U.S. Rules of The Road

11/01/2021 U.S. Rules of the Road - Driving-Tests.
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Beginner Driver's Guide
U.S. Rules of the Road

Andrei Zakhareuski • Updated November 11, 2020
Driver Safety Travel
W
hether visiting or moving to another country, it is crucial to
familiarize yourself with the tra c laws that surround you. No
matter what your intentions are toward driving, learning the rules of
https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/rules-of-the-road/ 1/14
11/01/2021 U.S. Rules of the Road - Driving-Tests.org
the road will keep you safe in an unfamiliar nation.
Some rules in America vary from state to state (and even in some larger cities).
These di erences can pertain to signage, speed limits, and the punishments
for breaking certain laws. However, if you choose to drive when visiting or
moving to the United States, there are a number of key regulations that apply
across the country.
Good to know
It's useful to know that the general attitude toward driving in the US is
one of adventurous spirit. The idea of a "road trip" is part of the American
way of life and having a car and taking a drive is an activity that people in
the US embrace as a pastime. It is something a family might do on a
weekend, or something a couple or individual might nd themselves
doing just for fun.
While there is sometimes an aura of relaxation and leisure about the driving
experience, tra c laws in the U.S. are rather strict and straying from these can
cause serious trouble. In addition to arrest by police, the insurance structure
means ling civil suits against others is very common. A small infraction or
accident can prove disastrous.
Therefore, it is crucial to truly understand all the rules. That way, if you are put
in a stressful situation you can react accordingly without hesitation.
Some General Driving Rules in the

US
There are many rules to know. Before we go into some of the most important
ones, you should reference your state's motor vehicle department to get a
handle on any questions you may have.
That being said, a few things to remember when driving include:
Steering wheels are always situated on the left side of the car.
Always drive on the right side of the road.
White lines separate lanes of tra c traveling the same direction.
Hashed or broken lines means you may change lanes when it is safe.
Solid white lines mean stay in your lane.
Yellow lines separate tra c moving in opposing directions.
Hashed or broken yellow lines mean you can carefully pass, paying
attention to oncoming tra c.
Never cross a solid yellow line (or double yellow line).
When turning left at an intersection, pass in front of any cars that are
turning left from the opposing direction (Do not try to pass behind them).
Use the left lane to pass other cars traveling your direction.
Do not pass in the right lane unless absolutely necessary.
If you are driving in the far left hand lane and someone would like to pass
you, move over to the right lane when it is safe to do so and allow them to
pass.
You must ALWAYS yield to pedestrians.
Come to a complete stop whenever you see pedestrians trying to cross

the street.
Never pass a school bus if it has ashing red lights. Wait until the lights
have stopped.
Be aware of bicyclists. Often they share the road with cars and are
supposed to also follow general tra c laws.
Be particularly careful about driving in cities with bike lanes -- always

check before turning that a bike is not coming.
It is mandatory to pull over or stop at an intersection to allow an

emergency vehicle to pass you if you see one traveling with lights ashing
and/or a siren running.
Do not overuse your car horn. Horns are used almost exclusively for
emergency situations or for when you feel unsafe.
Road Signs and Tra c Signals to

Watch For
Road signs and tra c signals in the US are likely unfamiliar to you if you've
come from another country. While many are relatively self-explanatory, some
can be more confusing if you haven't taken the time to study them before you
drive.
In addition, laws that surround tra c lights may be di erent than those
followed in other countries.
Road Signs
Stop Sign: a red octagonal sign (generally with a white lettered STOP)
indicates that you must come to a complete stop at an intersection.
Many intersections have two stop signs but oncoming tra c is NOT
required to stop. Be careful when crossing or turning.
Right of way at an intersection with a four-way stop is determined by who

has come to the intersection rst.
Yield Sign: A white or yellow triangular sign indicates to allow oncoming tra c
the right of way.
You must wait for oncoming tra c to clear before moving ahead,
therefore, it is usually appropriate to slow down and check oncoming
tra c before progressing.
One Way: A thin horizontal rectangular sign (usually white with a black arrow)
indicates that you may only progress a certain way down a street - the arrow
should tell you which way.
Speed Limit: these signs (usually a large vertical rectangular sign) say how fast
you may go in miles per hour in a particular area.
Limits can change relatively often, even on the highway, so pay attention.
Sometimes these also indicate a minimum speed.
Railroad Crossing: Usually a large X or a pair of crossed train tracks.
May include the words railroad crossing or letters RR.
Lights and ringing should indicate if there is a train coming. If you reach a
railroad crossing sign that does not have accompanying lights, come to a
complete stop and check both ways before proceeding.
Parking/No Parking
Read all signs to make sure you are legally allowed to park. Many signs
have a time limitation and there can be other restrictions like a necessary
permit.
Some spots are only for handicapped drivers.
A curb painted yellow usually indicates no parking is allowed.
Tra c Lights
Generally with red, yellow, and green lights.
Green means you may go through.
Yellow means to slow down in preparation to stop.
Red means you must stop until the light changes.
A ashing yellow light indicates proceeding with caution.
It is legal to turn right at a red light unless indicated by a NO TURN ON

RED sign.
Oncoming tra c has the right of way - wait until tra c clears before
turning.
It is not legal to make a left turn at a red light.
Safety
Road safety rules are universal the world over, but in the US there are strict
laws to back up some of these regulations.
Always wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a car.
Younger children must be in car seats or booster seats and cannot ride in
the front passenger seat. Rules on this vary slightly from state to state,
but are generally similar.
It is illegal to drink and drive in all 50 states. While punishments vary, .08%
is the blood alcohol concentration that is the legal limit (roughly 2 drinks in
an hour, but depends on a multitude of factors such as metabolism,
weight, etc.).
Do not text and drive. Some states prohibit the use of handheld devices.
Headlights must be used in inclement weather or after sunset. In many

states, if you are using the windshield wipers, headlights are also required.
Hitchhiking is generally illegal throughout the US. Do not pick anyone up

who is asking for a ride.
If you have an emergency, call 911 to inform police.

