Challenge
Students often treat F1 and F3 as the same 'overtaking ban', and assume with D4-D7 that every code has a fixed direction, as with A- and B-signs. Both assumptions are exactly what the CBR exam designer builds a trick question on: it's not about the code alone, but about WHO the sign addresses and WHAT is literally shown on it.
Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Direction of travel and overtaking bans: D-signs and F-signs
The model
D4/D5: one arrow, fixed direction — you follow exactly what the sign shows. D6/D7: multiple arrows, free choice — you follow one of the shown directions. F1 bans motor vehicles from overtaking each other; F3 specifically bans trucks from overtaking motor vehicles (Book p.241-244) — overtaking a cyclist or moped rider falls under neither F1 nor F3.
Read this section on its own page: The model: Direction of travel and overtaking bans: D-signs and F-signs
Core
The D category (Book p.241) regulates mandatory directions of travel. D1 belongs to a roundabout: you follow the indicated direction around the central island. D2 requires drivers to pass the sign on the side the arrow shows — for example at a speed bump or obstacle. D4 and D5 show one arrow: that arrow IS the duty, literally the direction shown on the sign, not a fixed meaning tied to the code itself. D6 and D7 show two or more arrows and offer a choice: you must follow one of the shown directions, but which one doesn't matter — both are equally valid. The F category regulates specific overtaking bans, and the precision lies in the target group. F1 bans motor vehicles from overtaking EACH OTHER — two cars, or a car and a truck. Because mopeds are legally not motor vehicles, a car may simply pass a moped rider under an F1 sign; that is not 'overtaking a motor vehicle'. F3 is even more specific: it only bans TRUCKS (motor vehicles with a permitted maximum mass over 3500 kg) from overtaking motor vehicles. A car may therefore simply overtake another car under an F3 sign; the sign is not addressed to it.
Read this section on its own page: Core: Direction of travel and overtaking bans: D-signs and F-signs
Why it matters
Whoever reads F3 as a general overtaking ban unnecessarily slows down behind a slow truck in a spot where that's not required at all, creating a tailback themselves. Whoever reads D6/D7 as a primary direction with a fallback unnecessarily picks the 'wrong' direction as if it were incorrect — while both shown directions are legal.
Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Direction of travel and overtaking bans: D-signs and F-signs
Source: RVV 1990 art. 1 · checked 2026-10-22
Frequently asked questions
‘Sign F1 bans everyone from overtaking: motor vehicles may not pass cyclists or moped riders either’ – is that true?
No. F1 bans motor vehicles from overtaking EACH OTHER; mopeds are not motor vehicles, so passing a moped rider does not fall under it
‘Sign F3 bans all drivers — including car drivers — from overtaking motor vehicles’ – is that true?
No. F3 specifically bans TRUCKS from overtaking motor vehicles, not cars or other drivers
‘Sign D4 always means 'mandatory turn right'; the arrow shown is decoration, the code itself fixes the direction’ – is that true?
No. The duty is the direction shown on the sign — the arrow determines the direction, not the code itself; the same code D4 can point a different way with a different arrow
‘Sign D6 (with two arrows, straight ahead and right) requires you to specifically drive straight ahead; turning right is merely a fallback option’ – is that true?
No. The duty is following ONE OF the directions shown on the sign — both displayed arrows are equally valid, there is no primary and fallback direction
‘A moped has an engine and is therefore a motor vehicle; under sign F1 a car may therefore not overtake a moped rider’ – is that true?
No. In the traffic rules a moped is not a motor vehicle; sign F1 only forbids motor vehicles to overtake each other, so under it you may overtake a moped rider, but not a motorcycle
