Priority signsSwitzerland
Traffic rules
Switzerland
Priority signs
Warning signs
Prohibitory signs
Mandatory signs
Information signs
Additional signsPriority signs
A priority sign is a traffic sign that indicates the order in which vehicles shall pass intersection points. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has the right to go first is called 'right of way' or 'priority'. It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. The vehicle that does not need to wait is said to 'have the right of way' or to 'have priority.'
What should I know about priority signs in Switzerland?
3.xx signs are priority signals. Learn STOP and give way individually; they have their own prescribed meanings.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR articles 35-39; OCR articles 14-15
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Must you always stop when giving way in Switzerland?
No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR articles 35-39; OCR articles 14-15
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
1. Stop and give way
This traffic sign means stop and give way. You must come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and give way to traffic that has priority. Proceed only when it is safe.
English • Traffic sign 3.01 • Stop.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.01 • Stop.
Français • Signal 3.01 • Stop.
Italiano • Segnale 3.01 • Stop.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
2. Give way
This traffic sign means give way. Slow down and give way to traffic that has priority. Stop if necessary and proceed only when it is safe.
English • Traffic sign 3.02 • Give way.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.02 • Kein Vortritt.
Français • Signal 3.02 • Cédez le passage.
Italiano • Segnale 3.02 • Dare precedenza.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
3. Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad
This traffic sign indicates a warning for an uncontrolled crossroad. An intersection without traffic signals or signs assigning priority lies ahead. Reduce speed, watch for traffic approaching from other directions and follow the applicable local priority rules.
English • Traffic sign 3.06 • Junction with priority from the right.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.06 • Verzweigung mit Rechtsvortritt.
Français • Signal 3.06 • Intersection comportant la priorité de droite.
Italiano • Segnale 3.06 • Intersezione con precedenza da destra.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.06, PDF page 111. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
4. Priority at the junction
This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. Side roads join from the left and right, and traffic entering from those side roads must give way.
English • Traffic sign 3.05 • Junction with a road without priority.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.05 • Verzweigung mit Strasse ohne Vortritt.
Français • Signal 3.05 • Intersection avec une route sans priorité.
Italiano • Segnale 3.05 • Intersezione con strada senza precedenza.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.05, PDF page 111. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
5. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers
This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where you must give way to oncoming traffic. Allow approaching traffic to pass before entering or continuing through the narrow section when required.
English • Traffic sign 3.09 • Give way to oncoming vehicles.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.09 • Dem Gegenverkehr Vortritt lassen.
Français • Signal 3.09 • Laissez passer les véhicules en sens inverse.
Italiano • Segnale 3.09 • Lasciar passare i veicoli provenienti in senso inverso.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.09, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
6. Mandatory roundabout direction
This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.
English • Traffic sign 2.41.1 • Roundabout.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.41.1 • Kreisverkehrsplatz.
Français • Signal 2.41.1 • Carrefour à sens giratoire.
Italiano • Segnale 2.41.1 • Area con percorso rotatorio obbligato.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.41.1, PDF page 107. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
7. Start of a priority road
This traffic sign indicates the start of a priority road. Drivers on the priority road normally have priority over traffic entering from side roads until the priority road ends, unless traffic lights, other signs or applicable traffic rules indicate otherwise.
English • Traffic sign 3.03 • Priority road.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.03 • Hauptstrasse.
Français • Signal 3.03 • Route principale.
Italiano • Segnale 3.03 • Strada principale.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.03, PDF page 111. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
8. End of the priority road
This traffic sign indicates the end of the priority road. The road no longer has continuing priority at subsequent intersections. Follow the applicable traffic lights, priority signs and default priority rules.
English • Traffic sign 3.04 • End of priority road.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.04 • Ende der Hauptstrasse.
Français • Signal 3.04 • Fin de la route principale.
Italiano • Segnale 3.04 • Fine della strada principale.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.04, PDF page 111. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
9. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way
This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where oncoming drivers have to give way.
English • Traffic sign 3.10 • Priority over oncoming vehicles.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.10 • Vortritt vor dem Gegenverkehr.
Français • Signal 3.10 • Priorité par rapport aux véhicules venant en sens inverse.
Italiano • Segnale 3.10 • Precedenza rispetto al traffico inverso.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.10, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
10. Crossroad shape
This traffic sign shows the shape or layout of an upcoming junction. The diagram indicates how the approaching road and connecting roads are arranged.
English • Supplementary plate 5.09 • Direction of the priority road.
Deutsch • Zusatztafel 5.09 • Richtung der Hauptstrasse.
Français • Plaque complémentaire 5.09 • Direction de la route principale.
Italiano • Cartello complementare 5.09 • Direzione della strada principale.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2009-03-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 5.09, PDF page 131. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
