Stop signMexico

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Mexico. 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.


6. Stop sign

A stop sign requires drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete stop and give way before entering or crossing the road ahead. The stop must be made at the stop line or another legally prescribed position.

After stopping, the driver may continue only when this can be done safely and without interfering with traffic that has priority. The sign does not create priority for the driver who has stopped.

Stop sign
ALTO stop sign beside a Sierra del Fraile street sign. (García, Nuevo León, Mexico)
Wikimedia.org • Aldo Dávalos • CC BY-SA
Must I stop completely at a stop sign in Mexico?

Yes. Come to a complete stop when the applicable stop sign controls your approach, even when you cannot see another road user. Slowing to a crawl is not a stop. The Mexican stop indication uses ALTO.

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Mexico federal Traffic Regulations — Federal Article 16; manual SR-6

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 25 May 2026, operative and commencement provisions

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 13 August 2026, operative and commencement provisions

Stop and give way. Stop and give way.

English • Traffic sign SR-6 • Stop. Stop completely at the indicated point. Proceed only without risk of conflict with other road users.

Español • SR-6 • Alto. Detenga completamente el vehículo en el punto indicado. Reanude la marcha únicamente cuando pueda hacerlo sin riesgo de conflicto con los demás usuarios de la vía.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Dof.gob.mx • SICT/SEDATU · Manual federal 2024, p. 193 del PDF

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2022-11-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Mexican federal Manual de señalización y dispositivos para el control del tránsito en calles y carreteras (2024): Dof.gob.mx • SR-6, PDF page 193. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

Where must I stop at a stop-controlled junction in Mexico?

Use the marked stop line or the stopping position required by the applicable local traffic rule. Mexico’s national sign manual standardises the indication, while state and municipal rules also govern the driver’s position and movement.

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Mexico federal Traffic Regulations — Federal Article 16; manual SR-6

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 25 May 2026, operative and commencement provisions

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 13 August 2026, operative and commencement provisions

Does stopping first give me priority at a stop sign in Mexico?

A complete stop does not, by itself, give you priority. Give way to the road users entitled to pass under the junction’s signs and rules, check pedestrians and cyclists, and proceed only when the gap is safe. Do not follow another stopped vehicle through without satisfying your own stopping and yielding duties.

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Mexico federal Traffic Regulations — Federal Article 16; manual SR-6

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 25 May 2026, operative and commencement provisions

🔗 sidof.segob.gob.mx • Federal Traffic Regulations — amendment of 13 August 2026, operative and commencement provisions

1 Mexico 2 Zone 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Stop sign 7 Give way 8 Railway crossing 9 School area 10 Rockfall 11 Curve 12 Chevron 13 Traffic lights 14 Driving licence 15 Reversing 16 Licence plate 17 Bus 18 Police 19 Ambulance 20 Pothole 21 Path 22 Particulates 23 Air pollution 24 Rush hour 25 Road code 26 Street gutter 27 Cargo bike 28 Forestry vehicle 29 Construction vehicle 30 Semi-trailer truck 31 Trolleybus 32 Speed pedelec 33 Delivery vehicle 34 Idling 35 Tow truck 36 Four-wheel drive 37 Road users 38 Bicycle 39 Motorcycle equipment 40 Rail track 41 Caravan 42 Trailer 43 Tow hitch 44 Fire truck 45 Siren 46 Convoy 47 Emergency vehicle lighting 48 Agricultural machinery 49 Electric bicycle 50 Electric vehicle 51 Pedelec 52 Quadricycle 53 Microcar 54 All-terrain vehicle 55 Van 56 Recreational vehicle 57 Scooter 58 Trikke 59 Personal mobility device 60 Skateboard 61 Segway 62 Kick scooter 63 Roller skates 64 Mailman 65 Hitchhiker 66 Toddler 67 Child 68 Disability 69 Motorail 70 km/h 71 mph 72 Speedometer 73 Ride height 74 Dirt road 75 Driving 76 Start-stop system 77 Manual transmission 78 Automatic transmission 79 Throttle 80 Tachometer 81 Steering wheel 82 Power steering 83 Visual scanning 84 Mirror 85 Fuel 86 Fuel gauge 87 Petrol 88 Diesel 89 Diesel exhaust fluid 90 Car insurance 91 First aid kit 92 Fire extinguisher 93 High-visibility clothing 94 First aid 95 Concrete step barrier 96 Barriers 97 Vehicle lights 98 Street lights 99 Dipped beam 100 High beam ...