Traffic priority rules, intersections and roundabouts
What the exam tests
This domain tests who goes first when road users meet. Greek priority rules combine signs, traffic lights, road markings and default rules. The exam often presents an unsigned junction or a roundabout entry where the obvious answer is not the legal one.
Core rules
- At an intersection without signs, lights or markings, the default rule is priority to the vehicle approaching from the right. Arriving first does not create priority.
- Priority signs override the default rule. A STOP sign or give-way line means you must yield to traffic on the priority road. Traffic lights override priority signs, and a police officer overrides everything.
- When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right. When turning right, you must not cut across pedestrians or cyclists who are crossing lawfully.
- At a roundabout with a give-way line or yield sign at the entry, you yield to traffic already circulating. Enter only when there is a safe gap, and signal right when leaving. Do not stop inside the roundabout unless traffic forces you to.
- Emergency vehicles using sirens and flashing lights have priority; slow down, signal and move aside safely. At pedestrian crossings, pedestrians have priority once they are crossing or clearly waiting to cross.
Worked example
You arrive at a four-way unsigned intersection at the same time as a car on your right. You intend to go straight ahead. The other car is also going straight. Because there are no signs or lights, the default right-hand rule applies: the car on your right has priority. You must yield, even though you arrived first and even though going straight feels natural. If a police officer were directing traffic, the officer’s signal would replace this rule.
Traps
The most common error is using “I was there first” at an unsigned junction. Another is treating a roundabout as a normal junction and expecting entering traffic to have priority. An indicator does not give priority; it only communicates intention. Do not enter a junction unless you can clear it. Do not wave another driver through if doing so could confuse a third road user.