Driving Tests

Montana Four-Way Stop and Roundabout Rules: Who Has the Right of Way

informational·how to guide·Published July 11, 2026

Who has the right of way at a four-way stop and in a roundabout in Montana?

At a Montana four-way stop, the Montana Driver Manual says the driver who reaches the intersection first goes first, after a complete stop. In a roundabout, vehicles already inside have the right-of-way under state law, so you yield before you enter. Drive 15 mph or less, stay to the right of the center island, and signal right to exit.

Where these Montana rules come from

The stop sign rule is Montana Code Annotated 61-8-344. The roundabout and towing vehicle rules are Montana Code Annotated 61-8-318. The yield-to-the-right rule, the through highway rule and the Yield sign rule come from sections 61-8-339, 61-8-341 and 61-8-342. The "first to arrive" rule, the 15 mph roundabout speed, the signal, parking and bicycle rules, and the advice on trucks and emergency vehicles come from the Montana Driver Manual of the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (mvdmt.gov) before you drive.

Where to stop at a Montana stop sign

Under Montana law, you stop before you enter the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, you stop at a clearly marked stop line. If there is no marked stop line, you stop at the point nearest the crossing road where you can see approaching traffic. You go without this stop only when a police officer, a highway patrol officer or a traffic control signal tells you to go. A stop sign means a complete stop before the intersection ahead. Do not enter an intersection unless you can get through it without stopping in it.

Who goes first at a four-way stop

The Montana Driver Manual gives the four-way stop rule: the driver who reaches the intersection first goes first, after a complete stop. State law gives the general yield rule. When vehicles approach an intersection from different highways, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to all vehicles from the right that are close enough to be an immediate hazard. The practice question on who goes first at a four-way stop tests the first-to-arrive rule.

Who yields at other Montana intersections

There is no stop sign or traffic signal

Yield to vehicles that come from the right. Always be ready to yield: take your foot off the accelerator, cover the brake, and look left, right and left again.

You turn left and a car comes straight toward you

Yield to the oncoming car that goes straight ahead.

You drive on a road that ends at a T intersection

Yield to vehicles on the other road that are close enough to be an immediate hazard.

You enter a through highway from a stop sign

Stop and yield to vehicles on the through highway that are close enough to be an immediate hazard. After you have yielded, you may go, and the traffic on the through highway must yield to you.

You pull out of a driveway, alley or parking lot

Yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk. Then stop and yield to vehicles that are already on the main road.

Roundabout right-of-way in Montana

Montana law says a vehicle that is passing around a roundabout has the right-of-way over vehicles that approach it, and a vehicle that approaches must yield to all vehicles in the circle. You may drive in a roundabout only to the right of the island or to the right of the center. Traffic flows counterclockwise, so look to the left and yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. The same yield rule applies in a traffic circle or rotary. The practice question on entering a single-lane roundabout shows this rule with a pedestrian and a car in the circle.

How to drive a single-lane roundabout

1
Slow down
Keep to 15 mph or less in the roundabout.
2
Watch for pedestrians
Yield to pedestrians who are in or waiting at the crosswalk when you enter and when you exit.
3
Look left and yield
Yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout. They have the right-of-way.
4
Enter and keep right
Stay to the right of the center island. Do not stop if the way is clear.
5
Do not pass
Never pass another vehicle after you enter a single-lane roundabout.
6
Signal and exit
Use your right-turn signal to exit.

Large trucks and towing vehicles in a roundabout

The center island has a sloped, flat curb called a truck apron, and the rear wheels of a large vehicle can cross it, so drop back behind a larger truck. State law adds rules for towing vehicles, which tow one or more other vehicles. Do not enter in a way that interferes with a towing vehicle that enters at the same time. On an approach with several lanes in the same direction, a towing vehicle may leave its lane, and vehicles that travel in the same direction must yield and may not pass it. When two towing vehicles enter together, the one on the left goes first.

Emergency vehicles and pedestrians at roundabouts and intersections

Emergency vehicle when you are inside a roundabout: do not stop there. Exit as normal, then pull to the right.
Emergency vehicle as you approach a roundabout: pull over if there is room. If not, continue through and pull over after you exit. The Montana move over law covers stopped emergency vehicles.
Emergency vehicle when you are in an intersection: drive through the intersection before you pull over.
Pedestrians must cross at the designated crosswalks of a roundabout and never cross to the central island.
Whatever the right-of-way rule says, do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle.

Key takeaways

Stop at the crosswalk, the stop line or the point where you can see cross traffic.
At a four-way stop, the first driver to arrive and stop goes first. When two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
In a roundabout, look left, yield to traffic already in the circle, and keep to 15 mph or less.
Never pass in a single-lane roundabout, and drop back behind large trucks.
Practice these rules on the free Montana Class D practice test. It is in English only.

Montana right-of-way questions

What if two cars get to a four-way stop at the same time?

Let the car on your right go first. Montana law tells the driver on the left to yield to a vehicle that comes from the right and is close enough to be an immediate hazard. Before you go, take your foot off the accelerator, cover the brake, and look left, right and left again, so that you are ready to stop.

Do I have to stop at a Yield sign in Montana?

Not always. Slow to a speed that is reasonable for the conditions, and stop before the intersection if safety requires it. Yield to any vehicle in the intersection or close enough on the other road to be an immediate hazard, and to pedestrians in the crosswalks. Montana law treats a crash after you pass a Yield sign as evidence that you failed to yield.

What do I do when a traffic light is out in Montana?

Stop as you would if there were stop signs in all directions. The driver who stops first should go first, but be sure it is safe even when you are first. A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: stop completely, look left, right and ahead, and yield to traffic and pedestrians. Try the question on a dark traffic signal.

How close to a stop sign can I park in Montana?

Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign, a yield sign or a traffic signal. Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk or sidewalk at an intersection, and do not park in the intersection itself. Also check for signs that prohibit or limit parking on the street where you stop.

Can bicycles ride in a Montana roundabout?

Yes. The Montana Driver Manual encourages bicyclists to walk their bicycles on the sidewalks and use the pedestrian crosswalks. A rider who is comfortable in traffic can ride on the circulating road of the roundabout, obey the same traffic rules as motor vehicles and signal turns clearly. When you enter or exit, watch the crosswalks for people who walk their bicycles.