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Ohio DMV Permit Test: Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles Concepts

Importance ★★★★★ · 25% (estimate)

Overview

Right of way rules decide who goes first so that drivers do not have to guess. This chapter covers intersections, left turns, driveways, pedestrians, school buses, and emergency vehicles. The law never gives anyone the right to cause a crash, so always be ready to give way.

At an intersection with 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. A driver turning left yields to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard. A driver entering a road from a driveway, alley, or parking lot yields to all traffic on that road, and in a business or residence district must stop before driving onto the sidewalk area.

Pedestrians need special care. Where there is no working signal, yield to a person crossing in a crosswalk who is on your half of the road or coming so close from the other half as to be in danger. If another vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to let someone cross, you must not pass it.

For a school bus stopped to load or unload children, stop at least 10 feet from the bus and stay stopped until the bus moves or the driver signals you to go. On a highway with four or more lanes, traffic coming from the opposite direction does not have to stop. For an emergency vehicle using lights and a siren, pull to the right edge clear of any intersection and stop. For stopped vehicles with flashing lights, move over a lane if safe, or slow down.

Key concepts

  • Same time, no signs

    When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

    Memory tipLeft yields to right.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.41 · as of 2026

  • Left turns and driveways

    A driver turning left yields to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard. A driver entering a road from a driveway, alley, or other place that is not a road yields to all traffic on that road.

    Memory tipTurning left or pulling out: you wait.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.42 and 4511.44 · as of 2026

  • Pedestrians in crosswalks

    With no working signal, yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is on your half of the road or approaching so closely from the other half as to be in danger. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian.

    Memory tipSomeone in the crosswalk: slow down or stop.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.46 · as of 2026

  • School bus

    Stop at least 10 feet from a school bus stopped to load or unload children, and wait until it moves or the driver signals. On a highway with four or more lanes, oncoming traffic need not stop, but traffic behind the bus must.

    Memory tip10 feet back. Four lanes or more: only the bus's side stops.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.75 · as of 2026

  • Emergency vehicles

    When an emergency or public safety vehicle approaches with flashing lights and a siren, yield, pull to the right edge or curb clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes.

    Memory tipLights and siren: pull right and stop.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.45 · as of 2026

  • Move over law

    When passing a stopped emergency, public safety, road service, waste collection, or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing lights on a road with two or more lanes your way, move to a lane not next to it if safe. Otherwise slow down and use caution.

    Memory tipFlashing lights on the roadside: move over or slow down.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.213 · as of 2026

Often tested

  • Same time with no signs: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
  • Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be a hazard.
  • Pulling out of a driveway or lot: yield to all traffic on the road.
  • Stop at least 10 feet from a school bus that is loading or unloading.
  • On four or more lanes, oncoming traffic need not stop for a school bus.
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles★★★★★

Question 1. Two vehicles reach an intersection with no signs or signals at about the same time. Who must yield?

  1. ① The driver who honks first goes first
  2. ② The driver going faster goes first
  3. ③ The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
  4. ④ The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right

Key point: Same time, no signs: left yields to right

Ohio law says that when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Wrong choices

  • The driver who honks first goes first: Honking does not give you the right of way.
  • The driver going faster goes first: Speed never gives you the right of way.
  • The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left: This reverses the rule. The driver on the right goes first.
Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles★★★★★

Question 2. An ambulance with flashing lights and a siren is coming toward you. What must you do?

  1. ① Keep driving at the same speed, because it will go around you
  2. ② Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes
  3. ③ Speed up to get out of its way
  4. ④ Stop right where you are, even in the middle of an intersection
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② Pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes

Key point: Lights and siren: pull right and stop

When an emergency vehicle uses flashing lights and a siren, Ohio law says you must yield, move to the right edge or curb of the road clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed, unless a police officer tells you otherwise.

Wrong choices

  • Keep driving at the same speed, because it will go around you: You must yield, pull over, and stop.
  • Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up is dangerous and does not clear the way.
  • Stop right where you are, even in the middle of an intersection: Stopping inside an intersection can block the emergency vehicle. Clear the intersection first.
Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles★★★★★

Question 3. On a two-lane road, a school bus ahead stops with red lights flashing and its stop arm out. What must you do?

  1. ① Slow down and pass carefully
  2. ② Stop only if you are behind the bus
  3. ③ Stop, whether you are behind the bus or coming toward it
  4. ④ Stop only if you can see children
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ Stop, whether you are behind the bus or coming toward it

Key point: School bus loading on a two-lane road: everyone stops

When a school bus is stopped to load or unload children, drivers coming from either direction must stop on a two-lane road. Stay stopped until the bus starts moving again or the bus driver signals you to go.

Wrong choices

  • Slow down and pass carefully: Passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading is against the law.
  • Stop only if you are behind the bus: On a two-lane road, oncoming drivers must stop too.
  • Stop only if you can see children: Children may be hidden from view. You must stop whether or not you see them.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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