If you’re going to be driving in Germany, it’s a good idea to get to grips with the different road signs and their meanings, before hitting the road. There are over 1.000 traffic signs in the German traffic code, including warning signs, speed limit signs and information signs.
No matter whether you’re learning to drive in Germany for the first time, need to take an exam to change your driving licence, or just need to brush up on your knowledge before coming to the federal republic for a visit, this page contains an overview of all the most important German road signs.
Road signs in Germany & Their meanings
The traffic sign system in Germany is comprehensive and uniform. All road signs in Germany have standardised shapes and colours and use easy-to-understand pictograms and symbols that conform closely to European standards. The German sign system is regularly updated to keep pace with changes in traffic and transportation; the last time it had a major overhaul was in the early 1990s.
In the official German traffic code, all signs are assigned a unique number, which is used by the police on tickets and reports if a sign is involved in an incident. Officially, signs in Germany are divided into four main categories:
- Warning signs
- Regulation signs
- Guide signs
- Supplemental signs
For ease of understanding, this page has grouped the signs slightly differently, into more logical categories. We have included the most important signs from the road sign catalogue (Verkehrszeichenkatalog) of 2017, along with some new signs from 2020.
Vehicle class symbols
Traffic signs in Germany use a set of standard symbols to indicate the type or class of vehicle being referred to on the sign. Some symbols also include other types of vehicle as well. For instance, the “motor vehicles” symbol indicates that the sign applies not only to cars but also trucks, motor homes, buses, vehicles with trailers, and so on. Here’s an overview of these symbols, their meanings, and associated subclasses:
| Symbol | Description | Other included classes of vehicle |
|---|---|---|
 | Motor vehicles (all motorised vehicles) | |
| Passenger vehicles (cars and light trucks) | |
| Vehicles over 3,5 tonnes (includes trailers and other vehicles that do not qualify as passenger vehicles, NOT buses) | |
| Motorcycles (includes motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, and mopeds) | |
These are other vehicle class symbols:
| | | |
| Bicycles | Mopeds | Cargo bicycles | Electric cars |
| | | |
| Electric bicycles | Small electric vehicles | Passenger vehicles with trailers | Vehicles over 3,5 tonnes with trailers |
| | | |
| Buses | Motor homes | Cattle / domestic animals | Riders |
| | | |
| Horse-drawn vehicles | Pedestrians | Trams | Trains |
| | | |
| Farm & Power equipment (top speed <25 km/h) | Military vehicles | Vehicles with hazardous cargo | Vehicles carrying hazardous cargo to water bodies |
Traffic signs in Germany: Warning signs
Warning signs give advance warning of hazards on or near the road. Warnings signs in Germany are equilateral triangles with a thick red border and white background. They usually contain an internationally-recognised black pictogram describing the danger:
| | |
| General danger Typically used with a supplementary sign to specify the danger | Aircraft | Pedestrian crossing |
| | |
| Cattle | Riders | Amphibian crossing Frogs & Toads may be in the road |
| | |
| Falling rocks Watch out for rocks on the road; do not stop or park | Ice / snow The bridge or road ahead may be icy | Loose gravel The road surface makes sudden manoeuvring, braking or accelerating unsafe |
| | |
| Shore / riverbank There is an unguarded riverbank or landing ahead | Insufficient clearance / Tree overhang Drivers of tall vehicles beware | Moveable bridge |
| | |
| Uncontrolled intersection ahead No right-of-way at next intersection; yield to traffic from the right | Curve | Double curve |
| | |
| Steep downgrade Degree of descent is shown | Steep upgrade Degree of ascent is shown | Uneven road surface Reduce speed |
| | |
| Slippery when wet or dirty | Strong crosswind | Road narrows |
| | |
| Road narrows | Roadworks There may be workers, machinery or dirt on the road | Congestion hazard This area frequently has traffic jams; prepare to slow down or stop |
| | |
| Two-way traffic Oncoming traffic may be unexpected, for instance if exiting a one-way street | Traffic signals ahead | Pedestrians |
| | |
| Watch for children Schools and playgrounds in the area | Bicycle crossing | Wild animal crossing Use dipped headlights; be prepared to brake suddenly |
| ||
| Railway crossing |
German traffic signs: Speed limit signs
Speed limit signs in Germany state the maximum speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). The maximum speed limit sign comprising a number within a red circle will be recognisable to most road users.
