Photo: Hiya111, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Who goes first at a four-way stop? The driver who stopped first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. This guide covers the four-way stop rules taught in US driver handbooks, including ties, left turns and the situations that trip up permit test takers and road test candidates.
Key facts
- An all-way stop has a STOP sign on every approach. The federal sign manual (MUTCD) requires an ALL-WAY plaque under each STOP sign at these intersections.
- Every driver must come to a full stop, even if nobody else is there.
- First to stop goes first. A tie goes to the driver on the right.
- A driver turning left yields to an oncoming driver going straight or turning right.
- Pedestrians in a crosswalk come before all vehicles.
How to tell it is a four-way stop
Look for a small red ALL-WAY plaque under the STOP sign. Under the current MUTCD (11th edition, December 2023), this plaque goes below every STOP sign where all approaches have one. Older “4-WAY” plaques are no longer the standard, but you may still see them. If there is no plaque, assume cross traffic does not have to stop.
Four-way stop rules, step by step
- Stop completely at the limit line. If there is none, stop before the crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
- Note who stopped before you. Vehicles already stopped, or already in the intersection, go first.
- Check for pedestrians and cyclists in or about to enter the crosswalks.
- Go when it is your turn, signaling your turn and keeping your speed low.
Who goes first in each situation
| Situation | Who goes first |
|---|---|
| One car stops before another | The car that stopped first |
| Two cars stop at the same time at right angles | The car on the right; the car on the left yields |
| Two cars stop at the same time facing each other, both going straight | Both can go |
| Facing each other: one going straight, one turning left | The car going straight (or turning right); the left-turner yields |
| Four cars arrive at once | No rule settles it. Make eye contact; the driver who goes should move clearly and slowly |
| Pedestrian crossing | The pedestrian, whatever the order of arrival |
What handbooks say
- California: at a stop sign on all four corners, stop first and then follow the right-of-way rules. The vehicle that arrives first goes first. If vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first. The handbook also says never to assume other drivers will give you the right-of-way, and to give up yours when that helps prevent a collision.
- Oregon: it is common courtesy to let the driver who stops first go first; when in doubt, yield to the driver on your right. Oregon law also requires a left-turning driver to yield to oncoming traffic until it is safe to turn.
- Georgia: if two vehicles reach the intersection at about the same time, yield to any vehicle on your right.
- New York: when two drivers stop at right-angle stop signs at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
The wording differs, but the rule is the same. Check your own state handbook for its exact text, since that is what the permit test uses.
Mistakes that cost points on the road test
- Rolling through the stop instead of stopping completely. Examiners treat it as a serious error.
- Stopping past the limit line or in the crosswalk.
- Going out of turn, or waving others through when it is clearly your turn. Being too hesitant can also be marked down.
- Not checking for pedestrians before moving.
- Turning left across an oncoming car that is going straight.
See common reasons people fail the US driving test for more.
Four-way stops vs other intersections
- Two-way stop: only you stop. Cross traffic does not, so wait for a safe gap.
- Flashing red signal: treat it like a STOP sign. For what to do at a dark (failed) signal, see traffic signals in the US.
- Roundabout: no stopping required; yield to traffic already circulating. See how to drive a roundabout.
Common questions
Who has the right of way at a four-way stop if you arrive at the same time?
The driver on the right. If you are on the left, let the driver on your right go first.
Who goes first when one car turns left and the other goes straight?
If they stopped at the same time facing each other, the car going straight goes first. The left-turning driver yields.
Do I have to stop if there are no other cars?
Yes. A STOP sign always means a full stop, whatever the traffic.
What if someone waves me through out of turn?
You may go if it is safe, but check that every other driver and pedestrian has seen you. A wave does not change the law or protect you if you hit someone.
Is a four-way stop on the permit test?
Almost always. Expect a question on tie-breaks (yield to the right) and on left turns (yield to oncoming traffic).
More national rules of the road are in learning to drive in the USA. For a related rule at signals, see right on red.
Sources
- Federal Highway Administration, “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition, Chapter 2B: Regulatory Signs” (mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov)
- California DMV, “California Driver Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road” (dmv.ca.gov)
- Oregon DMV, “Oregon Driver Manual: Turns and Intersections” (oregon.gov)
- Georgia Department of Driver Services, “Drivers Manual, Section 5” (dds.georgia.gov)
- New York DMV, “Chapter 5: Intersections and Turns” (dmv.ny.gov)