Free independent reference. Original examples, not official exam questions or a driving assessment. Follow current provincial rules, signs and authorized directions.
Right of way, pedestrians and emergency vehicles →Identify the controls before comparing arrival times
A multi-stop has stop control on the relevant approaches. Do not transfer its arrival-order rule to every junction that happens to contain one stop sign. Traffic lights require drivers to follow the signals, and other controls need their own assessment.
Observe the signs on your approach and the movement of other traffic. “I arrived first” is not a complete answer when the intersection type has not yet been established.
Source: Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook — §2.1.7, multi-stop ↗Separate earlier arrival from a simultaneous arrival
After a complete stop, the earlier arrival has priority under the handbook’s multi-stop explanation. For simultaneous arrivals, the driver to the left gives way. Being first to begin rolling is not the test for who arrived first.
Keep the pedestrian crossing in the decision. The handbook reminds drivers about crosswalk duties at intersections, including unmarked crosswalks. A turn should not be treated as permission to cross a pedestrian’s path.
Source: Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook — §2.1.7, multi-stop ↗Apply the distinction in three original cases
Original learning cases
You stop before a vehicle on another approach. Once the way is clear, the earlier-arrival rule applies; you must still account for people crossing your intended path.
Two vehicles on perpendicular approaches arrive together. The one to the left yields under the multi-stop rule; horn use does not change that relationship.
Another driver enters while you are about to use your priority. Wait to avoid a collision instead of continuing into the occupied space to demonstrate the rule.
Do not enforce priority into an occupied path
The handbook says to be prepared to yield if that avoids a collision, even when you have priority. If another driver proceeds unexpectedly, winning the arrival-order argument does not create a clear path.
In practice review, state the controls, arrival pattern and crossing conflict separately. This method explains why an answer is suitable. It is more useful than memorizing that one pictured car always goes first.
Source: Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook — §2.1.7, multi-stop ↗