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Trams — priority, overtaking, stops and slippery rails (especially in Amsterdam)

By Mustafa Aybek · maker of Rijtheorie Hub · sources: RVV 1990, cbr.nl · last updated 2026-10-11

Animation from the app: Tram from the left: the tram goes first.

The tram almost always has priority — even from the left

When in doubt, always let the tram go — from any direction.

Priority from the left applies only at an equal-value intersection; as soon as there are traffic lights or priority signs / shark's teeth, those govern and the tram obeys them too.
On a priority road you have priority over a tram emerging from a side street — the tram then has shark's teeth itself and must wait.
When turning, you always give way to a tram going straight, including a tram passing you from behind on your right or left.
A tram too must let pedestrians go first who are crossing at a zebra or about to. (Belgium is different: there the tram goes first.)
A tram on its own dedicated track with its own tram signals (white bars/lines instead of red-amber-green) may have a go signal while your direction is red — read your own signal.
Police or fire vehicles showing blue lights and sirens take priority over the tram; the tram must yield to them too.
Amsterdam trap: on many squares (e.g. around Centraal Station, Leidseplein, Frederiksplein) several tram tracks cross at once from unexpected angles — expect trams from left and right simultaneously.

Never enter a junction or the rails unless you can fully clear them.

Driving over rails set into the carriageway is allowed; it is standing still or parking on them that is forbidden.
The dedicated tram track (raised, grass, different paving, or a tram sign) is entirely off-limits to cars — not even a brief entry to turn around.
Never enter a junction with rails if you cannot clear it on the far side; if you end up stopped on the rails you block the whole line.
In a breakdown or collision on the rails: alert others immediately and get off the rails as fast as possible — a standing tram cannot go around you.
Amsterdam gotcha: loading/unloading or 'just dropping someone off' half on the rails is fined via the tram cameras and your car can be towed at once.
Cyclists and mopeds must not 'wait' on the rails either; in narrow canal streets you get trapped between the tram and the kerb.

Normally overtake a tram on the right; left only when the right is impossible.

Main rule: overtake a tram on the right. Left is allowed only when the right really is not possible (no room) or in a one-way street.
Never overtake at a stop where passengers are boarding or alighting; stop or pass at walking pace (see next section).
Do not overtake just before or on a junction, and not when the tram is braking or signalling a turn.
In narrow Amsterdam canal streets overtaking is often physically impossible — stay calmly behind the tram; that is not a mistake, it is normal.
When passing on the right, watch for cyclists and pedestrians popping up between the tram and the kerb; you see them late.
A turning loop or terminus (e.g. at stations or the edge of the city) is no place to overtake — the tram may turn or shunt back unexpectedly.

No refuge island? Stop until all boarding and alighting passengers are safe.

With a refuge island: you may drive past the stop on the right, but slowly; passengers wait safely on the island.
Without a refuge island: stop and wait until boarding and alighting passengers have crossed; only pass at walking pace when truly nobody is crossing.
A bus stopped at a stop without a refuge island falls under the same rule — passengers get priority.
Expect people crossing in front of the tram whom you cannot see coming because the tram blocks your view; just as with a stationary bus.
Amsterdam gotcha: many city-centre stops (e.g. in the Leidsestraat) have no refuge island and are extremely cramped — here you effectively step straight from pavement into the tram.
Cyclists often ride past the tram on the right towards the stop; take care not to trap them against the boarding passengers.

Always cross rails as close to a right angle as possible, never shallow.

Always cross rails as close to a right angle as possible; the shallower the angle, the greater the chance your tyre slides or catches in the groove.
Wet weather, frost, thaw and wet leaves make the rails extra slippery — grip is then lowest and the first rain after a dry spell is the most dangerous.
For motorcycle and bicycle: avoid braking, steering or accelerating right on the rail; do that before or after the crossing.
The groove beside the rail can catch a narrow tyre; if your front wheel gets trapped you lose steering — choose your line deliberately.
At points and junctions several rails run through each other; find the spot where you can take them most squarely, even if it is a detour.
Amsterdam gotcha: cobblestones, white markings and rails together on squares, for example, are extremely slippery; drop your speed well before the track.
A car loses grip too: reckon on a longer braking distance if you have to stop on a wet rail crossing.

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