Right of way, turns and intersections in Florida

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a four-way stop and at an uncontrolled intersection.
• You can make a left turn while yielding correctly to oncoming traffic.
• You can make a legal right turn on red, and spot when it is banned.
• You can position and signal correctly for right and left turns.
• You can handle a roundabout calmly.

What you need to know and understand

• Yield to a vehicle that has already entered the intersection from another road.
• When two vehicles arrive at the same time at an uncontrolled or four-way stop intersection, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
• At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop is the first to go.
• Drivers turning left yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard.
• You may turn right on a steady red after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it.
• You may also turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street going left, unless a sign prohibits it.
• Signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before turning.
• Entering a state-maintained highway from a road with no sign or signal, you yield to all traffic on the highway.

Who goes first when there are no signs

• A vehicle already in the intersection goes first.
• Arriving together from different roads: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• Coming onto a state-maintained road from a side road with no traffic control: yield to everyone on the state road.
• Coming off an unpaved road onto a paved county or city road: yield to traffic on the paved road.
• Pulling out of a driveway or alley: yield to traffic on the road and people on the sidewalk.

Stops, yields and signals

At a stop sign, stop at the marked line, or before the crosswalk, or where you can see cross traffic, then yield to vehicles in or close to the intersection. At a yield sign, slow and stop if needed; if you hit a pedestrian in the crosswalk or a vehicle in the intersection after passing a yield sign without stopping, the law treats that as evidence you failed to yield.

On a green light you may go straight or turn, but you must still yield to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully in the intersection. If signals are dark in a power cut, the Florida handbook tells you to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Making the turn

1. Check mirrors and blind spot, and signal for at least the last 100 feet.
2. Right turn: keep as close as practical to the right curb or edge. If you are passing a bicyclist, turn only when the bicycle is at least 20 feet from the intersection and it is safe.
3. Left turn: approach from the farthest-left lane available to you and finish in a lane that legally carries traffic in your new direction.
4. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn smoothly without cutting the corner.
5. In a roundabout, yield to traffic already circling, travel counterclockwise and signal before your exit.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right on red. You must come to a full stop first.
• Waving another driver through at a four-way stop when it is your turn. It confuses others; follow the order of arrival.
• Turning left into the far lane of the new road when a closer lane is available. Plan your finishing lane before you start.
• Signaling at the last second. Florida requires at least 100 feet of signal.

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

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

Go deeper

• Transfer Your License to Florida
• Florida 50 Hour Driving Certification
• Florida Permit Test