Right of way, turns and intersections in Vermont

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at a four-way stop.
• You can position the vehicle correctly for left and right turns.
• You can make a legal right turn on red.
• You can enter, drive through and leave a roundabout safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and traffic already in the intersection.
• 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.
• When turning left, yield to all oncoming traffic, including bicyclists.
• Drivers coming from a driveway, alley, parking lot or the stem of a T-intersection yield to traffic on the road.
• Right on red is usually allowed after a full stop, unless a sign forbids it. Never turn right on a red arrow.
• In a roundabout, traffic moves counterclockwise and entering drivers yield to vehicles already circulating.

Making a left turn

1. Well ahead, check mirrors and move to within about one foot of the center line (or into the left lane on a multilane road).
2. Signal 3 to 5 seconds before the turn and begin to slow.
3. Keep your wheels straight while waiting, so a rear-end bump will not push you into oncoming traffic.
4. Search right, front and left. Yield to oncoming vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians in the street you are entering.
5. Turn into the new street just right of the center line, then check your mirror and center the vehicle.

Making a right turn

Approach about three feet from the right edge, without swinging left first. Signal 3 to 5 seconds ahead, slow down and search left, front, right and quickly left again. Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians on your right and yield to them. Keep close to the right as you turn, and if the new road has more than one lane your way, turn into the nearest lane.

Signals, arrows and right on red

At a red light, stop before the stop line or crosswalk. You may turn right on a steady red after stopping completely, scanning and yielding, unless a sign or lit symbol says no. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians; a solid green arrow means your turn is protected. If signals are dark in a power cut, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.

Roundabouts the Vermont way

• Slow down on approach and choose your lane from signs and markings.
• Yield to traffic already in the roundabout and to pedestrians and bicyclists.
• On a two-lane roundabout with no signs, the right lane is for right turns or straight on, the left lane for left turns or straight on.
• Do not change lanes inside the roundabout.
• Signal to show where you are exiting, and check mirrors and blind spots when leaving from the inside lane.
• For an emergency vehicle, pull over before entering, or after you have exited if already inside.

Common mistakes

• Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn. Keep them straight until it is clear.
• Rolling through a right on red without a full stop.
• Assuming the driver on the left goes first at a four-way stop when you arrive together.
• Changing lanes in the middle of a multi-lane turn or roundabout.

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

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

Go deeper

• Vermont Permit Test Online
• Learning to Drive in Vermont
• Vermont Driver’s Ed and the 40-Hour Practice Certification