Theory Mastery

Roundabout: who has priority?

What the exam asks here: Every roundabout you have ever driven probably had sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings at the entry — so your reflex says: 'traffic on the roundabout always goes first.' The CBR exam designer knows you have that reflex, and tests exactly the roundabout with no sign at all.

16 minutes · 8 sections · 13 questions

The trap

Many learners think: Traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over traffic entering — sign or no sign.

The rule is: /p.84 - only WITH sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings does traffic on the roundabout have priority. With no sign at all, the rechts-regel applies: entering traffic then has priority

Challenge

Every roundabout you have ever driven probably had sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings at the entry — so your reflex says: 'traffic on the roundabout always goes first.' The CBR exam designer knows you have that reflex, and tests exactly the roundabout with no sign at all. The book does not give an exception to the main rule here — it gives a SECOND rule that only applies when the first one is absent.

Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Roundabout: who has priority?

The model

With sign B6 and shark's-teeth: traffic on the roundabout has priority (Book p.82) — by far the most common case. Without any sign: entering traffic has priority (Book p.84) — the rechts-regel, a situation you barely encounter today.

Read this section on its own page: The model: Roundabout: who has priority?

Core

On virtually every roundabout in the Netherlands, sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings at every entry arrange that traffic on the roundabout has priority over traffic that wants to enter (Book p.82). That is the rule you apply in practice almost every time. There is also a second, rare situation: a roundabout with no sign and no shark's-teeth markings at all. Then the ordinary rechts-regel applies, and here it works the other way round: traffic entering the roundabout then has priority over traffic already on it (Book p.84). The book itself calls this 'a situation you don't come across often anymore' — but rare is not the same as impossible, and the CBR exam designer knows exactly which situation candidates expect least. Separate from the priority question, the direction of travel is fixed: on a roundabout you always drive rechtsom (Book p.82).

Read this section on its own page: Core: Roundabout: who has priority?

Core

Turbo roundabout: choose your lane before the roundabout. A turbo roundabout has two lanes on the ring, separated by a raised lane divider with a solid line on each side. So changing lanes on the roundabout is neither possible nor allowed. You choose your lane in advance, using the roundabout arrows on the approach and the blue lane-layout sign; the arrow on your approach lane is mandatory. From the side road, the right-hand lane is for turning right only. When entering, B6 and shark's teeth still apply: you give way to all traffic on both ring lanes. At turbo roundabouts outside built-up areas cyclists usually do not have priority, inside built-up areas often they do — always look at the shark's teeth at the crossing.

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Why it matters

Guessing wrong on a roundabout costs more than an exam point: someone who assumes the ring always has priority and misses the unsigned exception drives on without checking for entering traffic that does have priority — exactly where cars from several directions converge at low speed but with little reaction time.

Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Roundabout: who has priority?

Active recall

At a roundabout just outside Stadskanaal, alongside the N31, you see no sign at all and no shark's-teeth markings. A cyclist is entering the roundabout from your right; you are already driving on the roundabout. What applies?

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Teach back

Explain: who has priority on a roundabout when sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings ARE present, and who when they are completely absent?

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Memory hook

Sign + shark's-teeth: the ring wins. No sign: whoever enters wins. Always rechtsom.

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Source: RVV 1990 art. 15 · RVV 1990 art. 76 · RVV 1990 art. 78 · checked 2026-10-22

The picture

Roundabout priority: the rule flips when the signs are absentWITH sign B6 + shark's-teethWITHOUT any sign (rare)Who has priority (p.82/p.84)traffic already on the roundabouttraffic entering the roundabout (rechts-regel)How often you meet thisalmost alwaysrare todayDirection of travelalways rechtsomalways rechtsom
What to look at: With sign B6 + shark's-teeth: traffic on the roundabout has priority. Without any sign: entering traffic has priority (rare). Always drive rechtsom.

Signs and law

Test yourself

On a provincial road just outside Appingedam you approach a roundabout. You see no sign at all and no shark's-teeth markings on the road surface — only the round road surface itself. A car is already driving on the roundabout, moving from your left as seen from your entry. Who goes first?

Show the answer

With sign B6 and shark's-teeth: traffic on the roundabout has priority (Book p.82) — by far the most common case. Without any sign: entering traffic has priority (Book p.84) — the rechts-regel, a situation you barely encounter today.

