How Do You Handle a Four-Way Stop in Ontario?

According to the Ontario Driver's Handbook, a four-way stop (also called an all-way stop) requires every vehicle to come to a complete stop before proceeding. The fundamental rules are: first to arrive goes first, yield to the right when in doubt, and straight traffic has priority over turning traffic when vehicles are facing each other. These rules are tested on both the G2 and G road tests.

Under Ontario's right-of-way rules at four-way stops, the order of priority is:

The most common errors at four-way stops, especially on road tests, include:

On the G2 and G road tests, examiners watch for a complete stop (wheels must stop moving), correct right-of-way decisions, and proper observation. According to Ontario driving examiners, a rolling stop at a four-way intersection is one of the most common causes of road test failure. They also check that you scan left, right, and ahead before proceeding, and that you yield to pedestrians. Demonstrating patience and correct right-of-way knowledge at four-way stops is a strong signal of a safe, prepared driver.

In practice, some drivers may not follow four-way stop rules correctly. If another driver takes your turn, let them go. Defensive driving means yielding even when you have the right of way if it prevents a collision. On the road test, the examiner will not penalize you for letting an aggressive driver go first. They will penalize you for forcing your way into the intersection when it is not safe. The goal is always to proceed safely, not to assert your rights.