Part 5 of 6 in Special Manoeuvres & Vehicles
Funeral processions: priority and traffic lights
Funeral procession and priority: at an equal junction you do not cut through it, but at a red light a funeral procession stops.
Written by Chris Prosman Reviewed by Dirk van Zuijlen
Updated Reviewed on 3 min read
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You recognise a funeral procession by the funeral flags on the cars. You may not cut through a funeral procession. But the procession gets no extra priority and simply stops at a red light.
Funeral procession flags: how to recognise a funeral procession
A funeral procession (uitvaartstoet or rouwstoet) is a row of cars accompanying a deceased person or their ashes. Every car in the procession has two official funeral flags: one on the left and one on the right of the car. That also applies to the cars of family and friends.
Without those flags it is not an official funeral procession. Black cars or driving slowly are not enough. Then the normal rules apply. Out of respect you may give room, as long as you do not surprise others.
Funeral procession priority: must you let it go first?
Only when the procession has already started crossing. The first vehicle follows the normal priority rules. So a hearse gets no extra priority.
Does the procession have give-way markings or a stop sign, while you drive on the priority road? Then you go first. At an equal junction the normal rule applies: traffic from the right goes first. On a roundabout, you also look at the signs and markings.
May you cut through a funeral procession?
No. Has the first car already gone? Then let the whole procession go. Do not drive between the cars, not even when there is a gap. This also applies to cyclists and pedestrians.
May a funeral procession drive through a red light?
No. Every car in the procession follows the traffic light. Did the first car still pass on green and does the light then turn red? Then the next cars stop. The procession is briefly split up. That is no reason to run a red light.
This is the big difference with a military convoy:
| Picture | Group | First vehicle passed on green, now it is red |
|---|---|---|
 | Military convoy | The rest may keep going. |
| Funeral procession | Every car stops at red. |
Read more about the convoy in military convoy.
May you overtake a funeral procession?
Yes. There is no separate rule that bans overtaking a funeral procession. The normal overtaking rules apply. Do not pull in between the cars of the procession: cutting through a procession is not allowed. Overtake calmly and only when there is enough room.
Funeral procession rules at zebra crossings and bus stops
Cars in a funeral procession have two exceptions, like a military convoy:
- They need not let pedestrians on a zebra crossing go first.
- In a built-up area, they need not let a bus pull away from a stop.
So as a pedestrian, do not cross between the cars. The procession may never cause danger, and it always stops at a red light.
Practise like the exam
Example questions like in the CBR exam
Real questions from the Theorio app. You can expect similar questions in your CBR exam.
Question 1 of 4
Should you yield to the funeral procession now?
Tap the answer you think is right.
The traffic light is green, should you let the funeral procession go first?
Tap the answer you think is right.
How do you recognise an official funeral procession?
Tap the answer you think is right.
The first car of the funeral procession has already crossed. Now the light is red. May the next car of the procession drive on?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Answers and explanations for the example questions
Question 1: Should you yield to the funeral procession now?
Correct answer: No
The funeral procession has shark teeth and must therefore give way to crossing traffic. You are driving on a priority road and do not have to wait. This is the applicable priority rule.
Question 2: The traffic light is green, should you let the funeral procession go first?
Correct answer: Yes
If the front car of the funeral procession is already moving, you may not interrupt the procession. You must not drive between the cars. You have to wait until the entire funeral procession has passed, even if your traffic light is green. Everyone must let the procession go first.
Question 3: How do you recognise an official funeral procession?
Correct answer: Every car has two funeral flags
Every car in a funeral procession has two official funeral flags, on the left and on the right. Black cars or driving slowly are not enough.
Question 4: The first car of the funeral procession has already crossed. Now the light is red. May the next car of the procession drive on?
Correct answer: No, every car stops at red
Every car in a funeral procession obeys the traffic light. Only a military convoy may drive on if the first vehicle went through on green.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to questions that often come up on this subject.
May you cut through a funeral procession?
No, not at an equal-priority junction once the first vehicle has passed: then you let the whole procession go. Before that, the normal priority rules apply.
May a funeral procession drive through a red light?
No. A funeral procession stops at a red light, even if the first car still went through on green. Every car in the procession obeys the traffic light.
How do you recognise a funeral procession?
By the prescribed pair of black triangular funeral flags with white reflective stripes, one on each side of every participating vehicle. The hearse also needs recognition markings for the special arrangement. Flags must be visible above the vehicle at their mounting location; they need not be mounted exclusively at the front of the bonnet. Black cars or slow driving alone do not make a legally recognised procession.
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