Understanding right-of-way rules is one of the most heavily tested topics on the Ontario G1 written exam. Right-of-way laws determine which vehicle or pedestrian has the legal privilege to proceed first in shared traffic situations. Failing to yield right-of-way correctly is a major cause of intersection collisions and results in lost points on the G1 test.

Here is a clear breakdown of Ontario right-of-way rules, followed by 8 original practice questions to test your knowledge.

Core Right-of-Way Scenarios on the G1 Exam

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    ONTARIO RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES MATRIX                   │
├──────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Intersection Type            │ Who Yields / Who Proceeds First         │
├──────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Four-Way Stop                │ First vehicle to come to a complete stop│
│                              │ proceeds first.                         │
├──────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Four-Way Stop (Tie Arrival)  │ Yield to the vehicle on your RIGHT.     │
├──────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Uncontrolled Intersection    │ Yield to any vehicle approaching from   │
│                              │ your RIGHT.                             │
├──────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Left Turn Across Traffic     │ Yield to oncoming straight-through      │
│                              │ traffic and right-turning vehicles.     │
├──────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Pedestrian Crosswalk         │ Stop and yield full roadway width at    │
│                              │ school crossings/crossovers.            │
└──────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. Four-Way (All-Way) Stops

  • First to Stop, First to Go: The vehicle that comes to a complete stop at the stop line first has the right-of-way to proceed.

  • Simultaneous Arrival: If two vehicles arrive and stop at the exact same time, the driver on the left must yield right-of-way to the driver on the right.

2. Uncontrolled Intersections

An uncontrolled intersection has no stop signs, yield signs, or traffic signals. When approaching an uncontrolled intersection, slow down and prepare to yield. Yield right-of-way to any vehicle entering or approaching the intersection from your right.

3. Turning Left Across Oncoming Traffic

When turning left at an intersection, you must yield right-of-way to all oncoming traffic traveling straight or turning right, as well as pedestrians crossing the street you are turning onto.

4. Pedestrian Crosswalks and Crossovers

Drivers must yield right-of-way to pedestrians at designated crossovers and school crossings. At pedestrian crossovers, drivers must wait until the pedestrian has completely cleared the entire width of the roadway before proceeding.

Sample G1 Test Practice Questions

Q1: At an all-way stop, two vehicles stop at the exact same time side-by-side. Who goes first?

A) The driver on the left.

B) The driver on the right.

C) The larger vehicle.

Correct Answer: B. When two vehicles arrive simultaneously at an all-way stop, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Q2: When approaching an uncontrolled intersection, you see a vehicle approaching from your left. Who has right-of-way?

A) You have right-of-way because you are on their right.

B) The other vehicle has right-of-way.

C) Whoever drives faster.

Correct Answer: A. At an uncontrolled intersection, drivers must yield to vehicles approaching from their right. Since you are on their right, you have right-of-way.

Q3: When preparing to turn left at a green light, what must you do?

A) Turn immediately before oncoming traffic moves.

B) Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before completing the turn.

C) Honk your horn and proceed.

Correct Answer: B. Left-turning vehicles must yield to oncoming straight-through traffic and crossing pedestrians.

Q4: At a pedestrian crossover, when may you proceed after a pedestrian steps off the curb?

A) As soon as the pedestrian clears your lane.

B) Only after the pedestrian has completely reached the opposite sidewalk.

C) Immediately if you tap your horn.

Correct Answer: B. Ontario law mandates that drivers wait until pedestrians completely clear the entire crossover.

Q5: What must you do when entering a public road from a private driveway?

A) Yield right-of-way to all vehicles and pedestrians on the public road.

B) Drive out slowly without stopping.

C) Expect traffic to yield to you.

Correct Answer: A. Vehicles entering from private driveways must yield to all traffic and pedestrians on the main road.

Q6: If traffic signals are out at an intersection due to a power outage, how must you treat the intersection?

A) As a yield sign.

B) As an all-way (four-way) stop.

C) As a continuous green light.

Correct Answer: B. Non-functioning traffic lights must be treated as an all-way stop.

Q7: You are stopped at a red light and want to turn right. What must you do before turning?

A) Turn quickly without stopping if no cars are close.

B) Come to a complete stop, yield to pedestrians and traffic, then turn when clear.

C) Wait for a green light only.

Correct Answer: B. Unless a sign prohibits it, right turns on red are permitted after coming to a complete stop and yielding.

Q8: When a yield sign faces your lane at an intersection entrance, what does it require?

A) Always come to a complete stop.

B) Slow down and yield right-of-way to approaching traffic, stopping if necessary.

C) Accelerate to merge ahead of oncoming cars.

Correct Answer: B. A yield sign requires slowing down and giving priority to oncoming traffic.

Test your knowledge on traffic rules by completing practice modules on our Free G1 simulator.