Right of way at intersections and highways

Key points

1. A driver who has the right of way should use it sensibly and never insist on it.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-1

   “A driver who has the right of way should use it sensibly, never insist on it.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-1

2. At a 4 way stop, the first driver to reach the intersection goes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-1

   “At a 4-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first gets to go first”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-1

3. If two cars approach from opposite directions and one signals a turn, the car going straight has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-1

   “If two cars approach an intersection at the same time from opposite directions and one driver is signaling for a turn, the right-of-way belongs to the car going straight.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-1

4. At a 4 way stop, if two cars arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-1

   “The driver on your right at a four-way stop has the right-of-way if both of you arrive at the same time beside each other.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-1

5. Cars coming from a private drive or road must yield to any vehicle or pedestrian on a public way.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “Cars entering from a private drive or road must yield to any vehicle or pedestrian on a public way.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

6. Drivers already on an interstate have the right of way over drivers on the entrance ramp.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “Drivers already on an interstate highway, if you are on the entrance ramp, have the right-of-way.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

7. At an uncontrolled intersection, if two cars arrive together, yield to the car on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “If two cars enter an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time, yield to the car on your right.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

8. Yield to vehicles that have already entered the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “When approaching an intersection, yield the right-of-way to vehicles which have already entered the intersection.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

9. Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming bicycle and roller ski operators.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-2

   “Motor vehicle operators turning left must yield to bicycle and roller ski operators approaching from the opposite direction,”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-2

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. At an intersection, one driver goes straight and the opposing driver signals a turn. Who has the right-of-way?

   1. The driver who signals first
   2. The driver turning left
   3. The driver going straight
   4. The larger vehicle
   Show answer

   The driver going straight. When two vehicles approach an intersection from opposite directions at the same time and one driver signals a turn, Maine gives the right-of-way to the vehicle going straight. Signaling communicates an intention, but it does not give a turning vehicle priority over opposing traffic. Vehicle size also has no role in this rule. Before moving, each driver should still check the whole situation because the manual warns against insisting on priority. The useful visual cue is the conflict between a straight path and a turn: the straight-moving vehicle proceeds first, and the turning driver yields.

2. 2. At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time beside each other. Which driver has the right-of-way?

   1. The driver on the left
   2. The driver on the right
   3. The driver going uphill
   4. The driver with the brighter headlights
   Show answer

   The driver on the right. When two vehicles reach a four-way stop at the same time beside each other, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. This is different from the arrival-first rule, which controls when one vehicle reaches the intersection before the other. Direction of travel, vehicle size, and lighting do not replace the side based rule. Both vehicles must stop first, then the driver on the left yields. The practical cue is to picture the two stopped cars side by side: identify the vehicle to your right, let it proceed, and continue only after the intersection is clear.

3. 3. Who has the right-of-way when a driver is entering an interstate from an entrance ramp?

   1. The vehicle that activates its signal first
   2. The vehicle on the entrance ramp
   3. The vehicle traveling fastest
   4. Drivers already on the interstate
   Show answer

   Drivers already on the interstate. Traffic already traveling on the interstate has the right-of-way over a vehicle coming from the entrance ramp. The merging driver must select a safe gap and enter without forcing established traffic to yield. Speed and signaling help communication, but neither changes the priority rule. The manual places this alongside other yielding situations, including entering from a private road. A good test cue is to identify which vehicle is already on the through roadway: that vehicle keeps priority, while the ramp driver adjusts speed and position to merge safely.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 6: 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.