Traffic Laws: The Three Basic Laws, Right-of-Way, School Buses, Passing, Turn Signals and Turns, Stopping and Parking, Parallel Parking, Keep Right Except to Pass, and Backing Up

Written for aiforu2 as the source for a practice-test bank and the on-device tutor for the Georgia driver's license knowledge exam. The facts follow the official manual; the wording is ours.

Source: Georgia Driver's Manual 2023–2024, Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), section 5 "Traffic Laws": basic laws, right-of-way, passing, turns, stopping, standing and parking, parallel parking, keep right, backing up (pp. 17–21).

The three most basic laws

Obey traffic control devices; obey a police officer or firefighter directing traffic, even against the signals; and never drive on a road closed for construction, an event or any other official reason. Traffic laws exist to prevent crashes by ordering the movement of everyone on the road, and you must know them to obey them.

Right-of-way

Right-of-way is the legal authority to enter a road, change lanes, turn, or go through an intersection. It is something to be given, not taken: if another driver takes your turn, let them go and avoid the crash.

• Facing a stop sign when cross traffic is not, go only after stopping and yielding to vehicles and pedestrians in or so near the intersection that crossing would be dangerous.
• At an intersection with no signs or signals, when two vehicles arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
• At a four-way stop, everyone yields to pedestrians, then proceeds first to arrive, first to go; arriving together, yield to the right. Take your turn when it comes and do not delay traffic.
• Turning left at an intersection, alley or driveway, yield to all oncoming traffic.
• At a yield sign, slow to a safe speed, be ready to stop, and go only when safe.
• When your road merges, adjust speed and position to fit in; when others merge into your road, move over a lane if you can, otherwise adjust speed to let them in.
• At a green light, wait until the intersection is clear of traffic; do not go "just because" it is green.
• Entering or crossing a highway from an alley, private road or driveway, stop and yield to all pedestrians and vehicles on the road or sidewalk.
• For an emergency vehicle with blue or red lights and siren, slow and pull to the shoulder or as far right as possible and stop, without blocking an intersection or a turn the emergency vehicle needs.
• Yield to highway maintenance vehicles and workers in a work zone.
• Right on red is allowed unless a sign prohibits it, after a complete stop and yielding to all traffic and pedestrians. Left on red is allowed only from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street whose traffic moves to the driver's left, after a complete stop and yielding.

School buses

Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop: slow down and be ready to stop, watching for children. Once the lights turn red and the stop arms swing out, no vehicle may pass the bus while it loads or unloads. On a highway divided by a median, traffic on the opposite side need not stop but should stay alert for children.

Passing on a two-lane road

Wait for a passing zone, marked by a broken line on your side of the center line; a solid line next to your lane means no passing. Judge the length of the zone and oncoming traffic: you must finish and return to your lane before the zone ends, before any intersection, and before oncoming traffic is within 200 feet. Check mirrors and your blind spot by turning your head; signal left; pass on the left and stay there until you see the passed car in your rear-view mirror; signal right, return, and cancel the signal.

Passing is prohibited on two-lane roads where a solid yellow line is on your side, at a "Do Not Pass" sign or double yellow lines; within 100 feet of a railroad crossing; within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel; when an oncoming car would be within 200 feet before you finish; on a hill or curve with limited view; on the shoulder; and when a school bus is stopped to load or unload.

Passing is permitted when lawfully overtaking a vehicle going your way, when an obstruction forces you left of center after yielding to oncoming traffic, on a road with two or more lanes in your direction, and on a multi-lane one-way road. On a multi-lane two-way highway, never cross the center line except where signals or signs allow or to turn left into an alley, private road or driveway.

Turn signals and turns

Signal every right or left turn, continuously and for an adequate distance, by indicator or by hand: left arm straight out for left, left arm bent up for right, left arm bent down for stop. Never decide to turn at the last minute. Flashing your signals as a courtesy "pass me" message to drivers behind is illegal.

Right turn: signal, approach in the right lane close to the curb, yield to any bicyclist going straight in a bike lane, and finish in the right lane of the new street (or the corresponding lane if there are several turn lanes). Left turn: signal, move to the far left lane or the turn lane, keep the wheels straight until you begin turning, yield to all oncoming vehicles including bicycles and to pedestrians crossing either road, finish in the lane closest to the center, do not change lanes inside the intersection, and stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk you are turning into until they clear your lanes.

The Walk signal for the cross street usually comes on with your green light, so pedestrians are authorized to cross the street you are turning into at the same moment: stop and wait for them. Do not make a U-turn on a curve or near a hilltop where you cannot be seen from both directions, or where signs prohibit it.

Stopping, standing and parking

Parking on a highway is illegal; a disabled vehicle should be moved off the road with a clear view of it for 200 feet each way. Never stop, stand or park on the street side of a parked vehicle (double parking), on a sidewalk, in an intersection, on a crosswalk, between a safety zone and the curb, beside an excavation or obstruction where you would block traffic, on a bridge, overpass or in a tunnel, on railroad tracks, on a controlled-access road, in the median or a crossover of a divided highway, or at a no-parking sign.

Only a momentary stop to pick up or drop off passengers is allowed: in front of a public or private driveway; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign or signal; within 20 feet of a fire station driveway or 75 feet of the spot across the street from one; within 50 feet of a railroad crossing; and where signs prohibit standing.

Parallel parking

Drive past the space and stop even with the car ahead of it, about 2 feet away door to door. Turn the wheels sharply right and back slowly toward the car behind; when your front door passes that car's rear bumper, straighten the wheels and keep backing diagonally; when your front bumper clears the car ahead, turn the wheels sharply left and back slowly; stop before touching the car behind, shift to drive, turn the wheels sharply right and pull toward the center of the space. Signal before starting and when leaving the space.

Keep right except to pass

Under the "Slow Poke" law (House Bill 459), slower drivers must leave the passing lane (usually the leftmost) and move right when faster traffic approaches, regardless of your speed. Exceptions: traffic conditions, weather, obstructions or hazards that require the lane; compliance with a law or traffic control device; using the lane to exit or turn left; paying a toll; emergency vehicles on duty; and highway maintenance or construction vehicles.

Backing up

Before backing, check all sides of the vehicle. Turn your head and look over your right shoulder while backing; do not rely on mirrors. Buses and large vehicles should use all mirrors and a reliable person outside to direct the driver.

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