Stop ahead sign
What the Stop ahead sign means: There is a stop sign just ahead, so slow down and prepare to stop completely.
- Group
- Warning signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Not enforceable on its own. It changes nothing about right of way.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Begin braking immediately, since a stop from highway speed needs more distance than most people expect.
- Look for the stop line and for the sight lines you will have when you get there.
- Come to a complete stop at the sign, even if you have already slowed to walking pace.
Where you see it
On rural roads approaching intersections and level crossings, where the stop sign is not visible far enough back for the speed of the road.
Across the states and territories
National. Stop control at rural crossroads and level crossings is more common in the freight and farming regions, so this warning is more familiar to country drivers than to city ones.
Tell it apart from these
- Stop aheadthis pageGive way ahead
One means prepare to give way, the other means prepare to stop completely. The symbol inside the diamond is the only difference.
Give way ahead: There is a give way sign just ahead, so slow down and get ready to give way.
- Stop aheadthis pageStop
The warning does not require you to stop where it stands. The octagon further on does.
Stop: Come to a complete stop at the line, then give way to all traffic and pedestrians before moving off.
How the knowledge tests use it
It supports questions about stopping distance, which grows with the square of your speed rather than in step with it.
What does this sign mean?
The octagon inside a yellow diamond is a warning that a stop sign is coming, used where a bend, a crest or trees hide it until late.
State and territory driver handbooks, warning signs
Common questions
- What does the Stop ahead sign mean?
- There is a stop sign just ahead, so slow down and prepare to stop completely.
- What should you do when you see a Stop ahead sign?
- Begin braking immediately, since a stop from highway speed needs more distance than most people expect. Look for the stop line and for the sight lines you will have when you get there. Come to a complete stop at the sign, even if you have already slowed to walking pace.
- Where is the Stop ahead sign used?
- On rural roads approaching intersections and level crossings, where the stop sign is not visible far enough back for the speed of the road.
- What is the Stop ahead sign confused with?
- Give way ahead: One means prepare to give way, the other means prepare to stop completely. The symbol inside the diamond is the only difference. Stop: The warning does not require you to stop where it stands. The octagon further on does.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the Stop ahead sign?
- It supports questions about stopping distance, which grows with the square of your speed rather than in step with it.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.