/zeichen.htmBelow is a comprehensive guide of German traffic signs, signals, and markings. This guide is designed for both the short-term tourist wanting to learn German traffic signs in preparation for a trip as well as for someone who is studying to get a German or US military driver's license. This page may also be of interest to road and sign aficionados. Contents:zSigns{Vehicle class symbols{Supplemental signs {Warning signs {Railway crossing signs {Right-of-way signs {Speed limit signs {Regulatory signs {Parking signs {Service signs{Information and guide signs {Miscellaneous signs {Additional sign symbols {Additional sign information {Sign vocabularyzSignals zRoad markingsBrian's Guide to Getting Around GermanyGerman Traffic Signs & SignalsSIGNSGermany has a comprehensive and uniform traffic sign system. All signs have standard shapes and colors and use easy-to-understand international pictograms and symbols. The sign system was overhauled in the early '90s to 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 2007.Officially, German traffic signs are divided into three major categories: warning signs, regulation signs, and guide signs. However, I have divided the sign collection into several additional categories and I've placed each sign where it most logically belongs regardless of its official designation.In the German traffic code, each sign is assigned an official number. This number is used on traffic tickets and accident reports when a sign is involved in the incident.Vehicle class symbolsTraffic signs in Germany employ a set of standard symbols to indicate the type or class of vehicle beingreferred to on the sign. Some of the symbols are inclusive in that they encompass several lesser classes as well. The following table outlines these symbols and their meanings:The following are the remaining vehicle class symbols:SymbolDescriptionOther lesser included classesMotor vehiclesIncludes all multi-track motorized vehiclesPassenger vehicle sIncludes all cars and light trucksVehicles over 3.5tIncludes all vehicles with a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnes, their trailers, and any other vehicle that does not qualify as a passenger vehicle; it specifically does not include busesMotorcyclesIncludes motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, and mopedsSupplemental signsThe German sign system uses a fair amount of "supplemental signs" (Zusatzschild ). These are black and white rectangular 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 you decipher 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've included 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 the parent sign's condition, and the duration of the condition:Here are some examples to better illustrate the difference between the two types of distance signs:Mopeds BicyclesBusesPassenger vehicleswith trailers Vehicles over 3.5t withtrailersSlow moving vehicles Includes tractors and other vehicles that cannotexceed 25 km/hMotor homesCattle/animalsRiders PedestriansTracked militaryvehiclesStreetcars Rail vehiclesVehicles with marked hazardous cargoVehicles carrying more than 3000 liters of water-pollutantsDistance to the condition shownon the parent sign Duration (length) of the conditionshown on the parent signWarning signsThis section contains signs that give advance warning of hazards on or near the road. The standard shape for warning signs in Germany is a red triangle.Traffic signals 200 meters ahead Rough road next 800 meters Autobahn ends 2 kilometers ahead No passing next 1 kilometerGeneral 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 a specific hazard for which no individual sign exists. Some examples of the more common combinations are below.Accident hazard Marks an area where a high number of accidentshave occurred Frog crossing The road ahead is used by migrating frogs Tree overhangDrivers of trucks and otherhigh-profile vehicles shouldbeware of low treesWinter sports along road Watch out for people and be aware that the road may not be saltedor sandedSoft shoulderAvoid driving on theshoulderSoft shoulder for heavyvehiclesRough road edgeThere is a rough drop-offalong the edge of the roadSliding dangerUsed to warn of adownhill sectionwith strong sidewinds that maycause a vehiclepulling a trailer tolose controlCurve (left)Curve (right)Double curveFirst curve is to the leftDouble curveFirst curve is to the rightLane shift (left)All lanes shift to the leftLane shift (right)All lanes shift to the rightLane crossover (left)All lanes cross over the median to the leftLane crossover (right)All lanes cross over the median to the rightLane splitLeft lane(s) crosses over to left side of median; right lane(s) remains on right side of medianRoad shiftTraffic is shifted briefly