Brian's Guide to Getting Around Germany Signs & Signals (Page 1 of 2) (2023)

NationalTransport GermanTraffic Signs & Signals (Page 1 of 2)

Thispage last updated August 21, 2023

Belowis a comprehensive guide of German traffic signs, signals, andmarkings. This guide is designed for both the short-termtouristswanting to learn German traffic signs in preparation for a trip as wellas for those who are studying to get a German or US military driver'slicense. These pagesmay also be of interest to road and sign aficionados (yes, that's athing!)

Becauseof the volume of information here, this topic is divided into twopages.

Onthese pages:

• Signs
  • Vehicle class symbols(Page 1)
  • Supplemental signs(Page 1)
  • Warning signs(Page 1)
  • Railway crossingsigns(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 signinformation(Page 2)
  • Sign vocabulary(Page 2)
    
• Signals(Page 2)
• Roadmarkings(Page 2)

SIGNS

Germanyhas a comprehensive and uniform traffic sign system based on the ViennaConvention on Road Signs and Signals, which is used throughout Europe.Allsignshave standard shapes and colors and use easy-to-understandinternational pictograms and symbols. Thesign system had a complete overhaul in the early '90s to moreclosely conform with Europeanstandards and modernize the pictograms, and is updated every few yearsto address changing needs, new laws,andany shortcomings.

Below,you will find a completeguide of German traffic signs withtheirofficial meaning and additional notes. These signs are fromtheofficial German traffic code and include all updates through 2022.

Whilethe German sign system is standardized, there are many cases ofunsanctioned, experimental, or non-standard signs in use. I haveincludedsome of the most common of these.

Sign categories and numbers
Officially,German traffic signs are divided into four major categories: warningsigns, regulation signs,guide signs, and supplemental signs.However, I havedividedthe sign collection into several more distinct categories andplacedeach sign where it most logically belongs regardless of its officialdesignation.

Inthe German traffic code and sign catalog, all signs are assigned anofficialnumber. This number is used on traffic tickets and accidentreports when a sign is involved. You canobtainthe official sign number for each sign on this page by holding yourmouse over the sign for a second (works with most webbrowsers).

Schilderwald
Inrecent years, the German government has been trying to reduce thenumber of traffic signs in use to combat what many believe is anoveruse of signs resulting in a "sign forest" (Schilderwald). Thishas led to the removal of some signs from the official catalog and achanging of recommendations on signing applications. In practice,however,the impact of these changes has thus far been limited, and in somecases, ithas had a paradoxical effect of increasing signage.

Thesepages include changes made to the traffic sign catalog through 2020.Signs marked as"obsolete" arebeing phased-out.

Vehicleclass symbols

Traffic signs in Germany employ a set of standard symbols to indicatethe type or class of vehicle being referred to on the sign, especiallyfor regulatory signs. Someof the symbols are hierarchical in that they also include otherclasses. For example, when a traffic sign showsthesymbol below for "motor vehicles", which is the silhouetteof the front of a car, the sign actually applies notonly to cars, but also trucks, motor homes, buses, vehicles withtrailers, and slow-moving vehicles.

Thefollowing table describes thesesymbols,their meanings, and included subclasses:

Symbol	Description	Includedsubclasses
	Motorvehicles Includes allmulti-track (i.e three or more wheels) motor vehicles exceptmotorcycles with sidecars.
	Passengervehicles Includes vehicles intended to carry up to nine passengers, whichgenerally includes all cars, vans, motor homes, and light trucks. Theseare often referred to in German as a "Pkw" or "PKW" (short for "Personenkraftwagen".)
	Vehiclesover 3.5t Includes all vehicles with a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnes,their trailers, and any other vehicle that does not qualify as apassenger vehicle; it specifically does not include buses.Theseare often referred to in German as an "Lkw" or "LKW" (short for "Lastkraftwagen".)
	Motorcycles Includes single-track vehicles such as motorcycles (includingmotorcycles with sidecars) and mopeds. It specifically does not includebicycles with assist motors or scooters.

