Right of way at intersections

Key points

1. Delaware law does not give anyone the right of way; it only says who must yield.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Motor vehicle laws of Delaware and other states do not give anyone the right-ofway. The law describes who is to yield the right-of-way.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

2. Pedestrians with a guide dog or white cane have absolute right of way. Do not use your horn.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Pedestrians using a guide dog or carrying a white cane have absolute right-of-way. Do not use your horn as it could confuse or frighten the blind pedestrian.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

3. Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

4. Drivers entering a traffic circle must yield to drivers already in it.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary must yield to drivers already in the circle.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

5. With no sign or signal, yield to vehicles from the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “At an intersection where there is no stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal, drivers should yield to vehicles coming from the right.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

6. At a 4 way stop, the first to arrive goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “At a 4-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first, goes first (after coming to a complete stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

7. Entering from a driveway, alley or roadside, yield to vehicles already on the main road.

   Source: Handbook p. 88

   “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 88

8. A driver overtaking another must yield to it, even if it slows or stops.

   Source: Handbook p. 89

   “Drivers overtaking a vehicle traveling in the same traffic direction must yield to that vehicle (even if the vehicle slows down or comes to a stop).”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 89

9. Do not enter an intersection unless you can get through it without stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 89

   “Drivers may not enter an intersection unless they can get through it without having to stop.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 89

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Delaware practice test

1. 1. Two Delaware vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time. After both stop completely, which vehicle proceeds first?

   1. The vehicle that entered the intersection without stopping
   2. The vehicle on the left
   3. The vehicle with the larger engine
   4. The vehicle on the right
   Show answer

   The vehicle on the right. When vehicles arrive together at a four-way stop, Delaware gives priority to the vehicle on the right after a complete stop. The left-side vehicle must wait, even if its driver believes the lane is wider or the vehicle is moving faster. A larger engine creates no priority, and entering without stopping violates the stop requirement. The useful cue is simultaneous arrival: identify the vehicle to your right, let it go, then proceed only when the intersection is clear.

2. 2. At a Delaware intersection with no stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal, which vehicle should you yield to?

   1. A vehicle coming from your left
   2. A vehicle coming from your right
   3. Only a vehicle traveling faster than you
   4. No vehicle, because an uncontrolled intersection has no priority rule
   Show answer

   A vehicle coming from your right. At an uncontrolled intersection, Delaware directs drivers to yield to vehicles coming from the right. The left-side traffic answer reverses that relationship, while speed does not determine priority. The manual also says it is safest to consider yielding to all vehicles before entering, so scan broadly rather than entering because the roadway appears open. The practical cue is the missing control: with no sign or signal, check right first and be ready to wait for any approaching traffic.

3. 3. When entering a Delaware traffic circle or rotary, to whom must the driver yield?

   1. Only drivers entering from the right
   2. Drivers already in the circle
   3. No one if the entering vehicle is signaling
   4. Pedestrians only, never circulating vehicles
   Show answer

   Drivers already in the circle. Delaware requires drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary to yield to drivers already in the circle. The circulating traffic has already established its path, so an entering driver should slow, check for a safe gap, and wait when needed. Signaling does not cancel the yielding rule, and limiting the duty to pedestrians ignores the explicit vehicle instruction. Once inside a roundabout, the manual also says not to stop except to avoid a collision and to maintain a slow counterclockwise path around the central island.

Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Four: Rules of the Road. 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.