Merging, changing lanes and exiting

	What the rule says	What you do	Where it goes wrong
The manoeuvre grants no priority	Art. 54 names merging, exiting AND changing lanes in one list: whoever does it gives way to ALL other traffic.	Wait for the gap instead of making one, and abort the manoeuvre if the gap closes.	Thinking an indicator grants a right. It ANNOUNCES; art. 54 continues to apply in full alongside it.
The order of actions	Art. 55 requires a signal when moving off, overtaking, joining and leaving the through carriageway and changing lanes — so before each of these manoeuvres.	Mirror, indicator, shoulder check, steer — in that order, because the check must come after the signal and before the wheel.	Skipping the shoulder check because the mirror was empty. The mirror does not show what is BESIDE you — that is the whole reason the check exists.
In a queue	In a queue the rightmost lane need not be followed — art. 3(1) then yields. Outside the queue the duty returns at once.	In the queue keep your lane and do not hunt for the fastest one; as soon as it flows, back to the right.	Hopping from lane to lane. Every change is an art. 54 manoeuvre: you gain seconds and give up all your priority.
Leaving the carriageway	Joining the exit lane is also in art. 54. And the gore before the exit may not be used (art. 77(1)).	Move right in good time and brake only on the exit lane — not on the through carriageway.	Cutting across the gore to the exit. That is forbidden and it is where the car you had in your blind spot is.

The law itself

Verified on: 2026-08-07