Right of way, turns and intersections in Kentucky

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a four-way stop.
• You can make left and right turns from the correct lane position.
• You can turn right or left on red where it is allowed.
• You can enter, drive and exit a roundabout correctly.
• You can complete a driveway turnabout safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Yield to the driver who arrived at the intersection first.
• If two drivers reach a four-way stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic, including vehicles turning right.
• Drivers on a minor road yield to the main road, and drivers leaving a driveway or private road yield to traffic on the highway.
• Signal at least 100 feet before turning at an intersection.
• Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it; left on red is only allowed from a one-way street onto a one-way street.

Who yields to whom

• The driver who arrived first goes first.
• At a four-way stop with a tie, yield to the driver on your right.
• Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic.
• Entering an interstate from a ramp: yield to traffic already on the highway.
• Pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles still in the intersection: always yield to them.
• A police officer directing traffic overrides signals and signs.

Turning cleanly

Turn right from the right-most part of your lane without swinging wide to the left. Turn left from the left-most part of your lane, from the lane nearest the center. Turn into the nearest lane of the new road and change lanes only after the turn is complete. If you miss a turn, carry on and work your way back.

On a red light, stop first, then turn right if the way is clear. A left on red is legal only from a one-way street into a one-way street. A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn with caution, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A red arrow means no turn in that direction.

Roundabouts

In a roundabout, traffic moves counterclockwise around a central island. Slow down on the approach, yield to vehicles already circulating, enter when there is a safe gap, and signal before your exit.

The turnabout, step by step

Kentucky's manual describes backing into a driveway on the right to reverse direction, and says applicants should master it for the road test.

1. Choose a spot where your car can be seen for 500 feet in each direction.
2. Signal right, stop, and check traffic to the sides and rear.
3. Back slowly until your rear bumper reaches the near edge of the driveway, then steer quickly all the way right.
4. When the car is centered in the driveway, straighten the wheels and stop.
5. Shift to drive, check both ways, signal left and turn into the proper lane.

Common mistakes

• Turning left in front of an oncoming car because its turn signal is on. The driver may not actually turn.
• Rolling through a right on red without a full stop.
• Moving off the instant the light turns green. Check that the intersection is clear first.
• Edging your car's nose into a lane to see past parked cars. Creep forward slowly instead.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Kentucky

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Kentucky 60 Hour Practice Driving Log
• Kentucky Bioptic Driving Program
• Kentucky Drivers Ed for Teens