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Right of Way

The right of way is the most important rule at an intersection. Misunderstanding the right of way is the cause of many accidents. Act 361/2000 Coll. in Sections 20-24 precisely defines who has the right of way when.

Basic rule: if not specified otherwise (by a sign, traffic light, or police officer), the Right of Way FROM THE RIGHT applies.

Explanation

Right of Way FROM THE RIGHT (Section 22)

At an intersection without signs and traffic lights, the right of way from the right applies. This means:

• The driver must yield to the vehicle approaching FROM THE RIGHT
• This vehicle approaching from the right has 'the right of way'

How it works in practice:

• You approach an intersection and see a car on the right = STOP, let it pass
• You approach an intersection and a car is coming from the left = YOU have the right of way, you go first
• You approach an intersection and a car is opposite = if you are going straight, you both go (your paths do not cross)

The right of way from the right also applies in parking lots and residential zones unless specified otherwise.

Main AND Secondary ROADS (Sections 20-21)

At many intersections, the right of way is determined by signage:

• Sign 'Main ROAD' (yellow-white diamond): You have the right of way over vehicles on the secondary road
• Sign 'YIELD' (inverted triangle): You must yield to vehicles on the main road
• Sign 'STOP' (red octagon): You must STOP and yield

Difference between 'Yield' and 'Stop':

• 'Yield': If no one is coming, you can proceed without stopping
• 'Stop': you must always come to a complete stop (even if no one is coming!), wait, and then go

When turning at an intersection with a main road: watch for the direction of the main road (shown on the supplementary sign).

Special SITUATIONS of Right of Way:

1. LEFT Turn at an intersection (Section 21, paragraph 5):

• A driver turning LEFT must yield to oncoming vehicles
• Even if you are on the main road!

2. ROUNDABOUT with a yield sign (Section 22, paragraph 4):

• Vehicles in the roundabout have the right of way over those entering
• Before entering the roundabout, there may be a sign indicating the MAIN road, or there may be no sign; follow what the signs indicate

3. TRAM:

• Trams follow the same signs regulating right of way as other drivers; they have their own traffic signals
• If you cross the tram tracks next to you, or the tram crosses your path → the tram has the right of way

4. EMERGENCY VEHICLES with the Right of Way (ambulance, fire truck, police with flashing lights):

• They have the right of way over all; you must clear the way for them

Common mistakes

Common mistakes:

1. "I always have the right of way on the main road" - NO! When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic.

2. "At the roundabout, I have the right of way because I am coming from the right" - NO! You follow the signage before entering the roundabout.

3. "At the 'Yield' sign, I must always stop" - NO! You just need to slow down, and if it is clear, you can proceed.

4. "The tram always has the right of way." - NO, the tram has specific right of way when it crosses your path, or you cross its path; in other cases, it follows the same rules as other drivers.

5. "Pedestrians at the crosswalk have the right of way over trams" - NO! At the crosswalk, pedestrians have the right of way over cars, but NOT over trams.

Explanation

Road Traffic Rules Intersections As we learned earlier in the general rules, an intersection is a place where roads cross or join; the junction of a field road, forest road, or other purpose road with another road is not considered an intersection. • A driver must not enter an intersection if traffic conditions do not allow them to continue driving and they would have to stop inside the intersection. Exceptions: • stopping to allow pedestrians to cross, • waiting in the intersection when turning left and giving way to oncoming traffic. The regulation of road traffic is structured in a clear hierarchy, where instructions given by authorized personnel take precedence over automated signals and signs, and specific signs or signals (Local/Temporary regulations) take precedence over the general rules defined in the law (General Regulation). I. Hierarchy of Obedience (Priority of Instructions) The fundamental obligations of road users mandate adherence to instructions according to the following strict order of priority: 1. Instructions from Police Officers or Authorized Persons: The highest level of authority rests with the instructions (pokyny) given by a police officer ("policista"), military police officer ("vojenský policista"), or other authorized persons (such as municipal police officers/strážník obecní policie, or designated persons controlling traffic). ◦ These instructions are given through specific stances and arm movements (e.g., "Stop!", "Caution!", "Free!"). ◦ When the police officer stands facing the driver (front or back), the instruction is "Stop!". When standing sideways (right or left flank), the instruction is "Free!" (proceed). 2. Traffic Lights (Light and Acoustic Signals): Drivers and pedestrians must follow the directions given by light signals (semafory) and accompanying acoustic signals. These signals typically govern traffic at regulated intersections. 3. Traffic Signs and Traffic Equipment: This category includes all vertical traffic signs (warning, priority, prohibition, mandatory, and informative signs), horizontal traffic markings, traffic devices (e.g., cones, barriers, guide rails), and traffic information systems. ◦ Horizontal road markings (lines, arrows, symbols) are used independently or in combination with vertical signs to reinforce or specify their meaning. 4. General Traffic Rules (General Regulation): If the traffic is not regulated by persons, lights, signs, or equipment, drivers must adhere to the General Regulation (Obecná úprava) established by the core road traffic act (Act No. 361/2000 Coll.). II. Relationship Between Regulatory Levels Traffic regulation can be classified by its permanence and nature: General, Local, and Temporary.

Road Traffic Rules Intersections Therefore, in effect, Temporary regulation generally takes precedence over permanent Local regulation if they conflict (e.g., if a temporary sign indicates a different speed limit than a permanent sign).

How to remember it

Practical summary:

Right of way – how to decide in 2 seconds:

1. Is there a police officer? → Follow their instructions. 2. Is there a traffic light? → Follow the signal. 3. Is there a right of way sign? → Main/secondary road, STOP, Yield. 4. None of the above? → The right of way from the right applies.

The most dangerous situations:

• You are turning left onto the main road → you must yield to oncoming traffic EVEN THOUGH you are on the main road
• You are entering a roundabout from a secondary road → yield to vehicles in the roundabout
• The main road curves to the right, you are going straight → you must yield to vehicles from the right!
• Two drivers on the secondary road facing each other, both turning left → they will pass simultaneously (passing on the right sides)

Golden rules: When in doubt about whether it is clear, stop and look around. Never rush into an intersection.

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   Drivers of oncoming vehicles give way to each other:

   On the left, in good time and sufficiently.On the left, at least 10 metres before the point where they will pass each other.On the right, in good time and sufficiently.

   § 20

2. Question 2 of 5

   If drivers of oncoming vehicles cannot pass safely in a situation where neither driver needs to reverse for safe passage:

   The driver on whose side of the road there is an obstruction or narrowing must give way.The driver on whose side of the road there is no obstruction or narrowing must give way.The driver for whom it is easier or less dangerous must give way.

   § 20

3. Question 3 of 5

   If drivers of oncoming vehicles cannot pass safely in a situation where one of the drivers needs to reverse for safe passage:

   The driver on whose side of the road there is an obstruction or narrowing shall reverse.The driver on whose side of the road there is no obstruction or narrowing shall reverse.The driver for whom it is easier or less dangerous shall reverse.

   § 20

4. Question 4 of 5

   Drivers of oncoming vehicles pass each other:

   On the left, in good time and by a sufficient margin.On the right, maintaining a minimum lateral clearance of 1 m.On the right, in good time and by a sufficient margin.

   § 20

5. Question 5 of 5

   Drivers of oncoming vehicles pass each other:

   On the right, in good time and by a sufficient margin.Generally on the left.So as to maintain a lateral clearance of at least 2 m.

   § 20