California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Rules of the Road and Right-of-WayHard
You are driving on a multi-lane highway, and you see a funeral procession approaching an intersection where you have a green light. The lead vehicle of the procession has a purple flag. What should you do?
- AHonk your horn to indicate you have the right-of-way.
- BStop only if a police escort is blocking the intersection.
- CProceed through the intersection, as you have the green light.
- DYield the right-of-way to the funeral procession, even with a green light.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Yield the right-of-way to the funeral procession, even with a green light.
In California, vehicles in a funeral procession have the right-of-way, even if a traffic signal would normally give you the right-of-way, provided the lead vehicle lawfully entered the intersection. You must yield to the entire procession, indicated by special flags or flashing lights.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Honking is inappropriate and does not change the right-of-way rule.
- B. While police escorts are common, the procession itself has the right-of-way regardless of a direct escort blocking your path.
- C. This is incorrect; funeral processions generally have special right-of-way privileges.
Funeral Procession Right-of-Way
Funeral processions, identified by specific flags or lights, have the right-of-way and must be yielded to by other drivers.
- Yield to entire procession.
- Lead vehicle must enter intersection lawfully.
- Procession vehicles often have purple flags or flashing lights.
- Do not cut into or drive between procession vehicles.
Memory trick: Purple flag, solemn pace, give them the road, give them space.