to theleft/right, then back again.Steep upgradeThe degree of the ascentis shownSteep downgradeThe degree of the decentis shown; prepare todownshiftFalling rocksWatch out for rocks onthe road and do not stopor parkStrong cross windPrepare to adjust steeringas necessary and avoidpassing Rough road Beware of ice/snowThe road or bridge aheadfreezes easily(applicable during Winter months)Slippery whenwet or dirtyAvoid sudden braking,accelerating, or steeringLoose gravelAvoid sudden braking,accelerating, or steeringRoad workWatch for workers,machinery, dirt, or mudon the roadwayTraffic signals aheadBe prepared to stopQuay/riverbankThere is an unguardedquay, riverbank, orlanding ahead oralongside the roadDrawbridgeBe prepared to stopPedestriansMarks a general area where pedestrians may be on or near theroad Pedestrian crossing ahead Pedestrian crossingMarks a crosswalk and indicatesthat pedestrians have the right-of-wayWatch for childrenPosted near schools and playgrounds; reduce speed and be prepared to stop quicklyCrossing guardsMarks a crosswalk where school crossing guardsmay direct trafficWild animal crossingBe prepared to stop or swervesuddenly; use low-beamheadlightsDomestic animal crossingWatch for animals and mud on theroadLow-flying aircraftBe prepared for sudden noise and,at night, for the glare of landinglightsCongestion hazardMarks an area where congestionfrequently occurs; be prepared toslow down or stopBicycle crossing BusesWatch for buses entering, leaving,or crossing the roadTwo-way traffic Generally posted where oncoming traffic is unexpected, such as when coming from a one-way street to a two-waystreet Road narrows Road narrows (leftside)Road narrows (rightside)Two-way trafficThe number of lanes in each direction is shownLeft lane endsRight lane endsLane added (left)Lane added (right)Railway crossing signsThis section shows all signs related to railway level crossings.Lanes added to another roadwayThe lanes from your roadway are added to another roadway; you will not have to mergeGuarded railway crossing aheadThere are barricades or half barricades at thecrossing Unguarded railway crossing aheadThere are no barricades at the crossing; however,there may be crossing signalsRailway 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 applicableApprox. 160 meters to railway crossingA different distance may be shown on the sign ifapplicableApprox. 80 meters to railway crossingA different distance may be shown on the sign ifapplicableRailway 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 trainis approachingElectrified railway crossingThis railroad crossing has electrical wires overhead;high profile vehicles should exercise cautionRailway crossing signalThis is now the standard railroadcrossing signal in Germany; yellowindicates a train is approaching--stop if possible; red means youmust stop and remain stoppeduntil the signal turns offRailway crossing flasherThis is the old standard railroadcrossing signal in westernGermany; you must stop when thered signal flashesRailway crossing flasherThis is the old standard railroadcrossing signal in East Germany;you must stop when the red signalflashesRight-of-way signsThis section shows signs related to right-of-way assignment.Priority roadYou have the right-of-way at allintersections on this road untilcancelled by a "Yield", "Stop", or"End of Priority Road" sign; outsideof urban areas, parking isprohibited on this roadEnd of priority roadYou must yield at all subsequentintersectionsPriorityYou have the right-of-way at thenext intersection onlyYieldYou must give way to traffic on the intersecting roadStopYou must come to a complete stop and give way totraffic on the intersecting roadPriority road turns (left)The priority road (wide black line) turns left in the intersection; the other lines represent other streets at thisintersectionPriority road turns (right)The priority road (wide black line) turns right in the intersection; the other lines represent other streets at thisintersectionYield to Priority roadThe priority road (wide black line) turns in theintersection; you must yield to traffic following orleaving the priority road coming from the left orapproaching from straight aheadYield to Priority roadThe priority road (wide black line) turns in theintersection; you must yield to traffic following orleaving the priority road coming from the right orapproaching from straight aheadStop and yield to Priority roadThe same rules as "yield to priority road" aboveapply, but you must come to a complete stop firstStop and yield to Priority roadThe same rules as "yield to priority road" aboveapply, but you must come to a complete stop firstSpeed limit signsBelow are the various signs related to speed limits.Yield to roundaboutTraffic in the