Stop sign
Come to a complete stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or intersection), then go only when it is safe and you have yielded to traffic and pedestrians.
MUTCD designation R1-1. See the federal MUTCD, page 6.
How to read signs like this
Regulatory signs tell you what the law requires: stop, yield, speed limits, turns and lanes. Most are white rectangles with black or red. Red means stop, yield or a prohibition; a red circle with a slash means “no”.
Practice question
You approach an intersection and this sign faces you. What must you do?
- A Slow down and stop only if cross traffic is close
- B Stop only when a pedestrian is waiting at the corner
- C Get ready, because you will need to stop farther ahead
- D Come to a full stop, then go only when the way is clear
Show answer
D. Come to a full stop, then go only when the way is clear
The red octagon is used for one sign only, and it means a full stop is always required. After stopping, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians and go only when it is safe. Because no other sign shares this shape, you can recognize it even when you cannot read the word.
Source: MUTCD 11th ed., page 114
Related signs
Yield
All-way plaque
Yield here to pedestrians
In-street pedestrian crossing
Speed limit
No right turn
No left turn
No turnsAll road signs · Road sign flashcards (free)