Driving Tests

Four-Way Stop Rules in Ontario: Who Has the Right of Way?

informational·how to guide·Published August 14, 2026

Who has the right of way at a four-way stop in Ontario?

At an Ontario four-way stop, with stop signs at all corners, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop goes first. The other drivers yield: they let it go first. If two vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Every driver must stop completely and go only when the way is clear.

Where these rules come from

The rules in this guide come from the Official MTO Driver's Handbook of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and from the ministry's page on demerit points, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Ministry of Transportation (ontario.ca) before you drive.

How to take your turn at a four-way stop, step by step

1
Stop completely
Come to a complete stop. Stop at the stop line if the road has one. The table below shows where to stop when there is none.
2
Look at every corner
Look for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. Scan the sidewalks and paths as well as the road.
3
Find out who stopped first
You must yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle to come to a complete stop. Let that driver go first.
4
Use the left-yields-to-right rule for a tie
If two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. Try the G1 practice question on two vehicles at a four-way stop.
5
Go only when the way is clear
Drive through the intersection only when the way is clear. If you turn left or right, you must yield the right-of-way as well.

Two cars face each other and both turn left

A driver who turns left must wait for approaching traffic to pass or turn, and for pedestrians in or approaching the path to cross. When two vehicles from opposite directions wait to turn left in an intersection, each should turn to the left of the other, after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

How to wait and turn left at an intersection

Begin and end the turn in the far left lane in your direction, unless signs or pavement markings say not to.
While you wait, do not turn the steering wheel to the left until you can complete the turn. With the wheels turned left, your vehicle could be pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.

Where to stop at a stop sign in Ontario

Where to stop at a stop sign in Ontario
What the road has	Where you stop
A stop line on the pavement	At the stop line, a single white line painted across the road
No stop line, but a crosswalk	At the crosswalk, marked or not. A marked crosswalk has two parallel white lines. Try the G1 practice question on a stop sign with a crosswalk but no stop line.
No stop line and no crosswalk, but a sidewalk	At the edge of the sidewalk
No sidewalk	At the edge of the intersection. Wait until the way is clear before you enter.

Pedestrians at a four-way stop

In most cases, yield to the pedestrian. Not all crosswalks are marked, but nearly all intersections have crosswalks, so watch for people at every intersection.
A crosswalk can be the part of the road that connects the sidewalks on opposite sides into a continuous path.
Even at signalled crosswalks, many more pedestrians are hit by left-turning cars than by right-turning cars, because both the driver and the pedestrian are looking elsewhere.
Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk. The stopped vehicle may mean that a pedestrian is crossing.
A pedestrian crossover is a designated area where pedestrians cross a road that has no traffic lights. At a pedestrian crossover or a school crossing with a crossing guard, yield and wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road. Drive on only when pedestrians and school crossing guards have crossed and are safely on the sidewalk.
Be patient and allow all pedestrians time to cross, including slow pedestrians.

Uncontrolled intersections: no signs and no traffic lights

An uncontrolled intersection has no signs or traffic lights. These intersections are usually in areas with little traffic. Be extra careful at them. A controlled intersection has traffic lights, yield signs or stop signs.

Who goes first at an intersection with no signs or lights

Another vehicle approaches the intersection before you

You must yield the right-of-way to that vehicle.

You and another driver arrive from different roads at the same time

The vehicle approaching from the right has the right-of-way. Try the G1 practice question on a vehicle on your right at an uncontrolled intersection.

When the traffic lights are out or flash red

The traffic lights do not work because of a power loss

Go cautiously and use the intersection the way you would use an intersection with all-way stop signs. Yield to vehicles in the intersection and to vehicles that enter it from your right.

A traffic light flashes red

Come to a complete stop. Move through the intersection only when it is safe.

Demerit points for running a stop sign or not yielding

If you are convicted, failing to obey a stop sign adds 3 demerit points. Failing to yield the right-of-way also adds 3 points, and failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover adds 4 points, as the Ontario demerit points page lists. The guide to demerit points for novice drivers shows what points mean for a G1 or G2 licence.

Key takeaways

The first vehicle to stop goes first. A tie goes to the driver on the right.
Stop at the stop line. With no line, stop at the crosswalk. With no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk. With no sidewalk, stop at the edge of the intersection.
In most cases, yield to the pedestrian.
Next step: practise the intersection rules on the free Ontario G1 practice test.

Four-way stops in Ontario: common questions

Is a rolling stop allowed at a stop sign in Ontario?

No. You must come to a complete stop for all stop signs and red traffic lights, and then drive through the intersection only when the way is clear. Stop at the stop line if the road has one.

Does the driver on the right always go first at a four-way stop if two cars get there together?

No. The right of way goes to the first vehicle to stop. Only when two vehicles stop at the same time does the vehicle on the left yield to the vehicle on the right. At a corner with no signs or lights, the vehicle on the right goes first when two arrive together.

Can I turn left before the car across from me at a four-way stop?

Only when oncoming traffic has passed or turned and the pedestrians in or approaching your path have crossed. A driver who turns left or right at an intersection must yield the right-of-way.

Do I have to yield to pedestrians at a four-way stop?

In most cases, yes. Road safety is shared between drivers and pedestrians, and in most cases that means the driver yields. Give all pedestrians, including slow ones, time to cross.

Does my turn signal give me the right of way?

No. Signalling your turn does not give you the right-of-way. You must make sure the way is clear. Before the turn, check your blind spot for cyclists that approach from behind, in particular in a bike lane to your right, on a sidewalk or on a trail.