Priority signsItaly

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Italy. 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.


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.'


Stop and give way. Give way. Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad. Warning for a roundabout. Priority at the junction. Warning for merging traffic from the left. Priority at the junction. Warning for merging traffic from the right. Priority at the junction. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers. Mandatory roundabout direction. Start of a priority road. End of the priority road. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way. Crossroad shape. Crossroad shape. Crossroad shape.
What should I know about priority signs in Italy?

Priority signs are a subdivision of prescription signs. Distinguish STOP from give way and priority-road controls.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38–41, 43, 145, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 145

Must you always stop when giving way in Italy?

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.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 38–41, 43, 145, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 145

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.

Stop and give way.

English • Traffic sign II.37 • Stop and give way. Drivers must stop at the stop line and give way before entering the junction or joining the traffic flow.

Italiano • Figura II.37 • Fermarsi e dare precedenza. Obbliga a fermarsi in corrispondenza della striscia di arresto e a dare la precedenza prima di entrare nell’intersezione o di immettersi nel flusso della circolazione.

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.

Give way.

English • Traffic sign II.36 • Give way. Drivers must give way to vehicles travelling in either direction on the road they are about to enter or cross.

Italiano • Figura II.36 • Dare precedenza. Obbliga a dare la precedenza ai veicoli che circolano nei due sensi sulla strada nella quale ci si sta per immettere o che si sta per attraversare.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 106, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.36 • pagina 255

SVG source: F l a n k e r • Public domain • Original revision 2011-02-05. 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.

Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.

English • Traffic sign II.40 • Junction with priority to the right. Warns of a junction where the general rule of priority to the right applies.

Italiano • Figura II.40 • Intersezione con precedenza a destra. Presegnala un’intersezione nella quale vige la regola generale della precedenza a destra.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 109, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.40 • pagina 256

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
3247 • Public domain • Source revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. 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.

Warning for a roundabout.

English • Traffic sign II.27 • Roundabout ahead. Warns of a junction with roundabout circulation.

Italiano • Figura II.27 • Circolazione rotatoria. Presegnala un’intersezione regolata con circolazione rotatoria.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 96, comma 6
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.27 • pagina 252

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2026-09-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Source revision 2026-09-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Priority at the junction

This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the left, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign II.43/c • T-junction with priority. Warns of a non-priority road joining from the left. Vehicles from that road must give way.

Italiano • Figura II.43/c • Intersezione a T con diritto di precedenza. Presegnala un’intersezione con una strada subordinata che si immette da sinistra. I veicoli provenienti dalla strada subordinata devono dare precedenza.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 112, comma 2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.43/c • pagina 257

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 112.

6. 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 and adjust your speed or position when necessary to allow traffic to merge safely.

Warning for merging traffic from the left.

English • Traffic sign II.43/e • Merging traffic from the left. Warns of a non-priority road joining via an acceleration lane from the left.

Italiano • Figura II.43/e • Confluenza a sinistra. Presegnala l’immissione di una strada subordinata con corsia di accelerazione da sinistra.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 112, comma 2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.43/e • pagina 258

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 112.

7. Priority at the junction

This traffic sign indicates that you have priority at the next intersection. A side road joins from the right, and traffic entering from that side road must give way.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign II.43/b • T-junction with priority. Warns of a non-priority road joining from the right. Vehicles from that road must give way.

Italiano • Figura II.43/b • Intersezione a T con diritto di precedenza. Presegnala un’intersezione con una strada subordinata che si immette da destra. I veicoli provenienti dalla strada subordinata devono dare precedenza.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 112, comma 2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.43/b • pagina 257

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 112.

8. 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 and adjust your speed or position when necessary to allow traffic to merge safely.

Warning for merging traffic from the right.

English • Traffic sign II.43/d • Merging traffic from the right. Warns of a non-priority road joining via an acceleration lane from the right.

Italiano • Figura II.43/d • Confluenza a destra. Presegnala l’immissione di una strada subordinata con corsia di accelerazione da destra.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 112, comma 2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.43/d • pagina 258

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 112.

9. 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.

Priority at the junction.

English • Traffic sign II.43/a • Junction with priority. Warns of a junction with non-priority roads. The driver has priority over vehicles from those roads.

