Right of way: signs, lights and police direction

The Hierarchy of Right of Way

When multiple forms of regulation are present at the same time, a fixed hierarchy applies:

Police on site always override traffic signals and signs. A red light overrides a priority sign. And a yield sign overrides the right-hand rule.

Police Direction in Practice

• The police can control traffic with arm signals.
• Arm extended toward you means stop — regardless of what the light shows.
• Always follow the police’s signals, even if they seem contradictory.

Traffic Lights and Right of Way

When the light is green, you have the go-ahead — but you must still yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to traffic already in the intersection. Read more in traffic lights and signals .## Signs that regulate right of way

• Yield sign (inverted triangle): you must yield.
• Stop sign (red octagon): you must come to a complete stop, then yield.
• Priority road (yellow diamond): you have the right of way.

Temporary signs at roadworks follow the same hierarchy. Read about this in roadworks and temporary signage .

Common mistakes on the theory test

Many confuse the order and think that signs override traffic lights. Remember that lights take precedence over signs. See more common mistakes in common mistakes on the test .

Further reading

• The right-hand rule explained step by step
• Yielding at four-way intersections
• Signs and road markings