Theory Mastery

WVW 1994 art. 12: instructions of officials

Official text on wetten.overheid.nl

Road users must follow the instructions given by authorised officials, traffic controllers and school crossing patrols.

Source: WVW 1994 art. 12 · checked 2026-10-23

This article is listed in the law overview

How the exam asks it

About The real hierarchy: who overrules whom on priority?: which statement is WRONG?

  1. The order is: traffic controller, then traffic lights, then signs, then the rules; a controller who is present overrides the signs.
  2. You must always obey a red traffic light, even if a traffic controller or police officer waves you through with a hand signal.
  3. Traffic signs are used precisely WHEN the traffic rules (such as the rechts-regel) are not sufficient.
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Correct answer: You must always obey a red traffic light, even if a traffic controller or police officer waves you through with a hand signal.

Instructions from an authorised officer or traffic controller override traffic lights, which in turn override signs. At a hand signal from the officer, you follow the officer, not the red light

Why learners get this wrong: When the traffic lights are faulty, the priority signs apply, even if a traffic controller is directing traffic.

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Instructions from an authorised officer or traffic controller override traffic lights, which in turn override signs.

  1. False
  2. True
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Correct answer: True

Instructions from an authorised officer or traffic controller override traffic lights, which in turn override signs. At a hand signal from the officer, you follow the officer, not the red light

Why learners get this wrong: You must always obey a red traffic light, even if a traffic controller or police officer waves you through with a hand signal.

Open this question

About The real hierarchy: who overrules whom on priority?: which statement is correct?

  1. You must always obey a red traffic light, even if a traffic controller or police officer waves you through with a hand signal.
  2. Traffic lights override signs THAT REGULATE PRIORITY, not every sign in general.
  3. The rechts-regel is the foundation of traffic and therefore always overrides a sign or traffic light that says something different.
  4. If you enter a junction on a green light, you must still give way to a driver who has just run a red light, because they are already on the junction.
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Correct answer: Traffic lights override signs THAT REGULATE PRIORITY, not every sign in general.

Traffic lights override signs THAT REGULATE PRIORITY, not every sign in general. A sign regulating something else (speed, parking) simply remains in force alongside a green light

Why learners get this wrong: You must always obey a red traffic light, even if a traffic controller or police officer waves you through with a hand signal.

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