Dutch priority and giving way rules explained clearly

Know these two terms first

Many mistakes happen because priority and giving way are treated as the same thing.

Voorrang verlenen, giving priority: This concerns drivers in relation to other drivers. Under Dutch traffic rules, a driver is any road user except a pedestrian.
Voor laten gaan, letting someone go first: This is broader. It can also concern pedestrians, passengers and other road users.

1. First check who or what controls the traffic

Do not begin with the rule about traffic from the right. Follow this order and stop as soon as something controls the situation.

A direction from an authorised police officer or traffic controller comes first.
A traffic light takes precedence over signs that control priority.
Priority signs and shark teeth markings take precedence over the ordinary traffic rule.
Use the ordinary traffic rule only when nothing else controls priority.

Direction, light, sign, rule. Always in that order.

RVV articles 63, 64, 80 and 84

RVV 1990, appendix 2: signals

Four separate steps: direction from an authorised person, an active red traffic light, sign B6 and then an equal intersection with clear travel directions — Use this order and stop as soon as a step controls the situation: direction, active traffic light, road sign and only then the ordinary rule. In card 4, orange approaches from the right of blue. Orange goes first and blue waits before the red line.

Traffic controller with one arm straight up — **1. General stop signal**One arm straight up. All traffic approaching the controller stops.Example: You approach a junction. The controller raises one arm straight up. You stop at the line, even on green.

Junction from above: red cars stop, grey cars carefully go on — **1. General stop signal**One arm straight up. All traffic approaching the controller stops.Example: You approach a junction. The controller raises one arm straight up. You stop at the line, even on green.

Traffic controller with his left arm sideways — **2. Stop for traffic from the front**One arm sideways. Traffic from the front stops. Other traffic may carefully go on.Example: You are the red car, driving towards the front of the controller. You stop at the line.

Traffic controller with his right arm sideways — **3. Stop for traffic from behind**The other arm sideways. Traffic from behind stops. Other traffic may carefully go on.Example: You are the red car, approaching the controller's back. You stop at the line.

Traffic controller with both arms sideways — **4. Stop for traffic from front and behind**Both arms sideways. Traffic from front and behind stops. Traffic from left and right may drive.Example: You are one of the red cars. You stop. The grey cars drive on.

Traffic controller side-on, right arm straight forward — **5. Stop for traffic from the right**He stretches his right arm straight forward, across the lane of traffic coming from his right. That traffic stops. Other traffic may carefully go on.Example: You are the red car, coming from the controller's right. His arm is across your lane. You stop at the line.

Traffic controller with one arm up, hand turned sideways — **6. Clear the junction**Arm up, hand turned sideways. Traffic from left and right stops. Traffic from front and behind carefully drives on and clears the junction.Example: You are a red car coming from the side. You stop. Traffic on the junction leaves first.

Traffic controller side-on, outstretched arm moving up and down — **7. Slow down**An outstretched arm moves slowly up and down. Approaching traffic slows down.Example: You are the orange car. The arm moves up and down. You slow down and pay attention.

School crossing warden holding up the round sign F10 — **8. Warden with sign F10**A school crossing warden holds up sign F10. Anyone approaching him from the front stops.Example: Near a school, you are the red car. The warden holds up the round sign. You stop and let the children cross.

2. An uncontrolled intersection

Are there no lights, priority signs or shark teeth markings? The intersection is normally an equal intersection.

Drivers give priority to drivers approaching from their right.
A driver on an unpaved road gives priority to drivers on a paved road.
When only the ordinary rules apply, drivers give priority to a tram.
A pedestrian is not a driver and does not automatically receive priority just because they approach from the right.

The tram rule and the unpaved road rule are exceptions to traffic from the right goes first.

RVV article 15

The orange car approaches from the blue car’s right, so the orange car goes first.

1. Orange goes first2. Blue waitsView the diagram full size

3. Priority signs and shark teeth markings

Signs and road markings show which road has priority. Check the sign and marking that apply to your direction.

B1 means you are driving on a priority road.
B6 means you give priority to drivers on the crossing road.
B7 means you stop first and then give priority to drivers on the crossing road.
Shark teeth markings on their own also mean that drivers give priority to drivers on the crossing road.

