North Carolina DMV Permit Test: Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 20% (estimate)
Overview
Right of way rules tell drivers who goes first. The rules mostly tell you when you must yield, and you should give up the right of way whenever that avoids a crash. This chapter covers intersections, roundabouts, driveways, pedestrians, school buses, emergency vehicles, and trains.
At an intersection with no signs or signals, a vehicle already in the intersection goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. A driver turning left must wait for oncoming traffic going straight. When you leave a driveway, stop and yield to all vehicles and pedestrians. In a roundabout, everyone moves counterclockwise and drivers entering yield to those already inside.
When a school bus stops with its stop arm out and red lights flashing, traffic going both ways must stop on a two-lane road, a two-lane road with a center turn lane, and a four-lane road with no median. Only traffic behind the bus must stop on a divided highway of four or more lanes with a median, or on a road of four or more lanes with a center turn lane. Wait until the stop arm is pulled in, the lights go off, and the bus starts to move.
For an emergency vehicle using lights and siren, pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. If an emergency or service vehicle is stopped within 12 feet of the road with its lights on, move to a lane away from it when you have two or more lanes; on a road with one lane your way, slow down and pass at a safe speed. At a railroad crossing with a signal, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
Key concepts
Uncontrolled intersection
An intersection with no signs or signals. The vehicle already in the intersection goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
Memory tipSame time, no signs: yield to the right.
Pedestrians
At an intersection without signals, pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right of way. If the light changes while someone is still crossing, let them finish. Give special care to a blind person with a white cane or guide dog.
Memory tipPeople in the crosswalk always get to finish.
School bus stop
Stop when a school bus shows its stop arm or flashing red lights. Both directions stop on two-lane roads and four-lane roads with no median. Only traffic behind the bus stops on divided highways of four or more lanes with a median.
Memory tipA median on a 4-lane divided road frees the other side.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Emergency vehicles
When an emergency vehicle with lights and siren comes from either direction, pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Stay stopped until it passes. On a four-lane limited-access highway with a median, traffic on the other side does not have to stop.
Memory tipLights and siren: pull right and stop.
Move Over law
For an emergency or service vehicle parked within 12 feet of the road with its warning lights on: with two or more lanes your way, move to a lane not next to it; with one lane your way, slow down until you are past it.
Memory tipMove over a lane, or slow down if you cannot.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Roundabout
Traffic moves counterclockwise. Yield to vehicles and bicycles already in the roundabout, do not change lanes inside it, and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk when you exit.
Memory tipEnter on a gap, go counterclockwise.
Railroad crossing stop
When a signal, lowered gate, flagger, or close train warns of a train, stop no more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Never drive around a lowered gate.
Memory tipStop 15 to 50 feet from the rail.
Source: N.C. General Statute 20-142.1 · as of 2026
Often tested
- At the same time with no signs, the vehicle on the right goes first.
- A left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic going straight.
- On a four-lane road with no median, both directions stop for a school bus.
- Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle stopped at a crash.
- Never drive over a fire hose.
- Trains always have the right of way, even over emergency vehicles.
Easy to confuse: Who stops for a stopped school bus
| Type of road | Who must stop |
|---|---|
| Two-lane road | Traffic from both directions |
| Two-lane road with a center turn lane | Traffic from both directions |
| Four-lane road with no median | Traffic from both directions |
| Divided highway of four or more lanes with a median | Only traffic following the bus |
| Four or more lanes with a center turn lane | Only traffic following the bus |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. Two vehicles reach an intersection with no signs or signals at the same time. Who has the right of way?
- ① The vehicle on the left
- ② The larger vehicle
- ③ The vehicle on the right
- ④ The faster vehicle
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ The vehicle on the right
Key point: Same time, no signs: vehicle on the right goes first
At an intersection without signs or signals, a vehicle already in the intersection goes first. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
Wrong choices
- The vehicle on the left: The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
- The faster vehicle: Speed does not give anyone the right of way.
- The larger vehicle: Vehicle size does not give anyone the right of way.
Question 2. A school bus is stopped ahead with its stop arm out and red lights flashing on a two-lane road. You are coming from the opposite direction. What must you do?
- ① Stop and stay stopped until the stop arm is pulled in, the lights stop flashing, and the bus starts to move
- ② Stop only if children are in the road
- ③ Keep going, because only traffic behind the bus must stop
- ④ Slow down and pass carefully
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Answer: ① Stop and stay stopped until the stop arm is pulled in, the lights stop flashing, and the bus starts to move
Key point: Two-lane road: both directions stop for a school bus
On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading. Stay stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn, the red lights are turned off, and the bus starts moving.
Wrong choices
- Slow down and pass carefully: You may not pass a school bus showing its stop arm.
- Stop only if children are in the road: You must stop whether or not you see children; they may run out suddenly.
- Keep going, because only traffic behind the bus must stop: On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
Question 3. An ambulance with flashing lights and siren is coming toward you. What should you do?
- ① Speed up to get out of its way
- ② Stop in your lane right where you are
- ③ Drive to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
- ④ Keep driving at the same speed
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ Drive to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
Key point: Emergency vehicle: pull to the right edge and stop
When an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from ahead or behind, drive to the right-hand curb or edge and stop completely. Stay stopped until it passes or an officer tells you to move.
Wrong choices
- Keep driving at the same speed: You must yield and stop, not keep driving.
- Stop in your lane right where you are: Stopping in the lane can block the emergency vehicle.
- Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up is dangerous and does not clear the way.
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