Priority signsUruguay

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

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.'

Warning for merging traffic from the right.

What should I know about priority signs in Uruguay?

PARE and CEDA EL PASO are regulatory controls. PARE requires a stop; giving way can require stopping when necessary.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay Law 18191 — Articles 14–19 and 34–36, 41: circulation, speed, priority and obedience to actual controls

🔗 imcanelones.gub.uy • Canelones government — official sign sheet, regulatory dimension/weight/access and relevant hazard signs

🔗 montevideo.gub.uy • Montevideo — official safe-driving guide, signs and navigation explanations; historical explanatory guide, current duties checked against Law 18191

Must you always stop when giving way in Uruguay?

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.

🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay Law 18191 — Articles 14–19 and 34–36, 41: circulation, speed, priority and obedience to actual controls

🔗 imcanelones.gub.uy • Canelones government — official sign sheet, regulatory dimension/weight/access and relevant hazard signs

🔗 montevideo.gub.uy • Montevideo — official safe-driving guide, signs and navigation explanations; historical explanatory guide, current duties checked against Law 18191

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.

English • Traffic sign R-1 • Stop. Stop completely before entering the junction and give way before continuing.

Español • R-1 • Pare. Detén completamente el vehículo antes de entrar en la intersección y cede el paso antes de continuar.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 85
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 19

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Original revision 2025-07-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Uruguayan MTOP Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, currently published standard: Gub.uy • R-1, PDF page 85. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

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.

English • Traffic sign R-2 • Give way. Give priority to vehicles on the priority road; stop if necessary.

Español • R-2 • Ceda el paso. Cede el paso a los vehículos que circulan por la vía preferente; detente si es necesario.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 85
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 20

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Original revision 2025-07-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Uruguayan MTOP Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, currently published standard: Gub.uy • R-2, PDF page 85. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

3. Stop and give way ahead

This traffic sign indicates stop and give way ahead. A stop sign applies at the location ahead. Reduce speed in good time and be prepared to come to a complete stop.

English • Traffic sign P-15 • Stop ahead. Prepare to stop. The standard requires a supplementary distance plate. The drawing shows only the main sign, so the distance cannot be determined.

Español • P-15 • Proximidad de señal Pare. Advierte que más adelante hay una señal Pare. Prepárate para detenerte. La norma exige una placa complementaria de distancia. El dibujo mostrado solo representa la señal principal y no permite conocer esa distancia.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 95
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 40

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Original revision 2025-07-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Uruguayan MTOP Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, currently published standard: Gub.uy • P-15, PDF page 95. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

4. 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.

English • Traffic sign P-6 • Crossroads. Warns of a four-arm junction. Reduce speed and check crossing traffic.

Español • P-6 • Cruce de caminos. Advierte una intersección de cuatro ramales. Reduce la velocidad y comprueba el tránsito transversal.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 93
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 38

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Original: Vialidad Nacional - Ministerio de Transporte - Presidencia de la Nación Vectorization: Civitas13 • Public domain • Original revision 2020-01-14. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Original: Vialidad Nacional - Ministerio de Transporte - Presidencia de la Nación Vectorization: Civitas13 • Public domain • Source revision 2020-01-14. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Warning for a side road from the right

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a side road from the right. A side road joins the road ahead from the right at an uncontrolled junction. Reduce speed, watch for traffic entering from the side road and follow the applicable default priority rules.

English • Traffic sign P-7a/P-7b · family • Side road on the right. Warns of a road joining from the right. The side-road sign family is identified. The standard's annex repeats P-7a for both sides while the text lists P-7a and P-7b; no unambiguous suffix is assigned here to the right-hand drawing.

Español • P-7a/P-7b · familia • Vía lateral por la derecha. Advierte que una vía lateral se une por la derecha. Identificación de la familia de vía lateral. El anexo de la norma repite la etiqueta P-7a para ambos lados, mientras el texto enumera P-7a y P-7b; no se atribuye aquí un sufijo inequívoco al dibujo de la derecha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 93
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 38

6. 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.

English • Traffic sign P-12 • Roundabout. Warns of a junction with roundabout circulation.

Español • P-12 • Rotonda. Advierte la proximidad de una intersección con circulación en rotonda.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 95
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 39

7. Warning for merging traffic from the right

This traffic sign indicates a warning for merging traffic from the right. Traffic travelling in the same general direction may join your traffic stream from the right. Stay alert and adjust your speed or position when necessary to allow traffic to merge safely.

English • Traffic sign P-13a • Merging traffic from the right. Watch for vehicles joining the road.

Español • P-13a • Incorporación de tránsito por la derecha. Advierte que se incorpora tránsito desde la derecha. Presta atención a los vehículos que se unen a la vía.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 95
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 40

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2014-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. 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.