Who goes first? Every Virginia right-of-way scenario, worked through.
Right-of-way questions are among the most-missed on knowledge tests because the rule sounds obvious until the scenario adds a second vehicle. Below is the full scenario set: the universal rule first, then the Virginia-specific version wherever Virginia law sets its own terms.
Who goes first
Funeral Procession at an Intersection
A funeral procession is passing through an intersection. The lead vehicle has entered legally; following vehicles continue with headlights or hazard lights on. What must you do?
Where state law codifies right-of-way for funeral processions, the procession may continue together through the intersection even if the signal changes after the lead vehicle enters legally. Other drivers must yield to the procession and not cut in or break the line. State coverage varies widely; many states are silent.
Yield to a funeral procession. A procession under police or sheriff's escort has the right of way on any highway it passes through, and you may not join it, pass through it, or interfere with it.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-828 grants statutory right of way only to processions traveling under police or sheriff's escort: those have the right of way on any highway through which they pass, and no vehicle that is not properly part of the procession may join, pass through, or interfere with the passage of an escorted procession. Localities may provide the escort service by ordinance and charge a reasonable fee. Vehicles in a procession, escorted or not, may display high beam headlights and flash all four turn signals or hazard lights to identify themselves. The practical consequence for an unescorted procession, as the Virginia Driver's Manual states it, is that the lead vehicle must obey all traffic signs and signals, and the other drivers in the procession may follow carefully without stopping. Virginia does not require an ordinary driver to stop before an intersection a procession is crossing; the duty is to yield and to stay out of the procession. A separate section, Sec. 46.2-828.1, makes impeding or disrupting certain funeral processions a penalized offense.
Active Emergency Vehicle Approaching
An emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren on. What must you do?
Pull as far to the right as is safe, stop, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle and any others following it have passed. Do not block intersections. On divided highways, the rules for opposing-direction traffic vary by state, described in the state-specific rule below.
When an emergency vehicle approaches using siren and flashing lights, drive to the nearest edge of the roadway as quickly as traffic conditions permit, clear of any intersection, then stop and remain stopped until it has passed.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-829 applies when the emergency vehicle is both sounding an audible signal (siren, exhaust whistle, or air horn giving automatically intermittent signals) and displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light. Three parts matter: pull to the nearest edge of the roadway, get clear of any intersection before you stop, and remain there until the vehicle has passed, unless a law-enforcement officer directs otherwise. Yielding does not license the emergency driver to drive without due regard for the safety of others. Penalty split: an ordinary violation is failure to yield the right of way, but overtaking or passing a moving emergency vehicle that is running its siren and warning lights is reckless driving under Sec. 46.2-868. The Virginia Driver's Manual adds the following-distance rule: never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing, and you may not park within 500 feet of where fire trucks or fire equipment are stopped answering an alarm. The manual also treats the opposite-direction case on an undivided highway: pull to the edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes. These pull-over requirements do not apply in highway work zones.
Exiting a Driveway, Alley, or Private Road
You are pulling out of a driveway onto a public street. A pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk. What must you do?
When exiting a driveway, alley, or private road onto a public street, you must yield to all road traffic and to any pedestrian on the sidewalk you must cross. Stop at the sidewalk, let the pedestrian pass, then look both ways before pulling onto the street.
Highway On-Ramp Merge
You are entering a highway via an on-ramp. What must you do?
When entering a highway, the merging vehicle yields to mainline traffic. Match the speed of the highway traffic in the acceleration lane, look for a safe gap, signal, and merge smoothly. Do not stop on the ramp unless traffic conditions absolutely require it.
Single-Lane Roundabout, Entering
You are approaching a single-lane roundabout. A vehicle is already in the circle. What must you do?
When entering a roundabout, yield to all traffic already in the circle. Wait for a safe gap, then enter, drive counterclockwise, and exit at your intended street. Use your right turn signal as you approach your exit.
Pedestrian in a Marked Crosswalk
A pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk in your direction of travel. What must you do?
Yield to the pedestrian. Stop before the crosswalk and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared your half of the road and, in many states, until they have fully crossed. Specific stopping requirements and pass-on-the-left rules vary by state.
