South Carolina Driver's Permit Practice Exam

At an uncontrolled intersection, which car has the right of way?

1. The car that arrives first

2. The car to the left

3. The car to the right

4. The larger vehicle

The correct answer is: The car to the right

At an uncontrolled intersection, the general rule of right of way dictates that a vehicle that has the other vehicle on its right has the right of way. This means if two vehicles approach the intersection simultaneously, the driver on the right is favored. This helps reduce confusion and enhance safety by establishing a clear guideline for drivers. While it's true that arriving first can influence who should go first in certain situations, the specific rules for uncontrolled intersections prioritize the position of the vehicles relative to each other rather than just the arrival time. Similarly, the size of the vehicle does not determine who has the right of way; larger vehicles do not automatically take precedence over smaller ones. These rules are designed to provide consistency and predictability in how drivers interact at intersections where no signals or signs definitively guide traffic.