Right of way
Voorrang · 14 min
At almost every junction you must quickly know who goes first. Learn the fixed order: first signals from a traffic controller, then traffic lights, then signs and shark teeth, and only then the general rules such as 'traffic from the right goes first'.
Which rule wins?
Sometimes a police officer, a traffic light and a sign all tell you something at the same time. Then this order applies:
- Signals from a police officer or traffic controller
- Traffic lights
- Traffic signs and shark teeth (haaientanden)
- General traffic rules, such as traffic from the right goes first
What is higher in the list always wins. So a green light means nothing if the officer tells you to stop.
RVV 1990 art. 63
Equal crossroads: traffic from the right goes first
At an equal crossroads (gelijkwaardig kruispunt) there are no priority signs and no shark teeth. Then you give way to drivers coming from the right. This also applies to cyclists and moped riders from the right.
In the picture B comes from your right. B goes first, even though you go straight on.
RVV 1990 art. 15
Turning left: oncoming traffic goes first
When you turn left, you let oncoming traffic that goes straight on or turns right go first. This applies at an equal crossroads, and also when you are both on the priority road.
In the picture you turn left and A goes straight on. A may go first.
Priority road and shark teeth
A diamond (sign B1) means: you are on a priority road (voorrangsweg). Traffic from side roads must let you go first.
If you see shark teeth (white triangles across the road) or sign B6, you must give way to all traffic on the crossing road, from the left and from the right. This includes cyclists on the priority road.
At a stop sign (B7) you must always come to a complete stop first, even if nobody is coming.
Trams
At an equal crossroads a tram goes first, even when it comes from the left. If there are signs or shark teeth, the tram must follow them too.
Never cut in front of a tram: a tram is heavy and cannot stop quickly.
RVV 1990 art. 15
Roundabouts
On a roundabout (rotonde) you drive anticlockwise. At most roundabouts there are shark teeth and a B6 sign at the entry. Then traffic on the roundabout has priority and you wait.
If there are no shark teeth and no signs, the normal rule applies: traffic from the right goes first. Traffic entering the roundabout then comes from the right, so it may go first.
Signal when you leave the roundabout.
Exits, parking spaces and special manoeuvres
When you drive out of an exit (uitrit), for example from a car park, petrol station or private property, you give way to all traffic: pedestrians on the pavement, cyclists on the cycle path and traffic on the road.
The same applies when you pull out of a parking space at the side of the road, when you turn around or when you reverse. Anyone making such a special manoeuvre must always let other traffic go first.
RVV 1990 art. 54
Pedestrians, emergency services and blind people
- At a zebra crossing you let pedestrians go who are crossing or are about to cross.
- Vehicles with flashing blue lights and a siren must always be given a free path. Move aside calmly and stop if needed.
- Always let a blind person with a white cane or guide dog cross.
- You must not cut into a military convoy or a funeral procession.
RVV 1990 art. 49
T-junction without signs
At a T-junction (T-kruising) without signs or shark teeth the rule is the same: traffic from the right goes first. It does not matter which road looks wider or busier.
Are you on the through road and someone comes out of the side road on your right? Then you let them go first.
RVV 1990 art. 15
Turning: traffic going straight on goes first
When you turn, you let traffic that goes straight on along the same road go first. This also applies to cyclists and moped riders on a cycle lane or cycle path next to your carriageway.
- Turning right: check your mirror and over your shoulder for cyclists on your right.
- Turning left: let oncoming traffic and cyclists going straight on go first.
Traffic lights
Traffic lights come before signs and shark teeth.
- Green: you may go if the road is clear.
- Amber: stop. Only drive on if you can no longer stop safely.
- Red: stop before the stop line.
- Flashing amber: the lights are not controlling traffic. Drive carefully; then the signs, shark teeth or general rules apply.
Signals from a traffic controller
A police officer or traffic controller (verkeersregelaar) comes above everything: above traffic lights, signs and rules.
- Arm raised: stop.
- Arm or arms stretched sideways: traffic coming towards the controller from the front or the back stops. Traffic from the sides may go.
Always follow the signal, even if your light is green.
A bus pulling away from a stop
In a built-up area (bebouwde kom) you must let a service bus pull away from a stop when it is indicating. Release the accelerator and let the bus go first.
Outside built-up areas this rule does not apply, but giving room is still sensible.
RVV 1990 art. 50
Priority signs at a glance
- B1 (yellow diamond): you are on a priority road.
- B2 (diamond with stripes): end of the priority road.
- B3 (triangle with a thick and thin line): the next junction is a priority crossroads; you have priority.
- B6 (upside-down triangle): give way.
- B7 (STOP): stop and give way.