Italiano • Figura II.43/a • Intersezione con diritto di precedenza. Presegnala un’intersezione con strade subordinate. Il conducente ha precedenza sui veicoli provenienti da tali strade.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 112, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.43/a • pagina 257

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 112.

10. 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.

Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.

English • Traffic sign II.41 • Give way where traffic takes turns through a narrow section. Drivers must give way to oncoming vehicles.

Italiano • Figura II.41 • Dare precedenza nei sensi unici alternati. In una strettoia regolata a senso unico alternato, obbliga a dare precedenza ai veicoli provenienti in senso inverso.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 110, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.41 • pagina 256

SVG source: F l a n k e r • Public domain • Original revision 2023-12-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 110.

11. 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.

Mandatory roundabout direction.

English • Traffic sign II.84 • Roundabout. Drivers must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows within the roundabout area.

Italiano • Figura II.84 • Rotatoria. Obbliga a circolare nel verso indicato dalle frecce, in corrispondenza dell’area con circolazione rotatoria.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 122, comma 6
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.84 • pagina 271

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2010-07-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. 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.

Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign II.44 • Priority road. Marks a road section with priority.

Italiano • Figura II.44 • Diritto di precedenza. Indica che il tratto di strada gode del diritto di precedenza.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 113, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.44 • pagina 258

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

13. 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.

End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign II.42 • End of priority road. The road no longer has priority. If placed in advance, a supplementary plate gives the distance to where priority ends.

Italiano • Figura II.42 • Fine del diritto di precedenza. Indica che la strada non gode più del diritto di precedenza. Se posto in anticipo, un pannello precisa la distanza dal punto in cui la precedenza termina.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 111, comma 1–4
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.42 • pagina 257

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

14. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way

This traffic sign indicates a road narrowing where oncoming drivers have to give way.

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign II.45 • Priority where traffic takes turns through a narrow section. Indicates priority over oncoming vehicles.

Italiano • Figura II.45 • Diritto di precedenza nei sensi unici alternati. In una strettoia regolata a senso unico alternato, indica la precedenza di passaggio sui veicoli provenienti nel senso opposto.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 114, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.45 • pagina 258

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2023-12-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

15. 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.

Crossroad shape.

English • Model II.7 • Course of the priority road. The thicker line represents the road with priority over the narrower branches. Read the plate together with the priority sign. The plate supplements the main sign and must be read together with it.

Italiano • Modello II.7 • Andamento della strada principale. La striscia più larga rappresenta la strada che gode della precedenza rispetto ai rami più stretti. Il pannello va interpretato insieme al segnale di precedenza. Il pannello integra il segnale principale e deve essere interpretato insieme a esso.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 83, comma 11
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Modello II.7 • pagina 243

SVG source: Original: Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici Vectorization: Arbalete • Public domain • Original revision 2024-07-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

16. 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.

Crossroad shape.

English • Model II.7 • Course of the priority road. The thicker line represents the road with priority over the narrower branches. Read the plate together with the priority sign. The plate supplements the main sign and must be read together with it.

Italiano • Modello II.7 • Andamento della strada principale. La striscia più larga rappresenta la strada che gode della precedenza rispetto ai rami più stretti. Il pannello va interpretato insieme al segnale di precedenza. Il pannello integra il segnale principale e deve essere interpretato insieme a esso.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 83, comma 11
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Modello II.7 • pagina 243

SVG source: Original: Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici Vectorization: Arbalete • Public domain • Original revision 2024-07-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

17. 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.

Crossroad shape.

English • Model II.7 • Course of the priority road. The thicker line represents the road with priority over the narrower branches. Read the plate together with the priority sign. The plate supplements the main sign and must be read together with it.

Italiano • Modello II.7 • Andamento della strada principale. La striscia più larga rappresenta la strada che gode della precedenza rispetto ai rami più stretti. Il pannello va interpretato insieme al segnale di precedenza. Il pannello integra il segnale principale e deve essere interpretato insieme a esso.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 83, comma 11
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Modello II.7 • pagina 243

SVG source: Original: Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici Vectorization: Arbalete • Public domain • Original revision 2024-07-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.