Thefollowing arethe other vehicle class symbols:

Mopeds	Bicycles	Cargobicycles

Electriccars	Electricbicycles	Smallelectric vehicles

Passengervehicles withtrailers	Vehiclesover 3.5twith trailers	Buses	Motorhomes

Cattle/domesticanimals	Equestrianriders	Horse-drawnvehicles	Pedestrians

Streetcars/trams	Railvehicles	Slow-movingvehicles Includes tractors and other vehicles that cannot exceed 25 km/h	Trackedmilitary vehicles

Vehicleswithmarked hazardous cargo	Vehiclescarryingmorethan 3000 liters of water-pollutants

Supplementalsigns

TheGerman sign system uses a fair amount of "supplemental signs" (Zusatzschild).These are black and white rectangularsigns mounted below aparent sign, and are used to modify or give additional information regardingthecondition shown on the parent sign suchas exemptions, restrictions, or more specific details. Supplementalsigns usesymbols wherever possible, but most supplemental signs usewords. To help you decipher these signs, a complete vocabulary list isprovided at the end of the signs section on page 2, and some of themore common ones are shown with their parent signs below.

Becauseof the large number of supplemental signs, only a few of them are shownonthese pages, especiallyones that are fairly common or oneswith symbols.

Perhapsthemost common use for supplemental signs is for distances. Thereare two such signs-- the distancetothe parent sign'scondition, and the duration ofthe condition:

Distanceto the conditionshown on the parent sign.	Duration(length) of thecondition shown on the parent sign.

Hereare some examples to better illustrate the difference between the twotypes of distance signs:

Trafficsignals 200 meters ahead.	Roughroad next 800 meters.	Autobahnends 2 kilometers ahead.	Nopassing next 3 kilometers.

Remainingduration (length) of the condition shown on the parent sign.	Duration(length) of thecondition shown on the parent sign. This is used only for certainregulatorysigns that do not have a cancellation sign.

Speedlimit 30 from 8am to 4pm.	Nomotor vehicles allowed workdays (Monday through Saturday) from 8:30am to 11:30am and 4pm to 6pm.	Buslane in effect Monday through Friday.	Nostopping due to street cleaning on 23 July from 4pm to 6pm.

Warningsigns

Thissection contains signs that give advance warning of hazards on or nearthe road. The standard shape for warning signs in Germany isared triangle.

	Generaldanger This sign marks an area where extra caution should be used. It israrely used by itself; instead, a supplemental sign is usually mountedbeneath this sign with information on a specific hazard for which noindividual sign exists. Some examples of the more commoncombinations are below.

Softshoulders Do notdrive on the shoulder.	Accidenthazard Marks an area where a high number of accidents have occurred.	Slidingdanger Used to warn of a downhill section with strong side winds that maycause a vehicle pulling a trailer to lose control.	Wintersportsalong road Watchfor people on the road and be aware that the road maynot be salted orsanded.

Road damage Watchfor potholes or other damage to the pavement.	Construction exit Watchfor construction vehicles entering the road as well as dirt, mud, orrocks on the road.	Laneruts Stearfirmly and avoid sudden lane changes.	Oilon road Reducespeed and do not brake suddenly.

Softshoulder (Obsolete) Avoiddriving on the shoulder.	Softshoulder (Obsolete) Theshoulder will not support heavy vehicles.	Roughroad edge (Obsolete) Thereis a rough drop-off along the edge of the road

Curve(left)	Curve(right)	Doublecurve First curve is to the left.	Doublecurve First curve is to the right.

Thefollowing signs may have a fluorescent yellow background when used inwork zones.
Laneshift (left) All lanes shift to the left.	Laneshift (right) All lanes shift to the right.
Lanecrossover(left) All lanes cross over the median to the left.	Lanecrossover(right) All lanes cross over the median to the right.

Lanesplit Left lane(s) crosses over to left side of the median; right lane(s)remains on right side of the median.

Lanesplit/return Lanes to the left of the median shift to the right and/or return toright side of the median.

Roadshift Traffic is shifted briefly to the left/right, then back again.

Shiftto shoulder One lane shifts to the right shoulder.