However, Germany also has a minimum speed limit sign (a blue circle), which is most commonly found on the German autobahn. Speed limits are ended with a black and white sign - meaning the statutory speed limit now applies.
Here are some speed limit signs you will see in Germany:
| | |
| Maximum speed limit Do not exceed the stated speed limit (km/h) | Speed limit zone You are entering an area where the speed limit applies to all roads until you pass an “End of speed limit zone” sign | Minimum speed limit You must travel at this speed or faster, unless the weather, road or traffic conditions make it necessary to drive slower |
| | |
| End of speed limit The statutory speed limit now applies | End of speed limit zone | End of minimum speed limit |
| | |
| Maximum speed limit by lane The displayed speed limit only applies to the indicated lane(s) | End of maximum speed limit by lane | End of all restrictions End of all route-related speed and passing restrictions; statutory speed limit now applies |
| ||
| Speed limit information sign Maximum (or recommended) speed limits for urban areas, federal highways and motorways |
Regulatory signs: Signs giving orders
Regulatory signs are signs that give mandatory orders - for instance things that you should or should not do. They are orders rather than suggestions, and as such must be adhered to.
Like speed limit signs, most regulatory signs in Germany are round. A red circle is prohibitive (meaning you should not do the action depicted) while a blue circle is prescriptive (meaning you should follow the action depicted). Both prohibitive and prescriptive regulatory signs are ended by a black-and-white sign (although there are some exceptions).
These are some commonly-used regulatory signs in Germany:
| | |
| No passing You may not overtake other vehicles (except bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles) | No passing for vehicles over 3,5 tonnes Vehicles weighing over 3,5 tonnes are not allowed to overtake other vehicles (except bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles) | End of no passing zone |
| | |
| End of no passing zone for trucks | Road closed All vehicles are prohibited; asupplemental sign may indicate exceptions | Motor vehicles prohibited Includes all multi-lane motor vehicles |
| | |
| Vehicles over 3,5 tonnes prohibited | Bicycles prohibited | Mopeds prohibited |
| | |
| Motorcycles and mopeds prohibited | Riders prohibited | Pedestrians prohibited |
| | |
| Horse-drawn vehicles prohibited | Cattle prohibited | Buses prohibited |
| | |
| Passenger vehicles prohibited | Hazardous cargo prohibited | Weight limit No vehicles over maximum weight shown |
| | |
| Axle weight limit No vehicles over maximum weight on axle shown | Horizontal clearance No vehicles over maximum width shown | Vertical clearance No vehicles over maximum height shown |
| | |
| Length restriction No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown | Minimum following distance Vehicles over 3,5 tonnes must maintain the indicated minimum following distance | Lane crossover width restriction Width restriction is in effect for indicated lane(s) |
| | |
| Low emissions restriction zone Usually followed by a supplemental sign (see below) | End of low emissions restriction zone | No U-turn |
| | |
| Do not enter | One-way street Traffic on this street must travel in the direction of the arrow | Ahead only All traffic must continue straight ahead |
| | |
| Turn left ahead All traffic must turn; can be left or right | Ahead or turn only All traffic must continue straight ahead or turn (can be left or right) | Roundabout All traffic must turn counter-clockwise around central island |
| | |
| Turn left All traffic must turn (can be left or right) | Pass by on right All traffic must pass by obstacle (can be left or right) | Hard shoulder open to traffic Hard shoulder can be used as a traffic lane |
| | |
| Shoulder lane ends If you are in the shoulder lane, you must merge | End of shoulder lane Do not drive on the shoulder lane past this point | Pedestrian crossing Crossing ahead where pedestrians have right of way |
| | |
| Pedestrian path Pedestrians only | Pedestrian zone You are entering an area reserved for pedestrians; applies to all streets until you pass an “End of pedestrian zone” sign | End of pedestrian zone |
| | |
| Bicycle lane Bicycles only; cyclists must not use the roadway | Bicycle street You are entering a street designated for bicycles | End of bicycle street |
| | |
| Bicycle highway Marks a long-distance bicycle-only road | End of bicycle highway | Pedestrian & Bicycle path Combined path; both pedestrians and cyclists can use the entire path. Cyclists do not have right of way, but pedestrians must allow them to pass |
| | |
| Pedestrian & Bicycle path Divided path; pedestrians and cyclists must keep to their designated sides | Bridle path Horses only | Snow chains or tyres required A speed limit of 50km/h applies |
| | |
| Bus lane All other vehicles prohibited | Bus lane Shows which lane is reserved for buses |
Right-of-way signs
These signs are designed to demonstrate who has right of way (priority) at a junction. If you come from a country where you drive on the left, priorities in Germany will be the opposite of what you are used to - for instance, at roundabouts you yield to traffic from the left.
