Priority roadFrance
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. 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.
28. Priority road
A priority road is a road whose traffic is given priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads. It is normally identified by a priority-road sign, while an end sign indicates where that continuing priority status stops.
Drivers on a priority road must still obey traffic lights, authorised officers, speed limits, crossings and turning rules. Having priority never allows a driver to proceed when doing so would create danger or block an intersection.
Wikimedia.org • F123 • CC BY-SA
How does priority-road status work in France?
France uses route à caractère prioritaire for a road with continuing signed priority. This is different from a sign giving priority only at the next junction; read any supplementary route diagram.
🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25, R415-5–7; 1967 order AB2/AB6/AB7 and M7
Start of a priority road.
English • Traffic sign AB6 • Indication that a road has priority.
Français • Panneau AB6 • Indication du caractère prioritaire d'une route.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967
© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2007-09-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.
End of the priority road.
English • Traffic sign AB7 • End of a road's priority status.
Français • Panneau AB7 • Fin du caractère prioritaire d'une route.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967
© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2007-09-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.
How can you tell where a priority road applies in France?
Read the priority-road sign, the corresponding end indication and any supplementary junction diagram. Distinguish a continuing road designation from a sign that regulates only one junction. If a diagram shows the priority route turning, follow that diagram rather than assuming the straight-ahead road has priority.
🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25, R415-5–7; 1967 order AB2/AB6/AB7 and M7
Does having road priority let you ignore other controls in France?
No. Obey the applicable traffic signals and authorised directions, speed limits and crossing rules. Turning or changing lanes can require yielding, and having priority never permits entering a conflict that cannot be crossed safely.
🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R411-25, R415-5–7; 1967 order AB2/AB6/AB7 and M7

Traffic rules
France