Practice question

At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?

  1. The driver who arrives last
  2. The driver who arrives first, or the vehicle to the right if arriving simultaneously
  3. The largest vehicle
  4. The vehicle with the most passengers

Answer: B — The driver who arrives first, or the vehicle to the right if arriving simultaneously

At a four-way stop, the driver who arrives first has the right-of-way. This means that if multiple vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver to the right of each vehicle is given priority. This system helps to maintain order and safety at intersections where multiple roads converge. By following this rule, drivers can make informed decisions about when to proceed and minimize confusion during these potentially hazardous situations. The rationale behind this is straightforward: allowing the first arriving vehicle or the vehicle to the right to proceed helps to establish a predictable flow of traffic. It also reduces the chances of collisions that could occur if drivers attempted to enter the intersection simultaneously without a clear understanding of who has the right-of-way.

Practice more: North Carolina (NC) Permit Practice Test →