Right of way at intersections

Key points

1. The law says who must yield; it does not give anyone the right of way, and you must always yield to a pedestrian.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “The law says who must yield the right of way; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. You must do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances. You must always yield to a pedestrian”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

2. Pedestrians with a guide dog or white cane have absolute right of way; do not honk at them.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Pedestrians using a guide dog or carrying a white cane have absolute right-of-way. Do not use your horn as it could confuse or frighten the blind pedestrian.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

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

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight-ahead.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

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

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary must yield to drivers already in the circle.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

5. With no sign or signal, yield to vehicles coming from the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “At an intersection where there is no stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal, drivers must yield to vehicles coming from the right.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

6. At a 4 way stop the first to arrive goes first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “At a 4-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first, goes first (after coming to a complete stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

7. Drivers coming from a driveway, alley or roadside yield to vehicles on the main road.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

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

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Drivers may not enter an intersection unless they can get through it without having to stop.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Mexico practice test

1. 1. What right of way does a pedestrian have when using a guide dog or carrying a white cane?

   1. The pedestrian has absolute right of way
   2. The pedestrian must wait for a vehicle to wave them across
   3. The pedestrian has priority only in a marked crosswalk
   4. The pedestrian must yield whenever a vehicle is turning
   Show answer

   The pedestrian has absolute right of way. A pedestrian using a guide dog or carrying a white cane receives absolute right of way under the manual. Drivers must give that person space and should not use the horn, because the sound could confuse or frighten the pedestrian. The marked-crosswalk choice is too narrow because the protection described is not limited to painted lines. When you notice a guide dog or white cane, stop your vehicle if needed and let the pedestrian complete the crossing safely.

2. 2. A driver turning left at an intersection faces an oncoming vehicle going straight. Who yields?

   1. Neither driver when both have a green light
   2. The oncoming driver going straight
   3. The driver who entered the intersection second
   4. The driver turning left
   Show answer

   The driver turning left. The left turning driver must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is continuing straight. A green signal may allow the turn, but it does not remove the need to wait for a safe gap in opposing traffic. The oncoming vehicle does not have to slow merely because the turning vehicle arrived first. Keep the wheels positioned for a controlled turn, watch the approaching lane, and complete the turn only after the through vehicle has cleared.

3. 3. When entering a road from a driveway, alley, or roadside, whom must you yield to?

   1. Vehicles already on the main road
   2. Only vehicles turning left from the main road
   3. Only pedestrians carrying a white cane
   4. No one if you signal before entering
   Show answer

   Vehicles already on the main road. A driver entering from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already using the main road. Signaling helps communicate, but it does not transfer priority to the entering vehicle. Limiting the duty to left-turning vehicles ignores through traffic, and the white cane rule is a separate absolute pedestrian right of way. The cue is entering from a private or roadside access point: pause, scan both directions, and wait for a gap that lets you join without forcing main-road traffic to brake or swerve.

Source: the New Mexico Driver Manual, 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.