Stop Sign Ticket Manitoba

What is a disobey stop sign ticket?

At a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop at the appropriate locations shown below. Before proceeding, you must check for pedestrians and yield the right-of-way to anyone wishing to cross the street.

Once all pedestrians have cleared, you may slowly move forward to improve your view of traffic. When it is safe to do so, you may then proceed to turn or cross the street. Failure to stop properly will result in a failure to stop ticket.

What constitutes disobeying a stop sign?

Disobeying a stop sign, also known as failure to obey a traffic control device, means failing to follow the legal requirements for stopping and yielding at the sign. Traffic laws require drivers to come to a full, motionless stop and to yield properly to other road users. Below are the specific actions that typically constitute a violation of a stop sign.

• Complete stop requirement: You must bring your vehicle to a complete, motionless stop at the marked stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.
• Rolling stops: A “rolling stop” (slowing down but not coming to a complete, full stop) is considered a violation.
• Position: You must stop before the stop line or crosswalk.

Common examples of disobeying a stop sign

• Failing to come to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.
• Performing a rolling stop (slowing down but not fully stopping). 
• Not yielding the right of way to other vehicles or pedestrians when required, even if you technically stopped.

Fines for failing to stop at a stop sign in Manitoba

Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign in Manitoba can lead to more than just a simple ticket. Drivers found in violation may face significant fines, demerit points on their licence, and a negative impact on their Driver Safety Rating.

• Fines: While fines can vary, recent examples indicate a base fine of approximately $203 for disobeying a stop sign or red light. If the ticket is contested and a conviction results, the fine can range from $200 to $1,000.
• Demerit points: A conviction generally results in 3 demerit points to your driving record.
• Impact on Driver Safety Rating (DSR): A conviction for this offence will lower your standing on the Manitoba Public Insurance Driver Safety Rating scale.
• Record duration: A conviction for failing to stop at a stop sign remains on your driving record for three years.

These consequences can affect both your driving record and your insurance costs for several years. Understanding the potential penalties for failing to stop at a stop sign can help you make safer choices on the road and avoid long-term repercussions.

How many demerit points for not stopping at a stop sign in Manitoba?

In Manitoba, drivers who disobey a stop sign will receive a conviction that results in three demerit points on their driving record.

The conviction and demerit points will appear on your driving record. They can be negatively affected by demerits, especially if you already have prior offences, or if the failure to obey a stop sign causes a collision. Possible licence suspensions if you accumulate enough demerits

How to fight a stop sign ticket in Manitoba

If you’ve been ticketed for disobeying a stop sign in Manitoba, you may be able to avoid a conviction, reduce demerit points, and protect your insurance rates. Here’s a concise guide from our team of court agents and paralegals at JUSTICEJOLT.

Step 1: Dispute the ticket on time

Use the response deadline on your ticket and contact Provincial Offences Court at 204-945-3156 (Winnipeg area) or 1-800-282-8069 (toll-free in Manitoba). To properly fight the charge, plead “not guilty” and request a hearing. Choose “guilty with an explanation” only if you accept the offence but want a lower fine or more time to pay.

Step 2: Request disclosure

Ask the Crown for disclosure, which usually includes the officer’s notes and diagrams, as well as any audio or video evidence. This reveals exactly what the Crown must prove and helps you or your representative plan a defence.

Step 3: Gather your evidence

Strengthen your case by collecting photos or video of the intersection and stop sign, along with proof of any obstructions such as trees, snowbanks, parked vehicles, other signs, or poor lighting. Make notes on the weather, time of day, and road conditions. Visit the scene at a similar time of day to show how visible the stop sign really was.

Step 4: Build a defence strategy

Common defence arguments for a disobey stop sign ticket in Manitoba include an obstructed or unclear sign due to foliage, snow, other signs, or lighting; the officer’s limited vantage point; the fact that you did stop, but it appeared like a rolling stop from their angle; or a confusing intersection layout or markings. JUSTICEJOLT can review your disclosure and evidence to identify the strongest approach.

Step 5: Understand demerit points and insurance

A conviction usually means demerit points, which can lower your Driver Safety Rating, increase MPI insurance premiums, and bring you closer to potential suspensions. Often, the long-term insurance impact costs more than the ticket itself, making it worth contesting or negotiating.

Step 6: Plea bargains

You may be able to negotiate a plea bargain to a lesser offence with fewer or no points, or obtain a reduced fine. If you’re not disputing guilt but need financial relief, you can speak to a justice to ask for a lower fine or more time to pay, though the points usually remain.

Step 7: Court hearing and representation

If you plead not guilty, expect a hearing in person, by phone or by virtual appearance. At the hearing, the Crown presents the officer’s evidence; you or your representative may cross-examine, and you can present your own case. 

You can represent yourself, but working with a Manitoba-based traffic court agent or paralegal like JUSTICEJOLT can help expose weaknesses in the Crown’s case, improve your chances of a withdrawal, reduction, or better outcome, and save time while reducing the stress of navigating court on your own.