Defensive driving and who goes first

Key points

1. Yielding the right of way means letting other vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians go first.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Yielding the right-of-way means letting other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians move ahead of you or cross the road in front of you. It means letting them go first.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

2. Never assume you automatically have the right of way. Always consider the situation.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “never assume you automatically have the right-of-way (the right to go first). You must always consider the situation and circumstances.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

3. Yield to the driver who is at the intersection or gets there before you.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “The driver who is at or arrives before you at an intersection.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

4. If you both arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “The driver on your right, if both of you arrive at an intersection at the same time.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

5. At a T intersection, yield to drivers already on the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Drivers already on the road as you stop at a "T" intersection.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 14

6. When turning left, yield to drivers coming the other way.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Drivers in the opposing traffic lane, when you are making a left turn.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 14

7. Yield when entering from a driveway or private road, and on an entrance ramp yield to drivers already on the highway.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Drivers on a road you are entering from a driveway or a private road. Drivers already on a highway, if you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 14

8. Drive defensively: do not assume other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Do not assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. Two drivers reach an intersection at the same time. Which driver must yield?

   1. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
   2. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
   3. The driver going straight yields to the turning driver
   4. The driver in the smaller vehicle yields
   Show answer

   The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. When two vehicles arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. This rule helps resolve a tie without relying on vehicle size, speed, or a guess about who intends to move first. The same right-side principle appears at a four-way intersection with stop signs. Slow down, check both directions, and identify which vehicle is on your right before entering.

2. 2. While making a left turn, which traffic has priority over you?

   1. No traffic, once your front wheels enter the intersection
   2. Only vehicles behind you
   3. Only vehicles turning right from the cross street
   4. Drivers in the opposing traffic lane
   Show answer

   Drivers in the opposing traffic lane. A left-turning driver must yield to traffic coming from the opposite direction. Entering the intersection does not erase that duty, and the driver behind you does not determine who proceeds. Wait for the opposing lane to clear, continue to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, and complete the turn only when the movement is safe. The key cue is the conflict between your left turn and oncoming travel.

3. 3. You are stopped at a T intersection and want to enter the road that continues across. Who must receive the right of way?

   1. The vehicle that signals first
   2. Traffic already on the road you are entering
   3. The driver stopped at the end of the T
   4. Traffic approaching from the less busy direction only
   Show answer

   Traffic already on the road you are entering. A driver entering from the stem of a T intersection must yield to drivers already traveling on the through road. Being stopped does not create priority, and a turn signal from either driver does not change the basic rule. Before moving, scan for traffic in both directions and wait until the through road is clear. Treat the road you are joining as having priority over your entry.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 3: Basic Driving. 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.