Part 3 of 6 in Special Manoeuvres & Vehicles

Military convoys: recognising them and priority

Recognise a military convoy by its blue and green flags, and know when you must let the whole convoy go first.

Written by Reviewed by Dirk van Zuijlen

Updated Reviewed on 3 min read

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On this page Military convoys: recognising them and priority
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You recognise a military convoy by a blue flag on the first vehicle and a green flag on the last one. You may not cut through a convoy. If the first vehicle passed on green, the rest may continue through red.

Military convoy flags: how to recognise a convoy

Blue at the front, green at the back. The flag is on the front left of the vehicle. Vehicles in between may also have a blue flag.
Blue at the front, green at the back. The flag is on the front left of the vehicle. Vehicles in between may also have a blue flag.

A military convoy is a group of military vehicles, or disaster relief vehicles, driving one behind the other under one commander. You recognise the convoy by flags and lights:

  • First vehicle: a blue flag on the front left.
  • Vehicles in between: may also have a blue flag on the front left. They do not have to.
  • Last vehicle: a green flag on the front left.
  • All vehicles: at least dipped headlights on, day and night.

These are the rules since 1 January 2025. Blue and green covers on the headlights are no longer required. Remember: only after the vehicle with the green flag is the convoy over. Not every row of army vehicles is a convoy: it is about the flags.

Military convoy priority: does a convoy always have right of way?

No. The first vehicle follows the normal priority rules. Once that vehicle is on the junction, you let the whole convoy go.

The convoy comes from the right. The learner car waits and lets the whole convoy go.
The convoy comes from the right. The learner car waits and lets the whole convoy go.
Here the first vehicle is still waiting and the learner car comes from the right. The learner car may go first.
Here the first vehicle is still waiting and the learner car comes from the right. The learner car may go first.

At an equal junction this means: if the convoy comes from the right, it goes first. Does the convoy come from the left and is the first vehicle still waiting? Then you go first, because you come from the right.

Does the convoy have give-way markings or a stop sign, while you drive on the priority road? Then those signs still apply and the convoy gives way to you. Does a convoy vehicle drive on anyway? Then always avoid a collision.

May you drive between the vehicles of a military convoy?

No. You may not cut through or break up a military convoy. Do not drive between the vehicles, not even when there is a gap. Wait until the vehicle with the green flag has passed.

The convoy is already crossing the junction. The learner car waits until the last vehicle, with the green flag, has passed.
The convoy is already crossing the junction. The learner car waits until the last vehicle, with the green flag, has passed.

This ban applies to all road users. So also to cyclists and pedestrians.

Dutch traffic rules (RVV 1990), article 16.

May a military convoy drive through a red light?

The first vehicle passed on green. The rest of the convoy may follow, even now the light is red. You do not break up the convoy.
The first vehicle passed on green. The rest of the convoy may follow, even now the light is red. You do not break up the convoy.

Yes, sometimes. Did the first vehicle pass on green? Then the other convoy vehicles may keep going, even when the light turns red. Do you get green in the meantime? Then wait until the convoy has passed.

An ordinary car that happens to be driving within the convoy does not get this exception. It stops at red. A funeral procession does not have this exception either: there every car stops at red.

Dutch traffic rules (RVV 1990), article 68.

Is a military convoy a priority vehicle?

No. A priority vehicle has blue flashing lights and a siren. A convoy has flags. Read the difference in priority vehicles. A convoy does have two exceptions of its own:

Does a military convoy have to stop at a zebra crossing?

The convoy is already driving over the zebra crossing. The pedestrian waits and does not cross between the vehicles.
The convoy is already driving over the zebra crossing. The pedestrian waits and does not cross between the vehicles.

No. Convoy vehicles do not have to let pedestrians on a zebra crossing go first. So as a pedestrian, do not cross between the convoy vehicles.

A bus pulling away from a stop

In a built-up area you let a bus pull away from a stop. Convoy vehicles do not have to. Read more about that rule in buses and lorries.

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 5

At an equal intersection, traffic from the right has priority because there are no priority signs.

You are driving at an equal intersection. Should you let the military convoy go first?

Tap the answer you think is right.

Answer options

Answers and explanations for the example questions

  1. Question 1: You are driving at an equal intersection. Should you let the military convoy go first?

    Correct answer: Yes

    The military convoy is coming from the right, and at an equal intersection, traffic from the right has priority.

  2. Question 2: You are driving at an equal intersection. Should you let the military convoy go first?

    Correct answer: No

    In this situation, you have the right of way (for example, you are coming from the right). Therefore, you may proceed first.

  3. Question 3: You are driving at an equal intersection. Should you let the military convoy go first?

    Correct answer: Yes

    The military convoy is already driving and is coming from the right. You must not interrupt it, so the convoy goes first.

  4. Question 4: May you interrupt the military convoy?

    Correct answer: No

    Even with a green light, you may not cross a moving military convoy. This maintains the continuity of the convoy 🚙.

  5. Question 5: Should you let the military convoy go ahead?

    Correct answer: No

    If the front vehicle of a military convoy is at a red light, it must stop. The other vehicles in the convoy follow the front vehicle and may only proceed if it is moving. In this case, the front vehicle stops at red, you have green and may therefore just continue driving.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to questions that often come up on this subject.

May you overtake a military convoy?

Yes, where overtaking is permitted and safe, with sufficient visibility and space. Multiple lanes in the same direction are not a general requirement. Overtaking does not permit cutting across the convoy at a junction or turn. An ordinary lane change or motorway merge is different, but must not hinder others and does not make you a convoy member.

How do you recognize the last vehicle of a military convoy?

The last vehicle of a military convoy has a green flag. Once that vehicle has passed, the convoy is over.

May you pass a military convoy if the first vehicle has not yet passed?

Yes. As long as the first vehicle has not yet passed, the normal priority rules apply. If you have priority, you may drive. Only afterwards do you let the entire convoy go first.

May a military convoy drive through a red light?

Yes. If the first vehicle went through on green, the rest of the convoy may go through red. You then wait, even when you get green.

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