Right of way, turns and intersections in Massachusetts

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at an uncontrolled intersection and a four-way stop.
• You can make legal turns on red and U-turns in Massachusetts.
• You can signal and position correctly for left and right turns.
• You can enter, travel through and leave a rotary or roundabout safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Signal at least 100 feet before a turn, and at least 500 feet before a turn on a highway.
• You may turn right on red 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.
• At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to vehicles that have entered from your right or are coming from your right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic, vehicles already in the intersection, and pedestrians or bicyclists in your path.
• In a rotary, traffic moves counterclockwise and entering drivers yield to traffic already circulating.
• Do not make a U-turn where you or others cannot see 500 feet away.

Who goes first

• Uncontrolled intersection: slow down and yield to traffic from your right.
• Four-way stop: vehicles go in the order they stopped. If two stop together, the one on the right goes first.
• Driveway, private road or unpaved road: stop and yield to everyone on the road you are entering.
• Single or two-lane road meeting a divided highway or a road with three or more lanes: you yield.
• Green light: still yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk and, when turning left, to oncoming traffic.

Making a turn

1. Plan ahead and get into the correct lane early.
2. Signal at least 100 feet before the turn, ideally before braking.
3. Reduce your speed.
4. Check your mirrors and the blind spot on the side you are turning toward.
5. Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles as required.
6. Turn into the nearest correct lane without swinging wide, and change lanes only after the turn.

Rotaries and roundabouts

Rotaries have yield signs at each entrance and a central island. Yield to vehicles already in the rotary and to pedestrians, travel counterclockwise and use your right signal when you are about to exit. Never stop inside a rotary. If you miss your exit, go around again.

In a multi-lane rotary with no signs, use the right lane for a quarter turn or to go straight, and exit into the right lane. For a three-quarter turn or U-turn, enter from the left lane, travel in the inner lane and exit into the right lane. Roundabouts are smaller and work the same way at 25 mph or less. Our rotary guide shows each move in more detail.

Avoid courtesy crashes

Drivers sometimes wave others through stopped traffic. The manual warns this can cause crashes, because another vehicle you cannot see may still have the right of way. Only turn when you can see the way is clear yourself.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right turn on red without a full stop.
• Turning left on red from a two-way street. It is only allowed from one one-way street onto another.
• Stopping in a rotary to let someone in or because you missed your exit.
• Trusting a wave from another driver instead of checking for yourself.

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

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

Go deeper

• Moving to Massachusetts
• How to Drive Through a Massachusetts Rotary
• Learning to Drive in Massachusetts