Photo: Karl Solano, Pexels
In Illinois, the first driver to stop at a four-way stop goes first, and if two arrive together on different roads the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. You must also signal at least 100 feet before a turn in a business or residential area and at least 200 feet elsewhere, and you may pass only when you can be back in your lane before you are within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle. The rules below cover right of way, passing and lane use, and signaling and turning.
Key facts (Illinois Secretary of State)
- Four-way stop: first to stop goes first; if tied on different roads, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- Signal for at least 100 feet before a turn in a business or residential area, and at least 200 feet elsewhere.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a pedestrian on the road or shoulder, or a bicyclist on any road.
- Be back in your lane before you are within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
- U-turns: not on a curve or hill unless you can see at least 500 feet in all directions.
Right of way in Illinois
- Stop sign or flashing red: stop at the line, or before the crosswalk, or where you can see all approaching traffic, then yield.
- Four-way stop: first to stop goes first. If two arrive together on different roads, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The same left-yields-to-right rule applies at an uncontrolled intersection.
- T intersection with no signs or signals: the driver on the road that ends yields to cross traffic.
- Alleys, driveways, buildings and private roads: make a complete stop, then yield to pedestrians and all vehicles. In urban areas, stop before the sidewalk area.
- Left turns: yield to oncoming traffic. If you entered on green, you may finish the turn after the light goes red.
- Red lights: a right turn is allowed after a full stop and yielding unless a sign bans it. So is a left turn from a one-way street onto a one-way street moving left.
- Green lights: wait for vehicles still in the intersection. Do not enter an intersection, crosswalk or railroad crossing unless there is room to clear it.
- MERGE and YIELD signs: change speed or stop as needed to avoid a crash.
- Pedestrians, stop completely: for anyone in a marked crosswalk, and on school days for children close to a school zone crosswalk.
- Pedestrians, yield: in an unmarked crosswalk on your side of the road with no signals; when turning; after a stop sign or flashing red; to anyone crossing on a walk signal or who started before the light changed; on a flashing yellow arrow; at alleys and driveways; and to people with disabilities, including those using a guide dog, white cane or wheelchair.
Passing and lane use
- Be back in your lane before you are within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and only when you can see all of the passed car in your rearview mirror. The driver being passed must not speed up.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a pedestrian on the road or shoulder, or a bicyclist on any road, including one on the shoulder or in a bike lane.
- Flashing your turn signals as a “go ahead and pass” courtesy is illegal, and so is leaving the pavement to pass.
- Pass on the right only when a car ahead is turning left and there is room, on a one-way street or a road with two or more clear lanes each way, or at an intersection widened for it. Never use the shoulder.
- No passing on a two-lane, two-way road: where marked or signed; on a hill or curve without a clear view; within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing; within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel when your view is blocked; when a vehicle has stopped for a pedestrian; in any construction zone or school zone; and when a school bus has stopped.
- On interstates and full access controlled freeways, stay out of the left lanes except to pass, unless no one is directly behind you, congestion or weather makes the right lane impractical, the right lane is obstructed, or you are moving over for emergency or construction vehicles.
- Slow traffic keeps right. Weaving to get ahead, crossing median strips, and backing up on a controlled-access road or its shoulder are all against the rules. Back up on other roads only if it is safe and does not get in anyone’s way.
- Open a door on the traffic side only when it is safe, and shut it promptly. Reaching across with your right hand makes you turn and look (the Dutch Reach).
- Street sideshows, where vehicles block a road for stunts or speed contests, are illegal.
Signaling and turning
- Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before a turn in a business or residential area, and at least 200 feet elsewhere. Signal lane changes too, after checking by turning your head.
- Hand signals use the left arm: straight out for left, straight up for right, down for slowing or stopping.
- Right turns: stay close to the curb and finish in the right-hand lane. Watch for bicyclists, and for trucks and buses that need extra room. Left turns: keep your wheels straight until you start to turn, and finish in the lane nearest your direction.
- U-turns: not on a curve or hill unless you can see at least 500 feet in all directions. Towns may ban them on some roads.
- Two-way left turn lanes are only for preparing or making a left turn, or a permitted U-turn. If one is provided, do not turn left from any other lane.
- Roundabouts: traffic circles counterclockwise. Slow down, read the signs, turn right to enter when it is safe, yield to all traffic including pedestrians and bicycles, stay in your lane and use your right signal to leave.
- Use both turn signals together (hazard flashers) to show that a vehicle is disabled or parked.
Common questions
Who has the right of way at a four-way stop in Illinois?
The first driver to stop goes first. If two arrive together on different roads, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Can I turn right on red in Illinois?
Yes, after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign bans it. A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto a one-way street moving left.
How far before a turn must I signal?
At least 100 feet in a business or residential area and at least 200 feet elsewhere.
How much room must I give a bicyclist when passing?
At least 3 feet, on any road, including when the bicyclist is on the shoulder or in a bike lane.
When is passing banned on a two-lane road?
Where marked or signed, on hills or curves without a clear view, within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing, in construction and school zones, and when a school bus has stopped.
Where to go next
This guide is part of the Learning to drive in Illinois: complete guide. For the numbers that go with these rules, see Illinois speed limits, work zones and school zones and Illinois parking, school bus and railroad crossing rules. To see how these rules are tested, read about the Illinois road test and the Illinois permit test, and for cyclists and trucks see sharing the road with motorcycles, bicycles and trucks.
Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State, “2026 Illinois Rules of the Road” (DSD A 112, July 2026), Chapter 4, traffic laws (right of way, passing, signaling and turning) (ilsos.gov)