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Right of way in Germany: practice questions

Most theory-test mistakes in Germany are about who goes first. Learn the order of the rules, then test yourself with eight questions.

By the Desi European Tales editorial team · Updated 31 October 2026

The order of the rules

German traffic law (the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung, StVO) applies the rules in a fixed order, and a higher rule always wins:

  1. Police officers' signs and directions (§36 StVO) come before everything else.
  2. Traffic lights (§37) come before priority signs.
  3. Priority signs: the yellow diamond (priority road), the downward triangle (give way) and the STOP sign.
  4. Rechts vor links (§8): at junctions without signs or lights, traffic coming from the right goes first.

Test yourself

1. You reach a junction in a residential street. There are no signs, no traffic lights and no police. Who goes first?

Without signs or lights, 'rechts vor links' applies: traffic from the right has priority (§8 StVO).

2. What does a yellow diamond sign with a white border mean?

The yellow diamond marks a priority road (Vorfahrtstraße): vehicles joining from side roads must give way to you.

3. You see a red-and-white triangle pointing downwards. What must you do?

The downward triangle means 'Vorfahrt gewähren': give way. If you cannot see the junction clearly, slow down until you can.

4. At a red octagonal STOP sign the road is clearly empty. What do you do?

At a STOP sign you must always come to a full stop, even when no one is coming, and then give way.

5. A police officer at a junction signals you to drive on, but your traffic light is red. What do you do?

Police directions come before traffic lights, signs and all other rules (§36 StVO).

6. Your traffic light is green, but a 'give way' triangle is also mounted at the junction. What applies?

While the lights are working, they come before priority signs; the signs apply when the lights are off or flashing yellow (§37 StVO).

7. You turn right. A pedestrian is crossing the street you are turning into. What must you do?

When turning you must let pedestrians cross the road you turn into and wait if necessary (§9 StVO).

8. You drive out of a car park or driveway onto the road. Who has priority?

Leaving a property, car park or driveway, you must not endanger anyone else; everyone on the road and pavement goes first (§10 StVO).

Tips for Indian drivers

In India the bigger or faster vehicle often goes first in practice. In Germany priority depends only on the rules above, and other drivers rely on you following them: a car coming from the right in a small residential street really will not stop. Watch for the priority road sign when you enter a town; when it ends (the diamond crossed through with black stripes), 'rechts vor links' applies again unless other signs or traffic lights regulate the junction. Cyclists using a cycle lane next to you also have priority when you turn across it, so check your mirror and blind spot.

More: using your Indian licence in Germany and public transport.

Sources

Original practice questions written by the Desi European Tales editorial team; they are not the official exam questions. Checked 31 October 2026.

Related: Indian licence in Germany · Driving home

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