What Should You Do at a Four-Way Stop?
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Quick answer
Stop fully, then yield to whoever arrived first; ties go to the driver on the right.
Correct answer: First to stop goes first; if tied, the vehicle on the right has the right of way
Every vehicle must come to a complete stop. The basic rule is first come, first served: the driver who reaches the intersection and stops first proceeds first. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first. When two vehicles face each other and both go straight or both turn right, they can proceed at the same time because their paths do not cross. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight. Make eye contact, communicate, and never assume; courtesy and clear signaling prevent the standoffs and collisions these intersections are known for.
Why the other answers are wrong
The biggest or fastest vehicle goes first
Right of way is never about size or speed. Vehicle size has no bearing on the legal order at a stop. The order is based on arrival time and position.
Whoever honks first can go
Honking does not grant right of way. The rules are arrival order, then yielding to the right. Aggressive signaling is not a legal claim to go.
The driver on the left goes first when two arrive together
It is the opposite. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way, not the left.
What the handbook says
Handbooks cover this under right-of-way at intersections: come to a complete stop, yield to vehicles that arrived earlier, and when in doubt yield to the vehicle on your right. Left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic.
Memory tip
First to stop, first to go. Tie? Right goes. Turning left? You wait.
Related practice questions
More Right-of-Way questions with explanations:
- Right-of-Way
1. At a four-way stop where two vehicles arrive at the same time, the right-of-way goes to:
- The faster vehicle
- The vehicle on the right
- The vehicle on the left
- The larger vehicle
Why: When two vehicles reach an all-way stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. If unsure, proceed cautiously and communicate.
- Right-of-Way
2. If you and an oncoming car both intend to turn left at an intersection, you should:
- Turn left of each other, passing on the left side
- Turn in front of each other
- Wait for the other to go first always
- Make a U-turn instead
Why: When two opposing vehicles both turn left, they normally pass to the left of one another (front-to-front), keeping the intersection clear and visibility open.
- Right-of-Way
3. Vehicles already in a roundabout have the right-of-way over:
- No one
- Pedestrians on the sidewalk
- Emergency vehicles
- Vehicles waiting to enter
Why: Traffic circulating in a roundabout has the right-of-way. Entering drivers must yield and wait for a safe gap before merging in, traveling counterclockwise.