Passing oncoming traffic and turning

When two vehicles travelling in opposite directions meet on the same carriageway, they pass each other as oncoming traffic.

You normally pass oncoming traffic on the right.

You must keep sufficient lateral distance. If the carriageway is too narrow, you may use the verge that is level with the carriageway, provided that you do not endanger anyone.

You may not use the cycle path, pavement or parking lane to do so.

If you need to pass oncoming traffic at a junction without road markings, you do so on the right.

Pass the oncoming vehicle on its right-hand side and only turn after you have passed it.

If you need to pass oncoming traffic at a junction with road markings, follow the arrows.

In this example, you pass in front of each other.

When passing an oncoming cyclist or rider of a two-wheeled moped in a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1 metre.

When passing an oncoming cyclist or rider of a two-wheeled moped outside a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1,5 metres.

When passing an oncoming pedestrian on the carriageway in a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1 metre.

If you cannot keep that distance, you may only drive at walking pace.

When passing an oncoming pedestrian on the carriageway outside a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1,5 metres.

If you cannot keep that distance, you may only drive at walking pace.

If you want to turn right, check your mirrors first, turn on your indicator, slow down and stay as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the carriageway.

Just before you turn, check your mirrors again and make sure to check your blind spot as well.

When you turn right, you must stay as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the carriageway. If there are several lanes, you should therefore use the right-hand lane.

Only in a built-up area may you choose which lane to use.

When you turn right and there are several turning lanes, you must follow your lane. Stay in your lane: right stays right, left stays left.

If you want to turn left, check your mirrors first, turn on your indicator, slow down and position yourself to the left without obstructing oncoming traffic.

Just before you turn, check your mirrors again and make sure to check your blind spot as well.

In a one-way street where there is no oncoming traffic, you may therefore position yourself all the way to the left.

In a one-way street where you can still encounter oncoming traffic, such as cyclists or speed pedelecs in this example, you must take the lateral distance into account when passing each other. You may therefore not drive all the way on the left.

In a built-up area, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1 metre.

Outside built-up areas, you must keep a lateral distance of at least 1,5 metres.

When you turn left, you must make the turn as wide as possible, so that you drive on the right-hand side of the carriageway you are entering. If there are several lanes, you should therefore use the right-hand lane.

Only in a built-up area may you choose which lane to use.

When you turn left and there are several turning lanes, you must follow your lane. Even if there are more lanes after the turn, stay in your lane: the right-hand lane leads into the lane on the right, while the left-hand lane leads into the middle lane.