Right of way, turns and intersections in Indiana

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at an all-way stop, including when two cars arrive together.
• You can make a legal right or left turn on red in Indiana.
• You can respond correctly to flashing yellow arrows, flashing red lights and dark signals.
• You can enter and drive through a roundabout correctly, including next to large trucks.
• You can position the car in the correct lane before turning.

What you need to know and understand

• At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right.
• A flashing red light means stop, just like a stop sign.
• A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
• Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a No Turn on Red sign is posted. Left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
• Traffic entering a roundabout always yields to traffic already circulating, which moves counterclockwise.
• A dark (non-working) signal is treated as an all-way stop.
• Before entering a street from an alley or driveway, stop and yield to traffic.
• Funeral processions and police officers directing traffic override signals.

Stops, signals and who goes first

At a red light or stop sign, stop at the solid white stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk, and if there is no crosswalk, before entering the intersection. A steady yellow means your right of way is ending: stop if you safely can, but if you are too close to stop, you may continue.

Turning left on a plain green light means yielding to all oncoming traffic, and only one vehicle at a time should move into the intersection to turn left. A green arrow gives you the right of way to turn, as long as the intersection is clear.

Turning on red, step by step

1. Be in the correct lane: far right for a right turn, or the far-left lane of a one-way street for a left onto another one-way street.
2. Come to a full stop at the stop line.
3. Check that no No Turn on Red sign is posted.
4. Look for vehicles and pedestrians in, or about to enter, your path.
5. Turn into the nearest correct lane only when it is clear.

Roundabouts and large vehicles

Roundabouts are entered and exited only by right turns, and traffic flows counterclockwise. Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to vehicles already in the circle. On a multi-lane roundabout, pick your lane before you enter using the signs and pavement arrows, and do not change lanes inside the circle.

Indiana has a specific rule for big vehicles: in a multi-lane roundabout you must yield to a large truck or bus going through at the same time, even if that means slowing or stopping. A traffic circle is different: it may have traffic in both directions and stop signs instead of yield signs.

Center turn lanes and U-turns

• A shared center lane marked for left turns is only for turning, never for passing. Watch for oncoming drivers using it too.
• Never make a U-turn on a curve, near a hill crest or on an interstate. Go to the next exit instead.
• Some Indiana roads use median U-turn (J-turn) intersections, where you go straight through and make a signed U-turn at a median opening instead of turning left.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right-on-red without a full stop, which is an automatic fail on the driving skills exam.
• Waving another driver through when you have the right of way, which can confuse other road users.
• Changing lanes inside a multi-lane roundabout.
• Pulling into the intersection behind another left-turning car on a plain green, so two cars are stuck waiting at once.

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

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

Go deeper

• Indiana Bioptic Driver Program
• Indiana Permit Test
• Indiana BMV Points System and License Suspension