Steepupgrade The degree of the ascent is shown.	Steepdowngrade The degree of the decent is shown. Prepare to downshift.	Fallingrocks Watchout for rocks on the road, and do not stop or park.	Treeoverhang Driversof trucks and other high-profile vehicles should beware of lowtrees.

Strongcross wind Prepare to adjust steering as necessary, and avoid overtaking.	Bewareof ice/snow The roador bridge ahead freezes easily. (Applicable during cold weather.)	Slipperywhen wet or dirty Avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or steering.

Trafficsignalsahead Beprepared to stop.	Drawbridge Beprepared to stop.	Quay/riverbank There isan unguarded quay, riverbank, or landing ahead or alongsidethe road.

Roadwork Watch for workers, machinery, dirt, or mud on the roadway.	Roughroad Reduce speed and be prepared to adjust steering.	Loosegravel Avoidsudden braking, accelerating,or steering.

Pedestrians Marks a general area where pedestrians may be on or near the road.	Pedestriancrossing ahead	Pedestriancrossing Marks a crosswalk and indicates that pedestrians have the right-of-way.	Watchfor children Posted near schools and playgrounds. Reduce speed and be prepared tostop quickly.

Schoolcrossing Reduce speed and watch for children.	Kindergartenzone Reduce speed and watch for children.	Schoolzone Indicates a reduced speed limit near a school during the times shown.	Schoolcrossingguards Marks a crosswalk where crossing guards may direct traffic.

Wildanimal crossing Be prepared to stop or swerve suddenly and use low-beam headlights.	Domesticanimalcrossing Watchfor animals and mud on the road.	Frogcrossing The roadahead is used by migrating frogs and may be slippery.	Horsecrossing Watchfor horses crossing the road.

Congestionhazard Marks an area where congestion frequently occurs. Be prepared to slowdown or stop.	Bicyclecrossing Watchfor bicyclists crossing the road.	Buses (Obsolete) Watchfor buses entering, leaving, or crossing the road.	Low-flyingaircraft Beprepared for sudden noise and, at night, for the glare of landinglights.

Two-waytraffic Generally posted where oncoming traffic is unexpected, such as whencoming from a one-way street to a two-way street.	Roadnarrows	Roadnarrows (left side)	Roadnarrows (right side)

Thefollowing signs may have a fluorescent yellow background when used inwork zones.

Laneallocation The number of lanes in each direction is shown.

Leftlane ends

Rightlane ends

Rightlane(s) exits	Laneadded (right)

Laneadded (left)

Lane(s)added from the right One or two lanes are added from another roadway to the right side ofyour roadway; there is no merging required.

Lanesadded to anotherroadway The lanes from your roadway are added to another roadway; you will nothave to merge.

Zippermerge ahead A laneis closed ahead. Vehicles should continue in both lanes and use the"zipper" merge (Reißverschluss)where the lane ends.	Staggerformation Thissign marks an area such as a construction zone where there is a verynarrow left lane. Trucks should use the right lane, and vehiclesin both lanes should stagger themselves and not overtake.

Railwaycrossing signs

Thissection shows all signs related to railway level crossings.

Railwaycrossingahead This sign formerly indicated an unguarded railway crossing ahead.However, as of late 2009, it is nowused to warn of allrailwaycrossings. You may not overtake between this sign and the crossing.	Guardedrailwaycrossing ahead (Obsolete) This sign formerly indicated a railway crossing with barriers orhalf-barriers ahead. It has been officially phased-out as of 2022, buta few installations may remain.
Railwaycrossing oncrossroad There is a railway crossing in close proximity when turning left or right as indicated at the next intersection.	Railwaycrossing approx.240 meters ahead These countdown markers are located on the left and right sides of theroad respectively and indicate that the crossing is about 240 metersahead. A different distance may be shown on the marker if applicable.
Approx.160 meters torailway crossing Adifferent distance may be shown on the sign if applicable.	Approx.80 meters torailway crossing Adifferent distance may be shown on the sign if applicable.
Railwaycrossing(St. Andrew's cross) Postedat the crossing. You must stop here if a train isapproaching.	Electrifiedrailway crossing This railway crossing has electrical wires overhead. High profile vehiclesshould exercise caution.

