4-Way Stop Rules: Who Goes First?

A 4-way stop looks simple until three cars show up at once and nobody moves. The rules are short, and they come up on permit tests a lot. Try one right now: pick who goes first, then watch the cars drive.

How does a 4-way stop work?

At a 4-way stop, every direction has a stop sign, so every car has to stop. Then the cars take turns in the order they stopped. Your road might look bigger or busier than the other one. That doesn't change anything.

How do you know it's a 4-way stop and not a regular stop sign? Look for a small plate under the sign that says 4-WAY or ALL-WAY. If you don't see one, don't assume the cross traffic will stop.

Stop at the stop line if there is one. No line? Stop before the crosswalk. No crosswalk either? Stop where you can see all the traffic coming, without pulling into the intersection.

Who has the right of way at a 4-way stop?

The driver who stopped first. It doesn't matter who's going straight, who's turning or who's on the right. Once a car has stopped ahead of you, it goes ahead of you.

First to stop, first to go.

This is the part that's easy to get backwards. The "car on the right" rule is only a tie-breaker. If the car on your left stopped first, it goes first.

What if two cars stop at the same time?

If two cars on different roads stop at the same time, the car on the left lets the car on the right go first. An easy way to remember it: look at the car next to you. If it's on your right, it goes. If it's on your left, you go.

A tie goes to the car on the right.

That's the scenario at the top of this page. If you honestly can't tell who stopped first, Massachusetts has good advice: when in doubt, let the driver on your right go.

What if you're facing each other?

The right-hand rule doesn't help when two cars are face to face, because neither one is on the other's right. So it comes down to where each car is going.

Both going straight? You can both go. Your paths don't cross. Just watch for a turn you didn't expect.

One turning left? The car turning left waits. Its path crosses the other car's lane, so the car going straight goes first.

Turning left? Let oncoming traffic go first.

One turning left, one turning right? Same rule. Both cars are headed for the same lane, and the car turning right goes first.

What if three or four cars stop at the same time?

With three cars, use the same rule one car at a time. The car with nobody on its right goes first. Then the next car has a clear right side, and so on.

With four cars, every car has someone on its right, so the rule can't settle it. We searched the driver manuals for all 50 states and DC and didn't find one with a rule for this. Massachusetts tells drivers to make eye contact to see what the others plan to do. So make eye contact, go slowly if it's clear you should go, and be ready to stop. If someone waves you on, check that the way is really clear before you move.

Are 4-way stops clockwise or counterclockwise?

Neither. The manuals teach order of arrival, not a direction around the intersection. You might see cars take turns in a circle when it's busy, but that's just drivers taking turns. The word "counterclockwise" belongs to roundabouts, where traffic really does flow that way.

Do people walking go first at a 4-way stop?

Yes. Your turn to go doesn't mean the crosswalk is clear. New York's manual says drivers must yield to people using marked or unmarked crosswalks, and that includes crosswalks on your left or right when you're about to turn. Check the crosswalk you're turning into before you move.

Common 4-way stop mistakes

• Rolling through. You have to come to a complete stop, even if nobody else is there.
• Letting the car on your right go no matter what. If you stopped first, it's your turn. Waiting too long just confuses everyone.
• Going just because it's your turn. Make sure the other driver is really waiting. Texas tells drivers that if someone doesn't follow the rules, let them go. Right-of-way is something given, not taken.
• Turning left in front of oncoming traffic. A car coming straight at you goes before your left turn if you got there at about the same time.
• Forgetting your signal. The car across from you can't tell you're turning unless you show it.
• Pulling in when you can't get out. If traffic is backed up on the far side, wait. New York's manual says not to enter an intersection you can't get all the way through.
• Missing people walking and cyclists. They're easy to miss when you're watching the other cars.

When a broken traffic light becomes a 4-way stop

If the power is out and a traffic light is dark, many states tell you to treat the intersection as a 4-way stop. That includes Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Stop, then go in the order cars arrived. If two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Go carefully, because other drivers may not stop. If an officer is directing traffic, follow the officer.

A flashing red light is different, so be careful. New York and Pennsylvania both say it means the same as a stop sign, but that doesn't make it a 4-way stop. Federal traffic signal rules say the main road can get a flashing yellow while the side roads get flashing red, and that main-road traffic won't be stopping. If every direction is flashing red, Minnesota uses the same tie-breaker as an all-way stop.

Test yourself: 6 four-way stop scenarios

See how many you get right. Each answer shows the rule.

4-way stops are just one part of who goes first. Our full guide to right-of-way rules covers intersections with no signs, roundabouts, school buses, ambulances and more. Getting ready for the test itself? Start with how to prepare for the permit test.

This guide is reviewed and approved by Brennan McIlwain, the site owner. Spot a mistake? Email contact@drivingpracticetests.com.