California DMV Right-of-Way Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When must you yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens in California?
- Only on highways
- Always — pull to the right and stop until they pass (Correct answer)
- Yield only if they are behind you
- Only if you are in their lane
Correct answer: Always — pull to the right and stop until they pass
California law requires all drivers to immediately pull to the right curb and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights or siren activated.
Question 2: At an intersection with a flashing red light, you must:
- Slow down and proceed if clear
- Come to a complete stop and yield before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Yield but do not stop
- Proceed at normal speed
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and yield before proceeding
A flashing red light must be treated exactly like a stop sign — full stop required, then yield before proceeding.
Question 3: A blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog at a crosswalk:
- Must wait for you to pass
- Has the right-of-way and you must stop (Correct answer)
- Has the same rights as any pedestrian
- Only has right-of-way at marked crosswalks
Correct answer: Has the right-of-way and you must stop
California law grants extra protection to blind pedestrians — you must come to a complete stop when they are in or approaching any crosswalk.
Question 4: When two vehicles reach a yield sign intersection simultaneously, who yields?
- Both stop and the larger vehicle goes first
- The vehicle facing the yield sign must give way (Correct answer)
- The vehicle on the left yields
- Neither — yield signs only apply to pedestrians
Correct answer: The vehicle facing the yield sign must give way
The driver facing a yield sign must give way to all cross traffic and pedestrians regardless of simultaneous arrival.
Question 5: Who has the right-of-way when a vehicle is backing out of a driveway onto a street?
- The backing vehicle, because it was there first
- Street traffic — the backing vehicle must yield (Correct answer)
- Whoever is moving faster
- The backing vehicle if it signals
Correct answer: Street traffic — the backing vehicle must yield
A driver backing out of a driveway must yield to all traffic and pedestrians on the street before entering the roadway.
Question 6: At a railroad crossing without signals or gates, you must:
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed
- Stop only if you hear a train
- Look and listen in both directions before crossing (Correct answer)
- Yield only to passenger trains
Correct answer: Look and listen in both directions before crossing
At uncontrolled railroad crossings you must look and listen in both directions for approaching trains before crossing.
California DMV Right-of-Way Rules 2
When must you yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens in California?