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

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.

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.

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.

Ohio law says you must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children, and stay stopped until the bus moves again or the driver signals you to go.

Wrong choices

• At least 5 feet: 5 feet is closer than the law allows.
• At least 25 feet: 25 feet is not the number in Ohio law. The minimum is 10 feet.
• At least 50 feet: 50 feet is the parking distance from a railroad crossing, not the school bus rule.

Ohio law says that on a highway divided into four or more traffic lanes, you do not have to stop for a school bus coming from the opposite direction. Drivers behind the bus going the same way must stop. School buses on these roads load and unload children on their residence side.

Wrong choices

• Everyone in all four lanes must stop: On four or more lanes, only traffic going the same way as the bus must stop.
• You must stop only if the bus has a stop arm: The stop arm does not change the four-lane rule.
• You must stop at least 10 feet from the bus: The 10-foot rule applies to drivers who must stop, such as those behind the bus.

A driver turning left must yield to vehicles coming from the opposite direction that are in the intersection or so close that they are an immediate hazard. Wait for a safe gap, then turn.

Wrong choices

• Honk to warn the other driver and turn: Honking does not give you the right of way.
• Turn first, because you were waiting in the intersection: Being in the intersection first does not give you the right of way over oncoming traffic.
• Turn first, because left turns have the right of way on green: A green ball light does not give left turns the right of way.

Ohio law says a driver about to enter or cross a road from any place other than another road, such as a driveway, alley, or parking lot, must yield to all traffic on that road.

Wrong choices

• You, because you were there first: Arriving first does not give you the right of way when you are entering from a lot.
• Whoever is driving the larger vehicle: Vehicle size has nothing to do with right of way.
• You, if you signal your turn: Signaling shows your plan but does not give you the right of way.

Ohio's move over law covers stopped emergency vehicles, police and other public safety vehicles, road service vehicles such as tow trucks, waste collection vehicles, and highway maintenance vehicles with flashing lights. If you can do so safely, move to a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle. If you cannot, slow down and pass with caution.

Wrong choices

• Stop behind the tow truck until it leaves: You do not stop. You move over or slow down.
• Sound your horn as you pass: A horn does not protect the workers. Moving over or slowing down does.
• Keep your lane and speed, because the tow truck is off the road: The law applies even when the vehicle is on the shoulder.

When a crosswalk has no working signal, Ohio law says you must yield to a pedestrian crossing within the crosswalk when the pedestrian is on your half of the road, or is approaching so closely from the other half that they are in danger. Slow down or stop if you need to.

Wrong choices

• Only when the pedestrian is a child: The rule protects all pedestrians, not only children.
• Only when the pedestrian is directly in front of your car: Waiting until a person is directly in front of you is too late.
• Never, because pedestrians must wait for cars at crosswalks without signals: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks as the law describes.

Ohio law says that when a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross, a driver coming from behind must not pass the stopped vehicle. The stopped car may be hiding a person you cannot see.

Wrong choices

• Honk to warn the pedestrian and keep going: A horn does not make it safe to pass.
• Pass the stopped car carefully, because your lane is open: Even if your lane is open, a person may step out from in front of the stopped car.
• Change lanes behind the stopped car and wait: Changing lanes behind the car is not the rule. You must not pass it, so slow down and stop if needed.