The Order of Priority: The Golden Rule on the Road
When driving, you will encounter various signs that regulate traffic. Sometimes, these signs may appear to contradict each other. To resolve any conflict, there is a strict order of priority that you must memorize, as it is one of the most important questions on the exam. The order is as follows:
Signals and orders from Traffic Officers.
Circumstantial signage and beaconing (for roadworks or incidents).
Traffic lights.
Vertical signs (plates).
Road markings (paint on the road surface).
This means that an officer's order takes precedence over a red traffic light, and a green traffic light takes precedence over a STOP sign. If you find two signs of the same type that contradict each other, you must always obey the most restrictive one.
1. Traffic Officers' Signals
Officers' instructions are the highest authority on the road. They can be visual or acoustic.
Arm Signals
Arm raised vertically: Requires ALL users approaching the officer to stop, regardless of which direction they come from. You may only continue if you are already in the intersection and cannot stop safely.
Arm or arms extended horizontally: Requires all users approaching from directions that cross the one indicated by the arm or arms to stop (that is, those coming from in front of or behind the officer).
Swinging of a red or yellow light: Requires users towards whom the officer directs the light to stop.
Arm moving up and down: Indicates to vehicles approaching from that side that they must reduce speed.
Whistle Signals
Short, frequent blasts: Order a stop.
One long blast: Allows resuming travel.
Signals from a Police Vehicle
V-1 light (flashing blue or yellow) on: If you are being followed, you must stop on the right side, in front of the police vehicle, safely, and follow their instructions.
Green flag: The road is open to traffic from the moment the vehicle carrying it passes.
2. Circumstantial Signage and Beaconing
This signage is temporary and is used to indicate roadworks or special situations on the road. It takes precedence over traffic lights, vertical signs, and road markings. Roadwork signs usually have a yellow background, but their meaning is identical to that of permanent signs.
Cones or fixed beacons: Prohibit crossing the line, real or imaginary, that joins them.
Variable message panels: Their indications are mandatory and take precedence over fixed signage.
Roadwork personnel: Their orders are mandatory and have the same priority as those of traffic officers.
3. Traffic Lights
Traffic lights regulate priority at intersections. They take precedence over vertical signs and road markings.
Steady red light: Prohibits passage. You must stop before the stop line or, if there is none, before the traffic light itself.
Steady yellow light: Equivalent to a red light. You must stop under the same conditions, unless you are so close that you cannot do so safely. It does not mean you should speed up to pass.
Flashing yellow light: Allows passage, but with extreme caution and yielding to other vehicles or pedestrians if necessary. It does not exempt you from complying with other signs such as a STOP or Yield.
Green light: Allows passage and grants priority. However, you should not enter an intersection if you anticipate that you may be stopped within it, obstructing traffic (even with the light green).
Green arrow on black background: Allows passage in the direction indicated by the arrow, regardless of the color of the main light. You must yield to vehicles travelling in the lane you are joining.
Black arrow on red background: Prohibits passage in the direction indicated by the arrow, but not in the other directions allowed by the main traffic light.
Traffic lights for cycles and mopeds: The silhouette of a bicycle on the traffic light indicates that its indications apply exclusively to cycles and mopeds.
'Arrowed' traffic lights
You are stopped at a red light. Next to it, a flashing yellow light with a black arrow is also flashing. What should you do: wait or turn where the arrow indicates? The key is to look at the arrow painted on your lane. If it points toward the turn, you are in a designated turning lane and must follow the direction. However, if the arrow has two points—straight ahead and right, for example—you are not required to turn and can remain stopped until the main traffic light turns green.
4. Vertical Signs
These are the plates or discs found on posts. Their shape and color give a key clue about their meaning.
Warning Signs
They are triangular in shape with a red border. They warn of an imminent hazard.
Intersection with priority: Warns of a crossing where you have right of way.
Slippery surface: Indicates a section where grip is reduced.
Animal crossing: Warns of the possible presence of domestic or wild animals on the road.
Falling rocks: Hazard due to the possible fall of stones onto the road.
Reduced visibility: Warns of a section with frequent fog, rain or snow.
Regulatory Signs
They are generally circular and impose an obligation or a prohibition.
Prohibition (circular with red border): Prohibit an action. For example, the no entry sign (red circle with white background) prevents all types of vehicles from entering, while the no traffic sign (white circle with red border) prevents traffic in both directions. Other common signs are those for speed, height or width limits (including the load), and no overtaking.
Obligation (circular with blue background): Require following a specific behavior. For example, following a specific direction, travelling at a minimum speed or the exclusive use of a lane for cycles.
End of prohibition or obligation: The same signs with a diagonal black band or end-of-prohibition signs (white circle with black background) cancel a previous restriction.
Priority: The STOP sign (octagonal) requires a complete stop and yielding. The Yield sign (inverted triangle) requires yielding, stopping only if necessary.
Information Signs
They are square or rectangular and provide useful information.
Recommended speed (square, blue background): Recommends a maximum speed under favorable conditions, but is not mandatory.
Reserved road: Indicate lanes or roads for motor vehicles, cycles, etc.
Orientation: Signs with a blue background indicate direction on motorways or dual carriageways; those with a white background, on conventional roads. A yellow background indicates a provisional route due to roadworks.
5. Road Markings
This is the signage painted on the asphalt. It is the last in the order of priority.
Longitudinal Lines
Continuous line: Must not be crossed and you cannot drive on it. A double continuous line has the same meaning.
Broken line: May be crossed to overtake or change lanes. If its segments are closer together, they announce the proximity of a special hazard or a continuous line.
Continuous line alongside a broken line: Drivers must obey the line on their side.
Transverse Markings
Continuous stop line: Indicates the place to stop at a STOP sign, a red light or a pedestrian crossing.
Broken stop line: Indicates the place to stop if it is necessary to yield.
Other Markings and Inscriptions
Return arrow: Warns of the proximity of a continuous line and requires returning to the right-hand lane as soon as possible.
Yellow grid: Painted at an intersection, it prohibits entering if, foreseeably, you may be left stopped inside, obstructing crossing traffic.
Yellow zig-zag line: Prohibits parking in the marked area, but allows stopping.
Continuous yellow line (at the edge of the road): Prohibits both stopping and parking.
Broken yellow line (at the edge of the road): Prohibits parking, but allows stopping.
White and red checkered patterns: Mark an emergency braking zone. Stopping or parking in it is prohibited.