Right of way and yielding

Key points

1. Violating right of way rules is one of the main causes of crashes.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “The violation of these rules is one of the main causes of traffic crashes.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

2. At an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “vehicle on the left shall yield to the vehicle on the right.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

3. Entering an uncontrolled intersection at an unlawful speed forfeits any right of way you had.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “If you enter an uncontrolled intersection at an unlawful speed, you lose any right of way which you might otherwise have.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

4. Stop and yield at any intersection to a blind person with a red tipped white cane or guide dog.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “The law requires you to stop and give right of way at any intersection to a blind person carrying a white cane tipped with red”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

5. Cars leaving a private road or driveway must stop and yield to cars on the public street.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Cars entering from a private road or driveway must stop and yield to cars on a public street or highway.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

6. Turning left, yield to oncoming vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “you must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when it is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

7. Vehicles on green arrows must still yield to traffic lawfully using the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Vehicles entering an intersection on "green arrows" must yield to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. Two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection from different roads at about the same time. Which driver yields?

   1. The larger vehicle automatically proceeds first
   2. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
   3. The driver traveling faster yields
   4. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
   Show answer

   The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At an uncontrolled intersection, Alabama assigns the yield duty to the vehicle on the left when vehicles arrive from different roadways at about the same time. The driver on the right is the one to whom the left-side driver yields. Vehicle size and speed do not create the priority described here, so those choices add conditions absent from the rule. First determine whether signs or signals control the intersection. If they do not, compare the vehicles’ approach sides and use the simple left-yields-to-right cue before entering.

2. 2. A car is leaving a private driveway for a public street. What must the driver do?

   1. Yield only to pedestrians, not vehicles
   2. Enter first because driveway traffic has priority
   3. Stop and yield to cars on the public street
   4. Proceed without stopping if the turn signal is on
   Show answer

   Stop and yield to cars on the public street. Cars entering from a private road or driveway must stop and yield to cars already on a public street or highway. The rule protects through traffic from vehicles emerging from a location that does not carry ordinary roadway priority. A turn signal does not replace the required stop, and the duty is not limited to pedestrians. The driveway vehicle also does not gain priority by being first to move. The roadside cue is the change from private access to public roadway: stop before entering, scan for traffic, and yield before proceeding.

3. 3. When making a left turn, when must a driver yield to an approaching vehicle from the opposite direction?

   1. Only after the turning vehicle enters the opposing lane
   2. Only when it is traveling above the speed limit
   3. When it is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard
   4. Never, because a turn signal gives priority
   Show answer

   When it is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. A driver turning left must yield to an opposing vehicle already within the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard. The rule does not depend on the other vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and a turn signal announces an intention rather than granting priority. Waiting until the turner is already in the opposing lane is too late to make the required safety judgment. Before moving, look for both an occupied intersection and a vehicle whose closeness leaves no safe opening. If either condition exists, remain stopped until the opposing path is clear.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Laws. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.