If there is one rule that crystallises all the anxieties of candidates for the Belgian theory test, it is right-hand priority. Seemingly simple — one sentence is enough to state it — it hides subtleties that trap thousands of candidates every year. A complete overview so you never get it wrong again.
1. The rule, plain and simple
At an intersection with no signage of any kind, you must give way to drivers coming from your right. That is all. Neither the width of the road, nor going “straight on”, nor the type of vehicle changes this rule.
It applies everywhere in Belgium: in and out of built-up areas, day and night, rain or shine.
2. Situations where it applies (and where it does not)
✅ It applies:
- Intersection with no sign, no road marking and no police officer
- Unmarked T-junction — the test’s number 1 trap: the driver arriving on the stem of the T must give way to the driver coming from the right on the main branch
- Tracks and small side streets crossing an unmarked street: right-hand priority applies, unless you are coming out of an unpaved road
❌ It does not apply:
- Unpaved road or track: the driver coming out of it gives way to all road users, from the left and the right alike
- Exit from private property, a car park or a petrol station: same rule, you give way to everyone
- Signage present: a priority sign (B1, B3, B5, B9…), road markings (give-way line, triangles), traffic lights or a police officer override the general rule
- The tram: always has priority, whether it comes from the right or the left
- Priority vehicles (police, fire brigade, ambulances) on an emergency call, with warning signals operating
Exam reflex: before answering an intersection question, look for the signage in the image first. No sign or marking? Then right-hand priority applies — except for an unpaved road or a tram.
3. The signs that change priority
- B1 (inverted triangle): give way at the intersection
- B5 (STOP, red octagon): compulsory stop, even if the road looks clear, then give way
- B9 (white square, yellow diamond): you are on a priority road — other drivers give way to you until sign B11 (end of priority road)
- B15 (blue square with arrow): give way to oncoming drivers on a narrowed road
- B17 and B19: end of no-overtaking — they do not change priority but are regularly confused on the test
- Road markings: the white triangles (“shark’s teeth”) and the broken give-way line count as give way
4. Typical test cases
Case 1 — Unmarked T-junction
You arrive on the stem of the T, a car comes from your right on the main road. Answer: you let it go first. Many answer “I go first because I am going straight on”: that is wrong, the notion of a “main road” does not exist without signage.
Case 2 — Car park exit
You are leaving a car park and a car comes from your right on the road. Answer: you give way… including from the left. Leaving a car park puts you in a “non-public road” situation: you give way to everyone.
Case 3 — Tram on the left
At an unmarked intersection, a tram comes from your left and a car from your right. Answer: the tram goes first, then you give way to the car on the right. The tram always takes precedence over priority rules between vehicles.
5. How to practise this topic
Priority questions make up a major share of the test and are among the high-weighting questions — getting them wrong is costly. Our advice: retake our mock exams until you score 100% on this topic, review the priority signs in our road-sign sheets, and test yourself now on our free quiz.