Unmarked Intersections & Right-Hand Rule
The Universal Rule: Traffic from the Right
At all equal, unmarked intersections (intersections lacking traffic lights, priority road signs, or shark teeth road markings), drivers approaching from the right have priority over drivers approaching from the left.
Statutory Basis: Article 15, paragraph 1, RVV 1990: “Bestuurders verlenen voorrang aan voor hen van rechts komende bestuurders.”
Who Counts as a “Driver” (Bestuurder)?
- Drivers include: Cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, cyclists, speed-pedelecs, moped riders (bromfietsers and snorfietsers), riders of horses, and drivers of horse-drawn carts.
- NOT Drivers: Pedestrians and people pushing a pram or bicycle are legally classified as pedestrians (voetgangers). They do NOT have right-of-way simply because they approach from the right at an equal junction!
Equal Intersections in Residential Zones
In Dutch 30 km/h residential zones, almost all intersections are unmarked and equal. Always look early to the right between parked vehicles.
Essential Statutory Rules (RVV 1990)
- Drivers include cars, lorries, motorcycles, cyclists, moped riders, and horse-drawn carriages.
- Pedestrians are traffic (verkeer) but NOT drivers (bestuurders). A pedestrian crossing from your right does NOT have right-of-way unless on a designated zebra crossing or continuing straight along your road.
- Cyclists are legally classified as drivers and enjoy identical priority rights from the right as motor vehicles.
CBR questions regularly test pedestrians stepping off pavements from the right. If there is no zebra and no turning maneuver, the car has priority.
Check Your Understanding (4Questions)
Immediate CBR validation with instant answers and statutory RVV 1990 legal context. Scores persist in your module dashboard.
You are driving the white car on an equal, unmarked crossroads. A cyclist approaches from your right. Who must give way?
You are driving a passenger car at an equal, unmarked intersection. A pedestrian steps off the pavement on your right to cross the road. Does this pedestrian have priority over your car?
You are approaching an equal intersection. A tram approaches from your left. What is the correct priority rule?
A tram is crossing an intersection where shark teeth markings and sign B6 face the tram's track. You are driving on the crossing road without priority markings. Must the tram give way to your car?