Railwaycrossingsignal Thisisthe standard railway crossing signal inGermany. Yellow indicates a train is approaching-- stop if possible.Red means you must stop and remain stopped until the signal turns off.If there are barriers, they will lower shortly after the signal changesto red.	Railwaycrossingflasher (Obsolete) This was the former railway crossing signal in West Germanyand has officially been replaced by the signal at the left, but a fewinstallations may still remain. You must stop when the red signalflashes.	Railwaycrossingflasher (Obsolete) This was the former railway crossing signal inEast Germany andhas officially been replaced by the signal at the far left, but a fewinstallations may still remain. You must stop when the red signalflashes.

Right-of-waysigns

Thissection shows signs related to right-of-way assignment.

Priorityroad Youhave the right-of-way at all intersections on thisroad until cancelled by a "Yield", "Stop", or "End of priority road"sign. Outside of urban areas, parking is prohibited on this road.	Endof priority road Youmust yield at all subsequent intersections.	Priority Youhave the right-of-way at the next intersection only.

Yield Youmust give way to traffic on the intersecting road.	Stop Youmust come to a complete stop and give way to trafficon the intersecting road.

Priorityroadturns (left) Thepriority road (wide black line) turns left in theintersection. The other lines represent other streets at thisintersection.

Priorityroadturns (right) Thepriority road (wide black line) turns right in theintersection. The other lines represent other streets at thisintersection.

Yieldto priorityroad Thepriority road (wide black line) turns in theintersection. You must yield to traffic following or leaving thepriority road coming from the left or approaching from straight ahead.	Yieldto priorityroad Thepriority road (wide black line) turns in theintersection. You must yield to traffic following or leaving thepriority road coming from the right or approaching from straight ahead.
Stopand yield to priority road Thesame rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,but you must come to a complete stop first.	Stopand yield to priority road Thesame rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,but you must come to a complete stop first.

Yieldto roundabout Trafficin the roundabout has the right-of-way.	Yieldand watchfor bicycles Youmust yield to all intersecting traffic, includingtraffic on the bicycle path approaching from both directions.	Yieldto streetcars/trams You mustyield the right-of-way to streetcars/trams crossing, entering, or leaving theroadway.	Stopahead Thereis a stop sign 100 meters ahead.

Uncontrolledintersection ahead Thenext intersection has no signed right-of-way, so you must yield to traffic approaching the intersection from the right.	Priorityoveroncoming traffic Youhave the right-of-way over oncoming traffic on thenarrow roadway ahead.	Yieldto oncomingtraffic Youmust give way to oncoming traffic approaching on the narrow roadway ahead.

Speedlimit signs

Below are the various signs related to speed limits.

Maximumspeed limit Shownin kilometers per hour (in km/h).	Maximumspeedlimit The speed limit has been reduced due to ahistory of crashes at this location.	Conditionalspeedlimit Thespeed limit shown is only in effect when the road iswet.	Conditionalspeedlimit Thebottomspeed limit shown isapplicable for the indicated vehicle type(e.g. vehicles over 3.5t.); the top sign applies to all other vehicles.

Contextualspeed limit Thespeed limit shown is in effect from this point until the condition orhazard shown on the parent sign is passed. If no additional speed limitsign is posted at that point, you can then return to the statutoryspeed limit.	Speedlimit zone Thissign is posted at the entrances to a neighborhoodwhere the speed limit shown applies to all streets beyond this signuntil the "End of speed limit zone" sign is reached.	Minimumspeed limit Shownin km/h. You must travel at this speed or fasterunless road, weather, or traffic conditions make it necessary to driveslower.	Advisoryspeed limit (Obsolete) Shown in km/h. Indicates the recommended speed limit for good road,weather, and traffic conditions.

Endof speed limit Thestatutory speedlimit now applies.	Endof speed limitzone	Endof minimum speed limit	Endof advisory speed limit (Obsolete)

Maximumspeed limit by lane Thespeed limit(s)shown applies to the indicated lane(s). The statuatory speed limit applies to any lanes without an explicit speed limit.	End of maximum speed limit by lane Thestatutory speedlimit now applies to all lanes.

