Vorfahrt, Verkehrsregelung - Right of Way and Traffic Control
Right of way questions are where category T candidates lose the most marks, because the machine's size tempts you to assume priority. The rules are identical to those for cars; only the way you execute them differs.
The priority ladder
- Police officers directing traffic override everything.
- Traffic lights override signs.
- Traffic signs and markings override the general rules.
- General rule: at junctions without signs or lights, right before left (rechts vor links).
Signs and situations you must know
- Zeichen 205 (Vorfahrt gewähren) and Zeichen 206 (Stop) place you behind cross traffic; 206 also requires a full stop at the line.
- Zeichen 306 (Vorfahrtstraße) gives priority only along the marked road; where the priority road bends (abknickende Vorfahrt), you must indicate when you follow or leave the bend.
- Zeichen 215 (roundabout): traffic already in the roundabout has priority, but only where this sign is present.
- Leaving a field, forest track or yard: § 10 StVO - you must wait for every road user, signal clearly, and if visibility is blocked use a second person to guide you out. You have no priority even if you arrive from the right.
- Turning left with a trailer: you need the full width and much more time. Wait until the oncoming lane is genuinely clear; do not begin the turn and then block it.
- Rail crossings: approach at a speed that lets you stop; never stop on the crossing, and remember a long combination clears it far later than the tractor.
Worked example
You approach a T-junction on a priority road marked by Zeichen 306, where the priority road bends to the left and you intend to continue straight ahead. Correct behaviour: indicate right, brake early, and yield to traffic coming from the left along the bending priority road. Reasoning: you are leaving the priority road, so you lose priority at that point; the indicator tells the other driver what you intend, and early braking gives the following traffic time to react to a heavy vehicle.
Traps that cost marks
- Believing vehicle size, a yellow beacon or slow speed creates priority.
- Missing that priority follows the bend and not the straight-ahead direction.
- Treating a field exit as a normal junction and applying right before left.
- Forgetting that a long trailer is still on the junction when you think you have cleared it.