Moving off and manoeuvring

Before moving off or performing a manoeuvre, the driver must warn other road users by signalling with the direction indicator for the relevant direction, or by hand if the indicators are missing or faulty. Signalling is not required when the vehicle follows a curved section of road without changing lanes. The signal must be given in good time before moving off or starting the manoeuvre and must stop immediately after it is completed (a hand signal stops immediately before the manoeuvre begins). It must be clear and must not mislead other road users, and the manoeuvre must not impede them. Signalling does not give priority over other road users.

A left turn (U-turn) signal is the left arm extended to the side, or the right arm extended to the side and bent upwards at the elbow at a right angle. A right turn signal is the right arm extended to the side, or the left arm extended to the side and bent upwards at the elbow at a right angle. A braking signal is the left or right arm raised upwards.

When joining a road from an adjacent area, the driver must give way to vehicles on that road, and when leaving the road for an adjacent area — to cyclists. In both cases the driver must not impede pedestrians.

When changing lanes, the driver must give way to vehicles travelling in the same direction in adjacent lanes without changing lanes. If vehicles travelling in the same direction change lanes at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must give way.

Before turning or making a U-turn, the driver must move in advance into the outermost lane of the carriageway intended for that direction, except when:

A turn must be made so that, on leaving the intersection of carriageways, the vehicle does not end up on the side for oncoming traffic. When turning right, the vehicle must keep as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway.

A turn onto a road with reversible traffic must be made so that, on leaving the intersection of carriageways, the vehicle is in the rightmost lane; after that, the driver may change lanes if necessary, having made sure that traffic in that direction is also permitted in another lane.

If, when turning or making a U-turn at or outside an intersection, the driver cannot comply with clause 40 of the Rules because of the vehicle’s dimensions or for another reason, the driver must switch on the hazard warning lights and give way to vehicles approaching both from the same and from the opposite direction.

When turning left or making a U-turn outside an intersection, the driver of a non-rail vehicle must give way to oncoming vehicles and to a tram travelling in the same direction.

Where the paths of vehicles cross and the order of passage is not set by the Rules, the driver who has a vehicle approaching from the right must give way.

If passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver who has the obstacle on their side must give way. On slopes marked with signs 1.13 “Steep descent” and 1.14 “Steep climb”, the driver of the vehicle going downhill must give way regardless of where the obstacle is.

Where there is a deceleration lane, a driver intending to turn must move into it in advance and slow down only in that lane. Where there is an acceleration lane at the point of joining a road, the driver must continue along it and merge into the adjacent lane, giving way to vehicles on the road.

Reversing is permitted if it is safe and does not impede other road users. If necessary, the driver must ask other people for help.

Reversing is prohibited at intersections, when joining a road from an adjacent area, and in the places listed in clause 50 of the Rules.

U-turns are prohibited: