Driving Tests

Saskatchewan Four-Way Stop Rules: Who Goes First?

informational·how to guide·Published April 11, 2026

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

SGI's Driver's Handbook says courtesy gives the right of way to the first vehicle that stops. The other drivers then yield to the driver on their right. Every driver must come to a complete stop, at the marked stop line if there is one, and go only when it is safe. The set fine for not obeying a stop sign is $180.

Where the Saskatchewan four-way stop rules come from

The who-goes-first rule comes from the Saskatchewan Driver's Handbook (2026-27) from SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance), section 3.17. The stopping rules come from sections 209 and 219 of The Traffic Safety Act. The fine comes from The Summary Offences Procedure Regulations, 1991. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with SGI (sgi.sk.ca) before you drive.

The SGI rule: first to stop, then the driver on the right

Section 3.17 of the SGI handbook gives one rule for three-way and four-way stops, in two parts. First, courtesy says the first vehicle that stops gets the right of way. Second, the drivers who are still waiting each yield to the driver on their right.
The law that applies at every stop sign is in The Traffic Safety Act: you must stop (s. 209(6)(a)), and you must not go until it is safe (s. 209(8)). So your turn never lets you drive into a pedestrian or a vehicle that is already in the intersection.

How to take your turn at a four-way stop

1
Stop completely
Come to a full stop at the sign, even when the intersection looks empty. The red octagon tells you to stop and make sure the way is clear.
2
Stop in the right place
Stop at the marked stop line. With no line, stop before the crosswalk. With neither, use the distances in the stopping-position table below.
3
Note who stopped first
Watch which vehicles were already stopped when you arrived. Those drivers go before you.
4
Yield to the driver on your right
After the first vehicle goes, each waiting driver yields to the driver on their right. If a vehicle is stopped on your right, let it go before you.
5
Check for pedestrians, then go
Before you move, look for pedestrians in the crosswalks and for vehicles in the intersection. Go only when it is safe.

What if two vehicles stop at the same time?

If you and another driver stop at about the same time, use the second part of the handbook rule: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. If you face each other, the driver who turns left waits for the driver who goes straight.
The Act has a similar same-time rule in s. 219(1), but s. 219(2) says it does not apply where a stop sign is erected. At a four-way stop, the "driver on the right" step is SGI handbook courtesy. Try the free question on an oncoming driver who goes straight while you turn left.

Who goes first at each type of Saskatchewan intersection

Who goes first at each type of Saskatchewan intersection
Where you are	Who goes first	Rule
Three-way or four-way stop	The first vehicle to stop; then each driver yields to the driver on their right	SGI handbook (courtesy)
Two-way stop, and you face the stop sign	Cross traffic; you stay stopped until all of it has passed	SGI handbook
Opposite stop signs, one driver turns left	The driver who goes straight; the left-turning vehicle can go next if it is safe, even if another vehicle arrives	SGI handbook; s. 219(3)
Opposite stop signs, both drivers go straight	Both drivers can go at the same time	SGI handbook
No signs, lights or police, and two vehicles arrive together	The vehicle on the right; the driver on the left yields	s. 219(1); SGI handbook

Where must you stop at a stop sign in Saskatchewan?

Section 209(6.1) of the Act sets where you stop, and the handbook adds that the road markings set your stopping position. A crosswalk can exist without paint: where there is no marked crossing, the Act treats the line of the sidewalks across the road as the crosswalk. Test yourself with the free question on where to stop when there is no line.

Your stopping position at a stop sign

There is a marked stop line

Stop on the near side of the intersection at the marked stop line.

There is no stop line, but there is a crosswalk (marked, or the line of the sidewalks)

Stop on the near side of the intersection immediately before entering the pedestrian crosswalk.

There is no stop line or crosswalk, and you are in a city, town, village, resort village or hamlet

Stop no further than three metres back from the intersection.

There is no stop line or crosswalk, and you are outside those places

Stop no further than 10 metres back from the intersection.

What is the fine for not stopping at a stop sign?

The set fine for failing to obey a stop sign (s. 209(6)(a)) is $180. Failing to yield the right of way when you turn left (s. 219(3)) also has a $180 set fine. The amount on the ticket is the set fine plus the victims of crime surcharge.
New drivers can also read about penalties for new drivers in Saskatchewan.

Key takeaways

At a three-way or four-way stop, SGI's handbook says courtesy gives the right of way to the first vehicle that stops. The other drivers then yield to the driver on their right.
Stop at the marked stop line, or else before the crosswalk, or else no further than 3 metres back (city, town, village, resort village or hamlet) or 10 metres back (outside those places) (s. 209(6.1)).
Even on your turn, yield to pedestrians and vehicles and go only when it is safe. A driver who turns left yields to an oncoming driver who goes straight.
The set fine for not obeying a stop sign is $180, plus the victims of crime surcharge.
Next step: practise stop-sign and right-of-way questions on the free Saskatchewan Class 7 practice test, which is in English only.

Saskatchewan four-way stop: common questions

Is the first-to-stop rule a law in Saskatchewan?

SGI's Driver's Handbook calls it courtesy. The law at every stop sign is to stop and not go until it is safe (s. 209(6)(a) and (8) of The Traffic Safety Act). The Act's same-time "driver on the right" rule in s. 219(1) does not apply where a stop sign is erected. Follow the courtesy order, but let a driver go who has already started.

Does the driver on the right always go first at a four-way stop?

No. The driver who stopped first goes first, even if that driver is on your left. The "driver on the right" step decides the order only among the drivers who are still waiting, or when two drivers stop at about the same time. Then the driver on the left lets the driver on the right go.

Do I have to stop at a four-way stop if no other car is there?

Yes. Section 209(6)(a) of The Traffic Safety Act requires a stop at every place where a stop sign is erected. Come to a full stop at the line or before the crosswalk, check that the way is clear of vehicles and pedestrians, and go only when it is safe. Not stopping has a $180 set fine.

How far back from a stop sign must I stop in a city if there is no line?

If there is no stop line, stop just before the crosswalk, marked or not. If there is no crosswalk either, stop no further than three metres back from the intersection in a city, town, village, resort village or hamlet. Outside those places, the limit is 10 metres back from the intersection.

What if another driver goes out of turn at a four-way stop?

Let them go. SGI's handbook says that every driver must try to avoid a collision, also a driver who has the right of way. Do not move into the intersection to claim your turn. Wait until the other vehicle is clear and the way is safe, then go.