Use this guide to review who should proceed first at intersections, when pedestrians and bicyclists have priority, and why avoiding a collision matters more than insisting on your legal right-of-way.
QUICK ANSWER
Right-of-way rules decide who should go first, but safety still controls the decision. At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle that arrives first generally has the right-of-way. If road users arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian on your right. DMV also tells drivers to give up right-of-way when doing so will help prevent a collision.
STUDY NOTES
Uncontrolled intersections
When there is no STOP or YIELD sign, look left, right, and ahead before entering. The first road user to arrive generally has the right-of-way. If you arrive at the same time as another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, the handbook directs you to give the right-of-way to the road user on your right.
Traffic signals do not remove your duty to yield
A green light does not mean you can ignore pedestrians, bicyclists, or a blocked intersection. At traffic signals and signs, DMV tells drivers to yield to road users who have the right-of-way and proceed only when it is safe.
Safety beats being technically first
The written test often checks whether you understand that right-of-way is not something to force. Even when the rules say you may proceed, give it up when doing so helps prevent a collision.
PRACTICE CHECKS
Check your understanding
Answer each question before opening the explanation.
1. Two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. Who should yield?
Show answer
Answer: The driver on the left should yield to the road user on the right.
DMV says that when road users arrive at the same time, give the right-of-way to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right.
2. What does a flashing red traffic signal mean?
Show answer
Answer: Stop, then proceed when it is safe.
The handbook treats a flashing red signal as a stop requirement before proceeding safely.
3. Should you ever give up a legal right-of-way?
Show answer
Answer: Yes, when doing so will help prevent a collision.
DMV specifically tells drivers never to assume others will yield and to give up right-of-way when it helps prevent a collision.
FAQ
Common questions
Who goes first at an uncontrolled intersection in California?
The vehicle that arrives first generally has the right-of-way. If road users arrive at the same time, yield to the road user on your right.
Do pedestrians have right-of-way at intersections?
California DMV instructs drivers to yield to pedestrians and says pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections.
Can I take the right-of-way just because I am legally entitled to it?
Do not force it. DMV says to give up right-of-way when doing so will help prevent a collision.
VERIFY THE RULE
Official source
This study page was reviewed against the DMV material below. Open the source when you want the complete rule, exceptions, or surrounding context.
Last reviewed: August 16, 2026 · Reviewed by Master My Test