Driving Tests

Vermont Four-Way Stops, Roundabouts and School Bus Stops: Who Goes First

informational·how to guide·Published April 2, 2026

Who goes first at a four-way stop in Vermont?

At a Vermont four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first. If two vehicles arrive at about the same time from different directions, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. In a roundabout, yield to traffic already inside and enter at a safe gap. Stop for a school bus once its red lights flash. Illegally passing one carries 5 points.

Where these rules come from

This guide uses Chapter 7 of the Vermont Driver's Manual, 23 V.S.A. § 1046 on intersections and 23 V.S.A. § 1075 on school buses (as of 2026). It also uses 23 V.S.A. §§ 1037, 1047, 1048 and 2502 on rotaries, left turns, stop signs and points. Confirm the rules with the Vermont DMV (dmv.vermont.gov) before you drive.

Who goes first at a four-way stop

The first vehicle to arrive should go first, says the Manual. When two vehicles arrive at about the same time from different directions, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Before you enter, search in all directions and make sure your path is clear.

On any road, you must also yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and other traffic already in the intersection. A practice question on the first vehicle at an all-way stop tests the arrival-order rule.

Four-way stop: who yields in each case

Four-way stop: who yields in each case
Situation	What to do
You stop first	You go first, once the intersection is clear.
Two vehicles arrive together from different directions	The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
You turn left	Yield to oncoming traffic, including a bicyclist.
A vehicle is already in the intersection	Yield to it, as well as to pedestrians and bicyclists.
An officer or a signal directs you	Follow the officer or the signal, not the stop-sign order.

How to take a stop sign step by step

1
Stop at the right place
Stop at a clearly marked stop line. With no line, stop before the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. With no crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the crossing road where you can see traffic.
2
Scan the whole intersection
Once you have stopped, look across the whole intersection and work out who has the right of way before you move.
3
Yield to traffic in or near the intersection
Give way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection, or one so close that it is an immediate hazard.
4
Approach and enter slowly
Move into the crossing road slowly and with care, so that you avoid a crash.

Left turns: yield to oncoming traffic

A driver who turns left must yield to any oncoming vehicle that is already in the intersection or so close that it is an immediate hazard. The rule also covers a left turn into an alley, a private road or a driveway. You also must not turn left unless you can make the turn at a safe distance from a vulnerable user, such as a pedestrian or a bicyclist.

A violation of the left-turn law, 23 V.S.A. § 1047, carries a civil penalty of at least $200 and 2 points on your driving record.

How to enter and leave a Vermont roundabout

Traffic in a roundabout goes counterclockwise, and you enter and exit only by right turns. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout, and enter only when there is a safe gap. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists when you enter or exit. Keep your speed slow on the approach, inside and on the exit, and always use your signal to show that you will exit.

A practice question on entering a roundabout tests the yield rule. Around a rotary traffic island, the law says to drive only to the right of the island.

Multi-lane roundabouts: pick your lane before you enter

Read the lane signs and pavement markings before you enter, to choose the right lane.
Do not change lanes once you are in the roundabout.
Drive with extra caution when the roundabout has more than one lane.
Before you exit from the inside lane, check your mirrors and blind spot.

Two-lane roundabouts and emergency vehicles: what to do

A two-lane roundabout has no signs or arrows, and you want to turn left

Enter from the left lane.

A two-lane roundabout has no signs or arrows, and you want to turn right

Enter from the right lane.

A two-lane roundabout has no signs or arrows, and you want to go straight

Use either lane: both lanes may make through movements.

An emergency vehicle comes before you enter the roundabout

Pull over and let it pass.

An emergency vehicle comes while you are inside the roundabout

Continue to your exit, leave the roundabout safely, then pull over.

When you must stop for a school bus

A school bus driver turns on alternately flashing yellow lights and slows down before a stop, so prepare to stop. When the bus stops for schoolchildren and its flashing red lights come on, the law says you must stop at once, whether you meet the bus or come up behind it. Stay stopped while the red lights flash. Never pass from any direction, even in a school yard. The rule covers buses for public and private schools, and drivers of emergency vehicles must stop too.

A practice question on school bus red lights tests the two-lane case. In a school zone, also watch for buses that arrive and leave.

School bus with red lights: when you do not need to stop

The highway has separate roadways and the bus is on a different roadway

You need not stop. One example is a divided highway where the bus travels in the opposite direction.

The road is a controlled access highway and the bus is stopped in a loading zone where pedestrians may not cross

You need not stop.

The bus is on your roadway, from either direction, or in a school yard

Stop and stay stopped until the red lights go off.

Points for these violations in Vermont

Points for these violations in Vermont
Violation	Points under 23 V.S.A. § 2502
Failure to yield right of way at an intersection (§ 1046)	2 points
Failure to turn left properly (§ 1047)	2 points
Failure to stop or yield at a stop or yield sign (§ 1048)	2 points
Passing a rotary traffic island on the wrong side (§ 1037)	2 points
Illegal passing of a school bus (§ 1075)	5 points
Any violation that caused a crash that was your fault	2 more points, once fault is decided

Key takeaways

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first. With a tie, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
A driver who turns left yields to oncoming traffic, and yields to everyone already in the intersection.
In a roundabout, yield to traffic inside, enter at a safe gap, never change lanes, and signal to exit.
Stop when a school bus shows red lights, and stay stopped until they go off. Passing one carries 5 points.
Next step: practice these rules on the free Vermont operator license permit practice test.

Vermont right-of-way and school bus questions

Who goes first at an intersection with no signs in Vermont?

When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, under 23 V.S.A. § 1046. Approach slowly and with care, and yield to anyone already in the intersection. A practice question on two cars that arrive together tests this rule.

Can I change lanes inside a Vermont roundabout?

No. Lane changes are not allowed once you are inside a roundabout. Choose your lane before you enter from the lane signs and pavement markings, and stay in it until you exit. If you leave from the inside lane, check your mirrors and blind spot first, and use your signal.

Do I stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided highway?

No, when the highway has separate roadways and the bus is on the other roadway, for example a divided highway where the bus travels in the opposite direction. On a road without that separation, you must stop for a bus with flashing red lights whether you meet it or follow it. You also need not stop at a loading zone on a controlled access highway where pedestrians may not cross.

How many points do I get for passing a school bus in Vermont?

Illegal passing of a school bus carries 5 points under 23 V.S.A. § 2502, and the Manual adds a substantial fine. A judge or hearing officer may waive points in the interests of justice. If the violation caused a crash that was your fault, you get 2 more points once fault is decided.

Do I have to stop at a yield sign in Vermont?

Only when safety requires it. Slow down to a speed that suits the conditions, and stop if needed before the crosswalk or at the point where you can see crossing traffic. Then yield to any vehicle in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. If you pass a yield sign without a stop and hit a vehicle in the intersection, the crash counts as evidence that you failed to yield.