Right of way and yielding

Key points

1. Violating right of way laws is a leading cause of traffic crashes.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “They are based on courtesy and common sense. Violating these laws is a leading cause of traffic crashes.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

2. At an intersection without signals, when two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the one on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “When you reach an intersection at the same time as another driver, the driver on the left must yield to the one on the right.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

3. Turning left, yield to oncoming vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be a crash risk.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “you must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that are in the intersection or close enough to pose a risk of a crash.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

4. On a green arrow, still yield to vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “you must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection. After yielding, you may continue in the direction of the arrow.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

5. At an uncontrolled T intersection, if you are turning, yield to all cross traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “When you approach an uncontrolled "T" intersection, you must yield to all cross traffic if you are the one turning.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

6. Entering from a private road or driveway, stop and yield to pedestrians and traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Entering a public road from a private road or driveway: You must stop and yield to pedestrians and traffic.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

7. In the right lane, yield to transit and metro mobility buses merging from a stop or shoulder.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “When driving in the right lane, you must yield to transit and metro mobility buses merging from a bus stop or shoulder.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

8. Yield to an entire funeral procession identified by headlights or hazard lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “When a funeral procession identifies itself with headlights or hazard warning lights, you must yield to the entire procession.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

3 questions from the Minnesota practice test

1. 1. Two drivers reach an intersection without traffic lights at the same time. Which driver must yield in Minnesota?

   1. The larger vehicle always proceeds first
   2. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
   3. The driver traveling faster proceeds first
   4. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
   Show answer

   The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At an intersection without traffic lights or signals, Minnesota assigns the yield duty to the driver on the left when both drivers arrive at the same time. The right-side driver does not receive that duty merely because the vehicles are equal in size or speed. Vehicle size and approach speed do not replace the stated positional rule. Slow enough to identify the conflict, check both sides, and let the left-side driver yield before entering the intersection.

2. 2. When turning left, which approaching vehicles must a Minnesota driver yield to?

   1. Vehicles from the opposite direction that are in or close enough to the intersection to pose a crash risk
   2. Only vehicles already stopped in the intersection
   3. Only oncoming vehicles that are signaling left
   4. No vehicles, because the turning driver entered first
   Show answer

   Vehicles from the opposite direction that are in or close enough to the intersection to pose a crash risk. A left-turning driver must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction when they are in the intersection or close enough to pose a risk of a crash. The rule is broader than waiting for an oncoming vehicle to stop, and it does not depend on that driver's turn signal. Entering first does not remove the duty to yield. Before crossing the opposing lane, judge both distance and speed, then wait whenever the approaching vehicle could create a collision risk.

3. 3. When a funeral procession identifies itself with headlights or hazard warning lights, what must other drivers do?

   1. Yield to the entire procession
   2. Enter between vehicles whenever a gap appears
   3. Pass the procession on the shoulder
   4. Honk until the procession stops
   Show answer

   Yield to the entire procession. A marked funeral procession is treated as one continuous group for yielding purposes. When its vehicles use headlights or hazard warning lights to identify the procession, other drivers must yield to the entire line rather than treating each gap as an invitation to enter. Cutting between vehicles can disrupt the group and create conflicts with traffic that is following it. The shoulder and horn are not substitutes for yielding. Slow down, wait patiently, and allow the procession to clear before resuming travel.

Source: the Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4: Sharing 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.