Exam questions on this topic

At a roundabout just outside Stadskanaal, alongside the N31, you see no sign at all and no shark's-teeth markings. A cyclist is entering the roundabout from your right; you are already driving on the roundabout. What applies?

  1. You have priority, because traffic on the roundabout always goes first
  2. You have priority, because the cyclist comes from the right and cyclists must always wait on a roundabout
  3. The cyclist has priority, because without a sign the rechts-regel applies to entering traffic
Show the answer

Correct answer: The cyclist has priority, because without a sign the rechts-regel applies to entering traffic

Without a sign/shark's-teeth the rechts-regel applies: the entering cyclist has priority

Why learners get this wrong: Traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over traffic entering — sign or no sign.

Open this question

About Roundabout: who has priority?: which statements are correct? (multiple answers possible)

  1. On a roundabout cyclists must always wait for cars, even when the cyclist is already on the roundabout.
  2. Sign B6 and shark's-teeth already settle this unambiguously: the cyclist on the roundabout goes first.
  3. /p.84 - only WITH sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings does traffic on the roundabout have priority. With no sign at all, the rechts-regel applies: entering traffic then has priority.
  4. Whoever saw the roundabout coming first has priority over traffic already on the roundabout.
Show the answer

Correct answer: Sign B6 and shark's-teeth already settle this unambiguously: the cyclist on the roundabout goes first.; /p.84 - only WITH sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings does traffic on the roundabout have priority. With no sign at all, the rechts-regel applies: entering traffic then has priority.

Who 'sees it first' is not a rule — sign B6 settles this: the truck on the roundabout goes first

Why learners get this wrong: On a roundabout cyclists must always wait for cars, even when the cyclist is already on the roundabout.

Open this question

About Roundabout: who has priority?: which statement is WRONG?

  1. On a turbo roundabout the ring lanes are separated by a raised lane divider with a solid line on each side; you may not cross it.
  2. The direction of travel is not a choice: on a roundabout you always drive rechtsom (anticlockwise, keeping the centre island on your left).
  3. On a roundabout the rechts-regel always applies: whoever comes from the right has priority.
  4. The arrow on your approach lane is mandatory.
Show the answer

Correct answer: On a roundabout the rechts-regel always applies: whoever comes from the right has priority.

With sign B6 and shark's-teeth it is the other way round: traffic ON the roundabout (which may be coming from your left) has priority, not entering traffic from the right. The rechts-regel only applies here in the rare unsigned situation (p.84)

Why learners get this wrong: On a turbo roundabout you may still change lanes on the roundabout itself, as long as you signal.

Open this question

With sign B6 and shark's-teeth it is the other way round: traffic ON the roundabout (which may be coming from your left) has priority, not entering traffic from the right.

  1. False
  2. True
Show the answer

Correct answer: True

With sign B6 and shark's-teeth it is the other way round: traffic ON the roundabout (which may be coming from your left) has priority, not entering traffic from the right. The rechts-regel only applies here in the rare unsigned situation (p.84)

Why learners get this wrong: On a roundabout the rechts-regel always applies: whoever comes from the right has priority.

Open this question

Outside a built-up area you leave a turbo roundabout and approach the cycle crossing. There are shark's teeth on the cycle path, facing the cyclists. A cyclist is coming. This cyclist has priority over you here.

  1. False
  2. True
Show the answer

Correct answer: False

Shark's teeth mean: give way to traffic on the crossing road. If they face the cyclists, motor traffic goes first. Inside built-up areas it is often the other way round on single-lane roundabouts.

Why learners get this wrong: Cyclists have priority at every roundabout, including at the cycle crossing of a turbo roundabout.

Open this question

You approach a turbo roundabout from the side road. The approach has two lanes: the left one has roundabout arrows for straight on and left, the right one only a right-turn arrow. You are already between the solid lines in the right-hand lane, but you want to go straight on. What do you do?

  1. I enter the roundabout and move to the inner lane there
  2. I go straight on; the right-hand lane is meant for straight on too
  3. I turn right, as the arrow on my lane shows, and make a detour
Show the answer

Correct answer: I turn right, as the arrow on my lane shows, and make a detour

The arrow on your approach lane is mandatory. From the side road of a turbo roundabout the right-hand lane is for turning right only: if you are in it, you must turn right.

