Stop signItaly

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Italy. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Italy

16. Stop sign

A stop sign requires drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete stop and give way before entering or crossing the road ahead. The stop must be made at the stop line or another legally prescribed position.

After stopping, the driver may continue only when this can be done safely and without interfering with traffic that has priority. The sign does not create priority for the driver who has stopped.

Stop sign beside bilingual Italian and Friulian street-name signs. (San Vito al Torre, Italy)
Wikimedia.org • Klenje • CC BY-SA

Must I stop completely at a stop sign in Italy?

Yes. Come to a complete stop when the applicable stop sign controls your approach, even when you cannot see another road user. Slowing to a crawl is not a stop. The stopping duty is separate from the duty to give way before continuing.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38–41, 43, 145, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 40

Stop and give way.

English • Traffic sign II.37 • Stop and give way. Drivers must stop at the stop line and give way before entering the junction or joining the traffic flow.

Italiano • Figura II.37 • Fermarsi e dare precedenza. Obbliga a fermarsi in corrispondenza della striscia di arresto e a dare la precedenza prima di entrare nell’intersezione o di immettersi nel flusso della circolazione.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 107, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.37 • pagina 255

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2025-08-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Where must I stop at a stop-controlled junction in Italy?

Stop at the prescribed stop line before entering the junction. If visibility is restricted, obtain a safe view without entering the priority traffic’s path; the obligation to give way continues after the first stop.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38–41, 43, 145, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 40

Does stopping first give me priority at a stop sign in Italy?

A complete stop does not, by itself, give you priority. Give way to the road users entitled to pass under the junction’s signs and rules, check pedestrians and cyclists, and proceed only when the gap is safe. Do not follow another stopped vehicle through without satisfying your own stopping and yielding duties.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38–41, 43, 145, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 40

Dead end

Give way

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