Give way to oncoming trafficNetherlands
Traffic rules
Netherlands
1. 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.
When must I give way to oncoming traffic in Netherlands?
Where priority signs, temporary signals or an authorised controller in Netherlands require your direction to yield at a narrow road or bridge, allow opposing traffic through first. Do not assume every narrowing has the same priority arrangement.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19, 62; Annex 1 F5/F6
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.
English • Traffic sign F5 • Drivers must not proceed when traffic approaches from the opposite direction.
Nederlands • Verkeersbord F5 • Verbod voor bestuurders door te gaan bij nadering van verkeer uit tegengestelde richting.
Does a road-narrows warning automatically give oncoming traffic priority in Netherlands?
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.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19, 62; Annex 1 F5/F6
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
What if an oncoming vehicle is already entering a narrow passage in Netherlands?
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.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19, 62; Annex 1 F5/F6
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