Shark teeth control priority between drivers. Another rule can still require you to let a pedestrian go first.

RVV articles 63 and 80, annex 1 signs B1, B6 and B7

B1 priority road, B6 give priority and B7 stop and give priority.

View the diagram full size

4. Turning: traffic continuing on the same road goes first

When you turn, let traffic continuing on the same road go first. This may be a car, cyclist or pedestrian.

Check beside you and close behind you. A cyclist continuing straight may be in your blind spot.
If you turn left while an oncoming driver turns right at the same intersection, the short turn goes before the long turn.
These two turning rules do not apply to a tram. Always check whether lights, signs or directions decide something else.

If you leave your line while the other road user continues on the same road, you wait.

RVV article 18

The cyclist continues on the same road. The turning car waits.

1. Cyclist goes first2. Car waitsView the diagram full size

Car turns right across a separated red cycle path while a cyclist continues straight — The cyclist continues straight on the same road. The turning car lets the cyclist go first.

5. Pedestrians and zebra crossings

A pedestrian is a road user, but not a driver. You therefore need to identify the rule that protects the pedestrian.

At a zebra crossing, let pedestrians and users of disability vehicles go first when they are crossing or clearly about to cross.
Always let a blind person with a white cane with red rings, or a person who is visibly having difficulty walking, go first. A zebra crossing is not required.
When turning, let traffic continuing on the same road go first. This also applies to a pedestrian following that road.
The zebra crossing rule does not apply when the pedestrian has a red pedestrian light or the applicable flashing yellow light. You must still drive safely.

A pedestrian has no priority from the right. Find the specific rule that applies.

RVV articles 18 and 49

The pedestrian is clearly about to cross. The car stops and lets the pedestrian go first.

1. Pedestrian crosses2. Car waitsView the diagram full size

Pedestrian waits at a zebra crossing while a car approaches the crossing — A pedestrian who clearly intends to cross at a zebra crossing goes first. Slow down early and stop before the crossing.

6. Situations you need to know separately

These rules do not all fit one intersection, but they appear regularly in theory questions.

A driver performing a special manoeuvre, such as moving off, reversing, making a U turn, changing lanes or leaving an exit, lets all other traffic go first.
All road users let a priority vehicle using the required blue flashing lights and siren go first.
Inside a built up area, drivers give a bus the opportunity to leave a bus stop when its driver indicates.
When passing a stationary tram or bus on the side where passengers board or leave, give those passengers the opportunity to do so safely.

During a special manoeuvre the rule is simple: you wait for all other traffic.

RVV articles 50, 52, 54 and 56

Blue car waits fully inside a parking bay before reversing onto the carriageway while the orange car continues straight — **Special manoeuvre: you wait**The blue car intends to reverse onto the carriageway and stops before the red line. The orange car continues straight first.

Cars move separately left and right to make room for a priority vehicle using blue lights — **Priority vehicle: make room safely**The priority vehicle travels forward. The other cars move independently to their side and leave its route clear.

Bus signals to leave a stop while the blue car waits behind the red line — **Bus leaves a stop inside a built-up area**The bus signals and moves from the stop into the lane. The blue car gives it the opportunity to leave.

Two passengers leave the left side of a stationary tram and cross the blue car’s lane towards the pavement — **Passengers leave on your side**The tram is stationary in the road. The passengers leave on the blue car’s side and cross its lane. The blue car stops before the red line and waits.

7. Know all seven priority signs

The B signs decide who goes first at a junction. Also read the shark teeth facing your direction.

B1 starts a priority road and B2 ends it. B3, B4 and B5 give priority at the next junction.
At B6, give priority. At B7, stop completely and then give priority.
Shark teeth tell drivers to give priority to drivers on the crossing road. They do not independently give priority to a pedestrian.

B6 means wait when needed. B7 always means stop completely first.

The seven official priority signs with codes B1 to B7 directly below each sign — **The seven priority signs and their codes**B1 and B2 mark the start and end of a priority road. B3, B4 and B5 control the next junction. B6 means give priority. B7 means stop completely and then give priority.

8. Read the controls at a roundabout

A circular shape does not give priority. Read sign D1, sign B6 and the shark teeth separately.

