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Give way to oncoming trafficGermany

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. 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
Germany

29. 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 sign at a narrow passage. (Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Ein Dahmer • CC BY-SA
When must I give way to oncoming traffic in Germany?

German sign 208 requires drivers to give priority to approaching vehicles at a narrow section. The opposite-direction sign is 308. When 208 applies, wait before the restriction if oncoming vehicles would conflict.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,6,37; Annex 2, sign 208; Annex 3, sign 308

Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.

English • Traffic sign 208 • Priority for oncoming traffic.

Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 208 • Vorrang des Gegenverkehrs.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Andreas 06 (ursprüngliche Datei); komplett neu erstellt durch Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.

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

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.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,6,37; Annex 2, sign 208; Annex 3, sign 308

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

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.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,6,37; Annex 2, sign 208; Annex 3, sign 308

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