Four-Way Stop Rules in Michigan: Who Goes First?

How a four-way stop works

A four-way stop has a stop sign at each corner of the intersection, so every driver must stop. Two rules then decide who moves first. The handbook rule is the order of arrival: first to stop, first to go. Michigan law adds that a driver who approaches an intersection must yield to a vehicle that has already entered it from a different road.

1. 1

   Stop completely

   A stop sign means come to a complete stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians before you proceed.

2. 2

   Check who arrived and stopped first

   The driver who arrived at the intersection and stopped first has the right of way through it. Let that driver go first.

3. 3

   Use the same-time rule for a tie

   If two or more vehicles reach the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on its right. Michigan law says the driver on the left must yield when two vehicles enter from different roads at about the same time. Practice it on the free question about two vehicles that arrive at the same time.

4. 4

   Yield to hazards after you stop

   Under Michigan law (MCL 257.649(8)), after you stop you must yield to a vehicle that has entered the intersection from another road, or that is approaching so closely that it is an immediate hazard.

Where to stop at a four-way stop sign

Michigan law (MCL 257.649(8)) sets the stop point at a stop sign in a fixed order: the crosswalk first, then the stop line, then the point where you can see the cross traffic. The table below shows each case. A stop line is a wide white line painted across your lane. It keeps your vehicle out of the way of pedestrians and cross traffic. With or without a stop line, make sure you can see traffic from all directions before you go. The free question on where to stop at a sign with a crosswalk tests this rule.

Pedestrians at a four-way stop

Your turn in the order of arrival does not let you drive into the path of a person on foot. You must yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, at an intersection or midblock. Before you move, look at each crosswalk that you will cross, not only at the other cars.

Turning left at a four-way stop

Order of arrival comes first. When you arrive at the same time as an oncoming driver and you want to turn left, let that driver go first. The handbook says you must yield to other vehicles when you make a left turn at an intersection. It also tells you to be ready to yield on every turn, whether or not there are lights or traffic control devices.

Flashing red lights, dark signals and T-intersections

• Flashing red light: come to a full stop and go when the road is clear, as at a stop sign.
• Traffic signal that does not work: the handbook says to come to a complete stop and yield to vehicles already at the intersection. If you both arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• What Michigan law adds for a dark or broken signal: under MCL 257.649(4), stop at a clearly marked stop line, or before the crosswalk, or before the intersection. Then yield to any vehicle in or approaching the intersection that would be an immediate hazard, and use ordinary care as you go through.
• T-intersection without signs or signals: yield the right of way to vehicles on the through road.

Speed and penalties

Michigan law (MCL 257.649(7)) says a driver who travels at an unlawful speed forfeits a right of way that the driver might otherwise have. A violation of the right-of-way section, which includes the stop-sign rule, is a civil infraction (MCL 257.649(10)). Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign is a 3-point violation on your driving record. A new driver on a graduated license can read more in the guide to Michigan probationary license points.

Michigan four-way stop: common questions