U.S. Tra c Tickets and Violations

Tra c tickets can be received for many infractions including parking
violations, speeding, or going through stop signs. Most tickets result in a ne
which is based on the severity of infraction and local laws.
Some tickets may be given without you noticing. There is increasing use of
cameras to monitor tra c. For example, if you go through a toll booth without
paying, a camera will likely catch you and send a ticket to the owner of the
vehicle. If it is a rental car they will add a ticket cost to your bill.
Paying a fee as soon as possible is good practice. Depending on the state you
may be able to pay your ne online.
If Pulled Over By The Police

If a police o cer asks you to pull over, or is running lights directly behind
you, pull over immediately and stop on the side of the road where it is safe
to do so.
DO NOT get out of the car unless asked to do so by the o cer.
Keep your hands visible and on the steering wheel.
Keep license in a convenient location and your registration in the glove

compartment so it is easy to access.
Types of Roads
There are many ways roads are referred to across the US, but the major
categories amount to:
Local roads running through small communities and going into

neighborhoods. These are generally small roads with low speed limits. While
most are paved, some are dirt or gravel.
Collector roads generally are providing access to businesses or as

thoroughfares for access from di erent local roads. Speed limits can vary.
Collector roads sometimes go through small towns and the limit can drop
quickly and dramatically. Be careful as these places are closely monitored by
police.
Arterial roads are highly tra cked generally urban roads. Centrally located
these drive tra c from collector roads onto major highways. Arterial roads
often have tra c signals and signs to be aware of.
Freeways are the most highly tra cked roads and o er speedier travel since
they have very little tra c lights and have higher speed limits. On and o
ramps connect a freeway to an arterial road.
Tollways (or Turnpikes) are generally a kind of freeway (though not always)
that require users to pay a certain amount for use. Fees are based on vehicle
type and can vary.
Keep cash and change on you at all times if you are traveling toll roads.
You might want to get a device that allows for automatic tolls to be taken
out via a transponder. They make travel easier and allow you to use
automatic toll lanes.
Some rental car companies will rent one of these to you for a fee.
Tolls and Toll Violations

There are usually options to pay tolls either in cash to a person, machine,
or via the automatic transponder.
Some lanes are only for those with the transponder device.
If you nd yourself stuck accidentally in an automatic toll lane and you do

not have the transponder, you will be in violation if you do not pay the toll.
You may be able to pay online within a certain amount of time without
getting an added ne.
These are just some of the many laws and regulations you will want to know
about when driving in the U.S. With some common sense and a little
understanding, you will soon see why so many Americans love to "hit the
road" every year.
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Pass the First Time, Guaranteed

Beginner Driver's Guide

Driver Safety Travel

the road will keep you safe in an unfamiliar nation.

Some General Driving Rules in the

That being said, a few things to remember when driving include:

Always drive on the right side of the road.

White lines separate lanes of tra c traveling the same direction.

Solid white lines mean stay in your lane.

Yellow lines separate tra c moving in opposing directions.

Never cross a solid yellow line (or double yellow line).

Do not pass in the right lane unless absolutely necessary.

You must ALWAYS yield to pedestrians.

Come to a complete stop whenever you see pedestrians trying to cross

Be particularly careful about driving in cities with bike lanes -- always

It is mandatory to pull over or stop at an intersection to allow an

Road Signs and Tra c Signals to

Right of way at an intersection with a four-way stop is determined by who

Sometimes these also indicate a minimum speed.

Railroad Crossing: Usually a large X or a pair of crossed train tracks.

May include the words railroad crossing or letters RR.

Some spots are only for handicapped drivers.

A curb painted yellow usually indicates no parking is allowed.

Green means you may go through.

Yellow means to slow down in preparation to stop.

Red means you must stop until the light changes.

A ashing yellow light indicates proceeding with caution.

It is legal to turn right at a red light unless indicated by a NO TURN ON

It is not legal to make a left turn at a red light.

Always wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a car.

Headlights must be used in inclement weather or after sunset. In many

Hitchhiking is generally illegal throughout the US. Do not pick anyone up

If you have an emergency, call 911 to inform police.

U.S. Tra c Tickets and Violations

If Pulled Over By The Police

DO NOT get out of the car unless asked to do so by the o cer.

Keep your hands visible and on the steering wheel.

Keep license in a convenient location and your registration in the glove

Local roads running through small communities and going into

Collector roads generally are providing access to businesses or as

Tolls and Toll Violations

If you nd yourself stuck accidentally in an automatic toll lane and you do

CLICK ICON TO SHARE  

93% of people found this article helpful.

Click a star to add your vote

Free DMV Practice Tests

Pass the First Time with Premium

Pass with Premium, Guaranteed

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Preparation Mistake #2: Failing to identify and remember SSFs (arbitrary

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