Give wayNetherlands

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


15. Give way

A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed before entering, crossing or joining a road. Drivers must reduce speed, observe approaching traffic and stop when necessary.

Unlike a stop sign, a give-way sign does not always require a complete stop. The driver may continue without stopping only when the route is clearly safe and no road user with priority is forced to change speed or direction.

Give way
A give way sign at a path for cyclists. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Wikimedia.org • Mark_Ahsmann • CC0
What does giving way mean in the Netherlands?

Dutch wording is verleen voorrang, meaning give priority. The give-way sign and shark’s-teeth markings require yielding to drivers on the intersecting road; turning and pedestrian rules remain separate.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 15, 18, 49, 79–80; Annex 1 B6/B7

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

Give way. Give way.

English • Traffic sign B6 • Give way to drivers on the intersecting road.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B6 • Verleen voorrang aan bestuurders op de kruisende weg.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990, bijlage 1

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
SVG version by Bouwe Brouwer • Public domain • Source revision 2013-04-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must you always stop when giving way in the Netherlands?

No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 15, 18, 49, 79–80; Annex 1 B6/B7

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

What should you check before proceeding after giving way in the Netherlands?

Check the intersecting road’s drivers and any separate cycle crossing. Shark’s-teeth markings regulate priority towards drivers; duties towards pedestrians follow the separate crossing and turning rules. Do not treat one sign as a complete answer for every road user.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 15, 18, 49, 79–80; Annex 1 B6/B7

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ...