Driving Tests

Connecticut Right-of-Way Rules: Four-Way Stops, Roundabouts, Left Turns

informational·how to guide·Published March 30, 2026

Who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop in Connecticut?

At a Connecticut four-way stop, every driver stops completely, and the driver who reached the intersection first goes first. If vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. A driver turning left yields to oncoming vehicles going straight, and a driver entering a roundabout yields to traffic already inside it.

Where these Connecticut yield rules come from

The four-way stop, left-turn, driveway, crosswalk and roundabout rules come from the Connecticut Driver's Manual (revised March 2023). The rule for intersections without signs comes from Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 14-245. The crosswalk fine comes from the Connecticut DMV news release on new laws of October 2025. The road test points come from the DMV road test page and the DMV guide to passing the driving test. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Connecticut DMV (portal.ct.gov/dmv) before you drive.

What "right-of-way" means in Connecticut

Connecticut law says who must yield the right-of-way. It does not give the right-of-way to anyone, so no driver can claim it. Even when another driver should yield to you, you must do everything you can to avoid hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle. One rule comes before the usual order: obey the signals of a law enforcement officer, even when they contradict the traffic signal.

Who yields: Connecticut right-of-way at a glance

Who yields: Connecticut right-of-way at a glance
Situation	Who goes first	Who yields
Four-way stop, you arrive first	You, after a complete stop	The drivers who arrive after you
Four-way stop, same arrival time	The vehicle on the right	The other vehicle, on the left
Intersection with no stop sign, yield sign or oncoming traffic signal	The vehicle approaching from the right	The vehicle approaching from the left
Left turn	Oncoming vehicles going straight	The driver turning left
Entering a roundabout or rotary	Traffic already in the circle	The driver entering
Leaving a driveway, alley or roadside	Vehicles already on the main road	The driver entering the road
Pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk	The pedestrian	Every driver

How a four-way stop works

A stop sign always means a full stop at the sign, the stop line, the crosswalk or the curb. After the stop, yield to any vehicle or pedestrian that approaches from either direction. At a four-way stop, the driver who reaches the intersection first goes first, after that complete stop. If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. Practice this exact tie on our free question about two cars that stop together at a four-way stop.

Intersections with no sign or signal

Where there is no stop sign, yield sign or oncoming traffic signal, yield to vehicles coming from your right. Sec. 14-245 puts this rule in law: a driver must grant the right-of-way to a vehicle approaching from the right when both arrive at about the same time, unless a traffic officer directs otherwise. Failure to grant the right-of-way under this section is an infraction.

How to yield to pedestrians at Connecticut crosswalks

Yield at all times to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Every intersection has a crosswalk, even without painted lines.
Slow or stop for a person in any part of the crosswalk. This includes a pedestrian at the curb who raises a hand and arm toward oncoming traffic.
A pedestrian with a guide dog or a white cane has absolute right-of-way. Do not use your horn, because it can confuse or frighten the person.
The DMV announced a fine increase to $750 for drivers who do not yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, effective October 1, 2025.

Left turns: yield, but do not cut the corner

A driver turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight. As you turn, do not cut the corner so sharply that you run into someone approaching from the left, and leave room for oncoming vehicles to turn left in front of you. Do not enter the intersection unless you can get through it without stopping: wait until traffic ahead clears, so that you do not block it. The free question on turning left across oncoming traffic tests the main yield rule.

How to enter and exit a roundabout

1
Slow down at the yield sign
Slow down as you approach. A roundabout is an intersection built around a circular island in the center, with one lane or two. Each road that leads into it has a yield sign and may also have yield lines on the pavement.
2
Choose your lane
With more than one lane, follow the posted signs and the lane-use controls to pick the proper lane for your move.
3
Yield, then enter at a gap
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout and to any pedestrians in the crosswalk. Enter when there is a sufficient gap in traffic.
4
Signal and exit
Use your right turn signal when you are about to reach your exit. Yield to any pedestrians in the crosswalk on the exiting leg.

One mistake to avoid in a roundabout

Do not stop inside the roundabout to let traffic enter from another leg. Drivers who wait at an entry must yield to you, so keep moving. The same rule applies to a traffic circle or rotary: drivers who enter yield to drivers already in the circle. Our free question on what to do before entering a roundabout covers the entry steps.

If this happens, do this

You reach a four-way stop at the same moment as a car on your right

Stop completely and let that car go first.

You reach a four-way stop before any other car

Stop completely, yield to any pedestrian in the crosswalk, then go first.

An officer waves you through while the traffic signal shows red

Follow the officer's signal.

You are turning left and an oncoming car is going straight

Yield. Turn after that car has passed.

You are in a roundabout and a car waits at another entry

Keep moving. Do not stop to let it in.

Right-of-way on the Connecticut road test

For the road test, the DMV agent evaluates how you interact with other motorists, and yielding right-of-way is one of the examples. Be ready to show that you know when and to whom you must yield, and that you notice when another driver yields to you. Practice the same moves on your supervised drives: a full stop at every stop sign, a gap before you enter a roundabout and a yield before each left turn. Our driving test checklist lists what to bring and what else the agent checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk with no painted lines in Connecticut?

Yes. Every intersection has a crosswalk, even when no lines are painted. To find an unmarked crosswalk, imagine that the sidewalk or shoulder at the corner continues across the road to the sidewalk or shoulder on the other side. When a pedestrian is in any part of that crosswalk, slow or stop and let the person cross.

Do I have the right-of-way at a roundabout in Connecticut?

Not when you enter. Entering traffic yields to traffic already in the circle and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Once you are inside, drivers at the entries must yield to you, so keep moving and do not stop to let them in. As you leave, signal right and yield to pedestrians on the exit.

Who has the right-of-way when turning left in Connecticut?

Oncoming traffic that goes straight has it, so you wait for a safe gap. Do not start into the intersection unless you can get all the way through without stopping. As you turn, keep clear of traffic from your left and leave space for an oncoming driver who also turns left.

Do I follow a police officer or the traffic light in Connecticut?

Follow the officer. You must obey the signals of a law enforcement officer, even when they contradict the traffic signal. At an intersection where drivers normally yield to the vehicle on the right, Sec. 14-245 also lets a traffic officer direct traffic in a different order.

What is the fine for failing to yield in Connecticut?

It depends on who you failed to yield to. Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk carries a $750 fine, an increase that the DMV announced for October 1, 2025. Failing to grant the right-of-way to a vehicle on your right at an intersection is an infraction under Sec. 14-245.

Key Takeaways

At a four-way stop, the first driver to arrive goes first after a complete stop; on a tie, the vehicle on the right goes first.
A driver turning left yields to oncoming vehicles going straight.
Entering traffic yields to traffic already in a roundabout or rotary; once inside, keep moving and do not stop to let other cars in.
Yield at all times to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Next step: test yourself on the free Connecticut Class D practice test.