All-Way Stop Rules in NY (Who Goes First)

By Amir

All-Way Stop Rules in NY (Who Goes First)

At an all-way stop in New York, every driver makes a full stop. The first vehicle to stop goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time at right angles, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. If you face someone across the intersection, a left turn yields to a vehicle going straight or turning right.

Reviewed by Michael, Professional Driving Instructor
Last updated: October 9, 2026

Below, we explain what a stop sign requires, how to stop the New York way, and who goes first in the situations you will meet on NYC streets and on your road test.

Table of Contents

What is a STOP Sign?
How to Stop the New York Way
Who Goes First at an All-Way Stop
When Only Some Directions Have a Stop Sign
Wrap Up

What is a STOP Sign?

A stop sign is a traffic regulation sign that tells drivers they must stop. It is a red octagon with a white border and the word "STOP" in large capital letters. A stop sign does not give you the right of way. It tells you to come to a full stop and then yield as the rules below explain. If every driver obeys stop signs, traffic flows smoothly and safely.

At an all-way stop intersection, the stop sign should have an additional "all-way" plaque beneath it to alert drivers that every direction must stop. In rural areas, flashing beacons are sometimes used to draw attention to stop signs.

How to Stop the New York Way

Examiners watch closely how you approach, stop at and cross an intersection, so get the stop itself right before you think about who goes first.

Come to a full stop before the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is neither, stop before you enter the intersection at the point where you can see cross traffic.
Check left, right, and ahead for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
When it is your turn and the way is clear, signal if you are turning and go. Do not roll through.

Who Goes First at an All-Way Stop

Once every driver has stopped, these rules decide the order:

Situation	Who goes
One car clearly stopped first	That car goes first
Two cars stop at the same time at right angles	The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
Two cars facing each other; one going straight, one turning left	The car going straight (or turning right) goes; the left turn waits
Pedestrians in the crosswalk	Drivers yield before turning or crossing
Another car has already started into the intersection	Let that car clear, even if you think you arrived first

These rules come from the NY Driver's Manual Chapter 5 (Intersections and Turns) and Chapter 4 (Traffic Control). Incomplete stops and right-of-way mistakes are common marks on the road test, so it helps to know how road test scoring works.

When Only Some Directions Have a Stop Sign

Not every intersection is an all-way stop. If only your direction has a stop sign, the cross traffic does not have to stop. Come to a full stop and yield to all traffic from the other directions before you go.

Wrap Up

The best way to handle an all-way stop safely is to communicate clearly with other drivers. Never assume that other road users know your next move, even if it seems obvious. Stop when you should and go only when it is safe. If another driver breaks the rules, let them go instead of trying to teach them a lesson, even if you have the right of way.

All-way stops show up constantly on NYC side streets and on road tests outside Manhattan. If incomplete stops are costing you points in lessons, book practice time through driving packages. The 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course ($50) is still required before your road test, but it is not a substitute for behind-the-wheel practice.

When you are ready for the next skill, try our parallel parking practice drill with cones.

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About the author

Amir writes for Drive Rite Academy, a driving school serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Reviewed by

Michael, Professional Driving Instructor at Drive Rite Academy.

How we made this guide

We checked every DMV rule in this guide on the official New York DMV pages listed below on October 9, 2026. Prices come from Drive Rite's current price list. DMV rules can change, so check the linked pages before you go. If you spot something out of date, let us know and we will fix it.

Sources: NY DMV, Driver's Manual Chapter 5: Intersections and Turns; NY DMV, Driver's Manual Chapter 4: Traffic Control.

All-Way Stop Rules in NY (Who Goes First)