Who yields at intersections

Key points

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

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “The law says who must yield the right-ofway; it does not give anyone the right-of-way.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 39

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

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming cars going straight ahead.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

3. Drivers entering a traffic circle must yield to drivers already in the circle.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary must yield to drivers already in the circle.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

4. At an intersection with no sign or signal, yield to vehicles coming from the right, and be ready to yield to avoid a crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “At an intersection where there is no stop sign or traffic signal, drivers should yield to vehicles coming from the right.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

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

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first gets to go first (after coming to a complete stop).”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

6. Coming out of a driveway, alley or roadside, stop and yield to vehicles already on the main road.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside must stop and yield to vehicles already on the main roadway.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

7. Do not enter an intersection unless you can get through without stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers may not enter an intersection unless they can get through it without having to stop.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

8. A driver overtaking a vehicle must yield to it, even if it is slowing or stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers overtaking a vehicle traveling in the same direction must yield to that vehicle, even if the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

9. For an emergency vehicle with siren and red or blue lights, pull to the right edge and stop until it passes. If you are in an intersection, clear it first.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Also, stop and remain stopped until the vehicle has passed. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over and stop.”
   Montana Driver Manual, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Montana practice test

1. 1. At a four-way stop in Montana, which driver generally proceeds first?

   1. The driver who reaches the intersection first and stops completely
   2. The driver in the largest vehicle
   3. The driver who flashes headlights first
   4. The driver turning left
   Show answer

   The driver who reaches the intersection first and stops completely. At a four-way stop, the driver who reaches the intersection first gets to go first after making a complete stop. Vehicle size, a headlight flash, and a left turn do not create priority under this rule. Arriving first is not permission to rush: check that the intersection is clear, then proceed while remaining alert for pedestrians and other road users.

2. 2. While making a left turn at an intersection, which traffic must the driver yield to?

   1. Oncoming cars traveling straight ahead
   2. Only vehicles that arrive after the turning car
   3. Vehicles parked along the opposite curb only
   4. No traffic if the turn signal has been activated
   Show answer

   Oncoming cars traveling straight ahead. A left-turning vehicle crosses the path of oncoming traffic, so the driver must yield to an oncoming car going straight ahead. Signaling communicates intent but does not grant priority or make the opposing lane disappear. The arrival-order choice is unsafe because an approaching vehicle already has a direct path. Parked cars are not the central right-of-way conflict described by this rule. Wait until the oncoming lane and pedestrian path are clear, then complete the turn. The practical cue is turning left means crossing traffic, so yield before crossing.

3. 3. You are pulling from an alley onto a main road. What must you do before joining traffic?

   1. Use the shoulder until traffic clears
   2. Accelerate into the first available gap without stopping
   3. Expect main-road traffic to yield
   4. Stop and yield to vehicles already on the main roadway
   Show answer

   Stop and yield to vehicles already on the main roadway. The vehicle coming from a lesser access point is entering an established roadway, so it must stop and yield to traffic already there. This requirement covers driveways, alleys, and roadside entrances. Accelerating through a gap is not a substitute for the required stop, and main-road drivers do not automatically yield. The shoulder is not a waiting lane. Scan both directions, stop where you can see, and enter only after the roadway is safe.

Source: the Montana Driver Manual, Chapter 4: Driving Rules. 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.