Right of way, turns and intersections in Iowa

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at an all-way stop.
• You can yield correctly when turning left.
• You can make a legal turn on red after stopping.
• You can signal at the right distance before a turn.
• You can enter, drive through and exit a roundabout.

What you need to know and understand

• At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight.
• Right turns on red are allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits them.
• A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop.
• Signal at least 100 feet before turning where the limit is 45 mph or less, and at least 300 feet where it is higher.
• In a roundabout, traffic moves counterclockwise and entering drivers yield to traffic already circulating.

Who yields at Iowa intersections

• All-way stop: first to stop, first to go. Arrive together and the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• Two-way stop: if you are stopped, yield to cross traffic that does not have to stop.
• Left turns: yield to oncoming vehicles going straight and to pedestrians.
• Uncontrolled intersections, common on gravel roads: slow down, be ready to stop, and the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.
• Pedestrians: yield to people in marked or unmarked crosswalks, including people using wheelchairs, strollers, scooters and skateboards.
• Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing lights: pull to the right edge and stop, but clear an intersection or roundabout first. Stay at least 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle using lights and siren.

Turning cleanly and legally

At a red light you may turn right after a complete stop unless a No Turn on Red sign is posted, yielding to all traffic and pedestrians. A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn left only after yielding, because oncoming traffic has a green light.

1. Plan the turn early and check mirrors and blind spots.
2. Signal 100 feet ahead (45 mph zones or lower) or 300 feet ahead (faster roads), but not before a closer side street.
3. Slow down before the turn, keeping to the correct lane.
4. Turn into the lane closest to the one you came from, without cutting the corner or swinging wide.
5. Check that your signal has cancelled.

Roundabouts and rural four-lane highways

Approach a roundabout at the advisory speed, yield to anyone in the crosswalk, then yield to traffic already in the circle and merge counterclockwise. Signal right after passing the exit before yours. In multi-lane roundabouts, pick your lane before the yield line, do not change lanes inside, and never drive beside a truck that may need both lanes.

When crossing or turning left onto a rural four-lane divided highway, cross in two stages: stop, look left and move into the median when clear, then stop again, look right and finish when safe. At a reduced-conflict intersection you turn right, merge left, and make a U-turn at a marked median opening instead of crossing both directions at once.

Common mistakes

• Turning left on a flashing yellow arrow without waiting for a safe gap. It is a yield, not a protected turn.
• Rolling through a right turn on red. You must come to a complete stop first.
• Trying to cross both directions of a rural divided highway in one go. Use the median as a second stop.
• Assuming the other driver at a gravel crossroads will stop. Uncontrolled rural intersections have no signs, so slow down every time.

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

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

Go deeper

• Iowa Permit Test
• Iowa Driving Test
• Iowa Intermediate License Rules