roundabout has right-of-wayYield and watch for bicycles You must yield to all intersecting traffic, including traffic on thebicycle pathStop aheadThere is a stop sign 100 metersaheadUnmarked intersection aheadThe next intersection isuncontrolled; yield the right-of-wayto traffic approaching the intersection from the rightPriority over oncoming traffic You have the right-of-way over oncoming traffic along the narrowone lane road ahead Yield to oncoming traffic You must give way to oncoming traffic along the narrow one laneroad aheadMaximum speed limit Shown in kilometers per hour(km/h)Speed limit zone This sign is posted at the entrances to a neighborhood where the speed limit shown applies to all streets in the neighborhood until the "End of speed limit zone" sign is reachedConditional speed limit The speed limit shown is only in effect when the road is wetMinimum speed limitShown in km/h; you must travel at this speed or faster unless road, weather, or traffic conditions make it necessary to drive slowerAdvisory speed limitShown in km/h; indicates the recommended speedlimit for good road, weather, and traffic conditionsEnd of speed limit The general speed limit now applies End of speed limit zone End of minimum speedlimitEnd of recommendedspeed limitMinimum speed limit by laneA new lane is added ahead and the minimum speed limit(s) shown applies tothe 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 endingRegulatory signsThis section contains various signs that provide regulation. In Germany, the standard shape for most regulatory signs 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 motorcyclesNo passing for vehicles over 3.5t Vehicles with a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnes are not allowed to overtake any other vehicle except bicycles, mopeds, and motorcyclesNo passingPassing of tractors and otherdesignated slow-moving vehiclesis permittedNo passingThe no passing restriction appliesonly to vehicles with a permittedgross weight over 3.5 tonnes,buses, and any vehicle pulling atrailerNo passingThe no passing restriction is ineffect only between 8:30am and6:00pm and applies only tovehicles with a permitted grossweight over 3.5 tonnes, buses, andany vehicle pulling a trailerEnd of no passing zone End of no passing zone forvehicles over 3.5tEnd of all restrictionsThis sign cancels all previousspeed limit and passingrestrictions; however, the generalspeed limit appliesRoad closedAll vehicles areprohibited; asupplemental sign indicating exceptions to this prohibition often accompanies this signMotor vehiclesprohibitedApplies to all motorvehicles exceptmotorcycles and mopedsVehicles over 3.5tprohibitedVehicles over 7.5tprohibitedBicycles prohibited Mopeds prohibited Motorcycles andmopeds prohibited Multiple prohibition All motor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, areprohibited Horses prohibitedPedestrians prohibitedVertical clearance Vehicles, including loads, higher than the indicated height areprohibitedHorizontal clearanceVehicles, including loads, widerthan the indicated width areprohibitedLength restrictionVehicles, including loads, longerthan the indicated length areprohibitedLane crossover with width restrictionAll lanes cross over the median and the width restriction shown is in effectfor the indicated lane(s)Lane shift with width restrictionAll lanes shift and the width restriction shown is in effectfor the indicated lane(s)Weight limitVehicles with an actual composite weight exceeding the indicated limit are prohibitedAxl e weight limitVehicles exceeding the indicated weight on any axl eare prohibitedMinimum following distance Vehicles with a permitted gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes are required to maintain the indicated minimum following distanceHazardous cargo prohibitedVehicles transporting markedhazardous materials are prohibitedWater polluting cargo prohibitedVehicles transporting more than3000 liters of water-pollutants areprohibitedEmergency trafficrestriction due to airpollutionOnly vehicles displayinga valid emissionsinspection sticker arepermitted(shown only when applicable)Traffic restriction zonefor reduction of airpollutionOnly vehicles displayingone of the indicatedcolored emissionsinspection stickers arepermittedEnd of traffic restrictionzone for reduction of airpollutionSnow chains or tiresrequiredA speed limit of 50 km/happlies(shown only when applicable)Do not enter One way streetTraffic on this street musttravel in the direction ofthe arrowOne way streetBicycles are exemptedand may travel in eitherdirectionOne way streetThe street you are on isone wayMandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn leftMandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn rightMandatory direction of