These right-of-way signs are all in use in Germany:
| | |
| Yield You must give way to traffic on the intersecting road | Stop You must come to a complete stop and give way to traffic on the intersecting road | Priority You have right of way at the next intersection only |
| | |
| Priority over oncoming traffic You have right of way over oncoming traffic when the road narrows ahead | Yield to oncoming traffic You must give way to oncoming traffic when the road narrows ahead | |
| | |
| Priority road You have right of way at all intersections on this road until cancelled by a “Yield”, “Stop” or “End of priority road” sign; parking is prohibited on this road except in built-up areas | End of priority road You must give way at subsequent intersections |
Parking signs
Here are all the signs you might see in Germany related to parking - including both prohibitive and prescriptive signs.
Parking prohibition signs
These signs show where parking is forbidden:
| | |
| No stopping You may not stop or stand on this side of the road | No parking You may not leave your vehicle on this side of the road for more than three minutes, except for pick-ups / drop-offs / loading/ unloading | Parking restriction zone You are entering a neighbourhood where parking is restricted on all streets until you pass an “End of parking restriction zone” sign |
| | |
| End of parking restriction zone | No stopping (start) Marks the beginning of a no stopping area - no stopping to the left of this sign on this side of the street | No stopping (end) Marks the end of a no stopping area - no stopping to the right of this sign on this side of the street |
| | |
| No stopping Stopping on this side of the street is prohibited in both directions | No parking (start) Marks the beginning of a no parking area - no parking to the left of this sign on this side of the street | No parking (end) Marks the end of a no parking area - no parking to the right of this sign on this side of the street |
| | |
| No parking Parking on this side of the street is prohibited in both directions | Taxi stand Reserved for taxis; other vehicles may not stop here | Tow zone Vehicles parked here illegally will be towed |
Parking allowed signs
These signs demonstrate where you may park:
| | |
| Parking area Parking is permitted in this area | Parking management zone You are entering a neighbourhood where parking is for permit holders only, as indicated by the supplemental sign; this applies until you pass an “End of parking management zone” sign | End of parking management zone |
| | |
| Restricted parking You may use a parking disc to park here for the length of time indicated | Reserved parking Parking for disabled permit holders only | Parking garage |
| | |
| Park & Ride | Parking area (start) Marks the start of a parking area | Parking area (end) Marks the end of a parking area |
| | |
| Perpendicular parking Parking spaces are perpendicular to the roadway | Angle parking Parking spaces are at an angle to the roadway | Parking on pavement allowed Cars may park half on the pavement and half on the street |
| | |
| Parking on pavement allowed Cars may park wholly on the pavement | Parking on pavement allowed Cars may park perpendicularly half on the pavement and half on the street | Parking on pavement allowed Cars may park perpendicularly and wholly on the pavement |
Information & Guide signs
Information signs are the most commonly-used road signs in Germany and are generally used to provide road users with general information about the road they are using and the road ahead.
Direction signs used on the Autobahn have a blue background, while signs outside built-up areas (federal highways / Bundestraẞen) have a yellow background, and signs inside built-up areas have a white background. As in other countries, signs relating to tourist attractions are on a brown background.
