Right of way, turns and intersections in West Virginia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first at four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections.
• You can make a left or right turn using the steps in the handbook.
• You can explain when a turn on red is allowed in West Virginia.
• You can respond correctly to an approaching emergency vehicle.
• You can say where U-turns are illegal.

What you need to know and understand

• At a four-way stop or uncontrolled intersection, if two vehicles arrive together, yield to the driver on the right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic.
• When entering a road from a driveway, alley or private road, yield to traffic already on the road.
• After a full stop, you may turn right on red, or left on red from a one-way street into another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it.
• A flashing red light means stop, like a stop sign; a flashing yellow light means go ahead with caution.
• Directions from a police officer override signs, signals and markings.

Who goes first

• Yield signs: slow down and give way to any vehicle in the intersection and to approaching traffic.
• Four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections: the first to arrive goes first; if you arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• Left turns: oncoming traffic has priority. If it will reach the intersection about when you would, wait.
• Pedestrians: give way in crosswalks, at sidewalks across driveways and alleys, and to blind pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog, crosswalk or not.
• Emergency vehicles with siren and flashing lights: pull to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop until they pass. Keep your foot on the brake and watch for a second vehicle.
• Funeral processions: not required by law, but yielding is a courtesy.

Turning step by step

1. Decide early. Do not choose to turn at the last moment.
2. Check mirrors and your blind spot over the correct shoulder.
3. Signal at least 100 feet before the turn.
4. Slow down before the turn, not while turning.
5. Check ahead and behind and watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
6. When waiting to turn left, keep your wheels straight so a bump from behind will not push you into oncoming traffic.
7. Finish the turn in the correct lane and cancel your signal.

Turning on red, U-turns and roundabouts

Facing a steady red light, you must come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and other traffic before turning right. The same applies to a left turn from one one-way street into another. Look for signs that ban the turn. A steady red arrow means stay stopped for that direction.

It is illegal to turn around near a curve or near the crest of a hill where vehicles approaching within 500 feet in either direction cannot see you, or where signs prohibit it. Never U-turn on an interstate; use the next exit.

The West Virginia handbook does not set out detailed roundabout rules. Follow the signs and markings, slow down on approach and give way to traffic already in the roundabout.

Common mistakes

• Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn left. A rear-end bump could push you into oncoming traffic.
• Rolling through a right turn on red without a full stop.
• Assuming a green light means you can turn left freely. Oncoming traffic still has priority.
• Insisting on your right of way when another driver is clearly not yielding.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in West Virginia

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

Go deeper

• West Virginia Permit Test
• Learning to Drive in West Virginia
• West Virginia 50-Hour Driving Log