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All-way stopCanada

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Canada. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Canada

37. All-way stop

An all-way stop is an intersection where traffic approaching from every direction is required to stop before entering. It is usually indicated by a stop sign on each approach and is commonly used where traffic from intersecting roads needs to be controlled without traffic lights.

Every driver must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe and permitted. The rules determining which vehicle may proceed first differ between countries, so drivers should follow the local priority rules rather than assuming that the first vehicle to arrive always has priority.

All-way stop
All-way stop sign. (Ontario, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Raysonho • CC BY-SA
Are four-way STOP intersections used in Canada?

Yes. They are used in Canadian jurisdictions, but priority and enforcement are governed by provincial and territorial law. The Ontario driver handbook, for example, explains all-way-stop priority.

🔗 ontario.ca • Ontario MTO — STOP, YIELD, simultaneous arrival and all-way stops

🔗 icbc.com • ICBC — Learn to Drive Smart, March2026, comparative signs and safe-driving guidance; BC scope

Who goes first at an all-way STOP in Ontario?

The vehicle that comes to a complete stop first generally proceeds first. When two vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left gives way to the vehicle on the right. Give way to pedestrians and comply with turning rules.

🔗 ontario.ca • Ontario MTO — STOP, YIELD, simultaneous arrival and all-way stops

🔗 icbc.com • ICBC — Learn to Drive Smart, March2026, comparative signs and safe-driving guidance; BC scope

Can you roll through a four-way STOP in Canada?

No. A STOP sign requires a complete stop. For example, British Columbia requires drivers at a four-way stop to give way to vehicles already in the intersection and enter only when safe.

🔗 icbc.com • ICBC Learn to Drive Smart, Chapter4 — complete stop and four-way priority

🔗 icbc.com • ICBC — Learn to Drive Smart, March2026, comparative signs and safe-driving guidance; BC scope

1 Canada 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next junction 34 Traffic lights 35 Traffic lights warning 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Reversing 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled crossroad 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Caravan 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ...