Pedestrians and the zebra crossing: who goes first? The rules every theory-B student must know

The CBR car theory exam includes questions about pedestrians: under the topic Priority and giving way the CBR explicitly lists "giving way to pedestrians". A pedestrian doesn't need a priority sign to go first. In this article we list the rules, straight from the Dutch traffic regulations (Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990, RVV 1990).

1. The zebra crossing (voetgangersoversteekplaats)

• Pedestrians on or at the zebra go first. You must give way to pedestrians and drivers of a mobility vehicle (gehandicaptenvoertuig) who are crossing on the zebra or are clearly about to (art. 49(2)). If someone is obviously waiting to cross, you already stop.
• Exception: traffic lights. If a red pedestrian light or a flashing yellow light applies to the pedestrian, this rule does not apply (art. 49(4)). On red, pedestrians may not start crossing; anyone already crossing walks on as quickly as possible (art. 74).
• No overtaking at the zebra. Overtaking a vehicle just before or on a zebra crossing is prohibited (art. 12). A car stopping before the zebra may be stopping for a pedestrian you can't see.
• No stopping. You may not stop (stilstaan) on a crossing or within 5 metres of it (art. 23(1)(c)), so parking there isn't allowed either.

2. Even without a zebra: turning and special manoeuvres

• Turning. When you turn, you must give way to traffic on the same road coming towards you or next to or close behind you (art. 18(1)). That includes a pedestrian going straight along the same road and crossing the side road you turn into, even when there is no zebra there (ANWB).
• Special manoeuvres. When pulling away, reversing, turning round, leaving a driveway or merging, you must give way to all other traffic (art. 54), pedestrians included.
• Bus and tram. If you pass a stationary tram or bus on the side where passengers get on and off, you must give them the chance to do so (art. 52).
• Blind people and people with walking difficulties. Always give way to blind people with a white cane with one or more red rings, and to anyone who moves with difficulty (art. 49(1)), also away from a zebra.

3. Who counts as a pedestrian, and where do they walk?

• Pushing a bike or moped? Someone walking a bicycle, moped (bromfiets) or motorcycle by hand falls under the rules for pedestrians (art. 2(2)). The same goes for someone using a mobility vehicle on the pavement (art. 2(1)).
• Where do pedestrians walk? On the pavement (trottoir) or footpath. If there is none, on the cycle path or cycle/moped path; if that's missing too, on the verge or at the far edge of the carriageway (art. 4). The RVV doesn't prescribe a side of the road, so pedestrians may walk with you or towards you.
• Erf (residential zone). In an erf pedestrians may use the full width of the road (art. 44) and you drive no faster than 15 km/h (art. 45).

4. Signs to recognise

• L2: pedestrian crossing (blue information sign). It is placed at a zebra, except where there are traffic lights.
• J22: warning for a pedestrian crossing. J23: warning for pedestrians.
• G7: footpath. C16: closed to pedestrians.

Good to know: under the official implementation rules, zebra crossings are only laid on roads with a speed limit of 30 or 50 km/h inside built-up areas, or 30 km/h outside them (under conditions).

Tip from The Bro School

For any pedestrian question, check three things: is there a zebra, does a traffic light apply to the pedestrian, and are you turning or making a special manoeuvre? No zebra doesn't automatically mean you go first. The car theory exam has 50 questions in 30 minutes and you need 44 correct, so these "small" questions count. Practise them in our exam packages: thebroschool.nl/en/courses.

Sources: RVV 1990, arts. 2, 4, 12, 18, 23, 44, 45, 49, 52, 54 and 74 + annex 1 (wetten.overheid.nl, in Dutch) · Uitvoeringsvoorschriften BABW inzake verkeerstekens (sign L2, zebra; in Dutch) · CBR: topics in the theory exam (in Dutch) · ANWB: priority for pedestrians (in Dutch)