When are you required to give way?
Here you will find an overview of the most important rules you need to know about giving way in different traffic situations.
If you are required to give way, you should reduce your speed in good time, and stop if necessary, to demonstrate clearly that you intend to give way.
Even if you are not obliged to give way in a situation, all road users have a responsibility to be alert, show consideration and contribute to safe traffic.
The “right-hand rule”
The general rule is that drivers must give way to vehicles coming from the right, unless there are traffic signs or traffic lights that prescribe otherwise.
This “right-hand rule” applies in all places where traffic rules apply, including inside parking areas.
Traffic signs and traffic lights determining who must give way
Traffic signs and traffic lights may regulate traffic differently than what follows from the general traffic rules. These will then override general principles such as the “right-hand rule”. Here are some traffic signs that affect the obligation to give way, with explanations.
See also Section 6 of the Traffic Signs Regulations (Norwegian only)
Give-way signs and stop signs
The give-way sign (yield) shows that you must give way to traffic from both sides on the crossroad.
The stop sign means that you must stop completely before entering a crossroad or a level crossing. You are then also obliged to give way to all traffic from both directions.
Signs for priority roads
When you are on a priority road, vehicles entering from side roads are required to give way to you. Priority roads are always signposted.
Signs for priority crossroads
The sign for a priority crossroads means that there is a dangerous crossroads coming up, and that those entering from a side road or an intersecting road are required to give way to you.
Entering the road from an area that is not a regular traffic route
You are required to give way to all other traffic when you enter a road from an area that is not a regular traffic route. For example, this applies when you exit a parking area, a bus stop, a market square, a yard, plot or property, a gas station, a pedestrian street or a home zone.
You must also give way if you are coming from a farm road or other road that is not open to general traffic. If you are in doubt whether the area is open to general traffic, it is advisable to be extra cautious.
Roundabouts
When you enter a roundabout, you must give way to road users who are already in the roundabout. You need to slow down in good time and, if necessary, stop before the give-way line.
You are also required to give way if you are changing lanes inside the roundabout. Use the direction indicator before changing lanes.
Oncoming vehicles and obstacles in the road
When you face an oncoming vehicle and the road is narrow, you should keep to the right so that there is enough space for your vehicles to pass each other safely.
If there is an obstacle on your side of the road, you must give way to oncoming traffic. You must wait until it is safe to pass. An obstacle here means that the roadway may be temporarily narrowed, for example due to roadworks, snow or parked cars.
Changing lanes
If you intend to change lanes, you must give way to drivers in the lane you are entering and in any lanes you first need to cross. This also applies when you are pulling out from the side of the road – for example after parking or stopping.
Lane ends
If you are driving in a lane that ends, you need to change lanes. You must give way to those in the lane you are entering.
Merging (zipper procedure)
When two lanes become one, you should merge using the zipper procedure. Zipper merging means that drivers in both lanes must adjust their speed so that traffic flows smoothly.
Those who are merging should drive all the way to the front in their own lane and merge only where the road narrows. This requires good interaction between drivers.
Entering a high-speed road (acceleration lane)
When driving in an acceleration lane you should adjust your speed to the speed of the traffic in the main lane, and enter when the lane is clear. Those who are already driving in the main lane should also facilitate entry for vehicles in the acceleration lane.
Giving way to buses and trams
On roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or lower, drivers must give way to buses when the bus driver signals that the bus is leaving a bus stop. At the same time, the bus driver is required to avoid danger.
The traffic rules specify that both pedestrians and drivers must give free passage to the tram, and stop if necessary.
Pedestrians, cyclists and electric scooters
On the road
Drivers intending to turn must give way to pedestrians, cyclists and electric scooters who are going straight ahead on the roadway or on the road shoulder.
On the pavement
If you are crossing a pavement when you turn, you must give to pedestrians, cyclists, and electric scooters on the pavement.
On a pedestrian crossing
As a driver, you must give way to pedestrians who are on, or about to enter, a pedestrian crossing, unless otherwise instructed by the police or by traffic lights. Cyclists are considered drivers and must dismount in order for others to be obliged to give way to them at the pedestrian crossing.