Right of way, turns and intersections in Arkansas

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at uncontrolled and all-way stop intersections.
• You can make a legal right turn on red after a full stop.
• You can make left turns that yield to oncoming traffic.
• You can enter and leave a roundabout correctly.
• You can use a shared center turn lane the Arkansas way.

What you need to know and understand

• At an intersection with no signs or signals, yield to the vehicle approaching from your right.
• At a three-way, four-way or all-way stop, the first driver to arrive and stop goes first.
• Drivers turning left yield to oncoming traffic going straight.
• You may turn right on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it, and you must yield to pedestrians.
• Drivers entering a roundabout or traffic circle yield to traffic already in it.
• Pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog have absolute right of way.
• You may use a center turn lane to turn left into traffic, but not as an acceleration lane.
• Do not enter an intersection unless you can get all the way through without stopping.

Who goes first

• No signs or signals: yield to the vehicle on your right.
• All-way stop: first to stop goes first.
• Leaving a driveway, alley or parking lot: yield to traffic on the road and to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
• Overtaking: the passing driver yields to the vehicle being passed, which may be turning or slowing for a hazard.
• Green light: let traffic already in the intersection clear before you go.

Making turns cleanly

Signal at least 100 feet before you turn. If you plan to turn just past an intersection, signal after you pass through it so nobody thinks you are turning early. When there are no lane markings, turn into the lane closest to your direction of travel.

1. Right turn: stay close to the right and avoid swinging wide into another lane, which can tempt the driver behind to pass on your right.
2. Left turn: do not cut the corner. Leave room for oncoming drivers to turn left in front of you.
3. Right on red: stop completely at the line, check traffic from the left and pedestrians, then turn when clear.
4. Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn left, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Roundabouts and center turn lanes

A roundabout is a circular intersection where traffic flows around a central island. Slow down, yield to drivers already circulating, enter when there is a safe gap, and signal as you exit.

Many Arkansas roads have a shared center lane marked with left-turn arrows facing both directions. Arkansas lets a driver turning left out of a side street or driveway pull into this lane and then merge into traffic. You may not use it to build up speed as an acceleration lane.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right on red. A full stop is required first, and a rolling stop is marked on the road test.
• Turning left because an oncoming car is signaling. It may be turning later, or the signal may have been left on. Wait until it actually turns.
• Creeping into a busy intersection on green and getting stuck when the light changes. Wait until you can clear it.
• Using the horn near a blind pedestrian. It can confuse or frighten them.

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

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

Go deeper

• Arkansas Driver’s License Age Waiver Explained
• Arkansas Driving Test
• Arkansas Intermediate License