Rules of the Road
Core concepts
The rules-of-the-road domain tests whether you know who goes first, where you belong in a lane, and what the law requires at intersections and crossings. Master these ideas: right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections (yield to the vehicle on your right), four-way stop order (first to stop, first to go; ties go to the right), left-turn yielding to oncoming traffic, and the requirement to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to emergency vehicles using lights and siren. Know Washington's default speed limits (25 mph in residential and business districts, 60 mph on state highways unless posted otherwise) and that posted signs override defaults. Understand lane use: keep right except to pass, and the center left-turn lane is for turning only, never for travel.
Traps
Questions love edge cases. At a four-way stop, arriving at the same moment means the driver on the left yields. A left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic even when they have a green light, unless a protected arrow is shown. Right turn on red is legal after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Do not confuse a flashing yellow arrow (yield, turn when clear) with a solid green (protected). Passing on the right is allowed only in specific situations, such as when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Rule of thumb
At any ambiguous intersection, ask: "Who has the legal right-of-way, and do I have a safe gap?" Right-of-way is something you yield, not something you take. When in doubt, stop and let the other vehicle go.
Worked example
You and another car reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time; the other car is on your right. You yield and let it proceed first.