Memory tipNever stop on the tracks.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Stuck on the tracks
If gates or lights activate or a train is coming, you have about 20 seconds: get everyone out and away, then call 911. If not activated, get out and call the number on the blue sign.
Memory tipPeople first, car last.
Source: Michigan Department of State, What Every Driver Must Know · as of 2025
Often tested
- Left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic, even on green.
- Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk even when your light is green.
- Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights.
- Stay at least 500 feet behind a moving emergency vehicle.
- Funeral processions have the right of way except over fire, ambulance, and police.
- School buses, for-hire passenger vehicles, and hazmat vehicles must stop at railroad crossings unless the crossing is clearly marked otherwise.
Easy to confuse: School bus lights
| Lights | What you do |
|---|---|
| Yellow hazard lights flashing | Go ahead with caution |
| Yellow overhead lights flashing | Be prepared to stop |
| Red overhead lights flashing | Stop at least 20 feet away until they turn off |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. When must you stop for a school bus?
- ① Whenever the bus is slowing down
- ② When its red overhead lights are flashing
- ③ When its yellow hazard lights are flashing
- ④ Only when you can see children near the bus
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Answer: ② When its red overhead lights are flashing
Key point: School bus red lights flashing: stop
Flashing red overhead lights mean the bus is picking up or dropping off passengers. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off or the bus moves again. Flashing yellow overhead lights mean be prepared to stop.
Wrong choices
- Whenever the bus is slowing down: A slowing bus alone does not require a stop.
- When its yellow hazard lights are flashing: Yellow hazard lights mean go ahead with caution.
- Only when you can see children near the bus: You must stop for the red lights whether or not you see children.
Question 2. How far from a school bus with flashing red lights must you stop?
- ① At least 10 feet
- ② At least 100 feet
- ③ At least 20 feet
- ④ At least 5 feet
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Answer: ③ At least 20 feet
Key point: Stop at least 20 feet from a bus with red lights
Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with its red overhead lights flashing. Children may dart into the street, so stay alert. Fines for not stopping are double the normal amount.
Wrong choices
- At least 10 feet: Michigan requires at least 20 feet.
- At least 100 feet: The legal minimum is 20 feet.
- At least 5 feet: That is far too close; the law says 20 feet.
Question 3. An ambulance with flashing lights and siren comes up behind you. What should you do?
- ① Speed up to stay ahead of it
- ② Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop
- ③ Stop right where you are, even in an intersection
- ④ Keep driving at the same speed
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Answer: ② Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop
Key point: Siren and lights: pull right, clear of intersections, stop
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes. Keep a foot on the brake so its driver sees your brake lights, and watch for more than one emergency vehicle.
Wrong choices
- Speed up to stay ahead of it: You must get out of its way, not race it.
- Stop right where you are, even in an intersection: Stopping inside an intersection can block the ambulance.
- Keep driving at the same speed: You must yield the right of way and stop.
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