Who goes first? New York right-of-way rules, with pictures
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Right of way decides who goes first when signs and lights don't settle it. Most of it comes down to a few rules: traffic already in the intersection goes first, at a tie the driver on the left yields to the one on the right, and when you join a road, the traffic already on it goes first. Pedestrians in a crosswalk go first, lines or no lines.
In the drawings, the numbers show the order everyone goes in. Every rule here comes from the New York State Driver's Manual.
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What right of way means
The right-of-way rules say who goes first and who waits when signs, signals and markings don't decide it. Having the right of way isn't a complete right: be ready to let the other driver go. Waiting a few seconds is better than a crash.
Corners with no signs, and STOP signs at the same time
Coming up to an intersection, yield to traffic already in it, even on a green light. At an intersection with no signs or signals, or when two drivers stop at STOP signs at the same time at right angles, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Don't enter an intersection if traffic is backed up on the other side and you can't get all the way through. Wait, so you don't block it.
Left turns and driveways
Turning left, yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to any oncoming vehicle close enough to be a hazard. That includes turning left into a driveway or a parking lot, with or without signs.
Coming out of a driveway, a private road or a parking lot, you stop and yield to the traffic on the road and to pedestrians.
Roundabouts and traffic circles
Slow down and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Look to your left: traffic already in the roundabout has the right of way. Enter at a gap and go counterclockwise. Roundabouts are built so everyone inside goes 30 mph or less. Signal right as you come to your exit.
Pedestrians
Yield to pedestrians using a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and to the ones in the crosswalks on your left or right before you turn. A blind pedestrian with a guide dog or a white or metal cane always has the right of way at a crosswalk, even when the signals are against them.
Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk to let someone cross: there may be a person you can't see.
Officers, sirens and colored lights
A traffic officer's directions come before signs, signals and markings. If an officer signals you to stop at a green light, you stop; if you're waved through a red light, you go.
For an emergency vehicle with flashing red, red and blue, or red and white lights, pull over to the right edge and stop until it passes, even when it's coming the other way on a two-way road. If you're in an intersection, drive out of it first.
Blue lights are volunteer firefighters' own cars, green lights volunteer ambulance members', and amber lights hazard vehicles like snowplows. They aren't emergency vehicles, so you don't have to yield, but yield as a courtesy when it's safe.
Questions people ask
Who goes first when two cars reach a corner with no signs at the same time?
The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The same goes for two drivers stopping at STOP signs at the same time at right angles.
Do I have to yield to a car with a blue light in New York?
No: a blue light is a volunteer firefighter's own car, not an emergency vehicle. Yield as a courtesy if you safely can.
Who has the right of way in a roundabout?
Traffic already in it. Look left, yield, and enter at a gap.
Must I stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided highway?
Yes. In New York you stop for a school bus with red lights flashing even when it's on the opposite side of a divided highway.
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Go deeper
Practice the rules in this guide
Each one has a free practice question with the answer explained.
- Right of way is not a complete right
- Traffic already in the intersection goes first
- Same time at right angles: left yields to right
- Don't enter an intersection you can't clear
- Turning left yields to oncoming traffic
- Entering from a driveway or parking lot
Show all 18
- Entering a roundabout or traffic circle
- Roundabout traffic goes counterclockwise
- Roundabouts: 30 mph or less
- Marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Pedestrians when you turn
- Blind pedestrians
- Never pass a car stopped at a crosswalk
- Traffic officers override signals
- Emergency vehicle lights
- Blue, green and amber lights
- Pull over for an emergency vehicle
- School bus across a divided highway: still stop
Sources
New York State Driver's Manual
- Section 4, Traffic Control: page 33
- Section 5, Intersections and Turns: pages 34 and 35
- Section 6, How to Pass: pages 39 and 40
- Section 8, Defensive Driving: pages 46, 50 and 51
- Section 11, Sharing the Road: page 67
Checked against these sources on October 24, 2026.
We read these sources and wrote this guide in our own words. The DMV has the final word, and rules change, so check anything important with the DMV before your appointment.