Stop sign

What to do

Come to a complete stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or the edge of the cross street if there is no line). Yield to pedestrians and cross traffic, and go only when it is safe.

Stop completely every time, even if the road looks empty, and check for any plaque underneath that tells you whether cross traffic also stops.

Stop-line placement: Section 3B.19.

Where it's used

The MUTCD requires a STOP sign on any intersection approach where a full stop is always needed (Section 2B.04). It is the only octagon in the system, a white legend and border on red, normally 30 x 30 inches on a single-lane road and 36 x 36 inches on multi-lane roads (Table 2B-1), and no secondary words may be added to its face; it may not be shown on a changeable message sign. Common plaques below it are ALL-WAY (R1-3P), EXCEPT RIGHT TURN (R1-10P) where an engineering study allows, and the yellow CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP (W4-4P) series.

Don't confuse it with

• STOP/SLOW paddle: The STOP/SLOW paddle is a hand-held octagon used by a flagger in a work zone, while the STOP sign is a permanent post-mounted sign at an intersection.
• Yield: A YIELD sign (downward triangle) requires you to stop only if needed for conflicting traffic, whereas a STOP sign always requires a full stop.
• All-Way plaque: The ALL-WAY plaque is not a separate sign; it sits under a STOP sign to tell you that every approach must stop too.