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German Driving Guide
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German Traffic Signs & Signals (Page 1 of 2)
This page last updated January 28, 2010
Below is a comprehensive guide of German traffic signs, signals, and markings. This guide is designed for boththe short-term tourist wanting to learn German traffic signs in preparation for a trip as well as for someone whois studying to get a German or US military driver's license. This topic is divided into two pages. These pagesmay also be of interest to road and sign aficionados.
On these pages:
Signs
Vehicle class symbols (Page 1)Supplemental signs (Page 1)Warning signs (Page 1)Railway crossing signs (Page 1)Right-of-way signs (Page 1)Speed limit signs (Page 1)Regulatory signs (Page 1)Parking signs (Page 2)Service signs (Page 2)Information and guide signs (Page 2)Miscellaneous signs (Page 2)Additional sign symbols (Page 2)Additional sign information (Page 2)Sign vocabulary (Page 2)
Signals (Page 2)Road markings (Page 2)
SIGNS
Germany has a comprehensive and uniform traffic sign system. All signs have standard shapes and colors anduse easy-to-understand international pictograms and symbols. The sign system was overhauled in the early '90sto more closely conform with European standards.
Below, you will find a complete guide of German traffic signs with their official meaning and additional notes.These signs are from the official German traffic code and include all updates through 2009.
Officially, German traffic signs are divided into three major categories: warning signs, regulation signs, and guidesigns. However, I have divided the sign collection into several additional categories and I've placed each signwhere it most logically belongs regardless of its official designation.
In the German traffic code, most signs are assigned an official number. This number is used on traffic ticketsand accident reports when a sign is involved in the incident. You can obtain the official sign number for each signon this page by holding your mouse over the sign for a second (works with most web browsers). Note that the2009 revision to the traffic code eliminated the official number and definition for some signs although the signsthemselves were allowed to continue to be used as necessary.
These pages include changes made to the traffic code regarding signs that took effect inSeptember 2009. Signs marked as "obsolete" are being phased-out by 2019. Signs marked as"deprecated" no longer carry an official definition, but can be used as needed. Signs markedas "new" were added in 2009.
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Vehicle class symbols
Traffic signs in Germany employ a set of standard symbols to indicate the type or class of vehicle being referredto on the sign. Some of the symbols are inclusive in that they encompass several lesser classes as well. Thefollowing table outlines these symbols and their meanings:
Symbol Description Other lesser included classes
Motor vehiclesIncludes all multi-track motorized vehicles
Passenger vehiclesIncludes all cars and light trucks
Vehicles over 3.5tIncludes all vehicles with a permitted gross weightover 3.5 tonnes, their trailers, and any other vehiclethat does not qualify as a passenger vehicle; itspecifically does not include buses
MotorcyclesIncludes motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, andmopeds
The following are the remaining vehicle class symbols:
Mopeds Bicycles Buses Motor homes
Passenger vehicles withtrailers
Vehicles over 3.5t withtrailers
Slow moving vehiclesIncludes tractors and
other vehicles that cannotexceed 25 km/h
Horse-drawn vehicles(New)
Cattle/animals Riders Pedestrians Tracked militaryvehicles
Streetcars Rail vehicles Vehicles with markedhazardous cargo
Vehicles carrying morethan 3000 liters ofwater-pollutants
Supplemental signs
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The German sign system uses a fair amount of "supplemental signs" (Zusatzschild). These are black and whiterectangular or square signs mounted below a parent sign and are used to modify or give additional information,such as exemptions, restrictions, or more specific details, regarding the condition shown on the parent sign.Supplemental signs use symbols wherever possible, but most supplemental signs use words. To help youdecipher these signs, a complete vocabulary list is provided at the end of the signs section.
Because of the large number of supplemental signs, not all of them are shown on this page. Instead, I'veincluded the most frequent ones in their most common usage, especially the ones that use symbols.
The most common use for supplemental signs is for distances. There are two such signs-- the distance to theparent sign's condition, and the duration of the condition:
Distance to the condition shownon the parent sign
Duration (length) of the conditionshown on the parent sign
Here are some examples to better illustrate the difference between the two types of distance signs:
Traffic signals200 meters ahead
Rough road next800 meters
Autobahn ends2 kilometers ahead
No passing next1 kilometer
Warning signs
This section contains signs that give advance warning of hazards on or near the road. The standard shape forwarning signs in Germany is a red triangle.
General dangerThis sign marks an area where extra caution should be used. It is rarely used by itself;instead, a supplemental sign is usually mounted beneath this sign with information on aspecific hazard for which no individual sign exists. Some examples of the more commoncombinations are below.
Accident hazardMarks an area where a
high number of accidentshave occurred
Sliding dangerUsed to warn of a downhill
section with strong sidewinds that may cause avehicle pulling a trailer to
lose control
Tree overhangDrivers of trucks and
other high-profile vehiclesshould beware of low
trees
Winter sports alongroad
Watch out for people andbe aware that the roadmay not be salted or
sanded
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Soft shoulder(Obsolete)
Avoid driving on the shoulder
Soft shoulder for heavy vehicles(Obsolete)
Rough road edge(Obsolete)
There is a rough drop-off along theedge of the road
Curve (left) Curve (right) Double curveFirst curve is to the left
Double curveFirst curve is to the right
Lane shift (left)All lanes shift to the left
Lane shift (right)All lanes shift to the right
Lane crossover (left)All lanes cross over the median to the left
Lane crossover (right)All lanes cross over the median to the right
Lane splitLeft lane(s) crosses over to left side of median;
right lane(s) remains on right side of median
Road shiftTraffic is shifted briefly to the
left/right, then back again.
Steep upgradeThe degree of the ascent
is shown
Steep downgradeThe degree of the decent
is shown; prepare todownshift
Falling rocks(Deprecated)
Watch out for rocks on theroad and do not stop or
park
Strong cross windPrepare to adjust steeringas necessary and avoid
passing
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Rough road Beware of ice/snow(Deprecated)
The road or bridge aheadfreezes easily
(applicable during Winter months)
Slippery whenwet or dirty
Avoid sudden braking,accelerating, or steering
Loose gravel(Deprecated)
Avoid sudden braking,accelerating, or steering
Road workWatch for workers,
machinery, dirt, or mud onthe roadway
Traffic signals aheadBe prepared to stop
Quay/riverbank(Deprecated)
There is an unguardedquay, riverbank, or landing
ahead or alongside theroad
Drawbridge(Deprecated)
Be prepared to stop
PedestriansMarks a general area where
pedestrians may be on or near theroad
Pedestrian crossing ahead(Deprecated)
Pedestrian crossingMarks a crosswalk and indicatesthat pedestrians have the right-
of-way
Watch for childrenPosted near schools and playgrounds; reduce speed
and be prepared to stop quickly
Crossing guardsMarks a crosswalk where school crossing guards may
direct traffic
Wild animal crossingBe prepared to stop or swerve
suddenly; use low-beam headlights
Domestic animal crossing(Deprecated)
Watch for animals and mud on theroad
Frog crossing(Deprecated)
The road ahead is used bymigrating frogs
Congestion hazardMarks an area wherecongestion frequently
Bicycle crossing Buses(Deprecated)
Watch for buses entering,leaving, or crossing the
Low-flying aircraft(Deprecated)
Be prepared for suddennoise and, at night, for the
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occurs; be prepared toslow down or stop
road glare of landing lights
Two-way trafficGenerally posted where
oncoming traffic isunexpected, such as when
coming from a one-waystreet to a two-way street
Road narrows Road narrows (leftside)
Road narrows (rightside)
Two-way trafficThe number of lanes in each direction is shown
Left lane ends
Right lane ends
Lane added (left) Lane added (right)
Lanes added to another roadwayThe lanes from your roadway are added to another roadway; you will not have to merge
Railway crossing signs
This section shows all signs related to railway level crossings.
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Railway crossing aheadThis sign formerly indicated an unguarded railway
crossing ahead; however, as of late 2009, it will nowbe used to warn of all railway crossings; you may not
overtake between this sign and the crossing
Guarded railway crossing ahead(Obsolete)
This sign formerly indicated a railway crossing withbarriers or half-barriers ahead; it will still be seen until
all instances have been replaced with the "railwaycrossing ahead" sign to the left by 2019; you may not
overtake between this sign and the crossing
Railway crossing approx. 240 meters aheadThese countdown markers are located on the left and right sides of the road respectively and indicate that the
crossing is about 240 meters ahead; a different distance may be shown on the marker if applicable
Approx. 160 meters to railway crossingA different distance may be shown on the sign if
applicable
Approx. 80 meters to railway crossingA different distance may be shown on the sign if
applicable
Railway crossing on crossroad (left) Railway crossing on crossroad (right)
Railway crossing (St. Andrew's cross)Posted at the crossing; you must stop here if a train is
approaching
Electrified railway crossingThis railroad crossing has electrical wires overhead;
high profile vehicles should exercise caution
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Railway crossing signalThis is now the standard railroad
crossing signal in Germany; yellowindicates a train is approaching--stop if possible; red means you
must stop and remain stopped untilthe signal turns off
Railway crossing flasher(Obsolete prior to 2009)
This is the old standard railroadcrossing signal in western
Germany; you must stop when thered signal flashes
Railway crossing flasher(Obsolete prior to 2009)
This is the old standard railroadcrossing signal in East Germany;you must stop when the red signal
flashes
Right-of-way signs
This section shows signs related to right-of-way assignment.
Priority roadYou have the right-of-way at allintersections on this road until
cancelled by a "Yield", "Stop", or"End of Priority Road" sign; outside
of urban areas, parking isprohibited on this road
End of priority roadYou must yield at all subsequent
intersections
PriorityYou have the right-of-way at the
next intersection only
YieldYou must give way to traffic on the intersecting road
StopYou must come to a complete stop and give way to
traffic on the intersecting road
Priority road turns (left)The priority road (wide black line) turns left in the intersection; the other lines represent other streets at this
intersection
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Priority road turns (right)The priority road (wide black line) turns right in the intersection; the other lines represent other streets at this
intersection
Yield to Priority roadThe priority road (wide black line) turns in the
intersection; you must yield to traffic following orleaving the priority road coming from the left or
approaching from straight ahead
Yield to Priority roadThe priority road (wide black line) turns in the
intersection; you must yield to traffic following orleaving the priority road coming from the right or
approaching from straight ahead
Stop and yield to Priority roadThe same rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,
but you must come to a complete stop first
Stop and yield to Priority roadThe same rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,
but you must come to a complete stop first
Yield to roundaboutTraffic in the roundabout has right-
of-way
Yield and watch for bicyclesYou must yield to all intersecting
traffic, including traffic on thebicycle path
Stop aheadThere is a stop sign 100 meters
ahead
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Unmarked intersection aheadThe next intersection is
uncontrolled; yield the right-of-wayto traffic approaching theintersection from the right
Priority over oncoming trafficYou have the right-of-way over
oncoming traffic along the narrowone lane road ahead
Yield to oncoming trafficYou must give way to oncomingtraffic along the narrow one lane
road ahead
Speed limit signs
Below are the various signs related to speed limits.
Maximum speed limitShown in kilometers per hour
(km/h)
Speed limit zoneThis sign is posted at the entrancesto a neighborhood where the speedlimit shown applies to all streets inthe neighborhood until the "End ofspeed limit zone" sign is reached
Conditional speed limitThe speed limit shown is only in
effect when the road is wet
Minimum speed limitShown in km/h; you must travel at this speed or faster
unless road, weather, or traffic conditions make itnecessary to drive slower
Advisory speed limit(Obsolete)
Shown in km/h; indicates the recommended speed limitfor good road, weather, and traffic conditions; this sign
is being phased-out by 2019
End of speed limitThe general speed limit
now applies
End of speed limit zone End of minimum speedlimit
End of advisory speedlimit
(Obsolete)
Minimum speed limit by laneA new lane is added ahead and the minimum speed limit(s) shown applies to
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the indicated lane(s)
Minimum speed limit by laneThe minimum speed limit(s) shown apply to the indicated lane(s)
End of minimum speed limit by laneThese signs also typically indicate a lane ending
Regulatory signs
This section contains various signs that provide regulation. In Germany, the standard shape for most regulatorysigns is a circle. A red circle indicates something is prohibited, while a blue disc indicates something is required.
No passingYou may not overtake other vehicles except bicycles,
mopeds, and motorcycles
No passing for vehicles over 3.5tVehicles with a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnesare not allowed to overtake any other vehicle except
bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles
No passingPassing of tractors and other
designated slow-moving vehicles ispermitted
No passingThe no passing restriction appliesonly to vehicles with a permittedgross weight over 3.5 tonnes,
buses, and any vehicle pulling atrailer
No passingThe no passing restriction is in
effect only between 8:30am and6:00pm and applies only to vehicleswith a permitted gross weight over3.5 tonnes, buses, and any vehicle
pulling a trailer
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End of no passing zone End of no passing zone forvehicles over 3.5t
End of all restrictionsThis sign cancels all previous speed
limit and passing restrictions;however, the general speed limit
applies
Road closedAll vehicles are prohibited;
a supplemental signindicating exceptions to
this prohibition oftenaccompanies this sign
Motor vehiclesprohibited
Applies to all motorvehicles except
motorcycles and mopeds
Vehicles over 3.5tprohibited
Vehicles over 7.5tprohibited
Bicycles prohibited Mopeds prohibited(Deprecated)
Motorcycles andmopeds prohibited
Multiple prohibitionAll motor vehicles,
including motorcycles andmopeds, are prohibited
Horses prohibited(Deprecated)
Pedestrians prohibited
Vertical clearanceVehicles, including loads, higher
than the indicated height areprohibited
Horizontal clearanceVehicles, including loads, wider than
the indicated width are prohibited
Length restrictionVehicles, including loads, longer
than the indicated length areprohibited
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Lane crossover with width restrictionAll lanes cross over the median and the width restriction shown is in effect
for the indicated lane(s)
Lane shift with width restrictionAll lanes shift and the width restriction shown is in effect
for the indicated lane(s)
Weight limitVehicles with an actual composite weight exceeding
the indicated limit are prohibited
Axle weight limitVehicles exceeding the indicated weight on any axle
are prohibited
Minimum following distanceVehicles with a permitted grossweight exceeding 3.5 tonnes arerequired to maintain the indicated
minimum following distance
Hazardous cargo prohibitedVehicles transporting marked
hazardous materials are prohibited
Water polluting cargo prohibitedVehicles transporting more than
3000 liters of water-pollutants areprohibited
Emergency trafficrestriction due to air
pollutionOnly vehicles displaying avalid emissions inspection
sticker are permitted(shown only when applicable)
Traffic restriction zonefor reduction of air
pollutionOnly vehicles displaying
one of the indicatedcolored emissions
inspection stickers arepermitted
End of traffic restrictionzone for reduction of air
pollution
Snow chains or tiresrequired
A speed limit of 50 km/happlies
(shown only when applicable)
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Do not enter One way streetTraffic on this street musttravel in the direction of
the arrow
One way streetBicycles are exemptedand may travel in either
direction
One way street(Obsolete)
The street you are on isone way; this sign is being
phased-out by 2019
Mandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn left
Mandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn right
Mandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn either left or
right
Mandatory direction oftravel
All traffic must continuestraight ahead (i.e. no
turns)
Mandatory direction oftravel
All traffic must continuestraight ahead or turn left
(i.e. no right turn)
Mandatory direction oftravel
All traffic must continuestraight ahead or turn right
(i.e. no left turn)
No U-turn
Mandatory direction oftravel
All traffic must turn lefthere
Mandatory direction oftravel
All traffic must turn righthere
Pass by on leftAll traffic must pass theobstacle on the left side
(i.e. keep left)
Pass by on rightAll traffic must pass the
obstacle on the right side(i.e. keep right)
Shoulder open to trafficThe right-hand shoulder of this
roadway can be used as a trafficlane; this is generally done onlyduring periods of congestion to
provide additional capacity
Shoulder lane endsIf you are in the shoulder trafficlane, you must merge to the left
immediately
End of shoulder laneDo not drive on the shoulder past
this point
Pedestrian pathPedestrians only
Pedestrian zoneMarks the entrance to an areareserved for pedestrians; all
adjacent streets are included untilthe "End of pedestrian zone" sign is
reached
End of pedestrian zone
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Bicycle pathBicycles only
Bicycle pathMopeds also allowed
End of bicycle path
Pedestrian & bicycle pathPedestrians and bicycles only; both can use the entire
pathway
Split pedestrian & bicycle pathPedestrians and bicycles only; pedestrians and
cyclists must keep to the side of the path indicated bythe sign
Bus laneAll other vehicles prohibited
Bus laneThis sign shows which lane is
reserved for buses
Bridle pathHorses only
Traffic calming zoneMarks the beginning of an area where traffic calming
rules apply
End of traffic calming zone
TunnelPosted at the entrance to a tunnel and indicates thatlow-beam headlights must be turned-on, that U-turns
are prohibited, and that accidents or breakdowns mustbe moved to a designated emergency wayside
Emergency waysideMarks a roadside bay for stopping in case of an
emergency or breakdown; all other use is prohibited
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Autobahn entrancePosted on Autobahnentrance ramps and
indicates that Autobahntraffic regulations begin
Expressway entranceMotor vehicles only
End of AutobahnLocated on Autobahn exitramps and indicates that
Autobahn trafficregulations end; may alsobe used to warn that the
Autobahn ends ahead
End of expressway
Continue to page 2 >>
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This page and all its contents are Copyright © 2010 by Brian Purcell
NOTICEThe information provided on this website is provided on an "as-is" basis without warranties of any kind either express or implied. The author and his agents make no warranties or representations of
any kind concerning any information contained in this website. This website is provided only as general information. The author expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or nottaken based upon the information contained herein or with respect to any errors or omissions in such information. All opinions expressed are strictly those of the author. This site is not affiliated in
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