Traffic signs and directions

1. Always use the same order

When instructions appear to conflict, the higher rule decides.

• Directions from authorised people take precedence over lights, signs and ordinary rules.
• Traffic lights take precedence over signs that control priority.
• Traffic signs take precedence over ordinary traffic rules when they conflict.

RVV articles 63, 64 and 84

2. Recognise the road-sign groups

First learn what shape and colour do, then remember the specific symbol.

• Round signs usually give an order or prohibition. A red border often shows what is not allowed.
• Triangular signs usually warn of danger. Priority signs have distinctive shapes.
• Blue rectangular signs often provide information, a facility or a special-road rule.

RVV annex 1

3. Lights, arrows and lines

Read only what applies to your lane and direction.

• Red means stop. Green allows passage only when you can clear the junction safely.
• Yellow means stop unless you are too close to stop safely.
• Arrows, bus lanes, cycle lanes, shark teeth and solid lines each have a specific meaning.

RVV articles 68 to 81

4. Temporary signs and matrix signals

Road works and current conditions can temporarily change the normal layout.

• Follow temporary yellow lines instead of normal white lines.
• A red cross over a lane means you must not use that lane.
• A lower speed on a matrix sign is the maximum that applies at that time.

RVV articles 62, 63a, 63b, 73 and 78

5. Learn every official road sign by group

Annex 1 of RVV groups road signs by letter. The letter helps identify the subject; shape, colour and symbol identify the exact sign.

• A covers speed, such as A1 for a maximum speed. B covers priority, such as B6 for giving priority. C covers road closures, such as C1 for a road closed in both directions.
• D shows mandatory directions, such as D1 at a roundabout. E controls parking and stopping, such as E1 for no parking. F contains other orders and prohibitions, such as F7 for no U-turn.
• G covers special roads, H built-up areas, J warnings, K directions and L information. There is no group I in the official RVV sign list.

7. Traffic lights for different road users

Look at the shape and symbol. Not every signal applies to every vehicle.

• A bicycle signal applies to cyclists and designated users. A bus or tram signal applies to that traffic flow.
• A green arrow applies only in its direction. Other traffic may have green at the same time.
• When a signal fails, follow signs, markings and ordinary rules unless an authorised person gives directions.

8. Read the complete road marking

Signs take precedence over recognition markings. Then read colour, shape and which side applies to you.

• Do not cross a solid centre line on your side. Cross a broken line only when safe.
• Block markings identify acceleration and exit lanes. Driving right of block markings is a situation where overtaking on the right may be permitted.
• Shark teeth require drivers to give priority to drivers on the crossing road. They do not independently give a pedestrian priority.
• Outside built-up areas, double white centre lines with green between often identify 100 km/h and double white without green 80 km/h. No centre line often identifies 60 km/h, but signs remain decisive.
• Temporary yellow lines at roadworks take precedence over normal white lines.

RVV articles 63a and 76 to 81