Right of way at intersections and roundabouts

Key points

1. The law says who must yield; it does not give any driver the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “The law says who must yield the right-of-way; it does not give any driver the right-of-way.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 22

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

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight;”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 23

3. At a four way stop, the driver who reaches the intersection first goes first, after a complete stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first may proceed before the other drivers (after coming to a complete stop);”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 23

4. Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road;”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 23

5. At an intersection with no stop sign or signal, yield to vehicles coming from the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “At an intersection where there is no stop sign or traffic signal (with the exception of roundabouts), drivers must yield to vehicles coming from the right;”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 23

6. At a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle, bicyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Look to your left as you drive towards the entrance, yield to traffic already in the roundabout, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 26

7. If you miss your exit in a roundabout, keep going around until you reach it.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “If you miss your exit, continue through the roundabout until you reach your appropriate exit.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 27

8. The truck apron inside a roundabout is for the rear wheels of large trucks, not cars, SUVs or pickups.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “Truck aprons are not to be used by cars, SUVs or pickup trucks.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 27

9. At a J turn, you turn right with traffic, merge into the far left lane, then turn left to go the other way.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “drivers at a J-turn intersection turn right in the same direction of traffic, merge into the far left lane, and then make a left turn in the direction they intend to travel.”
   Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 27

10. An organized funeral procession has the right of way at intersections, except for emergency vehicles or police direction.

    Source: Handbook p. 33

    “An organized funeral procession has the right-of-way at all intersections regardless of any traffic control device, except for emergency vehicles or when directed otherwise by law enforcement officials.”
    Missouri Driver Guide, Handbook p. 33

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Missouri practice test

1. 1. At an intersection without a stop sign or traffic signal, which vehicle must yield when vehicles arrive together?

   1. The vehicle approaching from the left
   2. The vehicle with more passengers
   3. The vehicle approaching from the right
   4. Neither vehicle, because arrival is simultaneous
   Show answer

   The vehicle approaching from the left. At an uncontrolled intersection, Missouri directs the driver approaching from the left to yield to the vehicle coming from the right. This rule resolves the conflict when no sign or signal assigns movement order. Vehicle size, passenger count, and simultaneous arrival do not create an exception. Before entering, look both ways and be ready to let the right-side vehicle clear first. The right-side approach is the cue that determines who waits.

2. 2. Before completing a left turn, which traffic must the turning driver yield to?

   1. Only vehicles behind the turning car
   2. Vehicles parked along the curb
   3. No traffic if the turn signal is on
   4. Oncoming vehicles traveling straight
   Show answer

   Oncoming vehicles traveling straight. A left turn crosses the path of opposing traffic, so the turning driver must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is proceeding straight. Signaling communicates intent but never gives permission to cut across that vehicle’s path. Parked cars and following traffic are not the central right-of-way conflict described here. Look ahead for an adequate gap, keep the wheels straight while waiting, and turn only after the opposing lane is clear.

3. 3. At a four-way stop, when may the first-arriving driver proceed?

   1. After coming to a complete stop, before the other drivers
   2. Only after every other driver has turned
   3. Only when the vehicle is making a left turn
   4. Immediately upon reaching the sign
   Show answer

   After coming to a complete stop, before the other drivers. At a four-way stop, the driver who reaches the intersection first may proceed before the others, but only after making a complete stop. Reaching the sign does not permit a rolling entry, and the rule is not limited to left turns. Drivers who arrive later should remain stopped and watch for the first vehicle’s movement. The concrete cue is arrival order paired with a full stop, not speed or vehicle size.

Source: the Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 3: 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.