Shark teeth on the road: Dutch right-of-way rules

You'll know exactly how to handle Dutch intersections after reading this guide. You'll understand who moves first when you arrive at a crossing. Learning the specific haaientanden verkeersregels voorrang knm (shark teeth traffic rules priority KNM) requirements prevents dangerous mistakes during your life in the Netherlands. DUO expects you to identify these markings on sight so you can travel safely between your home, the gemeente (municipality), or your work. If you're studying for the exam, this sits alongside the other traffic basics in the KNM overview.

The meaning of 'Haaientanden'

Haaientanden (shark teeth) are white, equilateral triangles painted on the road surface. These markings point toward you to signal that you're approaching a priority intersection. This marking indicates that you must yield to every driver on the crossing road, regardless of their vehicle type. You don't need to come to a complete stop if no one's coming. However, if a cyclist or motorist is approaching, you must wait behind the line of teeth until the path's clear. On busy urban streets, parked cars or buildings can block your view, and if you roll forward anyway, you can hit someone who already has priority.

These triangles are often paired with sign B6, which is a red and white triangle pointing down. Look closely at the ground.

Because the Netherlands is famous for its cycling culture, these markings frequently appear on dedicated bike paths to manage the flow of traffic at busy corners. Failure to obey them leads to a heavy fine from the politie (police) if an accident occurs. You won't find these on highways, but they're everywhere in Dutch cities where the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) and other government offices are located. DUO tests this knowledge because it's necessary for safe integration into Dutch society. It ensures every road user knows their place in the hierarchy of movement.

Priority on the right

The default rule in the Netherlands is simple. If no signs, lights, or shark teeth exist, traffic coming from the right has the right of way. This principle governs thousands of quiet intersections across every gemeente in the country. You must remember that this rule applies to all drivers, not just people in cars. Pedestrians are the only group that doesn't benefit from this right-hand priority rule. They must wait. If a person is walking, they must yield to cars and bikes unless they're on a zebrapad (zebra crossing) or the vehicle is turning into their street.

Applying the rule to cyclists

New arrivals often make the mistake of thinking cars always go first. This is a dangerous assumption. In a Dutch neighborhood, a teenager on a bicycle coming from your right has priority over your car. Wait until they pass. Many accidents happen because drivers from countries with different rules don't recognize cyclists as equal road users. Wait until the cyclist has fully cleared the intersection before you move. If you see a bike, assume it has the same rights as a truck unless the teeth say otherwise.

Exceptions for 'voorrangswegen'

A yellow diamond sign indicates you're on a voorrangsweg (priority road). Yielding isn't necessary here. The crossing traffic will have shark teeth to keep them back while you drive through. When that diamond has a black line through it, your priority ends.

Look for the black line.

Another common exception involves unpaved roads. Drivers on a paved road always have priority over those coming from a dirt path or zandpad (sand path), even if that person's on your right. This distinction ensures that traffic on major routes isn't constantly interrupted by vehicles coming from farm fields or park entrances.

Buses and Trams

Public transport is king in Dutch traffic law. Trams are the biggest vehicles on the street. Yield to the tram. Even if it comes from your left at an equal intersection, you must wait. Because they're heavy and cannot steer, they've the legal right to move first in almost every situation. Trams and buses are the main way people use their OV-chipkaart (public transport card) to travel, so they're always moving. Following this rule keeps the public transit system running on time according to the strict schedules the Dutch prefer.

Buses have a privilege when they signal to leave a stop. Inside the bebouwde kom (built-up area), you must let them merge into your lane. This is law. Outside the built-up area, the bus must wait for you to pass first. Look for the blue city signs with the name of the town to know which rule applies to your current location. If you're within the city limits, a bus with its indicator on should be given space immediately.

Pedestrians on zebras

A zebrapad is a designated crossing point marked by thick white stripes. Stop your car. When you see a pedestrian waiting at the curb, you're legally required to give them priority. This applies even if they haven't stepped onto the road yet. Ignoring someone at a zebra crossing will cause you to fail your exam. Buses, ambulances, and police cars must also stop for pedestrians here.

Every driver must yield to a pedestrian on a zebra crossing. This includes tram drivers. While trams have priority at most normal intersections, the law requires them to stop for pedestrians at the zebra stripes. You should still be careful because trams take a long time to brake. Always make eye contact with the driver before you step onto the tracks. This keeps the flow of the city moving while protecting you from the largest vehicles on the road.

Yielding at shark teeth is a fundamental skill for surviving Dutch roads and passing your KNM test. Always give priority to the right unless a sign or marking tells you otherwise. Respect the tram.