Intersections — Utah Permit Test

Before moving off after a stop a driver should look left, right, and then left again before entering the intersection.

The second look left catches the car that arrived while you were checking right, and that is the one that hits you.

Look left, right, and then left again before entering the intersection.

At all intersections a driver should slow down and search for traffic controls, oncoming and cross traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists, road conditions, and objects that block the view.

An intersection is where every path on the road crosses. Slowing is what buys time to read all of it.

At all intersections, slow down and search for traffic controls, oncoming traffic and cross traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists, road conditions, and objects that block your view.

A driver should not rely on others to obey traffic signals or signs, because they may not yield the right-of-way.

Being right is no protection at all. The only useful question is what the other driver is actually doing.

Do not rely on others to obey traffic signals or signs. They may not yield the right-of-way. Be prepared to avoid a crash.

When a light turns green a driver should make sure their path of travel is clear and there is no cross traffic.

Green means your turn, not that the intersection is empty. Somebody is usually still finishing their crossing.

When a light turns green, make sure your path of travel is clear and there is no cross traffic.

A driver should not turn into a lane just because an oncoming vehicle has a turn signal on, because the driver may turn after passing or may have forgotten to cancel it.

A blinking signal is a claim, not a fact. Waiting one second to see the car actually turn costs nothing.

oncoming vehicle has a turn signal on. The driver may plan to turn after they pass you, or they may have forgotten to turn their signal off.

When stopping at an intersection a driver comes to a complete stop behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks, or stop lines.

Stopping past the line puts the car where people walk and where cross traffic turns. The line is the safe place.

When stopping at an intersection—come to a complete stop behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks, or stop lines.

Driving through an intersection a driver keeps both hands on the wheel, slows down, and yields to any pedestrians or traffic in the intersection.

Anybody already inside the intersection has nowhere to go. They finish crossing before you begin.

Driving through an intersection—check traffic thoroughly in all directions. Keep both hands on the wheel, slow down, and yield to any pedestrians or traffic in the intersection.

In which order should a Utah driver look before entering an intersection?

Left, right, then left again. The second look left catches the car that arrived while you were checking right, and that is the one that hits you. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.41: “Look left, right, and then left again before entering the intersection.”