Lesson 1 · Right of way basics
Who goes first at a four-way stop?
Short answer
The first car to come to a complete stop goes first. Then the others go in the order they stopped.
Watch it play out
How to do it
- Come to a complete stop behind the white line or crosswalk.
- Notice which cars were already stopped when you arrived.
- Let them go in the order they stopped.
- When it is your turn, check for people crossing, then go.
Why the rule works this way
All four directions have the same sign, so no road has priority. Taking turns in arrival order is the simplest fair system, and everyone can see it.
Common mistakes
- Rolling stops. Slowing down is not stopping, and it makes your arrival time unclear to others.
- Going because you are bigger or faster. Arrival order is the only thing that counts.
- Waving people through out of turn. It confuses everyone else at the stop.
In VirginiaFirst to arrive goes first. If traffic lights are out, every vehicle must stop before entering. See all Virginia rules
Questions people ask
What if I cannot tell who stopped first?
Treat it as a tie. The car on the right goes first. If you are still unsure, make eye contact and let the other driver go.
Do I have to stop if no one else is there?
Yes. A stop sign always means a full stop, even when the intersection is empty.