D1 requires you to follow the indicated direction around the roundabout. It does not give priority.
B6 and shark teeth require you to give priority to drivers on the crossing road.
When B6 and shark teeth face the entrance, traffic entering lets traffic already on the roundabout go first.

D1 controls direction. B6 and shark teeth control priority.

Official roundabout signs D1 and B6 beside shark teeth — D1 sets the mandatory direction. B6 and the shark teeth require you to give priority.

9. Leaving an exit

A recognisable exit often has a continuing pavement, cycle path or lowered exit construction.

A driver leaving an exit performs a special manoeuvre.
Therefore let every other road user go first, including pedestrians and cyclists on the continuing path.
Stop before the pavement and cycle path when you cannot yet see them completely.

Moving from private property onto the road? Wait for everyone.

RVV article 54

Car waits at an exit while a pedestrian and cyclist use the continuing path — The car remains fully on the exit. The pedestrian and cyclist use the continuing route and go first.

10. Funeral procession and military convoy

Recognise both groups by their legally prescribed flags. New recognition markings for military convoys have applied since 1 January 2025.

Every vehicle in a funeral procession carries two black triangular flags, one on each side. Each flag has a white retroreflective border and three white retroreflective stripes.
The first military vehicle carries one blue flag at the left front. Intermediate vehicles may optionally carry one blue flag at the left front. The last vehicle carries one green flag at the left front.
Every military-convoy vehicle uses at least dipped headlights by day and night. Blue and green headlamp filters have not been required since 1 January 2025.
Do not drive between the vehicles after the procession or convoy has started passing. The first vehicle follows ordinary priority rules.
If a military convoy starts passing at green, it may continue when the light changes. This does not apply to a funeral procession.

Has the procession or convoy started passing? Do not cut through it.

RVV articles 16, 30c and 68(4); Military Convoy Recognition Markings Regulation; Motor-Vehicle Funeral Procession Recognition Marking Decree

Official military-convoy regulation from 2025 Official funeral-procession recognition marking

Current diagram of a funeral procession and the two permitted flag variants for a military convoy — Funeral procession: two black flags per vehicle. Military since 2025: blue at the left front of the first vehicle, green at the left front of the last and optional blue at the left front of intermediate vehicles.

Dutch funeral procession with two black triangular recognition flags on every vehicle — **Funeral procession: two black flags on every vehicle**Each vehicle carries black triangular flags on the left and right, with a white reflective border and three white stripes.

Military convoy with a blue flag at the left front of the first vehicle and a green flag at the left front of the last vehicle — **Military convoy: blue at the front, green at the rear**The first vehicle carries blue at the left front, the middle vehicle need not carry a flag and the last vehicle carries green at the left front. Every vehicle uses dipped headlights.

What to remember before the exam

If you can explain these rules without help, you understand the core of this topic.

First directions, then traffic lights, then signs, then the ordinary rule.
At an equal intersection, drivers approaching from the right receive priority.
Unpaved gives way to paved, and drivers give priority to a tram when only the ordinary rules apply.
Turning traffic lets traffic continuing on the same road go first.
A special manoeuvre means you let all other traffic go first.
For pedestrians, look for a zebra crossing, a turning situation, a disability or another specific rule.

Check yourself

Think first. Then open the answer.

1You reach an equal intersection. A car approaches from the right. Who goes first?

The car from the right. No higher sign or exception replaces the ordinary rule.

2You turn right. A cyclist beside you continues straight on the same road. Who goes first?

The cyclist. Turning traffic lets traffic continuing on the same road go first.

3Do shark teeth markings by themselves give a pedestrian priority?

No. Shark teeth control priority between drivers. Another rule, such as turning or a zebra crossing, may still require you to let the pedestrian go first.

4A tram approaches from the left at an equal intersection. There are no lights or signs. Who goes first?

The tram. When only the ordinary traffic rules apply, drivers give priority to the tram.

Official sources

This explanation was written using the official CBR topics and the current Dutch Traffic Rules and Signs Regulations 1990.

CBR: theory exam topics Overheid.nl: RVV 1990 Overheid.nl: Dutch Road Traffic Act Overheid.nl: Vehicle Regulations Overheid.nl: Driving Licence Regulations

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