Priority Signs
Indicate who has right of way at intersections. Various shapes and colors.
5 signs in this category
About Priority Signs
Priority signs are defined in Annex 1, Section B of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Unlike most other categories, Section B uses distinct shapes per sign so that each can be recognised even when partly obscured or seen from behind: an inverted equilateral triangle for give way (Section B.1), an octagon for stop (Section B.2a), and a square set on point (diamond) for priority road (Section B.3). The defining driver-action principle of Section B is the allocation of right-of-way at points where streams of traffic meet.
Drivers facing a Section B.1 give-way sign must yield to traffic on the intersecting road; drivers facing a Section B.2 stop sign must come to a complete halt before yielding; drivers on a Section B.3 priority road have right-of-way over crossing traffic until an end-of-priority sign cancels the privilege. The category complements rather than replaces the general right-of-way rules in Article 18 of the Convention on Road Traffic.
All Priority Signs
Stop
Drivers must come to a complete stop at the stop line — or, in the absence of a line, at the point where the sign offers a clear view of the intersecting road — and must give way to all traffic on the intersecting road before proceeding.
- When you see it
- You see this sign at junctions of minor with major roads, at railway level crossings without active warning, and at points where the intersecting road has poor visibility.
- What you must do
- You must bring the vehicle to a complete halt, give way to all traffic on the intersecting road, and may proceed only when the way is clear.
- Country variations
- Vienna 1968 Section B.2(a) defines the octagon as the standard; Section B.2(b) permits an alternative circular variant with an inset inverted triangle and the word STOP. The legend STOP is retained in most countries; local-language variants include ARRET (Quebec), ARRETEZ (Quebec/road works), DUR (Turkey) and a hand pictogram (Israel).
- Penalty
- Penalties for ignoring this sign vary by country. See your country's driving guide for specifics.
- Tip
- The only octagonal sign in Europe. Recognizable even if damaged.
Source: Vienna 1968 Section B.2a
Yield / Give Way
Drivers must give way to traffic on the intersecting road. A complete stop is not required if the way is clear, but the obligation to yield is absolute.
- When you see it
- You see this sign at the entry to roundabouts, at minor-road junctions with major roads, at slip-road merges and at controlled junctions where stopping is not always necessary.
- What you must do
- You must give way to all vehicles on the intersecting or circulating road. You shall stop if necessary to comply, and may proceed only when the way is clear.
- Country variations
- Commonwealth countries label the sign GIVE WAY; the United States, Ireland and several Caribbean jurisdictions use YIELD. The Convention permits the sign with or without inscription.
- Penalty
- Penalties for ignoring this sign vary by country. See your country's driving guide for specifics.
Source: Vienna 1968 Section B.1
Priority Road
Designates the road carrying the sign as a priority road. Drivers on this road have right-of-way over traffic emerging from intersecting roads until the priority is cancelled by an end-of-priority-road sign.
- When you see it
- You see this sign at the start of a priority route through a town or along a regional road, repeated after each major intersection to confirm that priority remains in force.
- What you must do
- You shall proceed with right-of-way at intersections along this road, but must still observe stop or give-way signs facing your direction and shall not assume priority over pedestrians or emergency vehicles.
- Country variations
- The priority-road sign is standard across continental Europe and most other Vienna parties; it is not used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada or Australia, which allocate priority by other signs and road markings.
- Penalty
- Penalties for ignoring this sign vary by country. See your country's driving guide for specifics.
Source: Vienna 1968 Section B.3
Priority for Oncoming Traffic
Indicates that oncoming traffic has priority over your direction at an upcoming narrow stretch. The disc shows a black upward arrow alongside a red downward arrow; oncoming vehicles (red) take precedence over your direction (black).
- When you see it
- You see this sign at the entry to narrow bridges, single-lane road-works diversions, and other stretches where two-way traffic must yield to one direction; the opposing direction will face a matching Section B.6 priority-over-oncoming sign.
- What you must do
- You must give way to oncoming vehicles and shall not enter the narrow stretch until it is clear; if you have already entered and meet an oncoming vehicle, you must reverse to a passing point where safe.
Source: Vienna 1968 Section B.5
End of Priority Road
Cancels the priority granted by a Section B.3 priority-road sign. The diamond shows the same yellow-on-white field as the priority-road sign but is crossed by a black or grey diagonal bar from upper right to lower left.
- When you see it
- You see this sign at the end of a priority route through a town or along a regional road, typically just before a junction where priority reverts to the default right-of-way rules.
- What you must do
- You must no longer assume right-of-way at intersections beyond this sign. You shall observe any subsequent stop, give-way or 'priority to the right' rule that applies on the road ahead.
Source: Vienna 1968 Section B.4
Key Information About Priority Signs
How to Recognize
Priority signs have unique shapes: octagonal (stop), inverted triangle (yield), or diamond (priority road).
Required Action
Follow the priority rules indicated. Stop completely at stop signs, yield at yield signs.
Penalties
Running a stop sign or failing to yield: 100-400 EUR, 2-4 license points.
Explore Other Categories
Ready to Ace Your Driving Test?
Everything you need to pass on your first attempt
- 30+ Practice Tests
- 16 Lessons
- Progress Tracking
- Tess AI Coach