The rule of priority from the right in car parks
How to assess right of way and the priority-from-the-right rule in car parks and retail areas.
The priority-from-the-right rule in car parks creates a lot of confusion because parking areas can be built in different ways. At the same time, one main rule is important to know: if you drive out from a parking area, a parking row or a similar area, you must yield to other road users.
What you need to know
- Anyone coming from a parking area, parking row or similar area must yield to other traffic.
- Signs and road markings override assumptions about what seems most natural.
- Low speed does not remove your responsibility to assess right of way correctly.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Two similar driving lanes meet | Clarify whether you are actually in a normal road intersection or in a parking area with exits and internal traffic. | Thinking the biggest vehicle or the widest lane has priority. |
| Driving out from a parking row | Stop or clearly slow down and allow other road users to pass before you move out. | Using the priority-from-the-right rule as an excuse to roll out without control. |
| Retail area with signs | Follow the road markings and signs first. | Ignoring the signs because you expect the ordinary right-hand rule. |
Common mistakes
- Applying the same rule to the entire parking area without reading how it is built.
- Driving too fast because the area feels private and calm.
- Forgetting pedestrians between the parked cars.
How to practice
Link this with Exiting from a private road or parking area , Right-of-way rules in detail and City driving - stopping and parking .
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