Minimumspeedlimit by lane Anew lane is added ahead, and the minimum speed limit(s)shown applies to the indicated lane(s).

Minimumspeedlimit by lane Theminimum speed limit(s) shown apply to the indicatedlane(s).

Endof minimumspeed limit by lane Thesesigns also typically indicate a lane ending.

Regulatorysigns

Thissection containssigns that indicate various traffic regulations. InGermany, the standard shape for most regulatory signs is acircle.A red circle (ring) indicates a prohibition or maximumcondition, while ablue circle (disc) indicates a requirement or minimum condition.

Nopassing (overtaking) Youmay not overtake other vehicles except bicycles,mopeds, and motorcycles.	Nopassing for vehiclesover 3.5t Vehicleswith a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnesare not allowed to overtake any other vehicle except bicycles, mopeds,and motorcycles.	Nopassing of single-track vehicles Multi-track motor vehicles are prohibitedfrom passing single-track vehicles (i.e. bicycles, mopeds, etc.)

Conditionalnopassing Passingof tractors and other designated slow-movingvehicles is permitted.	Conditionalnopassing Theno passing restriction applies only to vehicles witha permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnes, buses, and any vehiclepulling a trailer.	Conditionalnopassing Theno passing restriction is in effect only between 8-11am and 4-6pm, andapplies only to vehicles with a permitted grossweight over 3.5 tonnes, buses, and any vehicle pulling a trailer.

Endof no passingzone	Endofno passing zone forvehiclesover 3.5t	Endof nopassing of single-track vehicles	Endof allrestrictions Thissign cancels all previous posted speed limit and passingrestrictions. Thestatutory speedlimit applies.

Allvehicles prohibited A supplemental signindicating exceptions to this prohibition often accompanies this sign.	Residentsonly Thisroadway may only be used by local residents and visitors.	Playstreet Marks astreet where vehicles are prohibited and children are allowed to playin the roadway.

Motorvehiclesprohibited Appliesto all motor vehicles except motorcycles andmopeds.	Vehiclesover 3.5tprohibited	Vehiclesover 7.5tprohibited	Through vehicles over 3.5t prohibited Local deliveries allowed.

Vehiclesover 3.5t prohibited from left lane(s) Vehicles over 3.5t are prohibited from thelanes shown and for the distance shown.

Bicyclesprohibited	Mopedsprohibited	Motorcyclesand mopeds prohibited	Multipleprohibition Allmotor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, areprohibited.

Passengervehiclesprohibited	Passengervehicles with trailersprohibited	Vehiclesover 3.5twith trailersprohibited	Busesprohibited

Horsesprohibited	Horse-drawnvehiclesprohibited	Slow-movingvehiclesprohibited	Cattleprohibited Farmers are prohibited from herding theircattle on this roadway.

Hazardouscargo prohibited Vehiclestransporting marked hazardous materials areprohibited. A lettered supplemental sign may be present and indicates the specific class of hazardous cargo that is prohibited.	Waterpolluting cargoprohibited Vehiclestransporting more than 3000 liters ofwater-pollutants are prohibited.	Pedestriansprohibited

Weightlimit Vehicleswith an actual composite weight exceeding theindicated limit are prohibited.	Axleweight limit Vehiclesexceeding the indicated weight on any axle areprohibited.	Minimumfollowing distance Vehicleswith a permitted gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnesare required to maintain the indicated minimum following distance.

Verticalclearance Vehicles,including loads, higher than the indicatedheight are prohibited.	Horizontalclearance Vehicles,including loads, wider than the indicated widthare prohibited.	Lengthrestriction Vehicles,including loads, longer than the indicatedlength are prohibited.

Lanecrossover withwidth restriction Alllanes cross over the median and the width restrictionshown is in effect for the indicated lane(s).

Laneshift withwidth restriction Alllanes shift and the width restriction shown is ineffect for the indicated lane(s).

