Florida Right-of-Way Rules at Intersections
5 min read
Right-of-way rules decide who goes first when paths cross. Florida’s rules follow the national standard, with a few Florida-specific details, like the white cane law and the 3-foot bicycle clearance, that the Class E exam loves to test.
All-Way Stops
At an all-way stop, traffic in all directions must stop. Vehicles proceed through the intersection in the order they arrived: the first vehicle to reach the intersection moves forward first.
If vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, each driver must yield to the driver on their right. This is the classic tie-breaker rule and a very common exam question.
Turning and Yielding
When turning left at an intersection, you must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When turning right on red, you must come to a complete stop first, then yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign prohibits the turn.
You must give a turn signal at least 100 feet before making your turn. Turn signals are required by law when changing lanes or overtaking a vehicle, not just when turning.
Pedestrians and the White Cane Law
Florida law requires you to come to a complete stop, yield the right-of-way, and use extra caution when approaching a visually impaired pedestrian carrying a white cane with a red tip or guided by a service animal.
Pedestrians generally have the right-of-way in crosswalks, and drivers must yield. The white cane law is stricter than the general crosswalk rule: it requires a complete stop, not just yielding.
Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
Florida law requires you to give bicyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance and to use caution and slow speed when driving next to or passing them. The 3-foot clearance is a specific, testable number.
When passing a bicyclist, wait until it is safe to move fully into the adjacent lane or leave at least 3 feet of space. Do not squeeze past in the same lane.
Roundabouts
In a roundabout, traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way. Vehicles entering must yield to circulating traffic and to pedestrians in crosswalks. Once in the roundabout, do not stop.