Virginia requires a full stop, not merely a yield. Stop for any pedestrian crossing the highway who is in your lane or in an adjacent lane and approaching your lane, and remain stopped until that pedestrian has passed the lane your vehicle is stopped in.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-924(A) uses the word 'stop', not 'yield'. The duty is triggered at three places: (1) any clearly marked crosswalk, whether midblock or at the end of a block; (2) any regular pedestrian crossing in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block (in other words, the unmarked crosswalk at a corner); and (3) any intersection where the driver is approaching on a highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Note the limits: at an intersection where the approach speed limit is above 35 mph and there is no marked crosswalk and no sidewalk prolongation, the statutory stop duty does not attach. Lane scope is defined by statute: your lane, or an adjacent lane with the pedestrian approaching your lane, and you stay stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the lane you are stopped in. The statute separately forbids overtaking a vehicle that is stopped at such a crossing. Pedestrians crossing at an intersection keep the right of way over vehicles turning into their path. Injuring or killing a vulnerable road user by violating this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor rather than a traffic infraction. Virginia also codifies an absolute duty toward blind and vision-impaired pedestrians: the Driver's Manual states drivers must come to a full stop for a pedestrian using a cane or guide dog. Traffic control devices and the directions of a law-enforcement officer override these rules where they apply.
Left Turn on Solid Green Light
You have a solid green light and want to turn left. Oncoming traffic also has a solid green. What must you do?
On a solid green light, a left turn is permitted but not protected. You must yield to all oncoming through traffic and to any pedestrians legally crossing your turn path. Only complete the turn when the way is clear.
Yield Sign
You approach a yield sign. What must you do?
A yield sign means you must slow down, prepare to stop if necessary, and give the right of way to all crossing or through traffic before proceeding. You only stop fully if traffic conditions require it.
T-Intersection, Uncontrolled
You are on the road that ends at a T-intersection (no stop sign, no yield sign). Through traffic crosses your path on the road at the top of the T. What must you do?
At an uncontrolled T-intersection, the through road (the road at the top of the T) has the right of way. The vehicle on the terminating road yields to all traffic on the through road before turning.
Two Vehicles Meeting on a Narrow Mountain Road
On a narrow mountain road with no room for two vehicles to pass, you meet an oncoming vehicle. Who must back up?
Where state law codifies the rule, the vehicle traveling downhill must yield by backing up to a wider section, since reversing uphill is more difficult. Most state manuals are silent on this scenario; in those states, drivers should use courtesy and judgment.
Virginia does not codify a narrow-road or mountain-grade yield rule. On a road with no lane markings, each driver must give the other as nearly as possible half of the main traveled portion of the roadway, and beyond that you use courtesy and judgment.
Chapter 8 Article 2 of Title 46.2, the right-of-way article, runs from Sec. 46.2-820 through Sec. 46.2-829 and was read section by section: uncontrolled intersections, stop and yield signs, circular intersections, unlawful speed forfeiting right of way, uncontrolled T intersections, left turns, entering from a private road, military convoys, funeral processions, and approaching emergency vehicles. None of them assigns right of way between two vehicles meeting on a narrow road or a single-lane grade, and none requires the downhill vehicle to back up. Unlike many western states, Virginia has no downhill-yields-and-backs statute. The nearest applicable provision is Sec. 46.2-837, which requires drivers proceeding in opposite directions on a highway not marked to indicate traffic lanes to pass each other to the right, each giving the other as nearly as possible one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway. The Virginia Driver's Manual likewise has no narrow-road or mountain-grade entry. In practice, the driver with the safer or shorter path to a wide spot or pull-off backs up, and the driver with the better view and more room gives way first; treat that as courtesy, not as law. Separately, Sec. 46.2-854 makes it reckless driving to overtake and pass another vehicle on or approaching the crest of a grade or a curve where the view is obstructed, unless the road has two or more lanes in each direction or is a one-way roadway, which is the mountain rule Virginia does codify.
Uncontrolled Intersection, Sequenced Arrival
Two vehicles approach an uncontrolled intersection at different times (no stop signs, no signals, no yield signs). Who proceeds first?
At an uncontrolled intersection, the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. The second vehicle yields and waits for the first to clear.
2-Way Stop, Stopped Vehicle Yields to Cross Traffic
You are stopped at a stop sign. The cross street has no stop sign. When can you proceed?
At a 2-way stop, the cross street has the right of way and does not stop. You must wait until the intersection is clear in both directions and you can proceed without forcing other drivers to slow or change course.
Motorist Turning Right Across a Bike Lane
You want to turn right at the next intersection. There is a cyclist in the bike lane to your right. What must you do?
