Right of way, turns and intersections in Oregon
Many crashes happen at intersections, often because someone misjudged who should go first. Oregon's rules tell you who must yield, but the law never gives anyone the right of way; it only says who must give it.
Oregon also allows some turns that surprise new drivers, including certain left turns on a red light. This page explains them in plain terms.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can decide who goes first at four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections and T intersections.
- You can make legal right and left turns on red in Oregon.
- You can choose the correct lane before and after a turn.
- You can enter, drive through and leave a roundabout safely.
What you need to know and understand
- Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes when moving in traffic.
- After a full stop on red you may turn right onto a two-way road, or turn right or left onto a one-way road going your way.
- You may not turn left on red onto a two-way road.
- At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to vehicles already in it or approaching from your right.
- At a T intersection with no signs, the driver on the ending road yields to traffic on the through road.
- In a roundabout, traffic goes counterclockwise and entering drivers yield to traffic inside and exiting.
- U-turns are banned at signals (unless a sign allows), between intersections in cities and where you cannot be seen from 500 feet in a city or 1,000 feet outside a city.
Who goes first
- Four-way stop: the driver who stopped first normally goes first. If in doubt, yield to the driver on your right.
- Two-way stop with drivers facing each other: a driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight.
- No signs or signals: look left first, then ahead and right, and yield to anyone in the intersection or coming from your right.
- Leaving an alley, driveway or parking lot: stop before the sidewalk and yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and approaching traffic.
- Green light: do not enter unless there is room for your car on the far side.
Turning on red, Oregon style
After a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, you may turn on a steady red light or red arrow in these cases, unless a sign or officer says no:
- Right turn onto a two-way road.
- Right or left turn onto a one-way road, in the direction traffic flows. This includes a left from a two-way road onto a one-way road.
- Never a left on red from a one-way road onto a two-way road.
- No turn on red at all where a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted or a bike box is marked.
Making the turn
Turn from the nearest lane in your direction into the nearest lane going the way you want to go, without swinging wide. For a right turn, keep close to the right curb. For a left on a two-way road, approach just right of the center line and turn just before the middle of the intersection. If a left turn lane is provided, you must use it. You may cross a bike lane to turn, but do not move into it beforehand, and yield to bicyclists in it. If you are in the wrong lane, go on to the next intersection.
Roundabouts
- Slow down on approach and read the signs to choose your lane and exit.
- Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
- Yield to traffic in the roundabout and to traffic exiting, then merge into a gap.
- Stay in your lane, do not pass, and never drive beside a truck, which may need both lanes.
- Signal right to exit and watch for pedestrians as you leave.
Common mistakes
- Turning left on red from a one-way street onto a two-way street. That turn is not allowed.
- Rolling through a red light before turning. A complete stop is always required first.
- Swinging wide or turning into the far lane. Turn into the nearest lane going your way.
- Stopping inside a roundabout for an emergency vehicle. Drive on, exit, then pull over to the right.
Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Oregon
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Oregon Driver Manual 2026-2027, Traffic Signals and Turns & Intersections (Oregon DMV, ODOT Driver and Motor Vehicle Services). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Oregon licensing agency.