Right of Way (priority rules, signs, junctions)

This guide explains Dutch right of way rules (priority): the order of instructions, traffic lights, road markings (including “shark teeth”), priority signs, and how to handle controlled vs uncontrolled junctions.

Key rules in 60 seconds

Detailed guide

What “priority” means in practice

• Priority rules decide who goes first when paths cross (junctions, crossings, turning situations).
• In the exam, priority questions are often combined with road markings, cyclists continuing straight, and trams.

Traffic lights: most tested situations

• Green: proceed (but still watch for conflicts, e.g., cyclists going straight).
• Yellow: stop, unless stopping is not reasonably possible.
• Red: stop at the stop line.
• Flashing yellow/orange: the lights are out of service — priority is determined by signs/markings/rules.

Road markings (CBR favourites)

• Shark teeth (yield markings): you must give way to the crossing road.
• Zebra crossing: give way to pedestrians (and invalid carriages) who are crossing or clearly intending to cross.
• Temporary yellow markings: follow them during roadworks, even if they differ from normal markings.

Types of junctions: controlled vs uncontrolled

• Priority controlled junctions: priority is controlled by traffic lights, signs and/or markings.
• Priority uncontrolled junctions: no lights/signs/markings controlling priority — apply default rules.
• A narrow road, a bicycle path crossing, or “it looks less important” does not automatically change priority if nothing controls it.

Uncontrolled junction rule (default)

• Give way to traffic coming from the right.
• Give way to trams.

Special manoeuvres (always yield)

A special manoeuvre means you are changing the normal traffic flow (moving off, reversing, turning around, parking, leaving a parking space, etc.). In Dutch theory, special manoeuvres must yield to everyone — even cyclists, pedestrians, and oncoming traffic.

Special cases the exam may mix into “priority”

• Funeral procession / military convoy: you must not cut through them at an uncontrolled junction once they are passing as a unit, but at controlled junctions you follow lights/signs if you have priority.
• Priority vehicles: only have priority when using blue flashing lights + siren.
• Amber flashing lights are warning lights (hazard/roadworks) — they do not grant priority.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Thinking junction shape (T/X/Y) changes priority — it doesn’t.
• Ignoring trams at uncontrolled junctions.
• Missing shark teeth and “rolling through” without yielding.
• Assuming you have priority during a special manoeuvre.
• “Being nice” and giving priority when you shouldn’t, creating confusion and risk.
• Forgetting that flashing yellow/orange means the lights are out of service and you must follow signs/markings/rules.

FAQ

Relevant Dutch law (high-level references)

• RVV 1990: priority to the right at uncontrolled junctions (Art. 15).
• RVV 1990: yield markings / shark teeth (Art. 80).
• RVV 1990: signs/lights override default rules (Art. 62–63).