Right of way, turns and intersections in California

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at uncontrolled and all-way stop intersections.
• You can make right and left turns using the correct steps and lanes.
• You can say when a right or left turn on red is legal.
• You can list places where a U-turn is never allowed.
• You can enter, drive and leave a roundabout correctly.

What you need to know and understand

• At an uncontrolled or all-way stop intersection, the first to arrive goes first; if you arrive together, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• At a T intersection with no signs, traffic on the through road has the right of way.
• Signal about 100 feet before a turn.
• Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it.
• Left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign forbids it.
• Traffic moves counter-clockwise in a roundabout, and you yield to vehicles already in it.
• If a traffic signal is out, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
• On a steep narrow mountain road where only one vehicle fits, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way.

Who goes first

With no signs or signals, the vehicle that arrives first goes first. If two arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At an all-way stop, stop fully first, then use the same rule. When turning left, yield to pedestrians and to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a danger. Never enter an intersection unless you can clear it before the light turns red.

Pedestrians have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and blind pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog always have the right of way.

Making a turn, step by step

If there is a bike lane, you may enter it to turn only within 200 feet of the corner. A center left-turn lane may be used for no more than 200 feet.

1. Move into the correct position: close to the right edge for a right turn, close to the center line or into the left-turn lane for a left turn.
2. Signal about 100 feet before the turn.
3. Check over your shoulder for bicycles and motorcycles, and slow down.
4. Stop behind the limit line if required.
5. Look left, right, then left again, and turn when it is safe.
6. For a left turn, keep your wheels straight while waiting so a rear-end crash cannot push you into oncoming traffic.
7. Finish in the matching lane: the right lane after a right turn, the nearest legal lane after a left turn.

U-turns and roundabouts

U-turns are allowed across a double yellow line, at an intersection on a green light unless a sign forbids it, at an opening in a divided highway, and in a residential district if no vehicle is approaching within 200 feet. They are never allowed where a NO U-TURN sign is posted, at a railroad crossing, on a one-way street, in front of a fire station, where you cannot see 200 feet each way, or in a business district except at an intersection or a divided-highway opening.

At a roundabout, slow down, yield to traffic already circling, enter to the right when there is a gap, and do not stop or pass inside. Signal as you exit. If you miss your exit, go around again. In a multi-lane roundabout, use the right lane to turn right, and either lane to go straight.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a stop before turning right on red. A full stop is required.
• Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn, which puts you at risk if hit from behind.
• Turning left on red from a two-way street. That is only legal from one-way to one-way.

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

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

Go deeper

• Transfer an Out-of-State License to California
• California 50 Hours Driving Log
• California AB 60 Driver’s License