Right of way, turns and passing

Key points

1. Right of way is something to be given, not taken.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “remember that right-of-way is something to be given, not taken.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 17

2. If another driver tries to take your turn, even when you have the right of way, let them go.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “If another driver tries to take your turn, even if you have the right-of-way, let the other driver proceed.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 17

3. When turning left at an intersection, alley or driveway, yield to all traffic coming from the opposite direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “When making a left turn at an intersection, or into an alley or driveway, yield the rightof-way to all traffic coming from the opposite direction;”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 17

4. Unless a sign prohibits it, you may turn left on red from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street moving to your left.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “it is permissible to make a "left turn on red" from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street on which the traffic moves toward the driver's left.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 18

5. Do not pass on a two-lane road within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct or tunnel.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing; • Within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel;”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 18

6. Do not pass on the shoulder of the road or when a school bus is stopped for passengers.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “On the shoulder of the road; • When a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 19

7. Slower drivers must move out of the passing lane when faster traffic approaches.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Slower drivers must move out of the passing lane (most left-hand lanes) and over to the right to allow faster-moving traffic to proceed.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 20

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Georgia practice test

1. 1. At an uncontrolled Georgia intersection, what principle should guide a driver's right of way decision?

   1. Assume the vehicle on the wider road always proceeds
   2. Accelerate so the first vehicle claims priority
   3. Use the larger vehicle’s size to decide
   4. Yield when uncertain because right of way is given, not taken
   Show answer

   Yield when uncertain because right of way is given, not taken. Georgia's manual frames right of way as something to be given, not taken. At an intersection without a sign or signal, that principle means a driver should yield when uncertain and avoid forcing another road user to react. Speed, vehicle size, and roadway width do not create a universal permission to enter first. The cue is defensive judgment: if priority is unclear, reduce speed, look for conflicts, and give way rather than insist on being first.

2. 2. What must a Georgia driver do at a yield sign when crossing traffic is present?

   1. Maintain speed because the sign is advisory
   2. Slow down and yield before entering when safe
   3. Stop for exactly ten seconds, then proceed
   4. Turn on hazard lights and enter immediately
   Show answer

   Slow down and yield before entering when safe. A yield sign calls for a driver to slow down and give priority to traffic that is already present or approaching. A complete stop is not required every time if the way is clear, but entering without yielding defeats the sign. Maintaining speed, waiting an arbitrary ten seconds, or using hazard lights does not satisfy the instruction. The concrete cue is the traffic check at the sign: slow, look, yield to the conflict, and proceed only when the movement is safe.

3. 3. Before entering or crossing a highway from an alley or private road, what must a driver do?

   1. Accelerate into the nearest lane
   2. Yield only to vehicles approaching from the left
   3. Stop only when a sign requires it
   4. Stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians
   Show answer

   Stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians. A driver entering or crossing a highway from an alley, private road, or another highway must stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians. Accelerating into the nearest lane risks crossing an occupied path, while yielding only left ignores vehicles and pedestrians from other directions. The duty applies even when a separate stop sign is not visible. Stop before the roadway, check both directions and the crossing area, then proceed only after the path is clear. The cue is entering a highway from a lesser access point: stop and yield.

Source: the Georgia Drivers Manual, Section 5: 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.