ORDER OF PRIORITY OF SIGNS

When several signs or rules contradict each other, the correct order is:

Traffic agents.
Temporary and construction signage.
Traffic lights.
Vertical signs.
Road markings.

💡 Very important for the exam:

The orders of the agents take precedence over any other sign.

TRAFFIC AGENTS

Arm raised vertically

Requires all approaching users to stop.

Except:

those who cannot stop safely.

Arm extended horizontally

Requires those approaching to stop:

head-on
from behind the arm.

Red or yellow swinging light

Indicates:

to stop.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Red traffic light

Prohibited to pass.

Must stop:

before the stop line
or before the traffic light.

Fixed yellow traffic light

Requires stopping if it can be done safely.

💡 Common mistake:

Fixed yellow does NOT mean to accelerate.

Flashing yellow traffic light

Indicates:

caution.

Allows passing:

with heightened attention.

Green traffic light

Allows passing.

But:

the intersection must not be blocked.

Traffic arrows

The green arrow:

allows driving only in the indicated direction.

VERTICAL SIGNS

Danger signs

Characteristics:

triangular.
warn of a risk.

Examples:

dangerous curves
construction
animals
change of gradient.

💡 DGT trick:

Triangle = danger.

Prohibition signs

Characteristics:

circular with a red border.

Prohibit or limit actions.

Examples:

no overtaking
maximum speed
prohibited entry.

💡 DGT trick:

Red circle = prohibition.

Obligation signs

Characteristics:

blue circular.

Require an action to be taken.

Examples:

mandatory direction
mandatory chains.

💡 DGT trick:

Blue circle = obligation.

Indication signs

Characteristics:

rectangular.

Inform or guide.

Examples:

hospital
motorway
gas station.

💡 DGT trick:

Rectangle = information.

ADDITIONAL PANEL

Adds additional information to a sign:

distance
length
exceptions.

💡 Frequently asked:

The additional panel modifies the meaning of the main sign.

MOST IMPORTANT SIGNS IN THE EXAM

STOP

Requires:

to completely stop the vehicle.

Even if no one is coming.

YIELD

Requires:

to let pass if necessary.

Does not always require stopping.

💡 Key difference:

STOP = always stop.
Yield = only if necessary.

PROHIBITED ENTRY

Prohibits access to vehicles.

PROHIBITED DIRECTION

Prohibits driving in one direction.

NO OVERTAKING

Overtaking is not allowed.

MAXIMUM SPEED

Indicates the maximum permitted limit.

END OF PROHIBITIONS

Nullifies previous restrictions.

ROAD MARKINGS

Continuous line

Prohibited:

to cross it
to drive on it.

Broken line

Can be crossed:

if it is safe.

Double continuous line

Strict separation of directions.

Cannot be crossed.

Pedestrian crossing

Area reserved for pedestrians.

Must:

moderate speed.
yield the right of way.

Stop line

Place where the vehicle must stop.

Road arrows

Indicate:

permitted direction
obligation to change lanes.

Crosswalk

Non-drivable area.

SPECIAL LANES

BUS Lane

Usually reserved for public transport.

HOV Lane

Reserved for high occupancy vehicles.

Reversible lane

Variable direction regulated by traffic lights.

💡 Very frequently asked:

In reversible lanes, low beam lights must be used.

TEMPORARY AND CONSTRUCTION SIGNAGE

The temporary yellow signage:

takes precedence over normal signage.

RIGHT OF WAY

General rule

At unmarked intersections:

priority for the vehicle on the right.

Priority vehicles

Have priority:

ambulances
police
firefighters.

When they are in urgent service.

COMMON MISTAKES IN THE EXAM

confusing STOP and Yield
confusing fixed and flashing yellow
forgetting right of way
forgetting that the agent has maximum priority
confusing prohibited entry and prohibited direction.

ULTRA QUICK SUMMARY