Texas DMV Permit Test · Class C Knowledge Test
Texas DMV Permit Test: Right of Way and Turns Concepts
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Overview
This chapter explains who goes first. Right-of-way rules keep cars and people from trying to use the same space at the same time. The law does not give anyone the right to force their way in, so the safest choice is always to yield when there is any doubt.
At a four-way stop, the first car to stop goes first. If two cars stop at the same time, the driver on the left lets the driver on the right go. At a crossing with no signs or signals, let a car already in the intersection go first. When you turn left, yield to oncoming traffic and to people in the crosswalk. Cars already in a roundabout, and cars already on a freeway, have the right of way over cars coming in.
When an emergency vehicle comes with siren and flashing lights, pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes, but do not stop inside an intersection. Always stop for a person walking in a crosswalk on your half of the road, and stop before the sidewalk when you drive out of a driveway.
Turning has its own rules. Keep your turn signal on for at least the last 100 feet before you turn. You may turn right on a steady red after a full stop if no sign forbids it, and left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street. A U-turn is not allowed on a curve or hilltop where other drivers cannot see you within 500 feet.
Key concepts
Four-way stop
The first vehicle to come to a full stop goes first. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Memory tipFirst to stop, first to go. A tie goes to the right.
Left turns
When you turn left on a green light with no arrow, you must wait for oncoming cars that are close enough to be a danger, and for people crossing the street you are turning onto.
Memory tipTurning left means crossing someone's path, so you are the one who waits.
Emergency vehicles
When a police car, fire truck, or ambulance comes with siren and flashing lights, pull over near the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. If you are near an intersection, clear the intersection first.
Memory tipSiren = pull right and stop, but never stop in the middle of an intersection.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Turn on red
After a full stop, you may turn right on a steady red light unless a sign says no. You may turn left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street. In both cases yield to people and traffic first.
Memory tipRight on red is common. Left on red needs one-way to one-way.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Turn signal distance
Texas law requires you to signal a turn continuously for at least the last 100 feet before you turn.
Memory tip100 feet is about the length of six or seven cars.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
U-turn limit
A U-turn is not allowed on a curve, or on the approach to or near the top of a hill, where drivers coming from either direction cannot see your car within 500 feet.
Memory tipThink of 500 feet as the space other drivers need to see you and stop.
Source: Texas Transportation Code · as of 2026
Roundabouts and freeways
Vehicles already in a roundabout have the right of way over those entering it. When you merge onto a freeway from a ramp, you must yield to traffic already on the freeway.
Memory tipWhoever is already inside goes first.
Often tested
- At a four-way stop tie, the answer is the car on the RIGHT goes first.
- Left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, and only after a full stop.
- For an emergency vehicle, the right answer is pull to the right and stop, not speed up or stop where you are.
- Using your left turn signal to tell the driver behind you it is safe to pass is not allowed.
- Pedestrians in a crosswalk and on a WALK signal go before turning cars.
Easy to confuse: Turning on a steady red light
| Turn | When it is allowed | What you do first |
|---|---|---|
| Right on red | Unless a sign forbids it | Full stop, then yield to people and traffic |
| Left on red | Only one-way street onto one-way street | Full stop, then yield to people and traffic |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. At a four-way stop, you and another car stop at the same time. The other car is on your RIGHT. Who goes first?
- ① The larger or faster vehicle
- ② The car on your right
- ③ The driver who honks or waves first
- ④ You, because you are on the left
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Answer: ② The car on your right
Key point: Four-way stop tie = the driver on the left yields to the right
At an all-way (four-way) stop, the driver who stops first goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Wrong choices
- You, because you are on the left: Being on the left means you are the one who must wait.
- The larger or faster vehicle: Vehicle size or speed does not decide right-of-way.
- The driver who honks or waves first: Honking or waving does not give anyone the right-of-way.
Question 2. You want to turn left at a green light (no arrow). An oncoming car is close. What should you do?
- ① Wait and let the oncoming car pass before you turn
- ② Flash your headlights and then make your turn
- ③ Turn quickly before the oncoming car gets there
- ④ Honk to warn the other driver, then turn
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Answer: ① Wait and let the oncoming car pass before you turn
Key point: Left turn on green = yield to close oncoming traffic
When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger. Wait for a safe gap, then turn.
Wrong choices
- Turn quickly before the oncoming car gets there: Rushing a turn in front of a close car is a common cause of serious crashes.
- Flash your headlights and then make your turn: Flashing your lights does not give you the right-of-way.
- Honk to warn the other driver, then turn: Honking does not change who must yield.
Question 3. An ambulance with its siren and flashing lights is coming up behind you on a city street. What does Texas law require?
- ① Speed up to stay well ahead of the ambulance
- ② Stop right where you are in your lane
- ③ Pull over near the right edge of the road and stop
- ④ Keep driving but move to the left lane
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Answer: ③ Pull over near the right edge of the road and stop
Key point: Emergency vehicle with siren = pull to the right and stop
When an emergency vehicle with siren and lights approaches, you must yield, drive as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb, and stop until it has passed (unless a police officer tells you otherwise).
Wrong choices
- Speed up to stay well ahead of the ambulance: Speeding up does not clear the way and is dangerous.
- Stop right where you are in your lane: Stopping in your lane can block the emergency vehicle's path.
- Keep driving but move to the left lane: The law says move to the right edge, not to the left lane.