Right of way at intersections, roundabouts and mountain roads

Key points

1. The law says who must yield but does not give anyone the right of way, even on a green light.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “The law states who must yield the right-of-way, but it does not give anyone the right-of-way, even if your traffic signal is green.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

2. Pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and crosswalks. Come to a complete stop and let them pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks. You must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

3. At a four way stop, yield to the vehicle that got there first. If two arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “the vehicle that reached the intersection first. When more than one vehicle reaches the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way and allow the vehicle on the right to go first.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

4. Turning left, yield to all oncoming traffic unless you have a green arrow or arrived first at a four way stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “You must yield to all oncoming traffic, unless you have a green arrow or arrived first at a four-way stop.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

5. When merging, yield to all vehicles on the road, and do not merge if another vehicle must slow down for you.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “You must yield to all vehicles on the roadway you are merging with. Do not merge if another vehicle must slow down for you.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

6. On a steep, narrow mountain road, the vehicle going downhill usually yields by backing up or stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “the vehicle going downhill must yield the right-of-way by backing up to a wider place or by stopping”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 11

7. Roundabout traffic travels to the right around the center island, and entering traffic yields to circulating traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Vehicles travel to the right around a center island while entering traffic yields the right-of-way to circulating traffic.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 10

8. Approaching a roundabout with no large trucks present, yield to approaching traffic on the left.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “As you approach a roundabout, if no large trucks are present, you must yield to approaching traffic on the left.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 10

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Which driver must yield?

   1. The driver on the left
   2. The driver on the right
   3. The driver going straight
   4. The driver in the heavier vehicle
   Show answer

   The driver on the left. When vehicles reach a four-way stop simultaneously, the vehicle on the left yields and lets the vehicle on the right proceed first. Vehicle weight and intended direction do not change this tie breaking rule. The driver on the right does not yield merely because both cars arrived together. Still stop fully, observe the other vehicle, and proceed only when the intersection is clear, because the handbook says every driver remains responsible for avoiding a crash.

2. 2. On a steep, narrow Colorado road, which vehicle generally yields when two vehicles cannot pass?

   1. The vehicle with fewer passengers
   2. The uphill vehicle
   3. The downhill vehicle
   4. The vehicle that arrived later at the trailhead
   Show answer

   The downhill vehicle. On a steep narrow road, the downhill vehicle generally yields by backing to a wider place or stopping to leave room for the uphill vehicle. The handbook allows an exception when it is more practicable for the uphill driver to return to a wider space or turnout. That exception does not reverse the ordinary rule automatically. First identify the direction of travel, then consider which driver can reach a safe wider area with less difficulty.

3. 3. When entering a Colorado roundabout, what traffic must an ordinary driver yield to?

   1. No traffic, because entering vehicles have priority
   2. Only vehicles behind the entrance
   3. Traffic already inside the roundabout and approaching traffic on the left
   4. Only trucks after they exit
   Show answer

   Traffic already inside the roundabout and approaching traffic on the left. A driver approaching a roundabout must look left for approaching traffic and must also yield to traffic already circulating when entering or leaving. People walking or riding bicycles in a crosswalk receive priority as well. The rule for large vehicles has additional details, but an ordinary driver should never assume the entry lane grants priority. Reduce speed, scan the left side and crosswalk, and enter only after the circulating path is clear. The choice about vehicles behind the entrance reverses the location of the hazard, while the truck-only choice ignores ordinary traffic.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Right-of-Way. 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.