Priority signsUkraine

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


Priority signs

A priority sign is a traffic sign that indicates the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called 'right of way' or 'priority'. It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to 'have the right of way' or to 'have priority.'


Stop and give way. Give way. Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad. Warning for a roundabout. Priority at the junction. Priority at the junction. Priority at the junction. Warning for a staggered junction. Warning for a staggered junction. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers. Mandatory roundabout direction. Start of a priority road. End of the priority road. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way. Crossroad shape.
What should I know about priority signs in Ukraine?

2.1 means give way; 2.2 means STOP. Priority signs govern junctions or narrow road sections.

🔗 pdr.infotech.gov.ua • Road Traffic Rules — Section 33, actual sign meanings; Section 8 controls and Rule 12 safe speed

Must you always stop when giving way in Ukraine?

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.

🔗 pdr.infotech.gov.ua • Road Traffic Rules — Section 33, actual sign meanings; Section 8 controls and Rule 12 safe speed

1. Stop and give way

This traffic sign means stop and give way. You must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and give way to traffic that has priority. Proceed only when it is safe.

Stop and give way.

English • Traffic sign 2.2 • Do not proceed without stopping. Stop at the stop line or, if none exists, at the sign. Give way to traffic on the intersecting road; with a priority-road direction plate, give way to traffic on the priority road and traffic from the right on an equal-priority road.

Українська • 2.2 • Проїзд без зупинки заборонено. Зупиніться перед стоп-лінією, а за її відсутності — перед знаком. Дайте дорогу руху дорогою, що перетинається; за наявності таблички напрямку головної дороги — руху головною дорогою та праворуч рівнозначною дорогою.

2. Give way

This traffic sign means give way. Slow down and give way to traffic that has priority. Stop if necessary and proceed only when it is safe.

Give way.

English • Traffic sign 2.1 • Give way. Give priority to vehicles approaching on the priority road; a supplementary plate may clarify its direction.

Українська • 2.1 • Дати дорогу. Дайте дорогу транспортним засобам, які наближаються головною дорогою; її напрямок може уточнювати додаткова табличка.

3. Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad

This traffic sign indicates a warning for an uncontrolled crossroad. An intersection without traffic signals or signs assigning priority lies ahead. Reduce speed, watch for traffic approaching from other directions and follow the applicable local priority rules.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

English • Traffic sign 1.21 • Junction of equal-priority roads. Apply the priority rules specified in the traffic regulations.

Українська • 1.21 • Перехрещення рівнозначних доріг. Попереду перехрестя рівнозначних доріг; застосовуйте встановлені ПДР правила пріоритету.

4. Warning for a roundabout

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a roundabout. A roundabout lies ahead. Reduce speed and follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local roundabout rules when approaching and entering it.

Warning for a roundabout.
Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org

SVG source: Government of Ukraine • Public domain • Original revision 2023-04-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Priority at the junction

This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the left, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign 1.23.2 • Non-priority road joins from the left. You are travelling on the priority road.

Українська • 1.23.2 • Прилягання другорядної дороги ліворуч. Попереду зліва прилягає другорядна дорога; ви рухаєтеся головною дорогою.

6. Priority at the junction

This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the right, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign 1.23.1 • Non-priority road joins from the right. You are travelling on the priority road.

Українська • 1.23.1 • Прилягання другорядної дороги праворуч. Попереду справа прилягає другорядна дорога; ви рухаєтеся головною дорогою.

7. Priority at the junction

This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. Side roads join from the left and right, and traffic entering from those side roads must give way.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign 1.22 • Junction with a non-priority road. You are travelling on the priority road.

Українська • 1.22 • Перехрещення з другорядною дорогою. Попереду перехрестя з другорядною дорогою; ви рухаєтеся головною дорогою.

8. Warning for a staggered junction

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a staggered junction. Side roads join the main road at different points rather than directly opposite each other. Reduce speed and watch carefully for vehicles entering, leaving or crossing the main road.

Warning for a staggered junction.

English • Traffic sign 1.23.3 • Staggered non-priority roads, right then left. Minor roads join first from the right and then from the left.

Українська • 1.23.3 • Прилягання другорядних доріг; справа і зліва. Другорядні дороги прилягають спочатку справа, потім зліва.

9. Warning for a staggered junction

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a staggered junction. Side roads join the main road at different points rather than directly opposite each other. Reduce speed and watch carefully for vehicles entering, leaving or crossing the main road.

Warning for a staggered junction.

English • Traffic sign 1.23.4 • Staggered non-priority roads, left then right. Minor roads join first from the left and then from the right.

Українська • 1.23.4 • Прилягання другорядних доріг; зліва і справа. Другорядні дороги прилягають спочатку зліва, потім справа.

10. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers

This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where you must give way to oncoming traffic. Allow approaching traffic to pass before entering or continuing through the narrow section when required.

Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.

English • Traffic sign 2.5 • Priority for oncoming traffic. Do not enter the narrow section if this would impede oncoming traffic; give way to oncoming vehicles on it.

Українська • 2.5 • Перевага зустрічного руху. Не в’їжджайте на вузьку ділянку, якщо це утруднить зустрічний рух; дайте дорогу зустрічним транспортним засобам на ній.

11. Mandatory roundabout direction

This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.

Mandatory roundabout direction.
Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Government of Ukraine • Public domain • Source revision 2023-07-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. Start of a priority road

This traffic sign indicates the start of a priority road. Drivers on the priority road normally have priority over traffic entering from side roads until the priority road ends, unless traffic lights, other signs or applicable traffic rules indicate otherwise.

Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign 2.3 • Priority road. Gives priority at uncontrolled junctions.

Українська • 2.3 • Головна дорога. Надається право першочергового проїзду нерегульованих перехресть.

13. End of the priority road

This traffic sign indicates the end of the priority road. The road no longer has continuing priority at subsequent intersections. Follow the applicable traffic lights, priority signs and default priority rules.

End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign 2.4 • End of priority road. The right to priority at uncontrolled junctions ends here.

Українська • 2.4 • Кінець головної дороги. Право першочергового проїзду нерегульованих перехресть, надане знаком головної дороги, тут закінчується.

14. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way

This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where oncoming drivers have to give way.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign 2.6 • Priority over oncoming traffic. You have priority on the narrow section.

Українська • 2.6 • Перевага перед зустрічним рухом. На вузькій ділянці ви маєте перевагу перед зустрічними транспортними засобами.

15. Crossroad shape

This traffic sign shows the shape or layout of an upcoming junction. The diagram indicates how the approaching road and connecting roads are arranged.

Crossroad shape.

English • Supplementary plate 7.8 • Priority-road direction. Shows the priority road turning left at the junction; thin lines indicate minor roads. The supplementary plate clarifies the main sign and is used together with it.

Українська • 7.8 • Напрямок головної дороги. Табличка показує, що головна дорога на перехресті повертає ліворуч; тонкі лінії позначають другорядні дороги. Табличка уточнює дію основного знака і застосовується тільки разом із ним.