Priority signsColombia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Colombia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Priority 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.'

Warning for merging traffic from the left.

Warning for merging traffic from the right.

What should I know about priority signs in Colombia?

PARE and CEDA EL PASO are regulatory priority controls. PARE requires stopping, not merely reducing speed.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 55, 60–76 and 106–118, safe circulation, actual limits, signs and directions

🔗 transmilenio.gov.co • Ministry of Transport — Manual de Señalización Vial de Colombia 2024, relevant signs and chapter provisions; 2025 errata checked where material

Must you always stop when giving way in Colombia?

A complete stop is required where Article 66 applies: a driver arriving at a junction on a road without priority must stop completely. A PARE sign also requires a full stop. Obey the applicable signs and give way before proceeding safely.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 55, 60–76 and 106–118, safe circulation, actual limits, signs and directions

🔗 transmilenio.gov.co • Ministry of Transport — Manual de Señalización Vial de Colombia 2024, relevant signs and chapter provisions; 2025 errata checked where material

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 SR-01 • Stop. Stop completely. Proceed only when you can join or cross safely.

Español • SR-01 • Pare. Detén completamente el vehículo. Reanuda la marcha solo cuando puedas incorporarte o cruzar con seguridad.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 63

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-24. 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 SR-02 · family • Give way. Give priority to vehicles and other users of the road ahead. Stop if you cannot cross or join safely. The drawing shows the triangle without the GIVE WAY wording in the official example. The sign family is identified without confirming this drawing as a complete design.

Español • SR-02 · familia • Ceda el paso. Cede el paso a los vehículos y demás usuarios de la vía a la que te aproximas. Detente si no puedes cruzar o incorporarte con seguridad. El dibujo muestra el triángulo sin la leyenda CEDA EL PASO del ejemplo oficial. Se identifica la familia, sin confirmar este dibujo como diseño completo.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 66
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • Manual 2024: forma, color o dibujo de referencia

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Source revision 2017-10-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. Give way ahead

This traffic sign indicates give way ahead. A give-way requirement applies at the location ahead. Reduce speed in good time and be prepared to stop if necessary.

English • Traffic sign SP-33 • Give way ahead. Be prepared to reduce speed and give priority.

Español • SP-33 • Proximidad de señal Ceda el paso. Advierte que más adelante encontrarás una señal Ceda el paso. Prepárate para reducir la velocidad y ceder la prioridad.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 131

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-10-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. Stop and give way ahead

This traffic sign indicates stop and give way ahead. A stop sign applies at the location ahead. Reduce speed in good time and be prepared to come to a complete stop.

English • Traffic sign SP-29 • Stop ahead. You must stop completely at the sign ahead.

Español • SP-29 • Proximidad de señal Pare. Advierte que más adelante encontrarás una señal Pare y deberás detenerte completamente.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 130
🔗 Mintransporte.gov.co • Fe de erratas 2025: dibujo SP-29, página PDF 10

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-11. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. 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 SP-11 • Road junction. Watch for crossing traffic and priority signs at the junction ahead.

Español • SP-11 • Intersección de vías. Advierte la proximidad de un cruce de vías. Presta atención al tránsito transversal y a la señalización de prioridad.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 123

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Warning for a side road from the left

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a side road from the left. A side road joins the road ahead from the left at an uncontrolled junction. Reduce speed, watch for traffic entering from the side road and follow the applicable default priority rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-12 • Side road on the left. Warns of a road joining from the left at approximately right angles.

Español • SP-12 • Vía lateral izquierda. Advierte una vía lateral que se une por la izquierda, aproximadamente en ángulo recto.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 123

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. Warning for merging traffic from the left

This traffic sign indicates a warning for merging traffic from the left. Traffic travelling in the same general direction may join your traffic stream from the left. Stay alert for entering vehicles and follow the applicable priority signs and local rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-21 • Merging traffic from the left. Warns of a junction with vehicles joining from the left.

Español • SP-21 • Incorporación de tránsito desde la izquierda. Advierte una intersección con incorporación de vehículos desde la izquierda.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 126

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Warning for a side road from the right

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a side road from the right. A side road joins the road ahead from the right at an uncontrolled junction. Reduce speed, watch for traffic entering from the side road and follow the applicable default priority rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-13 • Side road on the right. Reduce speed and watch for joining traffic.

Español • SP-13 • Vía lateral derecha. Advierte una vía lateral que se une por la derecha. Reduce la velocidad y observa el tránsito que pueda incorporarse.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 123

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. Warning for merging traffic from the right

This traffic sign indicates a warning for merging traffic from the right. Traffic travelling in the same general direction may join your traffic stream from the right. Stay alert for entering vehicles and follow the applicable priority signs and local rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-22 • Merging traffic from the right. Warns of a junction with vehicles joining from the right.

Español • SP-22 • Incorporación de tránsito desde la derecha. Advierte una intersección con incorporación de vehículos desde la derecha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 126

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

10. Warning for a roundabout

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a roundabout. A roundabout lies ahead. Reduce speed and follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local roundabout rules when approaching and entering it.

English • Traffic sign SP-20 • Roundabout. Reduce speed and give way when entering.

Español • SP-20 • Glorieta. Advierte la proximidad de una glorieta. Reduce la velocidad y cede el paso al ingresar.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 126

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

11. Warning for a staggered junction

This traffic sign indicates a warning for a staggered junction. Side roads join the main road at different points rather than directly opposite each other. Reduce speed and watch carefully for vehicles entering, leaving or crossing the main road.

English • Traffic sign SP-19 • Staggered junction, first on the right. Two successive side roads join on opposite sides, first right then left.

Español • SP-19 • Intersección escalonada primera a la derecha. Advierte dos empalmes sucesivos a lados alternos de la vía, el primero a la derecha y el siguiente a la izquierda.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 125

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. Warning for a staggered junction

English • Traffic sign SP-18 • Staggered junction, first on the left. Two successive side roads join on opposite sides, first left then right.

Español • SP-18 • Intersección escalonada primera a la izquierda. Advierte dos empalmes sucesivos a lados alternos de la vía, el primero a la izquierda y el siguiente a la derecha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 125

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

13. Warning for an uncontrolled T-junction

This traffic sign indicates a warning for an uncontrolled T-junction. The road ends at an intersection where no traffic signs or signals assign priority. Reduce speed and follow the applicable default priority rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-14 • T-junction. Warns of a T-shaped junction ahead.

Español • SP-14 • Intersección en T. Advierte la proximidad de una intersección en forma de T.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 124

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

14. Warning for an uncontrolled Y-junction

This traffic sign indicates a warning for an uncontrolled Y-junction. The road divides or meets another road at a Y-shaped intersection where no signs or signals assign priority. Reduce speed and follow the applicable default priority rules.

English • Traffic sign SP-15 • Y-junction. Warns of a Y-shaped fork ahead.

Español • SP-15 • Bifurcación en Y. Advierte la proximidad de una bifurcación de vías en forma de Y.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 124

SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.