Right of Way Rules in the Netherlands

Right of way (voorrang) is the single biggest source of mistakes on the CBR theory exam. The rules are not hard, but they're different from many other countries — especially when cyclists are involved.

The default: right has priority

At any equal intersection without signs or markings, you give way to traffic coming from your right. This applies to all vehicles, including cyclists and mopeds on the road.

Priority roads override the default

A yellow diamond sign means you're on a priority road — other traffic must yield to you. The same sign with a black bar through it means the priority ends.

Shark teeth: you must yield

Triangles painted on the road pointing at you mean give way — even if there's no sign. They're often used at the entry to roundabouts and side streets.

Cyclists and mopeds

• Cyclists on a bike path crossing your road have priority if the bike path is part of a priority road or if shark teeth point at you.
• When you turn (left or right) across a bike lane, you almost always yield to cyclists going straight.
• Mopeds on the road follow the same priority rules as cars.

Emergency vehicles

Police, fire and ambulance using sirens AND blue lights always have priority. Make space — pull right if possible, never block an intersection.

Trams

Trams almost always have priority, except where road signs say otherwise. When in doubt, let the tram go.