Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 4: Right-of-Way 

Texas Driver Handbook

Enter or Leave Controlled-Access Highway

The driver traveling on a frontage road of a controlled-access highway must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle:

• Entering or about to enter the frontage road from the highway; and

• Leaving or about to leave the frontage road to enter the highway.

YIELD

ONE-WAY FRONTAGE ROAD

YIELD

YIELD

YIELD

TWO-WAY FRONTAGE ROAD

Driving on Multiple-Lane Roads

On a road divided into three or more lanes with traffic moving in the same direction, a vehicle entering a lane of traffic from the 

right must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle entering the same lane of traffic from the left.

Railroad Grade Crossings

When approaching a railroad grade crossing, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail if:

1.  A clearly visible railroad signal warns of an approaching train

2.  A crossing gate is lowered or a flag person warns of an approaching train

3.  A driver is required to stop by an official traffic-control device or a traffic-control signal

4.  An approaching train is within about 1,500 feet of the crossing. The train will produce an audible signal to identify the immedi-

ate hazard. 

5.  An approaching train is visible and in close proximity to the crossing

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Chapter 4: Right-of-Way 

Texas Driver Handbook

You are required to stop at a railroad grade crossing and remain stopped until allowed to proceed or it is safe to proceed.

A person who fails to obey the law regarding railroad grade crossings is subject to a fine of $50 to $200.

Additional Safe Driving Procedures at Railroad Crossings

1.  If a railroad crossing is marked only with a cross-buck sign or reduce speed sign, then look both ways, and listen for a whistle. 

If a train is approaching, stop. If a train is not approaching, proceed with caution.

2.  If red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, stop. If a train is approaching, remain stopped until the train passes and the lights 

stop flashing.

3.  If the railroad crossing gates have been lowered, stop. Remain stopped and wait until the train passes and the gates are raised 

before crossing.

4.  Be sure the tracks are clear before you proceed to cross. There may be two or more sets of tracks. One train could be blocking 

the view of another.

5.  Never stop on the tracks. If your car stalls on the tracks and you cannot restart it, get out and try to push the car off the tracks. 

If you cannot push the car off the tracks, get help. If a train is approaching and your vehicle is stalled, get out quickly and move 

away from the tracks. Run toward the approaching train to the side of the tracks and avoid flying debris. 

6.  Remember, trains do not and cannot stop at crossings. Trains always have the right-of-way.

7.  Audible signs or whistles may be difficult to hear when approaching railroad crossings. Roll your windows down, turn your 

radio down, and listen carefully.

If you encounter a railroad grade crossing signal problem, call the Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Center 

at [phone] or call your local police department or county sheriff’s office. Each railroad crossing signal has an identifying 

number. Please note the number and be ready to provide it when reporting a problem.

Yield Right-of-Way to Emergency Vehicles

You must yield the right-of-way to police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency ve-

hicles sounding a siren, bell, or flashing red light. If traffic allows, pull to the right edge of the 

road and stop. If you are unable to pull over to the right, slow down and leave a clear path for the 

emergency vehicle.

1.  You are not allowed to follow within 500 feet of a fire truck answering an alarm or an ambulance 

when the flashing red lights are on.

2.  Do not drive or park on the street where the fire truck has answered an alarm.

3.  Do not park in a location that interferes with the arrival or departure of an ambulance to or from 

the scene of an emergency.

Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, drivers who approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights activated 

must:

1.  Vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle if the highway has two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency 

vehicle;

2.  Slow to a speed not more than 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or more; or

3.  Slow to a speed less than 5 mph when the posted speed limit is less than 25 mph.

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Chapter 4: Right-of-Way 

Texas Driver Handbook

Yield Right-of-Way to School Buses

Stop

Stop

SCHOOL

BUS

You must yield the right-of-way to school buses. Always drive with care when you are near a school bus. If you approach a school 

bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop. Do not pass the school bus until:

1.  The school bus has resumed motion;

2.  You are signaled by the driver to proceed; or

3.  The red lights are no longer flashing.

It is not necessary to stop when passing a school bus on a different road or when on a controlled-access highway where the bus is 

stopped in a loading zone and pedestrians aren’t permitted to cross. A person who fails to obey the law regarding yielding the right-

of-way to school buses displaying alternating, flashing lights is subject to the penalties listed in Table 17.

Table 17: Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to School Bus

Conviction

Penalty

1st conviction

A fine of $500 - $1,250.

2nd conviction and every conviction after (within 5 years)

A fine not less than $1000 or more than $2000, possible suspension of driver 

license for up to six months.

Person causes serious bodily injury to another when pass-

ing a stopped school bus

Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one 

year in jail.

Person causes serious bodily injury to another and has 

previously been convicted of passing a school bus and 

causing serious bodily injury

State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years confinement and a possible 

fine of up to $10,000.

Yield the Right-of-Way to Pedestrians (Persons on Foot)

Avoid Turning a Car into a Deadly Weapon

You should always be on the lookout for individuals who are on foot (pedestrians) whether they have the right-of-way or not. Drivers 

must give the right-of-way to pedestrians:

1.  At an uncontrolled intersection (there are not any traffic signs or signals for the pedestrian to enter the crosswalk)

2.  If the pedestrian has a WALK signal or

a.  If there is not a pedestrian control signal, give the pedestrian the right-of-way on a green light. 

b. If the light changes after the pedestrian has entered the crosswalk, still give the pedestrian the right-of-way.

Yield Here to Pedestrian Signs

The “Yield Here to Pedestrians” sign is used when yield lines are used in advance of a marked crosswalk that 

crosses an uncontrolled multi-lane roadway.

In-Street and Overhead Pedestrian Crossing Signs

The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs or the “Overhead Pedestrian Crossing” signs may be used to remind road 

users of laws regarding right-of-way at a pedestrian crosswalk without signals.

The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs are placed in the road at the crosswalk location on the center line, on a lane line, or on a 

median island. The “In-Street Pedestrian Crossing” signs will not be posted on the left- or right-hand side of the road.

The “Overhead Pedestrian Crossing” signs are placed over the roadway at the crosswalk.

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