Driving Tests

Four-Way Stop Rules in Utah: Who Goes First

informational·how to guide·Published July 15, 2026

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

The driver who reaches the intersection first goes first, says the Utah Driver Handbook. If two drivers arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right (Utah Code 41-6a-901). Make a complete stop at the stop line. Then yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to anyone still in the intersection. A violation is an infraction.

Where the four-way stop rules come from

The first-to-arrive rule comes from the Utah Driver Handbook 2026, published by the Utah Driver License Division (DLD). The same-time rule is in Utah Code 41-6a-901. Where to stop and whom to yield to after you stop are in Utah Code 41-6a-902. The left-turn and bicycle rules come from Utah Code 41-6a-903 and 41-6a-1105, and the points from the DLD points system page. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Utah Driver License Division (dld.utah.gov) before you drive.

Who goes first at a Utah four-way stop, case by case

Another driver stopped at the intersection before you

You yield. Let that driver go first.

You stopped at the intersection first

You go first, after you check that the crosswalks and the intersection are clear.

You and a driver on your right stop at about the same time

You yield. Under Utah law, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

You and a driver on your left stop at about the same time

That driver must yield to you. Other drivers may not yield, so make sure the driver stays stopped before you go.

A peace officer directs traffic

Follow the officer. The stop sign and same-time rules apply unless an officer directs otherwise.

Do not count on the right of way

Never think that you have the right of way. Always look at the situation and think about safety. Other drivers may not obey the stop sign or yield to you, so be ready to avoid a crash. The handbook ends its right-of-way rules with "Remember, courtesy is the key."

How to take your turn at a four-way stop

1
Stop in the right place
Stop at a clearly marked stop line. With no stop line, stop before the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. With no line and no crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the cross road where you can see approaching traffic. Do not stop over the line or the crosswalk, or in the intersection.
2
Make a complete stop
A rolling stop is not enough. The handbook puts all stop signs on its list of places where you must make a complete stop.
3
See who was there first
Let each driver who stopped before you go first. If you stopped at about the same time as a driver on your right, that driver goes first.
4
Check the crosswalks
Yield to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk, also when the crosswalk is not marked. Also yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and others who are still in the intersection.
5
Look, then go
Look left, right, and then left again. Yield to any vehicle in the intersection, or on another road so close that it is an immediate hazard. Then go.

Left turns at a four-way stop

The driver who arrived first still goes first when you turn left. When you turn left, also yield to drivers in the opposite lane. Utah Code 41-6a-903 says a driver who turns left yields to an oncoming vehicle that is so close as to be an immediate hazard. So if you and the driver across from you stop at the same time and you turn left while that driver goes straight, you wait. The free question on two cars that stop together at an all-way stop shows the same-time rule when the driver on your right turns left.

Bicycles at a stop sign in Utah

Utah Code 41-6a-1105 gives bicycle riders a slow-and-yield rule at stop signs. A rider may go through without a full stop after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding. The rule is for bicycles only: a car driver must stop. The question on a bicyclist at a four-way stop tests this rule.

Car driver or bicycle rider at a Utah stop sign

Car driver or bicycle rider at a Utah stop sign
Rule	Car driver	Bicycle rider
Full stop at the stop sign	Required	Not required after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding
Pedestrians in the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk	Yield	Yield
Other traffic in the intersection	Yield	Yield
A vehicle close enough to be an immediate hazard	Yield	Yield to oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard
Intersection with an active railroad grade crossing	Full stop	Full stop: the slow-and-yield rule does not apply

Stop signs on the Utah driving skills test

On the driving skills test, rolling through a stop causes automatic failure. Not yielding to pedestrians or other roadway users also causes automatic failure. The question on rolling through a stop sign on the skills test shows a typical case. The guide to the Utah driving skills test explains the rest of the test.

Key takeaways

The driver who arrives first goes first. If you arrive at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
Stop at the stop line. With no line, stop before the crosswalk, or where you can see the cross traffic. A rolling stop is not enough.
After you stop, yield to pedestrians, to vehicles in the intersection and to any vehicle that is an immediate hazard. When you turn left, yield to drivers in the opposite lane.
Bicycle riders may slow and yield at stop signs. Car drivers must stop.
Next step: practice right-of-way questions on the free Utah Class D practice test.

Utah four-way stop: common questions

What if two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time in Utah?

Under Utah Code 41-6a-901, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. The rule applies at an intersection with stop signs in all directions when vehicles arrive at about the same time. If the driver on your left goes anyway, let that driver go. Other drivers may not yield, so be ready to avoid a crash.

Do I have to come to a full stop at a four-way stop in Utah?

Yes. Every driver who approaches a stop sign must stop, and the handbook puts all stop signs on its list of complete stops. The DLD points schedule lists 50 points for a stop sign violation. On the driving skills test, a rolling stop is an automatic failure.

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

Yes. A driver who approaches a stop sign must yield to pedestrians in an adjacent crosswalk. The handbook says you must yield to pedestrians who enter or are in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked. Pedestrians and bicyclists who are still in the intersection also go before you.

What do I do when the traffic light is out at a Utah intersection?

Come to a complete stop before you enter the intersection, the handbook says. Utah Code 41-6a-901 then applies the same rule as at a four-way stop: when vehicles arrive at about the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. If a peace officer directs traffic, follow the officer.

Do you get a ticket or points for not yielding at a four-way stop in Utah?

Yes. A violation of the right-of-way rules in Utah Code 41-6a-901, the stop sign rules in 41-6a-902 or the left-turn rule in 41-6a-903 is an infraction. The DLD lists 60 points for failure to yield, 10% more or less by severity. With 70 or more points in three years, drivers 20 and under may be suspended or denied for 30 days to a year. Adults with 200 or more points in three years may be suspended.