Driving Tests

Nebraska Four-Way Stop and Roundabout Rules: Who Goes First?

informational·how to guide·Published July 14, 2026

Who goes first at a Nebraska four-way stop?

At a Nebraska four-way stop, every driver must stop, then use ordinary care; no driver has a favored status. After you stop, yield to any vehicle already in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. If two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. By courtesy, the first driver to stop should go first.

Where these Nebraska rules come from

The stop, yield and right-of-way rules come from the Nebraska Revised Statutes, sections 60-6,146, 60-6,147 and 60-6,148. The no-favored-status rule comes from Nebraska Supreme Court cases noted with these sections. The four-way stop courtesy rule, the traffic light rules and all roundabout steps come from the Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025) of the Nebraska DMV. Facts are as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Nebraska DMV (dmv.nebraska.gov) before you drive.

How to handle a Nebraska four-way stop, step by step

1
Stop in the right place
Come to a complete stop at the painted stop line. With no line, stop before the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. With no line and no crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the cross road where you can see approaching traffic.
2
Check who is already in the intersection
After you stop, yield to any vehicle that has entered the intersection or is so close that it is an immediate hazard.
3
Let the first driver to stop go first
By common courtesy, the driver who stopped first should be allowed to go first. This courtesy rule comes from the Nebraska Driver's Manual. It is not a law.
4
Yield to the right when two cars arrive together
When two vehicles come to an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Try our free question on two drivers who stop at the same moment.
5
Go only when it is safe
If you are in doubt, yield to the driver on your right. Never insist on the right of way and risk a collision.

Left turns, yield signs and intersections with no signs

Left turn: yield to oncoming vehicles that are in the intersection or so close that they are an immediate hazard. The same rule applies when you turn left into an alley, private road or driveway.
No signs or signals: when vehicles arrive at about the same time, watch for vehicles from the right and yield to them. If you turn left there, yield to both the car on the right and the oncoming car. Try our free question on a left turn at an intersection with no signs.
Yield sign: slow to a speed that is reasonable for the conditions, and stop if safety requires it.
Unpaved road onto a paved road: with no traffic control device, yield to all vehicles on the paved road.

What if the light is dark, an officer directs you or a siren comes?

A traffic light is dark, for example in a power failure, and no officer or other traffic control is in place

Treat the intersection as an all-way stop, and use the four-way stop steps above.

A police officer or a traffic signal directs you to go through a stop sign

Go as directed. Nebraska law makes this an exception to the duty to stop.

An emergency vehicle comes with its siren or flashing lights on

Yield the right of way. Move as close as possible to the right edge or curb and stop, clear of any intersection.

How a Nebraska roundabout works

In a roundabout, traffic flows one way, counterclockwise, around the center island. The same general rules apply as at any other intersection. The roundabout warning sign means a roundabout is ahead: slow down and yield to vehicles on your left that are already in the circle. The roundabout rules in this guide come from the Nebraska Driver's Manual.

How to drive a roundabout in Nebraska

1
Slow down
Slow down to the posted advisory speed as you approach.
2
Yield to people in the crosswalk
Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk as you approach the roundabout.
3
Yield to traffic on your left
Yield to traffic approaching on your left that is already in the roundabout.
4
Enter at a safe gap
Enter the roundabout circle when there is a safe gap in traffic. Our free question on entering a roundabout with a pedestrian and a car nearby shows this step.
5
Signal and exit
As you approach your exit, turn on your right-turn signal. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk as you exit.

Roundabout tips for lanes, trucks and emergency vehicles

At a dual-lane roundabout, pick your lane before you enter. To turn left, use the shared through/left-turn lane. To turn right, use the shared through/right-turn lane.
Roundabouts have a truck apron, a raised paved area next to the circle for the rear wheels of large trucks. Cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, bicyclists and pedestrians may not use it.
Avoid driving next to or passing large trucks in a roundabout. A truck might cross into other lanes or onto the apron when it turns.
If an emergency vehicle comes and you have not entered the roundabout, pull over and let it pass. If you are already inside, go on to your exit, pass the splitter island, and then pull over.
Avoid stopping inside the roundabout.

Right of way on the Nebraska drive test

Use of right of way is one of the maneuvers on the Nebraska drive test, so these rules matter on test day. Our guide to the Nebraska drive test explains the other maneuvers and how the test works. Our practice questions are free and in English only. They help you study the manual topics; they are not questions from the official test.

Key Takeaways

Every driver stops at a four-way stop. Then each driver uses ordinary care. No driver has a favored status.
Yield to any vehicle already in the intersection or so close that it is an immediate hazard. When two cars arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
"The first to stop goes first" is common courtesy from the Nebraska Driver's Manual, not a law. If in doubt, yield to the driver on your right.
In a roundabout, slow down, yield to people in the crosswalk and to traffic on your left, enter at a safe gap, and signal right to exit. Treat a dark traffic light as an all-way stop.
Next step: practice on the free Nebraska Class O learner's license practice test.

Nebraska four-way stop and roundabout questions

Does the car on the right always have the right of way in Nebraska?

No. When two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the car on the right has the favored position. But the Nebraska Supreme Court has said that it does not have an absolute right to go regardless of the circumstances. The rule also changes at through highways. Other drivers may not stop even when you have the right of way, so drive defensively.

What do I do at a flashing red light in Nebraska?

Come to a complete stop. Then yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians, and go only when the way is clear. The Nebraska Driver's Manual gives this rule for a flashing red traffic light. At a railroad crossing, a flashing red light also means a complete stop, even when you see no train.

Do I have to stop for people walking at a four-way stop?

Yes. Yield to all pedestrians in crosswalks, and slow down and be ready to stop. Expect pedestrians anywhere at any time, and always yield to them. When you leave an alley, driveway or parking lot, stop before the sidewalk and yield to pedestrians and approaching vehicles.

Do bicyclists follow the same right-of-way rules in a roundabout?

Yes. At intersections and roundabouts, right-of-way rules apply equally to bicyclists and motor vehicles. So a bicyclist who is already in the roundabout on your left gets the same yield from you as a car. Bicyclists may not use the truck apron, the raised area for the rear wheels of large trucks.

Which lane do I use to go straight in a two-lane roundabout?

Look at the signs and arrows before you enter. They show which lane is meant for through traffic. Choose that lane, yield to all traffic on your left that is already in the roundabout, and enter at a safe gap. Then stay in your lane until you reach your exit.