How to stop at a stop sign
Where to put your wheels, what "complete stop" really means, and the "stop, then creep" technique for blind junctions.
Quick answer:Slow down early, stop completely with the front of the car behind the stop line (or before the crosswalk if there is no line), look both ways, creep forward and stop again if you cannot see, then pull out only into a safe gap.
The stopping sequence
- Spot it earlyLook out for the advance "STOP 100 yds" warning sign and the STOP marking on the road.
- Mirrors, signal, positionCheck your mirrors, signal your direction and get into the correct lane.
- Brake smoothly to a full stopStop with the front of the car at or just behind the line. Make sure the car has settled and nothing is still rolling.
- Look properlyIn the UK, look right, left, then right again. In the US, look left, right, left. Check for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
- Creep if you can't seeEase forward slowly until you can see, ready to stop again. Your first stop at the line is the one the law requires.
- Go into a safe gapPull away smoothly and check your mirrors once you've joined the road.
No stop line?
In the US, stop before the crosswalk. If there's no crosswalk either, stop at the point nearest the junction where you can see traffic coming.
Crosswalk present?
Stop before the crosswalk, never on it. Pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross have priority.
How long?
There's no legal number of seconds. Stop until you're fully stationary and have looked properly; in practice that's usually two or three seconds.
Stopping distances: why you brake early
Braking late is the most common reason drivers end up over the stop line. The UK Highway Code gives these typical stopping distances for a car in good conditions (thinking distance plus braking distance):
| Speed | Typical stopping distance | Roughly… |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 12 metres | 3 car lengths |
| 30 mph | 23 metres | 6 car lengths |
| 40 mph | 36 metres | 9 car lengths |
| 50 mph | 53 metres | 13 car lengths |
| 60 mph | 73 metres | 18 car lengths |
On wet roads these distances can be at least double, and on ice up to ten times longer. If you see the “STOP 100 yds” warning or the STOP marking on the road, that is your cue to start slowing.
Where exactly to stop: three situations
Stop line painted
Stop with the front of the car at or just behind the line. Not on it, and not a car length back.
Crosswalk, no line
Stop before the crosswalk so pedestrians have the whole crossing.
No markings at all
Stop at the point nearest the junction where you can see traffic coming, without poking into the road.
The “stop, then creep” technique
At many stop junctions the reason for the sign is that you can't see. The legal stop happens at the line. If your view is still blocked:
- Stop at the lineFull stop, handbrake if you're on a slope.
- Creep forward slowlyClutch control or a gentle release of the brake, ready to stop instantly.
- Stop again where you can seeLook both ways properly. Cyclists and motorcyclists are easy to miss.
- Go only into a gap you're sure ofIf in doubt, wait. A gap that forces main-road traffic to brake is too small.
Different vehicles, different habits
- Motorcycles: put a foot down so the stop is obvious, keep first gear selected, and use both brakes on a slope.
- Bicycles: in the UK and most places cyclists must stop too. A few US states let cyclists treat stop signs as yield signs (the “Idaho stop”).
- Lorries and buses: the cab may sit well beyond the driver's eye line, so long vehicles often need to creep further to see. Give them room when they turn.
- Towing a trailer or caravan: allow for the extra length when judging the gap; you'll take longer to clear the junction.
Bad weather and night driving
In rain, fog or snow, brake earlier and more gently, keep your headlights on, and open a window at blind junctions so you can hear approaching traffic. In fog with visibility under 100 metres, the UK Highway Code says to use fog lights. At night, watch the road surface for the painted STOP marking, which often shows up before the sign itself.
Mistakes that cause crashes at stop signs
- Looking only one way, or looking but not seeing (especially cyclists and motorbikes).
- Pulling out because the driver behind is impatient.
- Assuming an approaching car that is indicating will turn. Wait until it actually does.
- Following the car in front through the junction without making your own stop.
Learning for a test? See the stop sign driving test guide. At junctions where every approach stops, use the four-way stop rules.
Common questions
How long should you stop at a stop sign?
Where exactly should you stop at a stop sign?
Can you stop past the stop line?
What if there is no stop line?
Should you stop before or after the crosswalk?
Do you need to stop twice if visibility is poor?
What should you do at a stop sign on a hill?
What should you do if a stop sign is hidden by trees?
More answers on the questions page.
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