Low emissions restriction zone ("Green zone" or "Environmental zone") Onlyvehicles displayingthe indicatedemissionsinspection sticker shown on the supplemental sign are permitted.	Endof lowemissions restriction zone	Dieselvehicles prohibited Diesel vehicles with the indicated EU ratingor lower are prohibited except for local residents, visitors, anddeliveries.

Donot enter	Oneway street Trafficon this street must travel in the direction ofthe arrow.	Oneway street Bicyclesare exempted and may travel in either direction.	Oneway street (Obsolete) The street you are on is one way.

Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must continue straight ahead (i.e. no turns.)	Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must turn left.	Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must turn right.	Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must turn either left or right.

Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must continue straight ahead or turn left(i.e. no right turn.)	Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must continue straight ahead or turn right(i.e. no left turn.)	Roundabout Alltraffic must travel counter-clockwise around the center island, may notdrive on the center island (unless vehicle size makes that impossible),and may not stop in the roundabout.	NoU-turn

Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must turn left here.	Mandatorydirection oftravel Alltraffic must turn right here.	Passby on left Alltraffic must pass the obstacle on the left side (i.e.keep left.)	Passby on right Alltraffic must pass the obstacle on the right side(i.e. keep right.)

Shoulderopen totraffic Theright-hand shoulder of this roadway can be used as atraffic lane. This is sign is only shown when applicable, which is generallyonly during periods of congestionto provide additional short-term capacity

Shoulderlane ends Ifyou are in the shoulder traffic lane, you must mergeto the left immediately.

Endof shoulder lane Donot drive on the shoulder past this point.

Pedestrianpath Pedestriansonly	Pedestrianzone Marksthe entrance to an area reserved for pedestrians. Allstreetsbeyond this signare included until the "End of pedestrian zone"sign is reached.	Endof pedestrian zone

Bicyclepath or lane Bicyclesonly. Bicyclists must use this path or lane instead of the roadway.	Bicyclepath or lane Mopedsalso allowed.

Bicyclestreet Marksthe entrance to a street designated for bicycles and where "bicyclestreet" rules apply.	Bicyclestreet Motorvehicles allowed.	Bicyclestreet Motorvehicles allowed from opposite direction (i.e. motor vehicles may not enter here.)

Bicyclestreet Inline/rollerskating in the street is allowed.	Endof bicycle street

Bicyclezone Marksthe entrance to an area reserved for bicycles andwhere "bicycle street" rules apply.Allstreets beyond this signare included until the "End of bicycle zone"sign is reached.	Bicyclezone Motorvehicles allowed.	Endof bicycle zone

Bicyclehighway Marks a long-distance bicycle-only road.	Endof bicycle highway

Pedestrian&bicycle path Combined pedestrian and cycle path. Both canuse the entirepathway. Cyclists do not have right-of-way, but pedestrians must allowcyclists to pass.	Pedestrian& bicycle path Dividedpedestrian and cycle path.Pedestrians and cyclistsmust keep to the side of the path indicated by the sign.

Bridlepath Horsesonly.	Snowchains ortires required Aspeed limit of 50 km/h applies. Shown only when applicable.

Buslane Allother vehicles prohibited.	Buslane Carpools with 3 or more passengers alsoallowed. (The carpool sign to the right was provisional and has beendeprecated.)	Buslane Thissign shows which lane is reserved for buses.

Trafficcalming zone Marksthe beginning of an area where traffic calmingrules apply. All streets beyond this sign are included until the "Endof traffic calming zone" sign is reached.	Endof trafficcalming zone

Tunnel Postedat the entrance to a tunnel and may also show the name of the tunnel.Drivers must turn on their low-beamheadlights. U-turns are prohibited, andaccidents or breakdowns must be moved to a designated emergencywayside.	Tunnel Also shows the length of the tunnel.	Emergencywayside Marksa roadside bay for stopping in case of an emergencyor breakdown; all other use is prohibited.

Autobahnentrance Postedon Autobahn entrance ramps and indicates thatAutobahn traffic regulations begin.	Expresswayentrance Motorvehicles only.	Endof Autobahn Locatedon Autobahn exit ramps and indicates thatAutobahn traffic regulations end. This sign may also be used on themain Autobahn roadway to warnthat theAutobahn ends ahead.	Endof expressway