Autobahn signs
These are signs you are most likely to see on the Autobahn:
| | |
| Autobahn route number | Autobahn junction / exit number | Autobahn entrance Autobahn traffic regulations now apply |
| | |
| End of Autobahn Autobahn traffic regulations end | Autobahn direction sign Points towards entrance toindicated Autobahn | Consolidated direction sign Route information for all directions |
| | |
| Autobahn entrance direction sign Shows direction for Autobahn entrances ahead | Autobahn detour If Autobahn is closed, follow numbered Autobahn route (or red dot / circle) to return to next entrance | Autobahn distance sign |
| | |
| Service station Next exit has a service station | Autobahn exit sign Next exit (name & number) in 1.000 metres | Autobahn reminder exit sign Next exit in 500 metres |
| | |
| Autobahn junction countdown markers Located 300 (three stripes) / 200 (two stripes) / 100 metres (one stripe) before a junction | Autobahn exit Located just prior to the exit | Autobahn exit Marks exit ramp |
| | |
| Tunnel ahead | Tunnel Length of tunnel is indicated | Turn headlights on Reminds drivers to switch on headlights before tunnels |
| | |
| Turn headlights off Reminds drivers to switch off headlights after tunnels | Breakdown bay Roadside bay can be used in case of emergency; other uses prohibited |
Federal highway or main road signs
If you are driving on the federal highway (Bundesstraße), you will see some of these signs:
| | |
| Federal highway entrance Entry for motor vehicles capable of speeds exceeding 60 km/h only | End of federal highway | Federal highway route number |
| | |
| European route number | Federal highway direction sign Junction sign showing route number, direction and distance to major destinations | Secondary road direction sign Junction sign showing direction and distance to major destinations |
| | |
| Secondary road direction sign Junction sign showing direction and distance to minor destinations | Advance direction sign Advises of directions at an approaching junction | Advance direction sign Advises notice of directions and lane configurations at approaching junction |
| | |
| Advance direction sign Advisesof directions at approaching roundabout | Consolidated direction sign Junction sign showing route information for all directions | Federal highway distance sign |
| | |
| Federal highway exit sign Next exit (name)in 1.000 metres | Federal highway junction countdown markers Located 300 (three stripes) / 200 (two stripes) / 100 metres (one stripe) before a junction | Federal highway exit Located just prior to the exit |
| | |
| Federal highway exit Marks exit ramp | Federal highway exit Shows an exit for local destinations | Diversion sign Shows detour route (being phased out) |
| | |
| End of diversion | Diversion direction sign Shows detour route | End of diversion |
| | |
| Alternate route Indicates a recommended alternate route to avoid congestion | End of alternate route | Route for trucks |
| | |
| Route for bicycles | Layout of detour route | Layout of detour route for designated vehicles Indicates type of vehicle prohibited ahead and shows detour route |
| ||
| Complicated traffic route Special route to go in direction indicated |
Signs in urban or built-up areas
If you’re driving in an urban or built-up area (for instance in a city in Germany), you’ll see signs like these:
| | |
| Entering urban area Urban traffic regulations begin, including 50 km/h speed limit | Leaving urban area Speed limit returns to 100 km/h as urban traffic regulations end; distance to next town is shown | Leaving urban area White sectionindicates the next town is in the same municipality |
| | |
| Place name Information only - no speed limit implied - used for small towns and other places of interest | Local direction marker | Traffic calming zone Traffic calming rules apply to all streets until you pass an “End of traffic calming zone” sign |
| | |
| End of traffic calming zone | Pedestrian crossing patrol | No through road |
| | |
| Pedestrian underpass | Pedestrian overpass | Pedestrians must cross road |
| | |
| Bus or tram stop No parking within15 metres of this sign. Do not overtake trams stopped to board or discharge passengers, yield to vehicles leaving stop | School bus stop Watch out for children on the days and times indicated | Street name sign |
Touristic signs
On holiday in Germany? Pay attention to these brown signs, which direct you to and give more information about tourist attractions:
| | |
| Tourist attraction | Tourist route | River name Shows the name of the river you are crossing |
| | |
