Right of Way - DGT theory chapter with practice test

Driving Manual · Theory

Chapter 5 - Right of Way

Priority, or right of way, means the legal right of a driver or pedestrian to proceed first when their path intersects with others. Understanding these rules is crucial for avoiding collisions and ensuring safe, smooth traffic flow - at intersections, narrow roads, pedestrian areas, and around special vehicles like emergency services.

5.1 General Principles

When two or more road users' paths intersect, the one with the right of way has legal permission to go first. If priority is not explicitly regulated through traffic signs or agents, drivers must rely on general traffic rules to determine who yields.

5.1.1 Determining Priority

First, follow any signals or signs - such as stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights, and agents' instructions.
If there is no signage or regulation, apply the general right-of-way rules.

Reference panel showing the most common priority-regulating signs: Stop, Yield/Give Way, traffic light, and police agent hand signals side by side — The four main priority regulators: Stop sign, Yield/Give Way sign, traffic lights, and police agent hand signals.

5.2 Intersections

5.2.1 Right-Hand Rule

At intersections without traffic signs or signals, drivers must yield to vehicles approaching from their right-hand side. This is known as the "right-hand rule."

Top-down diagram of a 4-way uncontrolled intersection with two cars approaching, arrows showing who yields to whom under the right-hand rule — Right-hand rule: at uncontrolled intersections, yield to the vehicle coming from your right.

5.2.2 Exceptions to the Right-Hand Rule

Vehicles on paved roads have priority over vehicles coming from unpaved roads.
Vehicles already circulating within a roundabout have priority over those entering it.
Vehicles travelling on motorways or expressways have priority over those attempting to merge.
Rail vehicles (such as trams and trains) always have the right of way over all other users.

Top-down diagram of a roundabout showing a car inside with priority over a car entering from an on-ramp — Roundabout: vehicles already inside have priority over those entering.

Diagram of an on-ramp merging onto a motorway showing the merging car yielding to traffic already on the main road — Motorway merge: the merging car yields to traffic already on the road.

Illustration of a tram at an intersection with a car, highlighting that the rail vehicle always has priority — Trams and trains always have priority over other road users.

5.2.3 Do Not Block Intersections

Regardless of whether you have priority, do not enter an intersection unless you are sure you can clear it completely.
Do not stop on pedestrian crossings or inside the intersection due to traffic congestion.

Warning-style diagram showing a car stuck in the middle of an intersection due to congestion, blocking cross-traffic — Never enter an intersection you cannot fully clear - blocking cross-traffic is prohibited.

5.3 Narrow Roads and Constrictions

5.3.1 Who Goes First?

If a narrowing is not signposted, the vehicle that entered the narrowed section first has priority.
If unclear who entered first, yield to the vehicle with the most difficulty in manoeuvring.

Top-down view of a road narrowing due to road works with two vehicles approaching from opposite sides, indicating who has priority — Narrow road or constriction: the vehicle that entered first has priority; otherwise yield to the least manoeuvrable.

5.3.2 Priority by Vehicle Type

In case of doubt, priority is based on the type and characteristics of the vehicle. The following order applies (from highest to lowest priority):

Oversized special transport vehicles
Vehicle combinations (except passenger cars with light trailers)
Animal-drawn vehicles
Passenger cars with light trailers
Passenger transport vehicles (buses)
Trucks, tractor-trailers, and vans
Special vehicles, quadricycles
Three-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles with sidecars, and mopeds with three wheels
Two-wheeled motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles

Visual priority ladder or pyramid showing all 9 vehicle types ranked from highest priority at the top (oversized special transport) to lowest (bicycles) with icons for each — Vehicle priority hierarchy at constrictions: oversized transport ranks first, bicycles rank last.

5.3.3 Steep Slopes

On roads with steep inclines (greater than or equal to 7%), the vehicle travelling uphill has priority - unless a passing area is closer to the descending vehicle.

Side-view diagram of a steep narrow road with two cars facing each other, an arrow showing the uphill car has priority and a note about passing areas — Steep slopes (≥7%): the ascending vehicle has priority, unless a passing area is closer to the descending one.

