What Counts as a Full Stop at a Stop Sign in Ontario?

According to the Ontario Driver's Handbook, a complete stop means the vehicle has come to a full rest. Your speedometer reads zero. The wheels are not turning. The vehicle is not moving forward, backward, or in any direction. There is a visible pause where the car is stationary. A rolling stop, sometimes called a 'California stop,' where the vehicle slows to near-zero but never actually stops, does not meet this requirement and is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.

Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, you must stop at the correct position. The priority is:

According to Ontario driving examiners, the rolling stop is the single most common reason for G2 road test failure. Many new drivers believe they are stopping fully when they are actually still creeping forward. The examiner can feel even the slightest movement in the vehicle. During the road test, every stop sign is evaluated, and a clear, definitive pause is expected at each one. Examiners describe the correct technique as 'stop, look, then go,' not 'slow, glance, and roll.'

Ontario law does not specify a minimum number of seconds you must stop. You must stop long enough to verify that the way is clear. In practice, this means at least 2 to 3 seconds: enough time to check left, right, and left again (and straight ahead if at a four-way stop). Simply touching the brake and releasing it immediately, even if the car briefly reaches zero, is not sufficient because you have not had time to observe the intersection. Driving instructors recommend a deliberate pause that shows the examiner you are stopped and looking.

To build the habit of a proper full stop, practice these techniques: