Four-Way Stop Rules: Who Has the Right of Way?
Four-way stop rules are simple: first to arrive goes first, and ties go to the driver on the right. Here are the rules and the traps.
Key takeaways
- The first vehicle to stop at the intersection goes first.
- If two vehicles arrive together, the driver on the right goes first.
- A driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight.
The basic rule
These four-way stop rules apply at an intersection where every road has a stop sign, every driver must come to a complete stop. Then the order is set by arrival: the vehicle that stopped first goes first.
When two cars arrive together
If two vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way and goes first. If the vehicles are opposite each other, the one going straight or turning right goes before the one turning left.
Left turns
A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles that are going straight or turning right. That is one of the most common errors at four-way stops and a favorite topic on knowledge tests.
Pedestrians and cyclists
People walking and riding have the right-of-way in a crosswalk, whether it is marked or not. Wait until the crosswalk is clear before you enter, even if you were first to stop.
When it is unclear
If you are not sure who has the right-of-way, let the other driver go. A wave is fine, but do not assume the other driver saw it. Eye contact and a full stop help everyone understand what is happening.
Related situations
A flashing red signal works like a stop sign, and a signal that is out of order should be treated as a four-way stop. Roundabouts follow a different rule: yield to traffic already in the circle. For more on signs, read our road signs guide.
Test-style scenarios
Scenario 1. You stop first, a car on your right stops a second later. You go first. Scenario 2. You and a car on your left arrive together. You are on its right, so it should yield to you. Scenario 3. You want to turn left and an oncoming car wants to go straight. It goes first.
Draw these on paper if you find them hard to picture. The rule of arrival order, then the right, then straight before left, answers almost every question.
Common mistakes
Rolling stops, jumping the order because you are in a hurry and assuming the biggest vehicle goes first are the most common errors. Each one is also a reason for a citation or a crash.
Next steps
The bottom line: arrive, stop, and let the order decide who goes. When in doubt, yield. Reinforce this with the right-of-way quiz on your state’s permit page, which you can find on the DMV practice test by state page.
Frequently asked questions
What if two cars arrive at the same time from opposite sides?
The driver going straight or turning right goes first, and the driver turning left yields.
Does the largest vehicle have the right-of-way?
No. Right-of-way follows the rules, not size or speed.
Keep learning
Related guides and practice tests.
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