Right of way and intersection behaviour
Right-of-way questions test whether you can establish who must yield before you reach the conflict point, not who arrives first. Norwegian rules combine the right-hand rule, sign priority and special rules for turns, roundabouts and exiting premises.
Basic hierarchy
- Traffic signs and signals override the default right-hand rule.
- At an unmarked intersection with equal priority, yield to traffic approaching from your right.
- Turning left, yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians crossing the road you enter.
- Entering a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating unless signs say otherwise.
- Leaving a driveway, car park, petrol station or property, yield to all traffic already on the road.
- In built-up areas, yield to a bus signalling departure from a stop.
Worked example
You want to turn left at an unmarked crossroads. A car approaches from ahead and a cyclist approaches from your right. The cyclist has right-hand priority, so you wait. The oncoming car also has priority over your turn. Only when both paths are clear do you turn, checking the pedestrian crossing as you enter.
Traps
The right-hand rule does not apply where signs or signals give a different order. Do not enter a roundabout just because you signal. Do not assume a driver waving you on has authority to give away another road user’s priority. Check blind spots and cyclists before turning, especially at low speed.