Right of way — Idaho Permit Test

Idaho law defines when a vehicle or pedestrian must yield the right-of-way, letting another vehicle or pedestrian pass through an intersection first. Right-of-way is something to be given, not taken.

Two drivers who both believe it is theirs will meet in the middle, so the law says which one gives it.

Always remember that right-of- way is something to be given, not taken

Motor vehicles must yield to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

The crosswalk exists at the intersection whether it has been painted or not, and so does the duty.

The pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection

A motor vehicle entering a street from an alley or driveway must yield to pedestrians.

The sidewalk crosses the driveway, and the person walking along it has no reason to expect a car.

The vehicle is entering a street from an alley or driveway

A motor vehicle must yield to a blind person walking with a white cane or a guide dog.

They cannot see the car, so the only judgment available is the driver's.

The pedestrian is a blind person walking with a white cane or guide dog

Pedestrians must yield to motor vehicles when crossing a street where there is no crosswalk or intersection.

The duty runs both ways, and away from a crossing it runs toward the person on foot.

The pedestrian is crossing a street where there is no crosswalk or intersection

As you approach a yield sign you must always slow down and be prepared to stop.

Slowing is what makes the stop possible if one turns out to be needed.

As you approach a yield sign, always slow down and be prepared to stop

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

Order of arrival settles most of it, and the tie-break is what keeps two drivers from waving at each other.

If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right

At an unmarked or uncontrolled intersection with no signs or signals, if two vehicles arrive at the same time the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

With nothing posted, the same rule applies as at a four-way stop, so there is only one rule to remember.

At an unmarked or uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right

At an unmarked or uncontrolled three-way T intersection where you will have to turn right or left, you must stop or yield to any drivers approaching from the other two directions.

The road you are on ends. Everyone else is on a road that continues, so they go first.

you must stop and/or yield to any drivers approaching from the other two directions

After stopping for a stop sign at a two-way stop, you yield to cross-traffic.

The cross street has no stop sign, so nothing there is expecting to yield.

After stopping for a stop sign at a two-way stop, yield to cross-traffic

When making a left turn, always yield to oncoming traffic in the intersection unless a traffic-control device directs otherwise.

The oncoming driver is going straight through the space the turn needs, and they got there first.

When making a left turn, always yield to oncoming traffic in the intersection unless directed otherwise by a traffic- control device

In work zones, yield to all vehicles or pedestrians working on a highway construction project.

The people working there are moving on foot around machinery and cannot get out of the way quickly.

In work zones, yield to all vehicles or pedestrians working on a highway construction project

When a stop light is not functioning because of a power outage, yield to other drivers in the same way as at a four-way stop.

A dark signal gives nobody priority, so everyone uses the rule that does not need electricity.

When a stop light is not functioning due to a power outage, yield to other drivers in the same manner as four- way stops

You must yield when entering a street from an alley, driveway or garage after stopping.

The stop is not the end of it; the traffic already on the street still has the right of way.

When entering a street from an alley, driveway, or garage after stopping

What does the handbook say about right-of-way?

It is something to be given, not taken. Two drivers who both believe it is theirs will meet in the middle, so the law says which one gives it. July 2026 Idaho Driver's Handbook, p.74: “Always remember that right-of- way is something to be given, not taken”