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Give way to oncoming trafficCzechia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Czechia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Czechia

24. Give way to oncoming traffic

Give way to oncoming traffic means that drivers must allow vehicles approaching from the opposite direction to pass first through a narrow section of road. The rule is normally indicated by a sign facing the direction that must yield and a corresponding priority sign facing oncoming traffic.

Drivers must reduce speed and stop when necessary before entering the narrow passage. They may continue only when they can do so safely and without obstructing oncoming traffic that has priority.

Give way to oncoming traffic
Give way to oncoming traffic at Stádlec Bridge. (Czechia)
Wikimedia.org • ŠJů • CC BY-SA
When must I give way to oncoming traffic in Czechia?

Where Czech priority signs require traffic on your side to give way to opposing vehicles, wait for the narrow part to become clear. A general road-narrowing warning does not by itself specify which direction goes first.

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Road Traffic Act 361/2000 — sections 4, 18, 20; Decree Annex 2 P7–P8

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Decree 294/2015 — current sign and marking descriptions, annexes 1–10

Does a road-narrows warning automatically give oncoming traffic priority in Czechia?

Not necessarily. A warning of a narrow carriageway is not itself the same as an instruction to give way. Check whether there is a separate priority sign, signal or temporary traffic control, and take account of any rules for an obstruction on your side.

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Road Traffic Act 361/2000 — sections 4, 18, 20; Decree Annex 2 P7–P8

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Decree 294/2015 — current sign and marking descriptions, annexes 1–10

What if an oncoming vehicle is already entering a narrow passage in Czechia?

Reduce speed and wait where you can do so safely rather than forcing two vehicles into insufficient space. Even if a sign gives your approach priority, that does not justify a collision or endangering another road user.

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Road Traffic Act 361/2000 — sections 4, 18, 20; Decree Annex 2 P7–P8

🔗 e-sbirka.gov.cz • Czechia, Decree 294/2015 — current sign and marking descriptions, annexes 1–10

1 Czechia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Advisory speed 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Pedestrian zone 12 Speed bump 13 Customs 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 School area 28 Crossing animals 29 Slippery road 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Priority at the next junction 40 Traffic lights 41 Traffic lights warning 42 Pedestrian lights 43 Road markings 44 Junction layout 45 Bike box 46 Speed feedback 47 Location marker 48 Countdown markers 49 Traffic mirror 50 Emergency telephone 51 International border 52 Pedestrian underpass 53 Cycling route 54 Parking 55 No parking 56 No stopping 57 Park and ride 58 Kiss and ride 59 Disabled parking 60 Traffic management 61 Reversing 62 Road surface 63 Provisional licence 64 Hazardous cargo 65 Runaway truck ramp 66 Tourist attraction 67 Axle weight limit 68 Licence plate 69 Charging station 70 Dangers 71 Cyclist 72 Bus 73 Police 74 Ambulance 75 Taxi 76 Police signals 77 European emission standard 78 Pothole 79 Path 80 Particulates 81 Air pollution 82 Rush hour 83 Road code 84 Train station 85 Street gutter 86 Cargo bike 87 Forestry vehicle 88 Construction vehicle 89 Semi-trailer truck 90 Trolleybus 91 Speed pedelec 92 Delivery vehicle 93 Idling 94 Tow truck 95 Four-wheel drive 96 No vehicles 97 Bicycle 98 Motorcycle equipment 99 Tram 100 Rail track ...