Yield to the cyclist before crossing the bike lane. Look over your right shoulder and check your right-side mirror, signal, and slow until you can confirm no cyclist is in or approaching your turn path. Begin the turn only when the bike lane is clear.
4-Way Stop, Sequenced Arrival
Two vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop at different times. Who proceeds first?
The first vehicle to come to a complete stop has the right of way. The second vehicle waits for the first to clear the intersection, then proceeds. Each subsequent vehicle proceeds in the order it stopped.
Pedestrian at an Unmarked Crosswalk
A pedestrian is crossing at an intersection where there are no painted crosswalk lines. What must you do?
Every public-road intersection has an implied crosswalk, marked or not. Yield to a pedestrian crossing at the unmarked crosswalk just as you would at a marked one. State coverage of unmarked-crosswalk rules varies; some statutes only protect marked crosswalks explicitly.
Virginia requires a full stop, not merely a yield. Stop for any pedestrian crossing the highway who is in your lane or in an adjacent lane and approaching your lane, and remain stopped until that pedestrian has passed the lane your vehicle is stopped in.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-924(A) uses the word 'stop', not 'yield'. The duty is triggered at three places: (1) any clearly marked crosswalk, whether midblock or at the end of a block; (2) any regular pedestrian crossing in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block (in other words, the unmarked crosswalk at a corner); and (3) any intersection where the driver is approaching on a highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Note the limits: at an intersection where the approach speed limit is above 35 mph and there is no marked crosswalk and no sidewalk prolongation, the statutory stop duty does not attach. Lane scope is defined by statute: your lane, or an adjacent lane with the pedestrian approaching your lane, and you stay stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the lane you are stopped in. The statute separately forbids overtaking a vehicle that is stopped at such a crossing. Pedestrians crossing at an intersection keep the right of way over vehicles turning into their path. Injuring or killing a vulnerable road user by violating this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor rather than a traffic infraction. Virginia also codifies an absolute duty toward blind and vision-impaired pedestrians: the Driver's Manual states drivers must come to a full stop for a pedestrian using a cane or guide dog. Traffic control devices and the directions of a law-enforcement officer override these rules where they apply.
Multi-Lane Roundabout, Entering
You are approaching a multi-lane (two-lane) roundabout. What must you do differently from a single-lane roundabout?
At a multi-lane roundabout, yield to all traffic in both circulating lanes before entering. Choose your lane on approach based on your destination (right lane to exit at the first or second street, left lane to go further). Do not change lanes while inside the circle. Signal right before exiting.
Uncontrolled Intersection, Simultaneous Arrival
Two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. Who proceeds first?
When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. The vehicle on the left yields.
4-Way Stop, Simultaneous Arrival from Perpendicular Directions
Two vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop at the same moment, on perpendicular roads. Who proceeds first?
When two vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time on perpendicular roads, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. The vehicle on the left yields and waits for the right-hand vehicle to clear the intersection.
Pedestrian with a White Cane or Guide Dog
A pedestrian carrying a white cane or accompanied by a guide dog is at the curb or in the crosswalk. What must you do?
All states require drivers to yield to pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired and identifiable by a white cane or guide dog. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has fully cleared the roadway, regardless of marked-vs-unmarked crosswalk distinctions. Many states impose elevated penalties for failure to yield in this situation.
Virginia requires a full stop, not merely a yield. Stop for any pedestrian crossing the highway who is in your lane or in an adjacent lane and approaching your lane, and remain stopped until that pedestrian has passed the lane your vehicle is stopped in.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-924(A) uses the word 'stop', not 'yield'. The duty is triggered at three places: (1) any clearly marked crosswalk, whether midblock or at the end of a block; (2) any regular pedestrian crossing in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block (in other words, the unmarked crosswalk at a corner); and (3) any intersection where the driver is approaching on a highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Note the limits: at an intersection where the approach speed limit is above 35 mph and there is no marked crosswalk and no sidewalk prolongation, the statutory stop duty does not attach. Lane scope is defined by statute: your lane, or an adjacent lane with the pedestrian approaching your lane, and you stay stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the lane you are stopped in. The statute separately forbids overtaking a vehicle that is stopped at such a crossing. Pedestrians crossing at an intersection keep the right of way over vehicles turning into their path. Injuring or killing a vulnerable road user by violating this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor rather than a traffic infraction. Virginia also codifies an absolute duty toward blind and vision-impaired pedestrians: the Driver's Manual states drivers must come to a full stop for a pedestrian using a cane or guide dog. Traffic control devices and the directions of a law-enforcement officer override these rules where they apply.
