Driving Tests

Manitoba Four-Way Stop and Roundabout Rules: Who Goes First

informational·how to guide·Published October 16, 2026

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

At a four-way stop in Manitoba, the vehicle that stops first should go first. If two or more vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right. Stop at the stop line or before the marked crosswalk, and yield to pedestrians who want to cross. In a roundabout, vehicles already in it have the right-of-way over vehicles that enter.

Where these rules come from

The four-way stop and roundabout rules come from the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Driver's Handbook: its online four-way stop sign page, its stop sign and right-of-way pages, its roundabout page and the complete PDF handbook (02/02/2026). The law is The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, sections 128 to 131 and 136, current to October 16, 2026. The handbook uses "should" for the four-way order and the roundabout tie rule, and the Act uses "shall". This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Manitoba Public Insurance (mpi.mb.ca) before you drive.

What to do at a four-way stop in Manitoba

You stop first

You should go first, after you yield to pedestrians who want to cross.

Another vehicle stops before you

Let that vehicle go first.

You and another vehicle stop at the same time, and the other vehicle is on your right

Yield. The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.

You and another vehicle stop at the same time, and the other vehicle is on your left

You are on the right, so you should go first.

Where to stop at a stop sign in Manitoba

Section 136(1) of The Highway Traffic Act requires a full stop at a stop sign and sets the place to stop.
A clearly marked stop line and no crosswalk: stop at the stop line.
A crosswalk marked out by lines: stop before you enter the crosswalk, on the near side of the intersection.
No stop line and no marked crosswalk: stop at the point nearest the cross street from which you can see approaching traffic. Where a sidewalk crosses your path and there is no stop line, the handbook says to stop just before the sidewalk.
After the stop, do not go until you can do so in safety.

How to move off from a stop sign safely

1
Make a complete stop at the correct place.
2
Check for pedestrians, and yield the right-of-way to those who want to cross the street.
3
When pedestrians are clear, move slowly forward for a better view of traffic. At a four-way stop, this slow roll forward also shows the other drivers that you intend to go.
4
When it is safe, turn or cross the street.

Intersections with no signs: section 128 of the Act

At an intersection with no traffic signals or signs, both drivers must slow down. Section 128 of The Highway Traffic Act applies when two vehicles enter the intersection from different highways (in the Act, any road that the public may use for vehicles) at approximately the same time. Then the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. If a traffic control device tells one driver to yield, that driver yields to all other traffic. The driver with the right-of-way must still use proper care and attention to avoid a collision.

Manitoba right-of-way rules at a glance

Manitoba right-of-way rules at a glance
Situation	Who yields or goes first	Rule
Four-way stop, vehicles stop at different times	The vehicle that stops first should go first	Handbook
Four-way stop, vehicles stop at the same time	The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right	Handbook
No signs or signals, two vehicles enter at about the same time	The vehicle on the left shall yield to the vehicle on the right	HTA s. 128
After a required stop	Yield to traffic that is in the intersection, or so close that it is an immediate hazard	HTA s. 130
Left turn in an intersection	Yield to oncoming traffic that is in the intersection, or so close that it is an immediate hazard	HTA s. 129
Entering a roundabout	Yield to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in the roundabout. Enter when no traffic comes from the left	Handbook
Two vehicles arrive at a roundabout together	The vehicle on the right should enter first	Handbook

Turning left at an intersection: section 129

Section 129 applies when you are in the intersection and you intend to turn left. Yield the right-of-way to traffic that comes from the opposite direction and is in the intersection, or is so close that it is an immediate hazard. After you yield and give your signal, you may turn left if you can do it safely. After a required stop, section 130 adds the same duty toward traffic on the other road: yield to traffic in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard, and do not go until you can do so in safety.

How to enter a roundabout in Manitoba

1
Look for the roundabout sign on your approach.
2
Reduce your speed to the posted speed limit or slower. Be prepared to yield to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in the roundabout.
3
Enter when no traffic is approaching from the left.
4
If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right should enter the roundabout first.

Who has the right-of-way inside a roundabout?

When you are in the roundabout, you have the right-of-way over vehicles that enter. This is why a driver who enters must wait: before you enter a roundabout, yield to crossing pedestrians and cyclists, and to circulating traffic.

How to exit a roundabout

1
Continue until you reach the street you want to leave on.
2
Signal your intention to exit in advance.
3
As you exit, watch for pedestrians in the pedestrian corridor. Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and cyclists.

Leaving a driveway or parking lot in Manitoba

When you enter a street from a private road, lane, driveway or parking lot, stop before you cross the sidewalk. Yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and traffic, and go when it is safe.
The Act sets two cases. In a restricted speed area, section 131(1) requires a stop immediately before the sidewalk, or the sidewalk area across the driveway. Outside a restricted speed area, a driver who comes out of a private road or driveway onto a provincial highway must stop within 5 metres of the edge of the roadway, yield to traffic that is an immediate hazard, and go only when it is safe.

Other Manitoba guides for new drivers

The guide to the Manitoba Class 5 knowledge test covers the time limit, the languages and the rules on test day. The guide to the Class 5 road test covers when to book, what to bring and what to expect.

Key takeaways

At a four-way stop, the vehicle that stops first should go first. If two vehicles stop together, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.
At a stop sign, stop fully at the stop line or before the marked crosswalk, and yield to pedestrians who want to cross before you move.
In a roundabout, slow down, yield to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in it, and enter when no traffic comes from the left.
After a required stop or before a left turn, yield to traffic that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard.
Next step: practise on the free Manitoba Class 5 practice test.

Four-way stop and roundabout rules in Manitoba: common questions

Do I have to stop for pedestrians at a stop sign?

Yes. After the full stop and before you move, check for pedestrians and yield the right-of-way to those who want to cross the street. When they are clear, you may move slowly forward for a better view of traffic, and then turn or cross when it is safe.

Where do I stop at a stop sign if there is no stop line?

If there is a crosswalk marked out by lines, stop before you enter it. If there is no stop line and no marked crosswalk, The Highway Traffic Act says to stop at the point nearest the cross street from which you can see approaching traffic. The MPI handbook adds: where a sidewalk crosses your path, stop just before the sidewalk.

Can I roll through a stop sign if no one is coming?

No. Section 136(1) of The Highway Traffic Act requires the driver to bring the vehicle to a stop at a stop sign, and the handbook calls for a complete stop. You may roll slowly forward only after the full stop, for a better view or to show your intent at a four-way stop.

Does the car on the right always go first in Manitoba?

No. The vehicle on the right goes first only when two vehicles arrive together: at an intersection with no signs, at a four-way stop where both stop at the same time, and at a roundabout entry. Otherwise, at a four-way stop the first vehicle to stop should go first, and traffic already in a roundabout has the right-of-way.

Do I signal when I leave a roundabout?

Yes. Signal your intention to exit in advance, before you reach the street you want to leave on. As you exit, watch for pedestrians in the pedestrian corridor and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and cyclists.