Do You Have to Stop Twice at a Stop Sign?

No, most often stopping behind another car at a stop sign does not count as your legal stop.

According to Section 186 of the Motor Vehicle Act, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop at a specific location—the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection edge—regardless of whether you already stopped behind another vehicle.

What the Law Says

Stopping at intersections (Section 186)

Except when a peace officer directs otherwise, if there is a stop sign at an intersection, a driver of a vehicle must stop:

(a) At the marked stop line, if any.

(b) Before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.

(c) Before entering the intersection (if there is no line or crosswalk), at the point nearest the intersecting highway providing a clear view of approaching traffic.

The Only Exception: When You Don't Have to Stop Twice

You only skip the second stop if your initial pause happened to occur at the required stopping point. This rare scenario happens if the vehicle ahead of you pulls up too far into the intersection, leaving you in the correct position.

As shown above, if Vehicle B is already stopped properly at the marked line while waiting for Vehicle A, Vehicle B may proceed once Vehicle A clears the intersection—provided it is entirely safe to do so.

Quick Summary for Drivers

• The Lead Car Rule: If you are not the first car at the line, your pause does not count.
• The "Roll-Through" Trap: Creeping forward after the lead car moves without making a complete, second stop is a ticketable offence.
• Visibility Priority: The second stop ensures you personally have a clear view of cross-traffic before proceeding.
• The Penalty Cost: Failing to stop carries a $167 ticket fine and adds 3 penalty points to your BC driving record.

Related Articles

• Who Goes First? How to Correctly Navigate Four-Way Stops
• Got a Ticket? The Step-by-Step Guide to Disputing a Violation in BC