Driving Tests

South Dakota Four-Way Stop and Roundabout Rules: Who Goes First?

informational·how to guide·Published April 19, 2026

Who goes first at a four-way stop in South Dakota?

At a four-way stop in South Dakota, every driver stops fully, and the driver who arrives first goes first. If two drivers arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. In a roundabout, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and traffic already inside, which comes from your left.

Where these South Dakota rules come from

The four-way stop and roundabout steps come from the South Dakota Driver License Manual of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The stop sign, same-time, left-turn, flashing red and yield sign rules come from South Dakota Codified Laws (SDCL) 32-29-2.1, 32-26-13, 32-26-19, 32-28-7 and 32-29-3. The points come from SDCL 32-12-49.1, and the misdemeanor penalty from SDCL 22-6-2. The roundabout crash figures come from the manual. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (dps.sd.gov) before you drive.

What you must do at a South Dakota stop sign

Under SDCL 32-29-2.1, you must come to a full stop at a clearly marked stop line. With no stop line, stop before the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. With no crosswalk either, stop at the point nearest the cross road where you can see approaching traffic.
After you stop, yield to any vehicle that has entered or is approaching the intersection from another road. Do not go until the cross road is clear of traffic that could affect your safe passage. A police officer or a traffic control signal can direct you to go instead.

How to go through a four-way stop

1
Stop completely
Stop behind the stop line or the crosswalk, or before the sign if there is no line.
2
Look all around
Check for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists in all directions. Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or not, and to drivers who are still in the intersection.
3
Let the first driver go
Yield to the driver who is already at the intersection or who arrived before you.
4
Yield to the right in a tie
If you and another driver arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right. The law gives the same rule for two vehicles that reach an intersection at about the same time.
5
Go only when it is safe
No driver should assume that he or she automatically has the right-of-way. Wait until your path is clear, then go.

A four-way stop example with three vehicles

Say a van on the road to your left has already stopped. You stop, and a car on the road to your right stops at the same moment. The van goes first because it arrived first. The car goes second, because you yield to the driver on your right. You go last. Try this case on our free question about three vehicles at an all-way stop.

Who yields in other South Dakota right-of-way cases

Who yields in other South Dakota right-of-way cases
Situation	Who yields
A pedestrian is in a crosswalk, marked or not	You yield to the pedestrian
You face a yield sign	You slow down, or stop if necessary, and yield to pedestrians who legally cross and to vehicles in or close to the intersection
You enter a road from a driveway or a private road	You yield to drivers on the public road
A driver is traveling at an unlawful speed	That driver loses any right-of-way under the same-time rule

Flashing, dark and missing signals: what to do

The signal flashes red

Treat it as a stop sign. Stop before the crosswalk or limit line, or before the intersection if there is neither, then go when it is safe and the stop sign rules allow it.

The signal flashes yellow

Slow down and go through with caution.

The signal is dark or does not work

Treat it as a stop sign: stop completely, then go when it is safe.

The intersection is rural, with no signs or signals

Slow down and be ready to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

How to drive a roundabout in South Dakota

1
Slow down and obey the signs
Traffic in a roundabout moves one way, counterclockwise. The same general rules apply as at any other intersection.
2
Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists
Do this before you enter.
3
Yield to traffic on your left
Vehicles that are already in the roundabout come from your left.
4
Enter at a safe gap
Wait for a safe gap in that traffic, then go in.
5
Keep your speed low
Stay slow until you reach your exit.
6
Signal right at your exit
Turn on your right turn signal as you approach your exit.
7
Yield again when you exit
Yield to pedestrians and bicycles at the exit crosswalk.

How to pick a lane in a multi-lane roundabout

In a roundabout with two or more lanes, pick your lane before you enter. Black and white signs at the side of the road and white arrows on the road show the correct lane. For a left turn, use the left lane or the lanes signed and marked for left turns. For a right turn, use the right lane or the lanes signed and marked for right turns. To go straight, read the signs and arrows to find the correct lane. Practice the entry on our free question about entering a one-lane roundabout.

Key takeaways

At a four-way stop, stop fully, and the first driver to arrive goes first. In a tie, yield to the driver on your right.
When you turn left, yield to oncoming vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard.
A flashing red light and a dark signal work like a stop sign.
In a roundabout, go counterclockwise, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and traffic on your left, and signal right at your exit.
Next step: practice on the free South Dakota operator license practice test.

South Dakota stop sign and roundabout: common questions

What is the fine for running a stop sign in South Dakota?

A stop sign violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for a Class 2 misdemeanor is 30 days in a county jail, a $500 fine, or both. A conviction also adds three points to your driving record, and a failure to yield right-of-way adds four points. Points can lead to a suspension; see how South Dakota points and suspensions work.

Who goes first at a four-way stop if one driver turns left?

The driver who arrives first still goes first. If you and an oncoming driver arrive at the same time and you want to turn left, let the oncoming driver go first. Under SDCL 32-26-19, a left-turning driver yields to oncoming vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. Then signal and make your turn.

Can I use the truck apron in a roundabout?

No, not in a car, SUV or pickup. The truck apron is the paved area on the inside of the roundabout. It is there for the rear wheels of large trucks to use when they turn, because large vehicles need more space in a roundabout.

What do I do if an emergency vehicle comes while I am in a roundabout?

If you are already inside, go on to your exit, then pull over and let it pass. Avoid stopping in the roundabout. If you have not entered yet, pull over and let it pass. See our free question on an emergency vehicle in a roundabout.

Is a roundabout safer than a four-way stop?

The South Dakota manual says that, compared with other intersection controls, roundabouts reduce fatal crashes by about 90 percent, injury crashes by about 75 percent and all crashes by about 35 percent. One-way traffic gives fewer points where vehicles can cross paths, so traffic also flows more smoothly.