Who Has the Right of Way? A Guide for Teen Drivers and Parents

Understanding who has the right of way is one of the most important - and sometimes confusing - skills a new driver needs to learn.

Right-of-way rules tell drivers, pedestrians, and other road users who should proceed and who needs to yield in different traffic situations. It’s important to first understand that, according to the Pennsylvania DMV, the right of way is to be given rather than taken. Even when another driver is supposed to yield to you, your first responsibility is always to avoid a crash.

That sounds simple enough. Put a teenager new to driving behind the wheel at a busy intersection, though, and suddenly it gets a little more complicated.

Knowing the Rules vs. Using Them on the Road

When it comes to helping your teen become a safe driver, one of the critical things you need to do is help them move from understanding the theories of driving to being able to apply those theories safely on the road.

There are two essential components to learning new skills: theory and application.

Theory is the informational side of learning, or what we might call book learning. In driving, this means learning traffic laws, how cars work, the mechanics of driving, and what to do in various situations. Understanding the why behind the rules helps students move from memorization to actual understanding.

Application is the experiential side - or learning by doing. In driving, this happens in the car, out on the road. We take all that head knowledge and apply it to real life.

When that connection between theory and application is missing, teen drivers can have trouble “thinking on their feet” and making knowledge-based decisions in real-world situations.

One area where I see this happen frequently is with right of way.

Common Right-of-Way Rules Teen Drivers Should Know

Exact traffic laws can vary somewhat by state, so your teen should know the rules in your state’s driver manual. But these are some of the most common situations new drivers need to understand.

Who Has the Right of Way at a Four-Way Stop?

Generally, the vehicle that arrives at the intersection first proceeds first.

If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the driver on the left typically yields to the driver on the right.

The bigger lesson for a teen driver is not to assume. Make sure the other driver is actually stopping and yielding before proceeding.

Who Has the Right of Way When Turning Left?

Left turns are dangerous; a 2010 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that most intersection-related crashes involve a left turn. A driver making an unprotected left turn generally needs to yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

If you have a protected green left-turn arrow, you can proceed in the direction of the arrow, but you should still watch for pedestrians, cyclists, or another driver doing something unexpected. Check out our other blog all about left turns for more details about how to stay safe when turning left.

When you look at the rules in detail, it’s no wonder left turns are confusing to teen drivers. And let’s be honest, there are plenty of adult drivers who could use a refresher too.

Who Has the Right of Way at a Traffic Light With a Left-Turn Lane?

At intersections with traffic signals, right of way is determined by the signal. Cars traveling straight generally have the right of way when their light is green, while drivers making an unprotected left turn need to yield to approaching traffic.

A left-turn arrow can change who proceeds. Here’s a simple guide:

No left-turn arrow on the traffic light

• On a green light, drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.

• On a red light, you generally cannot turn left. One rare exception is when you are turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, where state law allows it after a complete stop and after yielding, unless a sign prohibits the turn. This situation is extremely rare, so teen drivers should know the rule but should also know their own state’s laws.

Left turn arrow on the same unit as the solid green traffic signal

• You may turn left, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

• Do not assume approaching traffic will stop just because you are waiting to turn.

Left turn arrow on a separate unit with green, yellow, and red arrows

• Left turn has the right of way during the green arrow

• Left turn is never allowed when the left turn arrow is red, EVEN IF there are no oncoming cars and the straight lanes have a solid green light

• Left turn is permitted if the yellow left turn arrow is blinking, there are no oncoming cars, and the straight lanes have a solid green light

Once again, these right of way rules can change slightly from state to state, so be sure to carefully read through your state’s driving manual. 

When you look at all of those possibilities, it’s no wonder left turns at traffic lights are confusing to teen drivers. And yes, there are a lot of adult drivers on the road who could use a refresher too.

Who Has the Right of Way in a Roundabout?

Drivers entering a roundabout yield to traffic already traveling within it.

Your teen should slow down as they approach, look for an opening, enter when it is safe, and avoid stopping once they are inside unless traffic conditions require it.

Who Has the Right of Way When Entering From a Driveway?

A driver entering a roadway from a driveway, parking lot, alley, or private road generally yields to vehicles and pedestrians already using the roadway or sidewalk.

When Do Drivers Yield to Pedestrians?

Drivers need to be especially alert for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks. Pedestrians who are legally (or even illegally) crossing a street have the right to do so safely before any cars turn onto that roadway. Never assume that pedestrians will wait for cars to make a left turn before they cross. If they are crossing on a green light, or crossing straight on a crossroad that a car is waiting to turn left onto, cars must yield the right of way to them. No matter what else is going on to put pressure on the driver to make the turn, this one aspect of safe driving is always a must. Remember, as a driver, you are protected in a vehicle; pedestrians are not.

Right-of-Way Rules at a Glance

Driving Situation	General Rule
Four-way stop	First vehicle to arrive generally goes first
Two vehicles arrive together	Driver on the left generally yields to the driver on the right
Unprotected left turn	Yield to approaching traffic
Entering a roundabout	Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Entering road from a driveway or parking lot	Yield to roadway traffic and pedestrians
Pedestrian crossing	Yield and always be prepared to stop

How Parents Can Practice Right of Way With a Teen Driver

The concept of right of way, especially with left turns and intersections, deserves concentrated training time during teen driving lessons.

My advice to parents is to make a list of different types of intersections around your town and go practice them.

Before your teen proceeds, ask questions like:

• Who needs to yield here?

• What are you looking for before you go?

• What could that other driver do?

• Even if you have the right of way, is it safe to proceed?

Try not to immediately give your teen the answer every time. Give them a chance to look at the situation, think it through, and tell you what they see. Once your teen applies what they are learning, they begin making the connection between knowing the rules and safely navigating real traffic. Of course, this won't come right away.

Practice makes progress.

And parents, think about your own driving habits too. Are you setting a safe example? Coaching your teen is a great opportunity to shine a light on some of your own habits. (Yes, teenagers notice more than we'd sometimes like them to.) It can even be helpful to speak your processing thoughts out loud while driving through these situations. Simply tell your teen what you’re seeing, what you plan to do, and why.

For more help knowing what to teach your teen, how to practice it, and how to handle difficult driving situations, check out The Parent’s Guide to Teen Driving - a step-by-step video resource I created specifically for parents to help them confidently coach their teens to become safe drivers.

If you're in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, professional behind-the-wheel lessons from Safe Driving Coach are another great way to help your teen build the lifelong skills necessary for safe driving.