Driving Tests

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

informational·how to guide·Published July 20, 2026

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

At a four-way stop in PEI, stop fully first. If two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right (Highway Traffic Act s. 186). A driver who has not yet entered the intersection yields to traffic already in it (s. 185(1)). Failing to yield brings a $100 to $500 (CAD) fine and 3 demerit points.

Where these rules come from

The right-of-way rules, the signal rule and the fines come from the PEI Highway Traffic Act (current to May 29, 2026) and its Schedule of fines. The stop positions and safe-stop steps come from the Driver's Handbook of the Highway Safety Division (revised Spring 2011); where the handbook and the Act differ, this guide follows the Act. The points come from the Demerit Point System Regulations and the new-driver suspensions from the Graduated Driver Licensing Regulations, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Access PEI (princeedwardisland.ca) before you drive.

The same-time rule at a four-way stop

Section 186 of the Highway Traffic Act is the general rule when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at about the same time: the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. If another car stops at the same moment on your right, you wait. The question on who yields at a four-way stop tests this rule.
The rule has an earlier step. Under s. 185(1), a driver who has not yet entered an intersection yields to traffic that has already entered it. A car that is already crossing keeps going, and you wait until it clears.

How to take your turn at a four-way stop in PEI

1
Slow down early and signal
Start slowing down soon enough that you can stop smoothly. If you will turn, start your signal at least 30 m before the turn and keep it on until you enter the turn.
2
Make a full stop
A full stop means the car stops moving completely: the Highway Traffic Act defines "stop" as the complete cessation of movement. Rolling a stop sign is illegal.
3
Look both ways and check the crosswalk
Look in both directions for vehicles, and check the crosswalk: pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection with a stop sign have the right-of-way. On a rural road, look twice in both directions, starting with the left or the closest lanes.
4
Yield to anyone already in the intersection
If another vehicle has already entered the intersection, let it clear first (s. 185(1)).
5
Apply the same-time rule
If you and another driver arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right (s. 186).
6
Go only when it is safe
Do not go until you can do so safely. On a rural road, yield to any traffic that is close enough, or fast enough, that a collision could happen if you went.

Where to stop at a four-way stop

Your stop position depends on the road markings and on where you are. The question on where to stop at a stop sign with a crosswalk shows how this works when the road has a crosswalk but no stop line.

Stop positions in the PEI Driver's Handbook

Stop positions in the PEI Driver's Handbook
Where you are	Where to stop
City or town	Before entering a crosswalk
City or town, stop line marked	At the clearly marked stop line
City or town, no stop line	At the point nearest the intersecting roadways where pedestrians would normally cross
Rural area	Before the edge of the roadway you are about to enter

Who yields in common four-way stop situations

Another vehicle is already in the intersection when you finish your stop

You yield and wait until it clears (s. 185(1)).

You and another driver arrive at about the same time, and the other vehicle is on your right

You are the driver on the left, so you yield (s. 186).

You and another driver arrive at about the same time, and the other vehicle is on your left

You are the driver on the right, so the other driver yields to you (s. 186). Go only when you can do so safely.

You intend to turn left and an oncoming vehicle is in the intersection or very close to it

You yield to the oncoming vehicle (s. 185(2)).

A pedestrian is in the crosswalk

Drivers must yield to the pedestrian. Wait until the crosswalk is clear.

Left turns at a four-way stop

A driver in the intersection who intends to turn left must yield to a vehicle that approaches from the opposite direction and is within the intersection or so close that it is an immediate hazard (s. 185(2)). The Driver's Handbook adds that a left-turning driver must be in the proper lane, give a visible signal, and yield to any vehicle or pedestrian within the intersection or so close that a collision could result. The question on yielding on a left turn tests this rule.

Fine and demerit points for failing to yield

Failing to yield at an intersection (s. 185) or to the vehicle on the right (s. 186) carries a fine of $100 to $500 (CAD). A court sets the amount within that range. A conviction also adds 3 demerit points to your driving record.
A Stage 1 driver convicted of an offence that carries demerit points has the licence suspended for one month. A Stage 2 driver with six or more points in the first year, or a Stage 3 driver with nine or more in the second year, gets a one-month suspension and probation. The guide to demerit points for new PEI drivers covers them in full.

Key takeaways

Stop fully at every stop sign. Rolling a stop sign is illegal.
Traffic already in the intersection goes first (s. 185(1)).
If two vehicles arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right (s. 186).
Failing to yield means a $100 to $500 (CAD) fine and 3 demerit points, and a one-month suspension for a Stage 1 driver.
Next step: practise on the free Prince Edward Island Class 7 practice test.

Four-way stop questions in PEI

Can I roll through a four-way stop if nobody else is there?

No. Stop at every stop sign, whether or not you can see any vehicles coming. Stop signs mark intersections with extra hazards, such as heavy traffic or limited visibility. If you are a beginner, make a full stop your habit every time.

Does the car that arrives first go first?

Not by arrival order alone. If another vehicle has already entered the intersection, you wait for it to clear. If you reach the intersection at about the same time as another driver, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Is the rule the same at a three-way stop?

Yes. The Driver's Handbook gives one rule for three-way and four-way intersections with stop signs: when vehicles from different directions enter at about the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. A vehicle that is already in the intersection still goes first.

Do pedestrians have the right-of-way at a four-way stop?

Yes. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection with a stop sign, and drivers must yield to them. In a city or town, stop before you enter the crosswalk. Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk carries a $200 to $500 (CAD) fine and 3 demerit points.

What do I do at a flashing red light at an intersection?

Stop. Use the stop line if there is one; if not, stop just before the crosswalk on your side; if there is no crosswalk, stop just before the intersection. Then yield to traffic in the intersection or in an adjacent crosswalk, and go on with caution. Failing to stop carries a $200 to $1,000 (CAD) fine.