Right-of-way and intersections
You are on an on-ramp, about to merge onto the highway. Who has the right-of-way?
- Traffic already on the highway. Correct answer
- You do, because highway drivers must make room for merging vehicles.
- Whichever vehicle is traveling faster at that moment.
Why
Highway traffic has the right-of-way, so the job of fitting in is yours. That is why the handbook's merging steps are all about your own preparation: be in the proper lane on the ramp, come up to or near the speed of traffic, use your mirrors and turn signals, glance over your shoulder, and merge only into a space big enough for your vehicle. Do not stop on the ramp unless it is absolutely necessary. The right-of-way belongs to the drivers already on the highway, not to you, and speed has nothing to do with who goes first. Once you are on, keep three seconds of space behind the vehicle ahead so you can stop safely.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is Traffic already on the highway.
The rule behind this one
Right of way in California: who goes first goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
More on right-of-way and intersections
- You are waiting to turn left. An oncoming car has its right turn signal on. When should you start your turn?
- You come up to a solid red light and want to turn right. No NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. What must you do?
- Your light turns green, but a bicyclist who started across late is still in the intersection in front of you. What should you do?
- You pull up to an intersection with a STOP sign on every corner. A car on the cross street had already stopped there before you arrived. Who goes first?