Texas DMV Permit Test Right of Way and Turns Summary

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.

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.

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.

Where there is no working traffic signal, Texas law requires you to stop and yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk who is on your half of the road or close enough from the other half to be in danger.

Wrong choices

• Drive around the pedestrian slowly: Going around a pedestrian in a crosswalk is not yielding and puts them at risk.
• Honk so the pedestrian hurries across: Honking to rush someone is unsafe and does not meet the duty to yield.
• Keep going if you reached the crosswalk first: Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way, no matter who arrived first.

In Texas you may turn right on a steady red light after a complete stop, and after yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to other traffic, unless a sign says NO TURN ON RED.

Wrong choices

• Turn without stopping if the way looks clear: You must come to a complete stop first.
• Wait for a green light; turns on red are illegal: Right turns on red are legal in Texas unless a sign prohibits them.
• Turn only when a green right arrow appears: You do not need a green arrow to turn right on red.

Texas law requires you to signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before a right or left turn. This gives other drivers and pedestrians time to react.

Wrong choices

• At least the last 50 feet: 50 feet is less than the 100 feet the law requires.
• At least the last 300 feet: 300 feet is more than the minimum. Signaling a little earlier is fine, but 100 feet is the rule.
• Only as you begin turning the wheel: Signaling only as you turn gives others no warning.

In a roundabout, traffic moves counterclockwise (to the right). Drivers entering must yield to vehicles already in the circle, then merge into a safe gap.

Wrong choices

• Vehicles that are entering the roundabout: Entering drivers are the ones who must yield.
• The vehicle on your right, as at a four-way stop: The four-way stop rule does not apply; cars in the circle go first.
• Whichever vehicle is moving faster: Speed never gives you the right-of-way.

At an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield to a vehicle that has already entered the intersection. When cars arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Wrong choices

• Go first because you are on the wider road: Road width does not give you the right to hit or crowd a car already in the intersection.
• Speed up so that you clear it before that car: Racing another car through an intersection is dangerous.
• Go first if the other car is on your left: The left-right rule is only for cars arriving at the same time, not for a car already in it.

When you merge, traffic already on the freeway has the right-of-way. Use the ramp to match speed, signal, and move in when there is a safe gap.

Wrong choices

• Freeway traffic must make room for you: Freeway drivers may move over to help, but they are not required to.
• Whoever is going faster gets to go first: Speed does not decide right-of-way.
• The vehicle that signals first goes first: Signaling shows your plan but does not give you the right-of-way.

Texas law says to drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Wrong choices

• Right in the middle of the intersection, to stay out of the way: Stopping inside the intersection can block the fire truck if it needs to turn.
• Near the left curb, so the truck can pass on your right: You pull to the right side of the road, not the left.
• Anywhere, as long as you turn on your hazard lights: Hazard lights do not replace the duty to pull to the right and stop.