Priority Rules in Sweden: Give Way, Stop, Priority Roads and Intersections
Swedish junction questions become much easier when you stop asking “who has the right of way?” and start asking “which duty to give way applies to each driver?” This guide builds that system step by step.
Quick answer
The Swedish Traffic Ordinance uses several priority rules. The right-hand rule is the general starting point when vehicle paths cross, but specific duties apply at give-way and stop signs, when entering a priority road, when leaving a parking area or property, and when entering a roundabout.
Priority is best understood as a set of duties, not privileges. Even when another vehicle must give way to you, you still have a responsibility to drive carefully. This way of thinking is useful for both the theory test and the practical test.
Watch: Does a Car Leaving a Parking Area Have Priority?
This short example shows why Swedish priority rules are more than simply applying högerregeln in every situation.
Continue below for the full explanation, examples and official-source references.
1. The right-hand rule: högerregeln
Chapter 3, section 18 of the Swedish Traffic Ordinance states that when two vehicle courses cross, a driver gives way to the vehicle approaching from the right, except in the situations covered by specific later rules.
Transportstyrelsen confirms that this rule can apply at T-junctions, parking areas, open areas and terrain. Read our dedicated right-hand rule guide for examples and exceptions.
2. Give-way signs and yield lines
The B1 give-way sign tells the driver to give way to vehicles on the crossing road or route. A yield line (M14) may mark the position at which the duty is carried out.
Giving way means reducing speed in good time or stopping if needed and proceeding only if you will not create danger or obstruction. You do not always have to stop at a give-way sign; the requirement is to yield safely.
3. Stop signs: stop first, then judge
The B2 stop sign creates a stop duty. The Traffic Ordinance says that a driver with a stop duty must stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, the driver stops at the appropriate point before entering the crossing road, route or track area as specified by the rule.
A rolling near-stop is not the same thing as stopping. After the stop, you still have to judge traffic and give way as required before entering.
4. Priority roads: huvudled
The B4 priority-road sign marks a huvudled. Traffic entering a priority road generally has a duty to give way under the relevant rules. Do not assume that every wide road is a priority road: look for the sign and the actual traffic arrangement.
The priority-road sign is normally repeated after junctions where required so drivers can recognise that the route continues as a priority road.
5. Entering from a parking area, property or similar place
This is one of the most useful rules for English-speaking learners because it explains situations that may look like ordinary right-hand-rule junctions.
The Traffic Ordinance states that a driver entering a road from a parking area, property, petrol station or similar area gives way to vehicles whose courses cross. Similar duties apply from paths and certain other exit environments, as well as from pedestrian-priority and cycle-related areas listed in the rule.
So if a vehicle leaves a supermarket parking area onto a road, do not automatically apply högerregeln simply because that vehicle is physically on your right.
6. Roundabouts
When entering a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating. Once inside, lane choice, lane changes and the right-turn signal when exiting become the important parts of the manoeuvre.
Our roundabout rules in Sweden guide explains the official signalling rule and multi-lane situations in detail.
A step-by-step method for complex intersection questions
Use this order when a theory question shows several vehicles:
- Identify traffic lights, stop signs, give-way signs and priority-road signs.
- Look at stop/yield lines and lane arrows.
- Check where each vehicle is coming from: road, parking area, property, petrol station, cycle/pedestrian area or similar exit.
- Apply the specific duty created by that situation.
- Use högerregeln only where another rule has not already decided the crossing relationship.
- Finally, check turning paths, pedestrians, cyclists and whether the planned movement can actually be completed safely.
Important: “having priority” never removes the duty to avoid a collision. Traffic law assigns duties, but safe driving requires cooperation.
Related guides and practice
Use these pages to connect the rule to the rest of your Swedish driving-licence preparation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the basic priority rule at an unsigned junction in Sweden?
When vehicle paths cross, the right-hand rule is the general starting point: give way to a vehicle approaching from the right unless another rule applies.
Do you always have to stop at a give-way sign?
No. You must give way, which means slowing in good time or stopping if necessary and continuing only when it is safe and does not obstruct other traffic.
What is different about a stop sign?
A stop sign requires a full stop at the stop line or the required stopping point before you continue and give way as necessary.
Does a car leaving a parking area have priority if it comes from the right?
No. A driver entering a road from a parking area has a specific duty to give way to crossing traffic.
How do roundabout priority rules work?
Vehicles entering a roundabout give way to vehicles already circulating inside it.
Official sources
Rules and test procedures can change. The explanations on this page were reviewed against the official sources below on 30 August 2026.
Solve junctions by identifying duties
Do not guess from road size or vehicle position. Identify the controlling rule for each driver, then decide the safe order.