travelAll traffic must turn either left orrightMandatory direction oftravelAll traffic must continuestraight ahead (i.e. noturns)Mandatory direction oftravelAll traffic must continuestraight ahead or turn left(i.e. no right turn)Mandatory direction oftravelAll traffic must continuestraight ahead or turnright (i.e. no left turn)No U-turnMandatory direction oftravelAll traffic must turn lefthere Mandatory direction oftravelAll traffic must turn rightherePass by on leftAll traffic must pass theobstacle on the left side(i.e. keep left)Pass by on rightAll traffic must pass theobstacle on the right side(i.e. keep right)Shoulder open to traffic The right-hand shoulder of this roadway can be used as a traffic lane; this is generally done only during periods of congestion toprovide additional capacityShoulder lane endsIf you are in the shoulder trafficlane, you must merge to the leftimmediatelyEnd of shoulder laneDo not drive on the shoulder pastthis pointPedestrian path Pedestrians onlyPedestrian zoneMarks the entrance to an areareserved for pedestrians; alladjacent streets are included untilthe "End of pedestrian zone" signis reachedEnd of pedestrian zoneBicycle pathBicycles onlyBicycle pathMopeds also allowedEnd of bicycle pathPedestrian & bicycle path Pedestrians and bicycles only; both can use theentire pathwaySplit pedestrian & bicycle pathPedestrians and bicycles only; pedestrians and cyclists must keep to the side of the path indicated bythe signBus laneAll other vehicles prohibitedBus laneThis sign shows which lanereserved for busesBridl e pathHorses only Traffic calming zoneMarks the beginning of an area where traffic calmingrules applyEnd of traffic calming zoneTunnelPosted at the entrance to a tunnel and indicates thatlow-beam headlights must be turned-on, that U-turnsare prohibited, and that accidents or breakdownsmust be moved to a designated emergency waysideEmergency waysideMarks a roadside bay inside a tunnel for stopping incase of an emergency or breakdown; all other use isprohibitedParking signsIn this section are all signs related to parking, both prohibition signs against parking as well as signs indicating where parking is allowed.Autobahn entrance Posted on Autobahn entrance ramps and indicates that Autobahn traffic regulations beginExpressway entrance Motor vehicles onlyEnd of Autobahn Located on Autobahn exit ramps and indicates thatAutobahn trafficregulations end; may also be used to warn that the Autobahn ends aheadEnd of expresswayNo stoppingStopping or standing on the roadway is prohibitedNo parking Prohibits stopping on the roadway for more than 3 minutes except for passenger boarding/discharging and loading/unloading Parking control zone Posted at entrances to a neighborhood where a general parkingrestriction applies to allstreets in the area untilthe "End of ParkingControl Zone" sign is reached; a supplemental sign will indicate the exact restriction such as requiring the use of a parking disc, voucher, orpermitEnd of parking controlzoneNo stopping (end)This sign marks the end of a nostopping areaNo stoppingStopping or standing on the roadway is prohibited in eitherdirection from this signNo stopping (start)This sign marks the beginning of ano stopping areaNo parking (end)This sign marks the end of a noparking areaNo parkingParking on the roadway isprohibited in either direction fromthis signNo parking (start)This sign marks the beginning of ano parking areaNo stopping on shoulder No parking on shoulder Taxi standThis area is reserved for taxisonly-- other vehicles may not stophere; the supplemental signindicates the number of taxisallowed to wait here Parking areaMarks an area where parking ispermitted; also used to givedirections to parking areasParking garage Indexed parking facilityMarks or gives directions to anumbered parking facility (e.g.parking lot #8)Restricted parkingYou must use a parkingdisc to park here and youmay only park for thelength of time indicatedRestricted parkingYou may park here only ifyou have an officialhandicapped permitSpecial parkingParking for vehicles withtrailers allowed; vehiclesmay remain parked forlonger than 14 daysSpecial parkingParking for travel trailersallowed; vehicles mayremain parked for longerthan 14 daysService signsBelow are signs that are used to give directions to motorist services on or near the road. These signs areespecially used along the Autobahn. Service signs are a symbol in a white field on a blue square or rectangle.Parking area (end)This sign marks the end of aparking area Parking area (start) This sign marks the start of aparking areaDirections to parkingHiker's parkingIndicates an area where you may park and hike acircuit trail Park & rideIndicates a facility where you may park your vehicleand transfer to public