Right of Way Rules in Spain: Complete DGT Priority Guide
At unmarked intersections in Spain, you must yield to vehicles coming from your right. This is the fundamental priority rule tested on the DGT exam. Priority questions account for 3 to 5 of the 30 exam questions and are consistently the topic where most candidates make mistakes.
The Basic Rule: Yield to the Right
The default priority rule in Spain is simple: when two vehicles arrive at an intersection without traffic signs, traffic lights, or road markings, the vehicle approaching from the right has priority. This means you must slow down and, if necessary, stop to let them pass. The rule applies regardless of whether the other vehicle arrived before you or after you. What matters is relative position — if they are to your right, they go first.
This rule catches many candidates off guard because it differs from some other countries. In practice, most intersections in Spain have signs or markings that override this default. But the exam specifically tests your knowledge of what happens when those signs are absent.
Priority Roads and Signs
A yellow diamond sign indicates you are on a priority road. As long as you see this sign (or its reminder markers), you have right of way over vehicles entering from side roads. When the priority road ends, a diamond sign with a black diagonal line appears.
An inverted white triangle with a red border is the yield sign. It means you must give way to traffic on the road you are joining. You do not have to stop completely unless traffic is approaching — but you must be ready to.
The octagonal red stop sign requires you to come to a complete stop before the intersection, even if no other traffic is visible. After stopping, you must yield to any vehicles on the road you are entering. The stop sign overrides the yield-to-the-right rule.
Roundabout Priority Rules
Vehicles already circulating inside a roundabout have priority over those entering. Before entering a roundabout, you must yield and wait for a safe gap in the circulating traffic. This is indicated by the yield sign at the roundabout entrance.
Lane discipline matters inside roundabouts. If you plan to take an early exit, stay in the outer lane. If you are going halfway around or further, use the inner lane and signal before moving to the outer lane to exit. Failing to signal when exiting a roundabout is a common mistake on the exam.
When exiting, always check your right mirror and blind spot for vehicles in the outer lane. You must yield to pedestrians at the crossing immediately after the roundabout exit.
Emergency Vehicle Priority
Emergency vehicles with their sirens and flashing lights activated always have absolute priority, regardless of any signs, lights, or rules. When you hear a siren or see flashing lights approaching, you must pull over to the right side of the road and stop if necessary to clear a path.
On motorways with two lanes, move to the right lane. On roads with three or more lanes, vehicles in the left lane move left and vehicles in the right lane move right, creating a corridor in the middle. Never brake suddenly or stop in the middle of the road — move predictably to the side.
The exam often tests whether you know that emergency vehicles override traffic lights. If a fire truck approaches a red light with its siren on, other vehicles at the green light must yield.
Tram Priority
Trams have general priority over other vehicles on shared roads in Spain. This means that at intersections where tram tracks cross the road, you must yield to the tram. The reasoning is practical: trams cannot swerve to avoid collisions and require a much longer stopping distance than cars.
When a tram stops to pick up or drop off passengers and there is no safety island, you must stop and wait until the passengers have finished boarding or alighting. Only proceed when it is safe to do so.
Pedestrian Priority
Pedestrians have absolute priority on marked pedestrian crossings (zebra crossings). You must slow down and stop to let them cross. This applies even if the crossing is not controlled by a traffic light.
In residential zones (zonas residenciales) and 20 km/h zones with shared pedestrian space, pedestrians have priority over all vehicles at all times. Near schools and hospitals, extra caution is required and lower speed limits typically apply.
Pedestrians who are already crossing the road when you approach have priority even outside marked crossings, though they should not have started crossing there. The exam tests whether you understand the difference between legal priority and practical safety.
Complex Intersection Scenarios
The DGT exam frequently presents scenarios with three or four vehicles at an intersection, asking you to determine the correct order of passage. These questions require you to apply multiple rules simultaneously.
The approach is systematic: first, check if any vehicle is an emergency vehicle with active signals. Then check for traffic signs or lights. Then check for road markings. Finally, apply the yield-to-the-right rule. If two vehicles both need to yield to each other (a deadlock), one must use courtesy — typically by making eye contact and gesturing. The exam usually avoids true deadlocks and instead tests whether you can correctly identify which rules take precedence.
A common exam trap: a vehicle on a priority road approaching a roundabout. The priority road sign does not override the roundabout yield rule unless specific signs indicate otherwise. At a roundabout, you always yield to circulating traffic regardless of whether you were on a priority road before the roundabout.
Priority Rule Hierarchy
When multiple rules could apply, Spain follows a strict hierarchy. A police officer or traffic agent directing traffic overrides everything, including traffic lights. Traffic lights override signs. Signs override road markings. Road markings override the default yield-to-the-right rule.
This hierarchy is critical for the exam. If a traffic light is green but a police officer signals you to stop, you must stop. If a yield sign is present, you follow the sign even if the yield-to-the-right rule would give you priority. Understanding this hierarchy resolves most complex intersection questions.
Tips for Priority Questions on the DGT Exam
Priority questions are the most commonly failed topic on the DGT exam. To prepare effectively, memorise the hierarchy: police officer, then traffic lights, then signs, then markings, then yield-to-the-right. For each practice question, work through this hierarchy systematically before choosing your answer.
Pay close attention to images in priority questions. The exam deliberately includes details like partially visible signs, tram tracks, or emergency vehicles in the background. Look at the entire image, not just the main intersection. Practice with timed tests to build the habit of checking all elements quickly.
Remember that roundabout questions are a separate category — the yield-to-the-right rule does not apply inside roundabouts. Circulating traffic always has priority. If you consistently get priority questions wrong, focus your study sessions exclusively on this topic until you can answer them without hesitation.