4-Way Stop, Opposing Vehicles, One Turning Left
Two vehicles face each other at a 4-way stop. Both stop at the same time. One intends to go straight (or turn right); the other intends to turn left. Who proceeds first?
When opposing vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop simultaneously and one intends to turn left, the through (straight) or right-turning vehicle has the right of way. The left-turning vehicle yields until oncoming traffic clears.
What the signal means
Left Turn on Green Arrow
You have a green left-turn arrow. What does this mean?
A green left-turn arrow gives you a protected turn. Oncoming traffic has a red signal and is required to stop. Proceed through the turn while watching for pedestrians who may still be in the crosswalk.
Flashing Red Signal
You approach an intersection with a flashing red signal. What must you do?
Treat a flashing red signal exactly as you would a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield to all cross traffic, and proceed only when the way is clear.
Flashing Yellow Signal
You approach an intersection with a flashing yellow signal. What must you do?
A flashing yellow signal warns you to slow down and proceed with caution. You do not need to stop. Watch for cross traffic and pedestrians, especially since drivers on the cross street may have a flashing red and may be entering the intersection.
What the law requires of you
School Bus with Red Flashers Active
A school bus has stopped on the road ahead with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended. What must you do?
On an undivided road, all vehicles in both directions must stop and remain stopped until the bus turns off its red flashers, retracts the stop arm, and begins to move. On a divided highway, opposing-direction traffic may be exempt depending on the median configuration; the state-specific rule below describes when the exemption applies.
Stop for a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading passengers, no matter which direction you are approaching from, and remain stopped until all persons are clear of the roadway and the bus starts moving again.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-859 makes the duty direction-neutral: you stop when approaching a stopped school bus from any direction on a highway, private road, or school driveway. The divided-highway exception is narrow and is the tested part. You do NOT have to stop only when the bus is stopped on the other roadway of a divided highway, on an access road, or on a driveway, and that other roadway, access road, or driveway is separated from the roadway you are driving on 'by a physical barrier or an unpaved area.' A painted median or a paved turn lane is not enough in Virginia; the separator must be a physical barrier or an unpaved area. Note also that Virginia's duty does not depend on the flashing red lights alone: the Driver's Manual states you must stop for a bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, and you must also stop if the bus is loading or unloading passengers and the signals are not on. Amber (yellow) flashers are a pre-warning that the bus is preparing to stop; slow and prepare to stop, but the mandatory stop attaches at the red flashers or at actual loading/unloading. A driver may proceed past a bus loading or discharging at property adjacent to a school when directed by a law-enforcement officer or an authorized school crossing guard. Violating Sec. 46.2-859 is charged as reckless driving, not a simple infraction. Only a yellow vehicle marked 'School Bus' in letters at least eight inches high on the front and rear and carrying the required warning devices qualifies as a school bus under the section.
Cyclist at a Stop Sign
A cyclist approaches a stop sign. Must they come to a full stop?
By default, cyclists must obey stop signs the same as motor vehicles: come to a full stop, yield to cross traffic, then proceed. Several states permit the "Idaho stop" (also called "safety stop" or "stop-as-yield"), which allows a cyclist to treat a stop sign as a yield sign when safe. The state-specific rule below describes the local treatment.
Not permitted in Virginia. A bicyclist must stop at a stop sign exactly as a driver must; there is no safety stop or Idaho stop in Virginia law.
Code of Virginia Sec. 46.2-800 makes every person riding a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, or motorized skateboard or scooter on a highway subject to Chapter 8 and gives them all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Sec. 46.2-821, the stop-sign and yield-sign section, contains no bicycle exception: a driver approaching a stop sign must stop at the marked stop line, or in its absence before the near-side crosswalk, or in its absence at the point nearest the intersecting roadway with a view of approaching traffic, and yield before proceeding. Article 3 of Chapter 8 (traffic signs, lights and markings, Sec. 46.2-830 through Sec. 46.2-836) and Article 12 (bicycles, Sec. 46.2-903 through Sec. 46.2-908.1:1) were both checked and neither contains a provision letting a cyclist treat a stop sign as a yield, and there is no age split. There is no flashing-red exception either. Note the one real bicycle-specific signal relaxation Virginia does have, which is a different rule and should not be confused with a safety stop: Sec. 46.2-833(B) lets a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle rider proceed on a steady red light only after coming to a full and complete stop and waiting two complete light cycles or two minutes, treating the signal as a stop sign and yielding to all approaching traffic. That is a dead-red provision for signals that will not detect the rider, and it still requires a full stop.
