Dutch Priority Rules Explained: Who Goes First?

Priority (voorrang) is one of the biggest topics on the CBR theory exam, and one of the biggest sources of confusion for people who learned to drive abroad. The Dutch system is simple once you know the order in which the rules apply.

The golden rule: traffic from the right goes first

At an intersection with no signs, markings or traffic lights, traffic coming from your right has priority. This applies to every road user, including cyclists and mopeds. In many Dutch residential streets this is the rule you will actually use.

Signs and markings override the default rule

When signs or markings are present, they replace the right-hand rule:

• Orange diamond sign: you are on a priority road. Traffic from the side must give way to you. The same sign with a black diagonal bar means the priority road ends, and the right-hand rule applies again.
• Shark teeth (haaientanden): a row of white triangles pointing at you. You must give way to crossing traffic.
• Give way sign: a red-bordered triangle pointing downwards. Give way to traffic on the road you are joining.
• Stop sign: a red octagon. Stop completely at the line, even if the road looks empty, and give way to all traffic.

Look at the road surface as well as the signs. Shark teeth painted on the road count even if you did not spot a sign.

When you must always give way

You must give way to everyone on the road if you:

• come out of a driveway, car park, petrol station or similar exit
• join the road from an unpaved path or a footpath

You must also give way to pedestrians who are on or about to step onto a zebra crossing.

Turning rules

Turning is where many exam candidates lose points:

• Turning left: give way to oncoming traffic that is going straight on or turning right.
• Turning across cyclists: if you turn right or left across a cycle path or lane, give way to cyclists and mopeds going straight on. Check your mirrors and blind spot first. This is covered in more detail in our guide to driving around cyclists.
• Pedestrians: when you turn into a road, give way to pedestrians crossing that road.

Trams and emergency vehicles

• In most situations you should give way to trams, even when they come from the left. Look for signs that say otherwise.
• When an emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights approaches, make room and let it through. You may need to cross a line or stop in a spot you normally wouldn’t, as long as you do it safely.

The order of authority

When different instructions conflict, follow this order:

1. A police officer or traffic controller giving signals
2. Traffic lights
3. Traffic signs
4. Road markings
5. The general rules, such as priority from the right

If the traffic lights are out of order, you fall back to the signs and markings, or to the right-hand rule if there are none.

Exam tips

• Look at every part of the image: signs, road markings and vehicle positions all matter.
• Ask yourself first whether any sign or marking applies. If not, use the right-hand rule.
• Remember that cyclists and mopeds count as traffic from the right too.

Roundabouts have their own priority rules, covered in how roundabouts work in the Netherlands. To practise exam-style priority questions, head to Passing Theory.

Frequently asked questions

Who has priority at an unmarked intersection in the Netherlands?

Traffic coming from your right has priority at an unmarked intersection. This applies to cars, cyclists, mopeds and other vehicles.

What do shark teeth mean on the road?

A row of white triangles (shark teeth) painted on the road means you must give way to crossing traffic.

What does the orange diamond sign mean?

The orange diamond with a white border means you are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you. The same sign with a black diagonal bar means the priority road ends.

Do cyclists have priority over turning cars?

Yes. If you turn across a cycle path or cycle lane, you must give way to cyclists and moped riders who are going straight ahead.