Stop sign
What the Stop sign means: Come to a complete stop at the line, then give way to all traffic and pedestrians before moving off.
- Group
- Regulatory signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. Disobeying one is an offence in itself.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Stop completely, so the wheels are not turning, at the stop line painted across your lane.
- If there is no line, stop before the intersection at a point where you can see along the road you are joining.
- Give way to everything: traffic on the road across you, pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into, and anyone already in the intersection.
- Move off only when the gap is large enough that nobody has to slow down for you.
Where you see it
At intersections where the sight line is poor, where a minor road meets a busy one, and at level crossings without boom gates. It is often paired with a stop line and, further back on the approach, a stop ahead warning sign.
Across the states and territories
The octagon and the word are the same in all eight states and territories, and so is the requirement to come to a complete stop. Nothing about this sign changes when you cross a border.
Tell it apart from these
- Stopthis pageGive way
A give way sign lets you keep rolling if the road is clear. A stop sign never does, even at an empty intersection at night.
Give way: Slow down and be ready to stop so you can give way to any traffic or pedestrians already there.
- Stopthis pageStop ahead
The yellow diamond warns you a stop sign is coming. The red octagon is the stop itself.
Stop ahead: There is a stop sign just ahead, so slow down and prepare to stop completely.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions usually test whether you know that stopping is required even when nothing is coming, and where you stop when the line has worn away.
What does this sign mean?
The red octagon is a stop sign. Stopping is not optional and it is not enough to slow down. You must halt the vehicle completely, then give way before entering the intersection.
Australian Road Rules rules 67 and 68, stopping and giving way at a stop sign
Common questions
- What does the Stop sign mean?
- Come to a complete stop at the line, then give way to all traffic and pedestrians before moving off.
- What should you do when you see a Stop sign?
- Stop completely, so the wheels are not turning, at the stop line painted across your lane. If there is no line, stop before the intersection at a point where you can see along the road you are joining. Give way to everything: traffic on the road across you, pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into, and anyone already in the intersection. Move off only when the gap is large enough that nobody has to slow down for you.
- Where is the Stop sign used?
- At intersections where the sight line is poor, where a minor road meets a busy one, and at level crossings without boom gates. It is often paired with a stop line and, further back on the approach, a stop ahead warning sign.
- What is the Stop sign confused with?
- Give way: A give way sign lets you keep rolling if the road is clear. A stop sign never does, even at an empty intersection at night. Stop ahead: The yellow diamond warns you a stop sign is coming. The red octagon is the stop itself.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Stop sign?
- Questions usually test whether you know that stopping is required even when nothing is coming, and where you stop when the line has worn away.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More regulatory signs
Mostly white with red or black, and usually round or rectangular.