Why learners get this wrong: On a turbo roundabout you may still change lanes on the roundabout itself, as long as you signal.

Open this question

You are driving in the inner lane of a turbo roundabout. Between the two ring lanes there is a raised lane divider with a solid line on each side. The exit you want can only be reached from the outer lane. What do you do?

  1. I stay in my lane, take that lane's exit and make a detour
  2. I signal and change lanes when the outer lane is clear
  3. I drive back a little anticlockwise to a place where I can change
Show the answer

Correct answer: I stay in my lane, take that lane's exit and make a detour

On a turbo roundabout you choose your lane before the roundabout. On the ring a raised divider and solid lines separate the lanes: changing is not allowed. Wrong lane? Take your lane's exit and make a detour.

Why learners get this wrong: On a turbo roundabout you may still change lanes on the roundabout itself, as long as you signal.

Open this question

At a roundabout in Workum, sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings are present at every entry. You want to enter the roundabout; a cyclist is already on it and is approaching your entry from the left. Who goes first?

  1. Neither of us — both brake and sort it out on the spot
  2. I do, because cyclists must wait for cars on a roundabout
  3. The cyclist on the roundabout, regardless of which side they come from
  4. I do, because whoever comes from the right has priority here
Show the answer

Correct answer: The cyclist on the roundabout, regardless of which side they come from

False — Sign B6 and shark's-teeth already settle this unambiguously: the cyclist on the roundabout goes first

Why learners get this wrong: Even with sign B6 and shark's teeth at the entry nobody has fixed priority: you both slow down and sort it out.

Open this question

Statement: traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over entering traffic — sign or no sign.

  1. True
  2. False
Show the answer

Correct answer: False

False — Without any sign the rechts-regel applies: entering traffic then has priority instead

Why learners get this wrong: Traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over traffic entering — sign or no sign.

Open this question

You are driving in fog on a small roundabout just outside Appingedam. At the entries there are no signs and no shark's teeth. You are already on the roundabout; from the right a cyclist wants to enter the roundabout. What do you do?

  1. You go first: whoever is already on the roundabout goes before whoever wants to enter
  2. You go first: a cyclist lets a car that is already moving pass first
  3. The cyclist goes first: without a sign or shark's teeth, traffic from the right goes first
Show the answer

Correct answer: The cyclist goes first: without a sign or shark's teeth, traffic from the right goes first

False — you think traffic on the roundabout goes first in any case. That only holds when the entry has a give-way sign and shark's teeth. Without them, traffic from the right simply goes first, so the entering cyclist goes first (Book p.82, p.84).

Why learners get this wrong: Traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over traffic entering — sign or no sign.

Open this question

All practice questions of this topic

Frequently asked questions

‘Traffic already on the roundabout always has priority over traffic entering — sign or no sign’ – is that true?

No. /p.84 - only WITH sign B6 and shark's-teeth markings does traffic on the roundabout have priority. With no sign at all, the rechts-regel applies: entering traffic then has priority

‘On a roundabout the rechts-regel always applies: whoever comes from the right has priority’ – is that true?

No. With sign B6 and shark's-teeth it is the other way round: traffic ON the roundabout (which may be coming from your left) has priority, not entering traffic from the right. The rechts-regel only applies here in the rare unsigned situation (p.84)

‘On a roundabout you may choose to drive either left-handed or right-handed around it, as long as you give way correctly’ – is that true?

No. The direction of travel is not a choice: on a roundabout you always drive rechtsom (anticlockwise, keeping the centre island on your left). This is independent of the priority question

‘On a turbo roundabout you may still change lanes on the roundabout itself, as long as you signal’ – is that true?

No. On a turbo roundabout the ring lanes are separated by a raised lane divider with a solid line on each side; you may not cross it. You choose your lane before the roundabout

‘Coming from the side road at a turbo roundabout, you may also go straight on from the right-hand lane’ – is that true?

No. The arrow on your approach lane is mandatory. From the side road of a basic turbo roundabout the right-hand lane shows right turn only: if you are in it, you must turn right

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