Who Has the Right of Way at a Two-Way Stop in BC?

Question: At a two-way stop in British Columbia, if one driver is turning left and the opposing driver is turning right, who should proceed first?

Who Goes First at a Two-Way Stop?

The answer depends on the order in which the drivers stop and enter the intersection.

If one driver arrives first, comes to a complete stop and proceeds into the intersection before the opposing driver, that driver should complete the movement before the opposing driver enters the intersection. If that driver is turning left and has already begun the turn, the opposing driver should yield and allow the turn to be completed safely.

If both drivers stop at approximately the same time and neither has entered the intersection, the driver turning left should yield to the opposing driver turning right. This follows the normal rule that a left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be an immediate hazard. Because neither driver has established priority by entering the intersection, the left-turning driver should wait for the opposing vehicle to complete its turn.

Why Both Rules Are Correct

The apparent contradiction disappears when you consider the sequence of events. The guidance in Learn to Drive Smart applies when both vehicles are stopped and waiting to proceed. If one driver has already entered the intersection before the other begins to move, the situation is different.

What Learn to Drive Smart Says

If two vehicles are stopped at a two-way stop and one of the drivers wants to turn left, this driver must yield the right-of-way to the other vehicle. The only exception is if the left-turning vehicle is already in the intersection and has started to make the turn. In this case, the other vehicle must yield.

This guidance applies when both vehicles are stopped and ready to proceed at the same time. If one driver has already proceeded into the intersection, the situation is different and the other driver should allow that movement to be completed safely.

DriveSmartBC Advice

Don't focus on who is "entitled" to go first. Watch what the other driver is actually doing. Make eye contact whenever possible and proceed only when you are certain it is safe. Right of way is given, not taken, and insisting on it can result in a preventable collision.

Remember that you must also watch for traffic on the through street before entering the intersection.

Found this explanation helpful? Explore the related DriveSmartBC articles below for more answers to common questions about BC traffic laws.

Learn More

• Yielding on Left Turns
• Yielding to a Left Turning Vehicle