Driving out of an exit, reversing and turning: who goes first
Pulling away, reversing, driving out of an exit onto the road, driving into an exit, turning round, joining from an acceleration lane, moving onto an exit lane and changing lanes are special manoeuvres. Whoever makes one lets all other traffic go first (article 54), and you indicate (article 55). Driving out of a car park, petrol station or driveway: everyone else goes first.
The special manoeuvres
The law names these special manoeuvres (article 54): pulling away, reversing, driving out of an exit onto the road, driving from the road into an exit, turning round, joining the main carriageway from an acceleration lane, moving from the main carriageway onto an exit lane, and changing lanes. Whoever makes one must let the other traffic go first.
Driving out of an exit
An exit (uitrit) is where you leave a car park, a petrol station, a private road or a driveway and join the road. You give way to all traffic, also traffic from your left and pedestrians and cyclists on the pavement or cycle path you cross. You often recognise an exit by a kerb or ramp across the pavement, or a different road surface.
Indicating
Drivers of motor vehicles indicate when they pull away, overtake another motor vehicle, join or leave the main carriageway, change lanes, and with every other significant sideways movement (article 55). Indicating does not give you priority: it only tells others what you are about to do.
The exam trap: a car coming out of a car park on your left, at what looks like a junction. If it is an exit, the car coming out gives way, even though it comes from the right of the traffic it joins.
The general priority rules: priority rules in the Netherlands. Joining the motorway: merging and zipping.
Frequently asked questions
Who has priority when I drive out of a driveway or car park?
Everyone else. Driving out of an exit onto the road is a special manoeuvre, so you let all other traffic go first, including cyclists and pedestrians on the pavement you cross.
What counts as a special manoeuvre?
Pulling away, reversing, driving out of an exit onto the road, driving into an exit, turning round, joining the main carriageway from an acceleration lane, moving onto an exit lane and changing lanes.
Do I have to indicate when I pull away?
Yes. You indicate when you pull away, when you overtake another motor vehicle, when you join and leave the main carriageway, when you change lanes and with every other significant sideways movement.
How do I recognise an exit (uitrit)?
Often by a dropped or raised kerb across the pavement, a ramp or a different road surface where you leave a car park, petrol station or private road. Then you give way as from an exit.
Sources, checked on 3 November 2026:
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.