Intersections and Turns
Intersections and Turns tests your ability to enter, cross, and leave an intersection legally and predictably. NY questions focus on right-of-way order, turn position, signals, and the special care needed at uncontrolled intersections and roundabouts.
Core rules
- Slow down and scan before entering. Signal before every turn and cancel it afterward.
- At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. A vehicle going straight has the right-of-way over an oncoming vehicle turning left.
- At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to traffic already in the intersection and to the vehicle on your right if you arrive together.
- Left turns: yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians. Turn from the proper lane into the corresponding lane, not into a far lane.
- Right turns: begin from the right lane or proper turn lane, keep close to the right curb, and yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Right on red requires a complete stop and yield unless prohibited; NYC prohibits it unless posted.
- In a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle, enter to the right, and do not stop inside unless traffic requires it.
- U-turns are legal only where safe and not prohibited; avoid them on curves, hills, and where visibility is limited, and check local restrictions.
Worked example
You and an oncoming car arrive together at a four-way stop. You want to turn left; the other driver wants to go straight. Even if you stopped first by a fraction, do not assume priority when arrival is simultaneous. The straight-through vehicle has the right-of-way over your left turn, so you wait for it to clear the intersection.
Traps that cost marks
Rolling stops, turning left without yielding to oncoming traffic, swinging wide into the wrong lane, and treating right-on-red as automatic. Also watch for pedestrians who step into the crosswalk after your light turns green.