Priority signsIndia
Traffic rules
India
Priority signs
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Prohibitory signs
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Information 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 India?
STOP and GIVE WAY are regulatory controls with distinctive shapes. STOP requires stopping; give way requires yielding.
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance
🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information
Must you always stop when giving way in India?
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.
🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices
🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment
🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance
🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information
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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.01 • Stop. Stop before proceeding, and give way to traffic with priority. This illustration lacks the STOP lettering required by the prescribed design. Meaning identified at sign-family or illustration level; this complete drawing is not confirmed as an exact current standard design.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page88
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
ESanchez013 • Public domain • Source revision 2024-07-13. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.02 • Give way. Let traffic with priority pass; slow down and stop if necessary. The illustration omits the GIVE WAY lettering shown in the standard plate. Meaning identified at sign-family or illustration level; this complete drawing is not confirmed as an exact current standard design.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page88
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Design: India Road Congresses Vectorization: Big guy 637 • Public domain • Source revision 2026-01-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
3. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 15.15 • Roundabout ahead. A roundabout is ahead.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page103
SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.
4. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.47a — family • Mini-roundabout. Follow the clockwise arrows and give priority to vehicles approaching from the right. The current mini-roundabout example includes a supplementary MINI ROUNDABOUT plate absent from this drawing. Meaning identified at sign-family or illustration level; this complete drawing is not confirmed as an exact current standard design.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nepali Department of Roads • Public domain • Source revision 2021-12-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.
