Driving Tests

Four-Way Stop Rules in Alberta: Who Goes First

informational·how to guide·Published April 10, 2026

Who goes first at a four-way stop in Alberta?

At an Alberta four-way stop, every driver must come to a complete stop: at the stop line, just before the crosswalk, or no more than 3 metres back from the crossing road. The Driver's Guide says courtesy lets the first vehicle to arrive go first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. Go only when it is safe.

Where the Alberta four-way stop rules come from

This post uses the Alberta Driver's Guide, Spring 2026 from Transportation and Economic Corridors, the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation (AR 304/2002), sections 34, 37, 38 and 41, and the Demerit Point Program Regulation (AR 331/2002), Schedule 1. The first-to-arrive and vehicle-on-the-right rules come from the Driver's Guide, which calls them courtesy; the stopping, yielding and demerit rules come from the regulations. The rules are current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (alberta.ca) before you drive.

What is a courtesy corner in Alberta?

An intersection with a stop sign at every corner is a three-way or four-way stop. In Alberta, these intersections are sometimes called "courtesy corners". Vehicles from each direction must stop, and all drivers must use courtesy and caution. A stop sign means that your vehicle must come to a complete stop, even when the intersection looks empty.

Who goes first at an Alberta four-way stop

Who goes first at an Alberta four-way stop
Situation	Who goes first	What to do
You arrive first	You, by courtesy	Check for pedestrians and traffic, then go when it is safe
Another vehicle arrived before you	That vehicle, by courtesy	Let it go, then check again before you move
Two vehicles arrive at the same time	The vehicle on the right, by courtesy	If the other vehicle is on your right, let it go first
A pedestrian is crossing or about to cross	The pedestrian, by law	Stay stopped until the pedestrian has crossed

Where to stop at a stop sign in Alberta

Marked stop line: stop at the stop line.
Marked crosswalk on your side, no stop line: stop just before the crosswalk.
No stop line and no marked crosswalk: stop before the crossing road, no more than 3 metres (10 feet) back from it (AR 304/2002, s. 37).
At every stop: stop where you do not block pedestrians who are crossing or about to cross.

How to take your turn at a four-way stop

1
Slow down early
Approach at a speed that lets you stop easily, so that you do not hit another vehicle or a person.
2
Stop completely
Bring the vehicle to a full stop at the correct point from the list above.
3
Note who arrived before you
By courtesy, the vehicle that arrived first goes first. When two vehicles arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
4
Check and yield
Look across the whole intersection. Yield to all vehicles and pedestrians that approach or are on the road you enter (s. 38).
5
Go only when it is safe
Move only when traffic lets you enter the intersection in safety. If a pedestrian steps into the crosswalk, stay stopped.

How to treat pedestrians at a four-way stop

You must yield to a pedestrian who is crossing the road within a crosswalk. When a pedestrian shows that they want to cross, stop safely before the crosswalk and let them cross. When you stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk, stop about two to three car lengths back, so that traffic in other lanes can see the pedestrian and has time to stop. The practice question on how far back to stop covers this.

Uncontrolled intersections, flashing red lights and left turns

The intersection has no traffic signs and no traffic lights

Use caution and judgement, and yield to a vehicle on your right. By law, when two vehicles come from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right (AR 304/2002, s. 34(1)). Try the practice question on uncontrolled intersections.

The traffic lights flash red in all directions

Treat each flashing red light like a stop sign. The intersection becomes a four-way stop, so use the same steps.

You want to turn left across the path of an approaching vehicle

Wait. Do not turn until you can complete the turn in safety (s. 34(2)).

Demerit points for four-way stop mistakes in Alberta

Demerit points for four-way stop mistakes in Alberta
Mistake	Demerit points
Failing to stop at a stop sign (s. 37)	3 points
Failing to yield to a vehicle at an intersection (s. 34)	3 points
Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk (s. 41(1))	4 points
Passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk (s. 41(2))	4 points

Four-way stops on the Alberta Class 5 road test

On the Class 5 road test, some mistakes cause an automatic failure. Three of them happen at intersections: not stopping completely at a stop sign, not yielding the right-of-way, and not slowing or looking carefully at an uncontrolled intersection. Try the free practice question on who goes first at a four-way stop. The guide to the Alberta Class 5 road test explains the rest of the test.

Key Takeaways

Every driver stops at an Alberta four-way stop: at the stop line, just before a marked crosswalk, or no more than 3 metres back from the crossing road.
By courtesy, the first vehicle to arrive goes first. In a tie, the vehicle on the right goes first.
After you stop, yield to pedestrians and to vehicles on the road you enter, and go only when it is safe.
Failing to stop at a stop sign is 3 demerit points and an automatic failure on the Class 5 road test.
Next step: practise on the free Alberta Class 7 practice test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is first to arrive the law at a four-way stop in Alberta?

The Alberta Driver's Guide calls first-to-arrive, and the vehicle on the right in a tie, the courtesy order at four-way stops. The law (AR 304/2002, s. 37 and 38) requires every driver to stop, to wait until it is safe to enter, and to yield to vehicles and pedestrians on the road they enter. Follow the courtesy order, and go only when it is safe.

If I have the right-of-way, can I just go?

No. Even when you have the right-of-way, you must do everything you can to prevent a collision. At a four-way stop, you must not go unless you can do so safely. If another driver goes out of turn, stay stopped until the intersection is clear, then check again before you move.

Do I have to stop for pedestrians if there are no crosswalk lines?

Yes. In Alberta, a crosswalk exists at an intersection even when it has no painted lines, unless a sign shows that crossing is not allowed. When a pedestrian has entered a marked or an unmarked crosswalk, you must yield. Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is 4 demerit points.

Can I pass a car that has stopped for a pedestrian in Alberta?

No. When a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross, a driver who comes up from behind must not overtake and pass it. This rule applies at marked and unmarked crosswalks. Passing the stopped vehicle is 4 demerit points.