Right of Way
Learn how priority works at intersections, roundabouts and special traffic situations before testing your knowledge.
Clear English explanations • Dutch terminology included • 10 free questions, no account
Right of way — voorrang — determines which road user may proceed first when two paths cross. It is granted, never taken.
The answer can depend on traffic lights, signs, road markings, the direction a vehicle is travelling, the type of road and the presence of special road users such as trams and emergency services.
Because several factors can apply at once, the reliable approach is to analyse the full situation rather than relying on a single rule.
Rechts gaat voor
At an intersection where no signs, markings or lights apply, road users approaching from your right generally go first. The type of vehicle does not change this — a bicycle from the right counts the same as a car.
Voorrangsweg
A priority road is marked with the yellow diamond sign. Traffic joining from side roads must give way to you. When the sign with the black bar appears, priority ends and the ordinary rules apply again.
Voorrangskruispunt
Here priority is set by signs or shark-tooth markings at the junction itself rather than by the road category. Read the sign or the teeth on your own approach — they tell you who must yield.
Afslaand verkeer
Turning is a separate obligation from junction priority. If you turn, you normally give way to traffic continuing straight ahead, including cyclists and mopeds on a cycle path you cross.
Onverharde weg
Traffic coming from an unpaved road, such as a farm or forest track, generally gives way to traffic on the paved road, unless signs or markings say otherwise.
Bijzondere manoeuvre
Reversing, pulling away from the kerb, turning around, leaving a driveway or changing lanes are special manoeuvres. The road user performing one normally gives way to all other traffic.
Tram
Trams usually have priority at equal intersections from both the left and the right, with limited exceptions. Treat a tram as having priority unless a sign, marking or light clearly indicates otherwise.
Hulpdienst
Vehicles using blue lights and a siren must be given free passage. Make room in a way that stays safe and predictable for everyone else around you.
Voetgangers en fietsers
Pedestrians on a marked crossing and cyclists on a cycle path with priority markings must be allowed to continue. Extra care is expected around children and older pedestrians.
Rotonde
On most Dutch roundabouts, traffic already circulating has priority, shown by give-way markings at each entry. Cycle crossings around the roundabout are signed separately, so check each one rather than assuming.
Working traffic lights override signs, markings and the default rules. Check them before anything else.
Look for the priority diamond, the give-way triangle and shark teeth on your own approach.
A road user reversing, pulling away or leaving a driveway normally gives way to everyone else.
Trams and emergency services with blue lights and siren change who may proceed first.
Only once nothing above applies does the equal-intersection rule decide the outcome.
Turning traffic gives way to traffic going straight ahead, including cyclists on the cycle path.
The aim is not to memorise the list mechanically. It is to create a consistent way to inspect the full traffic situation before answering.
Voorrang
Priority / right of way
Something you receive, never something you take.
Voorrangsweg
Priority road
Yellow diamond sign; side traffic gives way.
Voorrangskruispunt
Priority intersection
Priority set by signs or markings at the junction.
Gelijkwaardige kruising
Equal intersection
No signs or lights; traffic from the right goes first.
Afslaand verkeer
Turning traffic
Gives way to traffic continuing straight on.
Bijzondere manoeuvre
Special manoeuvre
Reversing, pulling away, turning around, leaving a driveway.
Onverharde weg
Unpaved road
Traffic leaving it usually gives way to the paved road.
Hulpdienst
Emergency service
Blue lights and siren mean free passage.
Haaientanden
Shark teeth
Points aim at the road user who must yield.
Where a vehicle sits in the picture rarely decides priority. Signs, markings and lights come first in the order of checks.
A wide road is not automatically a priority road. Without the diamond sign or markings, the junction may well be an equal intersection.
If a road user is reversing or pulling away, that alone can settle the question before any other rule is considered.
Habits from elsewhere, especially around cyclists and turning traffic, frequently produce the wrong answer in Dutch situations.
Both change the outcome and both are easy to overlook when you focus only on the cars in the scene.
Scan the whole scene — cycle paths, pavements and the road behind you — before deciding who may proceed.
Priority on and around a roundabout follows the signs and markings at that specific entry and cycle crossing.
Voorrang decides which road user may proceed first when paths cross. It is determined by traffic lights, signs, road markings, the manoeuvre being performed and, only when nothing else applies, the default rules.
No. Traffic from the right applies at equal intersections where no lights, signs or markings are present. Signs, markings, special manoeuvres, trams and emergency vehicles are all checked first.
Trams usually have priority at equal intersections from both the left and the right, but there are limited exceptions, and signs, markings or traffic lights can change the situation.
On most Dutch roundabouts, traffic already circulating has priority, indicated by give-way markings at each entry. Cycle crossings around the roundabout are signed separately, so read each one.
A bijzondere manoeuvre includes reversing, pulling away from the kerb, turning around, leaving a driveway and changing lanes. The road user performing it normally gives way to all other traffic.
Generally not. Traffic leaving an unpaved road, such as a farm track, gives way to traffic on the paved road unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.
You can answer the free knowledge check on this page without an account, then try up to 10 free practice questions on the practice page before continuing into full topic rounds.
Apply what you have learned with realistic practice questions and clear explanations.