Right of way, turns and emergency vehicles

Key points

1. More crashes happen at intersections than at any other place.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “More crashes happen at intersections than at any other place.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 52

2. Think of the right of way as something to be given, not taken.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “In all driving situations, think of the right-of-way as something to be given, not taken.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 53

3. At an all way stop, the first vehicle there goes first; if more arrive together, yield to the vehicle on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “the vehicle reaching the intersection first gets to go first (of course, ALL vehicles must stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right;”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 54

4. Where there are no signs or signals, yield to a vehicle arriving at the same time on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Where roads cross and there are no stop signs or signals, yield to any vehicle coming at the same time on your right;”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 54

5. When turning left, yield to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right unless you have a green arrow.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “When turning left at intersections, you must yield to any oncoming vehicle proceeding straight or turning right, unless you have a traffic light where your left turn is on a protected green arrow;”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 54

6. Turn on your turn signal at least 50 feet before the turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “At least 50 feet before the turn, you must turn on your turn signal lights.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 56

7. Entering a roundabout, yield to vehicles already circulating.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Upon reaching the roundabout, yield to vehicles already within the circulating traffic.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 59

8. When an emergency vehicle approaches, pull over as close as possible to the right edge or curb and stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Tennessee law requires that when an emergency vehicle is approaching, all traffic meeting or being overtaken must yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway stop.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 54

9. If you are in an intersection, drive through it before pulling over.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “If you are in an intersection, drive on through the intersection before pulling over, or you may block the emergency vehicle’s path through the intersection.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 54

10. Never drive between vehicles in a properly identified funeral procession unless a traffic officer directs you.

    Source: Handbook p. 46

    “No operator of a vehicle shall drive between vehicles in a properly identified funeral procession except when directed to do so by a traffic officer.”
    Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 46

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Tennessee practice test

1. 1. Two vehicles reach an intersection without signs or signals at the same time. Which driver must yield?

   1. The driver on the left
   2. The vehicle traveling faster
   3. The driver on the right
   4. The vehicle that is turning right
   Show answer

   The driver on the left. When two vehicles arrive together at an intersection with no stop signs or signals, Tennessee assigns the yield duty to the driver on the left. The vehicle on the right may proceed first, but that driver still needs to confirm the path is clear. Choosing the right-hand driver reverses the state rule. Vehicle size and speed do not decide this situation. A useful scan is to identify whether another vehicle arrived at the same time, then locate that vehicle relative to your own position before moving.

2. 2. When turning left at an intersection, what must you do if an oncoming vehicle is going straight?

   1. Turn first because left turns have priority
   2. Stop and wait for the oncoming vehicle to turn left
   3. Yield to the oncoming vehicle
   4. Accelerate so the oncoming vehicle must brake
   Show answer

   Yield to the oncoming vehicle. A driver making a left turn must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is proceeding straight or turning right, unless a protected green arrow authorizes the turn. The left-turning vehicle crosses the oncoming path, so entering first would create the conflict. The choice that says to wait for an oncoming left turn adds a condition that is not required by this rule. Before turning, check the signal indication and the path of approaching traffic. A green arrow changes the analysis; an ordinary green light does not provide the same protection.

3. 3. When entering a Tennessee roundabout, to whom must you yield?

   1. Vehicles waiting behind you at the entrance
   2. Only vehicles approaching from the left
   3. Vehicles already circulating in the roundabout
   4. No vehicles, because entering traffic has priority
   Show answer

   Vehicles already circulating in the roundabout. Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to vehicles already within the circulating traffic. Enter only when a gap is available, then continue around the circle without stopping unless a sign, signal, or traffic officer directs otherwise. The entrance does not give priority, and the rule is not limited to vehicles approaching from one side. Reduce speed before the circle, identify traffic already inside, and choose a safe gap. Once circulating, follow the roundabout's counter-clockwise path and exit at the intended street.

Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B-4: 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.