Cédez le passageSuisse

Apprenez les règles de circulation avec des explications claires et des exemples visuels dans notre livre illustré, simple et agréable à étudier.


20. Cédez le passage

Un panneau Cédez le passage oblige les conducteurs à laisser passer les usagers prioritaires avant de s’engager sur une route, de la traverser ou de la rejoindre. Les conducteurs doivent réduire leur vitesse, observer le trafic approchant et s’arrêter si nécessaire.

Contrairement à un panneau Stop, un Cédez le passage n’impose pas toujours un arrêt complet. Le conducteur peut continuer sans s’arrêter uniquement si le passage est clairement libre et qu’aucun usager prioritaire n’est obligé de modifier sa vitesse ou sa trajectoire.

Cédez le passage
What does a give-way sign mean?

A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed first. The driver must slow down and stop when necessary.

How can you recognise a give-way sign?

It is commonly an inverted triangular sign with a red border and a light-coloured centre. In some countries, it is called a yield sign.

Must you always stop at a give-way sign?

No. You must stop only when necessary to give way or obtain a sufficiently clear view. You may continue slowly when the road is clearly free.

What does giving way mean?

Giving way means allowing another road user to continue without being forced to brake, accelerate, stop or change direction because of your movement.

Where should you stop when necessary?

Stop before the give-way line where one is provided. Without a line, stop before entering the intersection or priority road at a position where you can observe traffic safely.

May you cross the give-way line before stopping?

You may move beyond the line only when this does not interfere with traffic that has priority. Where visibility is limited, first slow or stop at the line and then move forward cautiously.

What is the difference between give way and stop?

A stop sign always requires a complete stop. A give-way sign permits the driver to continue without stopping when the road is clearly free and it is safe to proceed.

Does slowing down satisfy the give-way requirement?

Only when slowing down is sufficient to let all priority traffic proceed safely. If another road user would be hindered, the driver must slow further or stop.

Who must you give way to?

Give way to traffic travelling on the road being entered or crossed and to any pedestrians, cyclists or other road users who have priority under the applicable rules.

Does giving way apply only to vehicles approaching from one direction?

No. Check every direction from which lawful traffic may approach, including cycle paths, one-way roads with authorised contraflow traffic and separate carriageways.

Does a give-way sign give the other road permanent priority?

The sign determines priority at the particular location. The priority arrangement at later intersections may be different unless the road is separately identified as a priority road.

Does giving way give you priority afterwards?

No. You may proceed only when it is safe. Another driver’s hesitation or courtesy does not remove your responsibility to avoid danger.

Must every vehicle in a queue give way separately?

Yes. Each driver must observe the road and make an individual decision. You may not follow another vehicle through without checking that the way remains clear.

Does a give-way sign apply to cyclists?

Normally, yes. Cyclists are generally treated as drivers and must obey the sign unless a supplementary sign or local rule provides otherwise.

Can a give-way sign apply only to cyclists?

Yes. Some countries use supplementary signs or path-specific signs to require cyclists to give way while other traffic follows a different priority arrangement.

Does a give-way sign change the speed limit?

No. It regulates priority rather than speed. Drivers must still approach slowly enough to observe traffic and stop when necessary.

Does a give-way sign change turning rules?

No. Drivers must still obey traffic lights, lane arrows, mandatory-direction signs and turning prohibitions.

How does give way work at a roundabout?

Many roundabout entrances have give-way signs requiring entering traffic to yield to vehicles already circulating. Drivers must follow the actual signs because roundabout priority rules differ between countries.

Do traffic lights override a give-way sign?

Functioning traffic lights commonly take precedence over priority signs controlling the same movement. The give-way sign may apply again when the lights are switched off or flashing, depending on local law.

Do police instructions override a give-way sign?

Yes. Instructions from an authorised traffic officer normally take precedence over traffic signs and ordinary priority rules.

What should you do when visibility is limited?

Reduce speed substantially and stop when necessary. Move forward cautiously only after giving way and checking that the road can be entered without danger.

1 Suisse 2 Autoroute 3 Voie rapide 4 Zone résidentielle 5 Zone 6 Limitation de vitesse 7 Vitesse minimale 8 Chemin piéton 9 Piste cyclable 10 Chemin partagé 11 Tunnel 12 Zone piétonne 13 Douane 14 Circulation à sens unique 15 Pente 16 Voie de bus 17 Arrêt de bus 18 Impasse 19 Panneau Stop 20 Cédez le passage 21 Rond-point 22 Route prioritaire 23 Rétrécissement de chaussée 24 Priorité sur la circulation venant en sens inverse 25 Cédez le passage à la circulation venant en sens inverse 26 Passage pour piétons 27 Passage à niveau 28 Direction obligatoire 29 Interdiction de tourner 30 Zone scolaire 31 Dépassement 32 Traversée d’animaux 33 Chaussée glissante 34 Chutes de pierres 35 Aéronefs 36 Virage 37 Chevron 38 Circulation à contresens 39 Travaux routiers 40 Vent latéral 41 Limitation de hauteur 42 Limitation de largeur 43 Limitation de longueur 44 Limitation de poids 45 Panneau directionnel de carrefour 46 Priorité au prochain carrefour 47 Feux de circulation 48 Avertissement de feux de circulation 49 Feux pour piétons 50 Marquages routiers 51 Schéma de carrefour 52 Permis de conduire 53 Repère de localisation 54 Numéro de route 55 Balises de compte à rebours 56 Miroir routier 57 Téléphone d’urgence 58 Frontière internationale 59 Passage souterrain pour piétons 60 Itinéraire cyclable 61 Fin de restriction 62 Stationnement 63 Stationnement interdit 64 Arrêt interdit 65 Disque de stationnement 66 Marche arrière 67 Demi-tour 68 Embouteillage 69 Déviation 70 Carrefour non réglementé 71 État de la chaussée 72 Sortie 73 Point d’information 74 Équitation 75 Issue de secours 76 Voie de détresse 77 Service radio 78 Chargement surdimensionné 79 Limite d’agglomération 80 Hôpital 81 Parking couvert 82 Zone de croisement 83 Passerelle piétonne 84 Limite de charge par essieu 85 Plaque d’immatriculation 86 Station de recharge 87 Dangers 88 Météo 89 Tourner au feu rouge 90 Piéton 91 Cycliste 92 Cyclomoteur 93 Moto 94 Voiture 95 Camion 96 Autobus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Suivre de trop près 100 Norme européenne d’émissions ...