Stopped Emergency or Disabled Vehicle on the Shoulder
You see an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder with lights flashing, or a disabled vehicle with hazards on. What must you do?
Move Over laws require you to change lanes away from the stopped vehicle when safe to do so. If you cannot change lanes, slow significantly below the posted speed limit and pass with extra caution. Specifics on which vehicles trigger the law and the required speed reduction vary by state.
On a highway with at least four lanes and at least two going your way, you must change into a lane not next to any stopped vehicle showing flashing blue, red, or amber lights, or its hazard flashers, caution signs, or lit flares, whenever that lane change is reasonable and safe. If it is not, slow down, proceed with caution, and hold a safe speed for conditions. Passing a stopped police, fire, rescue, or tow vehicle without doing so is reckless driving.
Virginia's move-over duty is in Va. Code 46.2-861.1, split into two tiers. Subsection A covers a stationary vehicle displaying flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber lights authorized by 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, 46.2-1024, or 46.2-1026 B, that is, law-enforcement, fire, rescue and emergency medical vehicles and public utility vehicles repairing or maintaining electric or natural gas service. Violating subsection A is RECKLESS DRIVING, a criminal charge, not a simple infraction. Subsection B, added by the 2023 amendments (Acts 2023, cc. 616 and 617), extends the identical driving duty to a stationary vehicle that is displaying amber lights under 46.2-1025 A 1 or A 2 (vehicles principally used to tow or service disabled vehicles, and vehicles constructing, maintaining, or repairing highways or utilities, assisting with roadside and traffic incident management, or performing traffic management services), OR that has activated its vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, OR is displaying caution signs, OR is marked with properly lit flares or torches. That hazard-flasher clause is the key expansion: an ordinary stopped car with its four-ways on is covered. A subsection B violation is a traffic infraction. In both tiers the lane change applies only on a highway of at least four lanes with at least two intended for traffic going your way, and only 'if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions'; where changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, the driver must 'proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.' Virginia sets NO numeric speed reduction here. Subsection C allows license suspension up to one year if the violation damages property and up to two years if it injures or kills. Subsection D exempts highway work zones as defined in 46.2-878.1, which have their own rules. A separate section, Va. Code 46.2-838, governs passing a stationary REFUSE COLLECTION vehicle: change to a non-adjacent lane on a highway of at least four lanes, and on a smaller road, or when you cannot change lanes, decrease speed to 10 mph below the posted limit and pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle. That 10-mph-and-two-feet rule is the only number in Virginia's move-over family and it belongs to refuse collection, not to the general rule.
Right Turn on Red
You are stopped at a red light and want to turn right. What must you do?
After a complete stop at the red light, you may turn right unless a sign prohibits the turn. Yield to all cross traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk before proceeding. Some states or specific intersections prohibit right-on-red by default; the state-specific rule below describes the local default.
Right on red is allowed statewide after a full stop, unless a traffic control device prohibits it. You may also turn left on red from a one-way highway onto another one-way highway after a full stop. You may not turn on a steady red arrow unless a device there permits it. Either way, yield to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk and to traffic using the intersection.
Virginia splits the rule across two sections. Va. Code 46.2-835 allows the right turn: except where a traffic control device is placed prohibiting turns on steady red, traffic facing a steady red circular signal, after coming to a full stop, may cautiously enter the intersection and make a right turn. Va. Code 46.2-836 is the mirror provision for the left turn, and it is the commonly missed half: except where a device prohibits it, traffic facing a steady red circular signal ON A ONE-WAY HIGHWAY, after a full stop, may cautiously enter the intersection and make a left turn ONTO ANOTHER ONE-WAY HIGHWAY. Both sections then flip the default for a steady RED ARROW: facing a red arrow you must remain standing until a signal to proceed is shown, EXCEPT where a traffic control device is placed permitting turns on steady red. Both sections close with the same yielding duty, to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic using the intersection. Prohibitions are by posted device at the intersection; Virginia has no jurisdiction-wide ban comparable to New York City's.
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