Rules of the Road
What this domain covers
Rules of the Road covers right-of-way, speed limits, lane use, passing, turning, and stopping for school buses - the everyday rules the Delaware permit exam tests with scenario questions.
Speed and space
Unless a sign says otherwise, Delaware's default limit is 25 mph in business and residential districts and 50 mph on other roads; posted limits top out at 65 mph. School zones are 20 mph when posted or flashing, and work-zone fines are doubled when workers are present. Use the three-second following rule in good conditions, and add a second or more in rain or when following a truck or motorcycle.
Right-of-way
At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle on your right. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first; if two arrive together, the one on the right goes first, and a vehicle going straight has priority over one turning left. Left turns yield to oncoming traffic. Entering a road from a driveway or private road, you yield to everything already on the road. In a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle, enter to the right, and never stop inside it.
Passing, lanes, and school buses
Pass on the left, and keep right except when passing. A solid yellow line on your side means no passing. Delaware requires at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle. When a school bus shows flashing red lights and a stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop on an undivided road; on a divided highway, traffic on the opposite side does not stop. Stop far enough back that the bus driver can see you.
Worked example
You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same moment. You plan to turn left; the other driver is going straight ahead. Who goes? The other driver. Simultaneous arrival gives priority to the vehicle on the right, and a left-turning vehicle must yield to traffic going straight through. Waiting costs a few seconds; assuming you were there first causes collisions.
Traps
Assuming a right turn on red is always allowed - it is not when a sign or red arrow prohibits it. Forgetting to stop for the bus because the road has only a painted median; only a physical divider excuses opposite-direction traffic. Stopping inside a roundabout. Passing on the right using the shoulder. Failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when turning.