transportationParking on sidewalk allowedThis sign indicates that parallel parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on theright or left side of the street respectively Parking on sidewalk allowedThis sign indicates that parallel parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the right or left side ofthe street respectivelyParking on sidewalk allowedThis sign indicates that perpendicular parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on theright or left side of the street respectively Parking on sidewalk allowedThis sign indicates that perpendicular parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the rightor left side of the street respectivelyFilling station Filling station w/unleaded gasolineThis sign is now obsoleteas all stations haveunleaded fuel, but it maystill appear on older signsFilling station w/liquefied petroleum gasFilling station w/compressed naturalgasRestaurant Snack bar Hotel Auto repair shopTelephone Emergency telephoneRest rooms/toilette First aid stationPolice stationTourist information Traffic information radioThis sign shows the name andfrequency of a radio station givinglocal traffic information; the letterat the bottom indicates the trafficreporting region that the stationcoversCampgroundInformation and guide signsBelow are signs that give directions or other information.Entering urban area Posted at the entrance toa built-up area and indicates that the 50 km/h speed limit and other urban traffic regulationsbeginsLeaving urban areaThis is usually thebackside of the "Enteringtown area sign" andindicates the end ofurban traffic regulationsand the return to the 100km/h rural speed limit; thetop section shows thedistance to the next townLeaving urban areaSame as the sign to theleft except that the whitetop section indicates thatthe next town is in thesame municipality as theone you are leavingPlace nameMarks small towns thatdo not require the"Entering urban area"sign; this sign is alsoused occasionally tomark other places ofinterestTourist destination Used to give directions to tourist attractionsTourist routeMarks one of the severaldesignated tourist roadsScenic areaDenotes a scenic ortourist area along or nearthe AutobahnRiver nameShows the name of theriver the road is crossing Federal Highway route number Autobahn route numberEuropean route numberFederal Highwaydirection marker Shows the direction and distance to major destinations; posted at the crossroadsFederal Highwaydirection markerAlternate form of the signto the leftSecondary roaddirection markerShows the direction anddistance to majordestinations; posted atthe crossroadsSecondary roaddirection markerAlternate form of the signto the leftSecondary road directionmarkerShows the direction to minordestinationsLocal direction markerShows the direction to animportant local destinationDirection to AutobahnShows the direction to a nearbyAutobahnAdvance direction sign Gives advance notice of directions at the upcoming intersection Advance direction signGives advance notice ofdirections and the laneconfiguration at theupcoming intersectionConsolidated directionsignShows route informationfor all directions from theintersectionAutobahn entrancedirection signShows route informationfor Autobahn entranceramps ahead Routing for designated vehiclesVehicle types shown on the sign must follow theroute as indicatedRouting for designated vehiclesVehicle types shown on the sign turn hereAutobahn interchange initial approach sign Placed 1000 meters before Autobahn exits and 2000 meters before Autobahn crossings and shows the type, number, and name of the interchange; the symboldenotes the type ofinterchange:ExitCrossingAutobahn interchangeadvance directionalsignLocated 500 metersbefore Autobahn exitsand at both 1000 metersand 500 meters beforeAutobahn crossings;shows a schematic of theinterchange and listsadditional destinationsAutobahn interchangenumberAutobahn interchangecountdown markersLocated at 300 meters(three stripes), 200meters (two stripes), and100 meters (one stripe)before the interchange;the interchange numbersign is typically mountedabove the 300 metermarker Autobahn exitThis sign is placed justprior to the exit; it issometimes placed in thecenter medianExpressway exit Expressway exitShows an exit for localdestinationsExitMarks an exit ramp fromthe Autobahn orexpresswayTruck stopThis sign indicates that there is an off-Autobahn truckstop at the indicated exit with fuel, food, and otherservices; pictograms indicating the available servicesoften accompany this signAutobahn distance boardPlaced after most entrances and lists the distance tomajor cities along the route; distances to majordestinations via intersecting Autobahns are listed atthe bottom with the corresponding route number。