Priority: Right of Way and Intersections
The default rule: right before left
At intersections without priority signs, the rule is right before left: you must give way to vehicles approaching from your right. This applies at junctions of equal-rank roads. It does not apply when leaving a property, a petrol station, a parking area or a field path - there you must give way to everyone. It also does not apply when turning left: you must let oncoming traffic pass. A useful mental checklist is: signs first, then the right-before-left default, then turning rules.
Signs and signals that override the default
Priority signs beat the right-before-left rule. A triangular warning sign with a bold arrow (intersection with priority road) tells you that you have priority at the next junction. The round sign with a red border and a black cross means you must give way to the right. The inverted triangle (give way) and the octagon (stop) require you to yield to traffic on the priority road. Traffic lights and police signals outrank all signs. At a roundabout marked with give-way signs, entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating.
Turning, changing lanes and reversing
When turning left, give way to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians crossing the road you enter. When turning right, watch for cyclists continuing straight on your right and for pedestrians at the crossing. When changing lanes or reversing, you must not obstruct others; reversing is generally prohibited on motorways and where visibility is inadequate.
Worked example
You approach an unmarked crossroads and want to turn left. A car comes from the opposite direction going straight, and a cyclist approaches from your right. You must yield to the cyclist (right before left) and to the oncoming car (left-turn rule). Only when both have passed may you turn. Trap: candidates often yield only to the oncoming car and forget the cyclist.
Traps in exam questions
Do not apply right-before-left when signs or lights exist. Remember that trams generally have priority, and that leaving a driveway always means yielding to all traffic.