Right of way, turns and intersections in Newfoundland and Labrador

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at uncontrolled intersections and four-way stops.
• You can make a right turn on red legally and safely.
• You can choose the correct lane for left turns onto one-way and two-way streets.
• You can enter, drive in and leave a two-lane roundabout.
• You can recognise places where U-turns are not allowed.

What you need to know and understand

• At an intersection with no signs, signals or officer, yield to traffic on your right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic.
• When entering a highway from a side road or driveway, yield to traffic and pedestrians.
• At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop fully goes first; if two arrive together, the one on the right goes first.
• Traffic lights that are not working are treated as a four-way stop.
• You may turn right on a red light after a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it.
• Traffic in a roundabout travels counterclockwise and entering drivers yield to vehicles already in it.

Four-way stops and dead traffic lights

Stop fully at the line. The vehicle that stopped first goes first. If you arrive at the same moment as a driver on your right, let them go. If you are behind a car at the stop sign, you must stop again when you reach the line yourself.

If a power cut knocks out the lights, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. A police officer's hand signals always override lights and signs.

Lanes for turning

• Right turn: signal early, move to the lane nearest the right curb, check your right blind spot for cyclists and pedestrians, and turn into the right lane.
• Left turn, two-way to two-way: start just right of the centre line and finish just right of the centre line on the new road.
• Left turn onto or from a one-way street: use the left lane of the one-way street.
• Double left-turn lanes: stay in your lane through the turn and finish in the matching lane.
• Shared centre left-turn lane: use it only to turn, and drive in it no more than 100 metres.

Roundabouts step by step

1. Slow down on approach and watch for pedestrians at the crosswalks.
2. Choose your lane: right lane for the first exit; left lane if going at least halfway round (second exit or beyond).
3. Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, then enter when there is a gap.
4. Do not change lanes inside. A driver in the outside lane yields to one in the inside lane.
5. Signal right before your exit and check for traffic in the right lane if leaving from the left lane.
6. If an emergency vehicle comes, leave at your exit and pull over beyond the splitter island. Never stop inside the roundabout.

U-turns and turnabouts

A U-turn must be done in one sweep with clear views both ways. It is not allowed at an intersection, near the top of a hill, on a curve, where it would interfere with traffic or where signs forbid it. On narrow roads, a two-point turn using a side road is often safer, and the three-point turn is used on quiet roads.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right turn on red without a full stop. It is a common reason for failing the road test.
• Waving another driver on when you have the right of way. It confuses everyone; follow the rules unless a collision needs avoiding.
• Changing lanes inside a roundabout.
• Swinging wide on a left turn and finishing in the curb lane.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Newfoundland and Labrador

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

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland Demerit Points for Novice Drivers
• Newfoundland Novice Rules