Pennsylvania DMV Permit Test: Right of Way and Intersections Concepts
Importance ★★★★★ · 20% (estimate)
Overview
Right of way rules decide who goes first when two road users want the same space. This chapter covers stop signs and four-way stops, turns on red, roundabouts, and the times when you must stop or yield for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, school buses, and trains.
At a four-way stop every vehicle must stop. The first vehicle to reach the intersection goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. You may turn right on a red light after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, but you must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic first. When you enter a roundabout, yield to the vehicles already in the circle.
Some vehicles always get the right of way. When you hear a siren or see flashing red or red and blue lights from an emergency vehicle, pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop, staying clear of intersections. When a school bus has its red lights flashing and its stop arm out, stop at least 10 feet away. The only exception is when you are on the opposite side of a divided highway with a physical barrier such as a median or guide rail.
At railroad crossings, treat the crossbuck sign like a yield sign. Stop for flashing red lights, a lowered gate, a flagger, or a train's horn, and never drive around a gate. If traffic is backed up, stop where your vehicle is fully clear of the tracks.
Key concepts
Four-way stop
Traffic from all directions must stop. The first vehicle to arrive goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Memory tipFirst come, first served. A tie goes to the driver on the right.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Right turn on red
After coming to a full stop, you may turn right at a red light when traffic is clear, unless a sign prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.
Memory tipStop first, look, then turn only if no sign says NO TURN ON RED.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
Roundabout
A circular intersection with YIELD signs and yield lines at each entry. Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the circle.
Memory tipTraffic already in the circle has the right of way.
Emergency vehicles
When an emergency vehicle uses a siren or flashing red or red and blue lights, pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop. On a one-way street, pull toward the nearest side. Stay clear of intersections. After it passes, stay at least 500 feet behind it.
Memory tipPull over, stop, and let it pass. Then keep 500 feet back.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PennDOT) · as of 2025
School bus stopping law
When a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm out, you must stop at least 10 feet from the bus. You do not need to stop if you are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a physical barrier. Then slow down and drive with care.
Memory tipRed lights on a bus: stop 10 feet back, unless a barrier divides the highway.
Source: PennDOT, Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law (PUB 741) · as of 2025
Railroad crossings
Treat the crossbuck like a yield sign. You must stop for flashing red lights, a lowered gate, a flagger, or a train's warning horn. Never go around a gate, and never stop on the tracks.
Memory tipGates down means stop and wait. Never go around them.
Often tested
- At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- You may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.
- Pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights.
- Stop at least 10 feet from a school bus with red lights flashing and its stop arm out.
- Never drive around a lowered railroad gate.
Easy to confuse: School bus with red lights flashing
| Where you are | What you must do |
|---|---|
| Behind the bus | Stop at least 10 feet away |
| Coming toward the bus on an undivided road | Stop at least 10 feet away |
| Opposite side of a divided highway with a physical barrier | No need to stop; slow down and use caution |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. At a four-way stop, which vehicle should go first?
- ① The largest vehicle
- ② The vehicle going straight
- ③ The vehicle that reached the intersection first
- ④ The vehicle turning left
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ The vehicle that reached the intersection first
Key point: Four-way stop: first to arrive goes first
At a four-way stop, traffic from all four directions must stop. The first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first.
Wrong choices
- The largest vehicle: Size does not give a vehicle the right of way.
- The vehicle going straight: Going straight does not give you the right of way at a four-way stop.
- The vehicle turning left: Turning left does not give you the right of way. Left-turning drivers usually must yield.
Question 2. You hear a siren and see flashing red lights from an ambulance coming toward you. What should you do?
- ① Pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop
- ② Speed up to get out of its way
- ③ Stop right where you are, in your lane
- ④ Keep driving at the same speed
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① Pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop
Key point: Emergency vehicle: pull over to the side and stop
When you hear a siren or see flashing red or red and blue lights from an emergency vehicle, pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop. Stay clear of intersections, and wait until it passes.
Wrong choices
- Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up is dangerous and does not clear the way. Pull over and stop.
- Stop right where you are, in your lane: Stopping in your lane can block the emergency vehicle. Move to the side first.
- Keep driving at the same speed: You must yield, not keep going as usual.
Question 3. The traffic light is red and no sign forbids turning. When may you turn right?
- ① Only when the light turns green
- ② Right away, without stopping, if no cars are coming
- ③ Never; right turns on red are illegal in Pennsylvania
- ④ After a full stop, when you have yielded to pedestrians and cross traffic
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ After a full stop, when you have yielded to pedestrians and cross traffic
Key point: Right on red: full stop first, then yield
In Pennsylvania you may turn right on a red light after coming to a full stop, unless a sign forbids it. Before turning, yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.
Wrong choices
- Only when the light turns green: You do not have to wait for green unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
- Right away, without stopping, if no cars are coming: You must always stop first before turning right on red.
- Never; right turns on red are illegal in Pennsylvania: Right turns on red are allowed in Pennsylvania unless a sign forbids them.
AI-written · Verified · Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.