| Scenic area Shows a scenic or tourist area near the road | Tourist attraction marker Shows direction to indicated tourist attraction |
Service signs
These signs are used to give directions to services and facilities on or near the road. They are primarily used along the Autobahn. Service signs are a symbol in a white field on a blue square or rectangle:
| | |
| Petrol station | Electric vehicle charging station | Restaurant |
| | |
| Snack bar | Hotel | Auto repair shop |
| | |
| Toilet | Chapel | Police station |
| | |
| Tourist information | Telephone | Emergency telephone |
| | |
| First aid | Motor caravan park | Motor caravan and trailer park |
Railway crossing signs
You will find these signs around railway level crossings:
| | |
| Railway crossing ahead You may not overtake between this sign and the crossing | Railway crossing ~240 metres ahead | Railway crossing ~160 metres ahead |
| | |
| Railway crossing ~80 metres ahead | Railway crossing (St Andrew’s cross) You must stop if a train is approaching | Electrified railway crossing Tall vehicles beware; this railway crossing has electrical wires overhead |
Supplementary signs (Zusatzschilder)
The German road sign system also makes frequent use of supplementary signs (Zusatzschilder). These black and white rectangular or square signs are mounted below a “parent sign” (for instance, a warning sign) and are used to modify or give additional information - for instance the duration of the parent sign’s instruction, or exemptions.
Here’s an overview of some more common supplementary signs in Germany - although this is not by any means an exhaustive list.
| | |
| Distance to the condition (Shown on the parent sign) | Duration (length) of the condition | Remaining duration (length) |
| | |
| Duration (length) | Ends in… metres | Risk of accident |
| | |
| Oil slick | Smoke | End of restriction |
| | |
| Bicycles and residents allowed Frei is used to indicate when the condition does not apply to certain types of road users | Entry only for low-emissions vehicles With yellow or green Low Emission Zone Stickers | At times shown |
Additional signs & Road equipment
You may also see these common additional road signs in Germany:
| | |
| Customs post | Toll road Motorists must pay a toll to use this road | Truck toll road Trucks must pay a toll to use this road |
| | |
| End truck toll road | Reflector guide post Posted along roadside | Reflector guide post |
| | |
| Curve markers Indicate direction of travel | Obstruction marker Indicates you may pass on either side | |
| | |
| Obstruction marker Includes flashing lights and indicates which side you must pass on | Mobile lane closure board Used to temporarily close road lanes during construction; you must pass on the side indicated | Bollard Prevents unauthorised vehicle entry into pedestrian areas and bike paths |
| | |
| Reduced clearance Marks edges of overpass or other structure with reduced vertical and / or horizontal clearance | Church services Gold denotes Catholic services while purple denotes Protestant services | Shut off engine Reminds drivers to turn off engines while stopped to reduce pollution |
| | |
| Nature reserve | School bus | Construction project information |
| | |
| Autobahn kilometre marker | Self-driving car reference marker | |
Road markings in Germany
It is also important to pay attention to road markings in Germany, which also provide information about actions that are and are not allowed:
| | |
| Stop line You must stop behind the thick solid line across your lane | Yield line You must stop at a thick broken line across your lane and yield to priority traffic | Pedestrian crossing Zebra stripes across the roadway mark a pedestrian crossing; you must yield to pedestrians |
| | |
| Restricted zone You may not drive in an area covered with diagonal lines | No stopping zone Zig-zag lines near the curb mark an area where you may not stop or park | Direction arrows Arrows on the road surface in your lane indicate which turns are allowed |
| | |
| No passing A solid centre line indicates you may not overtake; the long solid line along the side of the roadway marks the edge | Lane separation line Long broken lines separating traffic lanes indicate that passing is allowed (unless prohibited by a sign); shorter broken lines indicate the passing zone is ending | Solid / broken travel line Passing is only allowed on the side with the broken centre line; you may not overtake if the solid line is on your side |
| | |
| Merge arrow Warns passing traffic to merge to the right as the passing zone is coming to an end | Advance notice arrow to indicate lane end Warns that the left lane is coming to an end and passing traffic should merge |
