Right of way, turns and intersections in Oklahoma

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a four-way stop
• You can make a legal right turn on red and a left turn on red where allowed
• You can complete a left turn safely across oncoming traffic
• You can signal correctly and early
• You can yield to pedestrians, blind persons, emergency vehicles and funeral processions

What you need to know and understand

• At a four-way stop the first vehicle to arrive goes first. If two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
• After a complete stop you may turn right on red, and turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign forbids it
• When turning left you must yield to all oncoming traffic
• Oklahoma requires a turn signal for at least 100 feet before you turn
• The manual recommends turning at 10 mph or less
• Drivers must stop at least 15 feet from a blind person using a white cane or guide dog in the roadway
• You must yield to funeral processions and pull to the right for emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights

Who goes first?

At a stop sign, stop before the crosswalk, marked or not, then yield to pedestrians and to vehicles already in or close to the intersection. At four-way stops and at intersections with no signs or signals, the vehicle that arrived first has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

When coming out of a driveway, alley or private road, stop before the sidewalk and wait until it is safe. At a yield sign, slow down and be ready to stop for traffic and pedestrians. If another driver gives you the right-of-way, go promptly. Oklahoma's manual does not include a roundabout section. Where you meet one, follow the signs, give way to traffic already circulating and keep to the right of the central island.

A safe left turn, step by step

1. Check mirrors and your blind spot, then signal at least 100 feet before the turn.
2. Move close to the center line, or into the left-turn lane, as early as you safely can.
3. Slow down before the stop line and keep your wheels pointed straight while you wait, so a rear-end crash cannot push you into oncoming traffic.
4. Yield to all oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk you are turning across. With a flashing yellow arrow you may turn only after yielding.
5. Turn into the lane just right of the center of the new street, then move right when it is safe.

Turning right and on red

For a right turn, move to the right well before the corner, signal, slow down and stay close to the curb without swinging wide. On one-way streets, turn from the lane nearest the curb on the side you are turning to.

You may turn right on a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. You may also turn left on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street. In both cases yield to pedestrians, cyclists and all traffic using the intersection. A red arrow means no turn in that direction until it changes.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a right turn on red without first stopping completely.
• Turning the steering wheel left while waiting to turn. Keep the wheels straight until the gap is clear.
• Signaling at the last moment. Oklahoma requires at least 100 feet of signaling.
• Assuming a green light means the way is clear. Watch for drivers racing a red light and for pedestrians.

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

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

Go deeper

• How to Get a Driver’s License in Oklahoma
• Oklahoma 50-Hour Driving Affidavit
• Oklahoma Driving Test and the Sweet Sixteen Birthday Guarantee