5.4 Priority for Vulnerable Road Users

5.4.1 Cyclists

Drivers must yield to cyclists in the following situations:

When crossing a cycle lane, shoulder, or bicycle crossing.
When turning and intersecting with a cyclist's path.
When a group of cyclists begins to cross an intersection or roundabout - treat the group as a single unit.

Top-down diagram of a car turning right at an intersection while a cyclist travels straight on a cycle lane, showing the driver must yield — Turning drivers must yield to cyclists on cycle lanes or bicycle crossings.

Illustration of a group of cyclists entering an intersection as one unit, with a note that the whole group is treated as a single vehicle — A group of cyclists crossing counts as a single unit - wait for the whole group to pass.

5.4.2 Pedestrians

Drivers must yield to pedestrians:

At marked pedestrian crossings.
When turning into another road if pedestrians are already crossing.
When pedestrians are walking on the shoulder due to lack of sidewalks.
When they are boarding or alighting from a bus, between the vehicle and the sidewalk.
When they are part of an organised group (e.g., schoolchildren, troops, processions).

Top-down diagram of a car turning into a road where pedestrians are already crossing at a marked zebra crossing, driver must yield — Turning into a road: yield to pedestrians already crossing at a zebra crossing.

Illustration of a bus stopped at a stop with a passenger stepping down between the bus and the pavement while a car approaches and must yield — Bus stop: yield to passengers boarding or alighting between the bus and the pavement.

Depiction of schoolchildren or a marching troop crossing the road while a car waits, indicating drivers must yield to the whole group — Organised groups (school trips, processions): yield until the entire group has crossed.

5.4.3 Animals

Drivers must yield to animals:

At signed livestock trails or crossings.
When turning and animals are crossing the road.
When animals are walking on the shoulder in the absence of a marked livestock route.

Diagram of a livestock crossing sign and animals on the road with a car stopped and yielding — Yield to animals at signed livestock crossings or when they cross the road.

5.5 Emergency and Priority Vehicles

5.5.1 Priority Vehicles

The following are considered priority vehicles when on emergency duty:

Police (blue flashing light)
Fire brigade
Ambulances
Civil protection and road assistance (yellow flashing light)

They must use both an acoustic signal (siren) and flashing light to be recognised as priority vehicles. In such cases, they have the right to ignore certain traffic rules and have priority over other users - except when contradicting traffic agents' orders.

Illustration comparing a police/ambulance/fire vehicle with a blue flashing light and siren versus a road-assistance vehicle with a yellow flashing light, making the colour distinction clear — Blue light + siren: police, ambulance, fire brigade. Yellow light: civil protection and road assistance.

5.5.2 Tow Trucks and Road Assistance

Roadside assistance vehicles (tow trucks) have the right to stop or park temporarily on urban roads to assist broken-down or crashed vehicles - provided they do not cause further danger or block traffic.

5.5.3 Non-Priority Vehicles on Emergency Duty

These vehicles must still obey traffic regulations and may use warning signals (horn, emergency lights, or hand signals) to alert others of urgency.

5.5.4 How to React as a Driver

Yield the lane by moving to the right.
Stop if necessary to allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
Never block intersections when an emergency vehicle approaches.

Top-down street view showing cars pulling to the right and stopping to create a clear lane for an ambulance passing through traffic — When an emergency vehicle approaches: pull right and stop to create a clear lane.

5.6 Summary of Priority Situations

Situation	Who to yield to
At uncontrolled intersections	Vehicles on your right
Entering a roundabout	Vehicles already inside
Joining a motorway or expressway	Vehicles already on the road
On narrow roads	Vehicles with limited manoeuvrability or those going uphill
Vulnerable users	Always yield to cyclists, pedestrians, and animals
Emergency vehicles	Yield when they use both sound and light signals

Visual infographic summarising the 6 priority situations with small icons: intersection, roundabout, motorway, narrow road, pedestrian/cyclist/animal, ambulance — Quick-reference: the six priority situations and who to yield to in each.

Note: Failing to yield as required can result in fines, penalty points on your licence, and serious accidents.

Ready to test your knowledge?

Practice questions covering everything in Chapter 5 - Right of Way.

Practice Chapter 5 →

Last updated: 2026-06-27

Practice the questions for this chapter

The theory is free to read. Create a free account to practice official-format questions and track your progress.

Create a free account See pricing

← Previous

Manoeuvres

Transport of People and Goods