Road signs in Germany

Road signs and symbols used in Germany are prescribed under the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) (German Road Traffic Act) and the Katalog der Verkehrszeichen (VzKat) (Catalog of Traffic Signs).[1][2]

Paragraph 9 of the StVO states that "The traffic signs and installations illustrated in annexes 1 to 4 may also be installed with the alternatives described in the Catalog of Traffic Signs." (The Catalog of Traffic Signs (VZKat) is published in the Federal Ministry of Transport Gazette by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Infrastructure.) The VzKat was issued in May 2017[2] under the Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung] (VwV-StVO) (general administrative regulations for the Road Traffic Act).[3]

All signs have assigned numbers. The suffix number after the hyphen refers to the variation of the sign; the suffix on signs with variable numbers is the number depicted on the sign (e.g. speed limit, maximum height, etc.).[2]

Symbols

Symbols pursuant to paragraphs 7, 10, and 11 of the StVO:[1]

Danger signs

Danger signs pursuant to part 2 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 1 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.

General danger signs

Special danger signs approaching railroad crossings

Regulatory signs

Regulatory signs pursuant to part 3 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 2 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.

Waiting and stopping requirements
  • Sign 201-50 / 201-52
    Crossbuck. Yield the right-of-way to railborne vehicles
  • Sign 201-51 / 201-53
    Crossbuck with lightning rod. Yield the right-of-way to railborne vehicles; the tracks possess overhead electrical wires
  • Sign 205
    Yield the right-of-way
  • Sign 206
    Stop. Yield the right-of-way.
  • Sign 208
    Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way

Mandatory direction of travel
  • Sign 209
    Right ahead
  • Sign 209-10
    Left ahead
  • Sign 209-30
    Straight ahead
  • Sign 211
    Right here
  • Sign 211-10
    Left here
  • Sign 214
    Straight ahead or right ahead
  • Sign 214-10
    Straight ahead or left ahead
  • Sign 214-30
    Left ahead or right ahead
  • Sign 215
    Roundabout
  • Sign 220-10 / 220-20
    One-way street

Mandatory passing
  • Sign 222
    Pass on the right
  • Sign 222-10
    Pass on the left

Drivable shoulders, bus stops, and taxi stands

Dedicated paths and lanes

Priority

Reißverschlussverfahren[4]
"Zipper Rule" for 1-Way Traffic Merging & 2-Way Traffic Priorities

  • einseitig (links) verengte Fahrbahn
    Road narrows on the left, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies, 2-Way Oncoming Traffic Yields to You)
  • Verengte Fahrbahn
    Narrow Roadway Ahead, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies
  • einseitig (rechts) verengte Fahrbahn
    Road narrows on the right, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies, 2-Way Yield to Oncoming Traffic
  • Two way traffic ahead (Red indicates who must yield)
  • Oncoming Traffic (Red indicates who must yield)
  • Vorrang vor dem Gegenverkehr
    Priority over oncoming vehicles

Environmental factors

Yield as necessary to not endanger yourself or other road users

  • Steinschlag
    Possible Rockfall in Road (No braking, slowing, stopping or parking)
  • Schnee- oder Eisglätte
    Snow or Ice possible ahead (road freezes easily, no sudden braking or turning)
  • Splitt, Schotter
    Loose chippings
  • Unebene Fahrbahn
    Uneven surfaces ahead, bumpy road
  • Schleuder- oder Rutschgefahr
    Slippery road (water, ice, snow, oil or dirt)

Traffic priority - priority roads

Priority Travel Does Not Yield, Signal All Turns

  • Vorfahrtstraße
    Priority Road
  • Course of this priority road turns left
  • Road from left and ahead has priority
  • Ende der Vorfahrtsstraße
    End of Priority Road
  • Vorfahrt
    Priority to through-traffic at the next intersection/crossroads only
  • Kreuzung o. Einmündung mit Vorfahrt von rechts
    Uncontrolled Intersection Ahead
  • Yield to cross traffic

Other factors

Yield or Reduce Speed as Necessary [5]

  • Stau/Verkehrstau
    Traffic jams/queues possible
  • Kurve
    Dangerous curve to the left (Slow & stay to the right)
  • Kurve
    Dangerous curve to the right (Slow & stay to the right)
  • Doppelkurve
    Double curves, first to left (Slow & stay to the right)
  • Doppelkurve
    Double curves, first to right (Slow & stay to the right)
  • Gefälle
    Steep Grade/Hill Down (10%)
  • Steigung
    Steep Grade/Hill Up (12%)
  • Flugbetrieb
    Low-flying aircraft, Aircraft noise & lights may distract drivers
  • Seitenwind
    Crosswinds from the right possible
  • Seitenwind
    Crosswind from the left possible
  • Ufer
    Road may end suddenly in a water area (quay or ferry slip ahead)
  • Unzureichendes Lichtraumprofil
    Narrowed clearance by trees
  • Bewegliche Brücke
    Opening or swing bridge ahead
  • Viehtrieb
    Cattle possible
  • Reiter
    Equestrians possible
  • Amphibienwanderung
    Frogs & Toads possible
  • Wildwechsel
    Wild animals possible[6]

Vehicle classifications & specifics

Official (base) Symbols in Germany as per Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) § 39 Verkehrszeichen[7]

Basic

Red Ring

In addition to any sign/placard, the Red Ring forbids (in general) the item noted and anything of greater size or value; i.e., if a car is pictured, then not only are cars not permitted verboten but also trucks too.

A Red Ring is also a traffic sign itself: No Vehicles (of any type) Permitted, Pushing Motorcycles/Mopeds/Bicycles Permitted

  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge aller Art No vehicles of any kind permitted
  • Verbot für Kraftwagen und sonstige mehrspurige Kraftfahrzeuge
    No 2-tracked Motor Vehicles permitted
  • Verbot für Fußgänger
    No Pedestrians Permitted

Bicycles & mopeds
  • Radfahrer
    Bicycles Permitted
  • E-Bikes
    Electric Bicycles Permitted
  • Mofas
    Mopeds
  • Mofas
    Mopeds Permitted
  • Verbot für Mofas Mopeds Forbidden
  • No Mopeds Permitted

Motorcycles

Classified as above/below 500 cc motor size, and with or without sidecar

  • Krafträder, auch mit Beiwagen, Kleinkrafträder und Mofas
    Motorcycles (above 500 cc), also with sidecar, small motorcycles (below 500 cc) and mopeds
  • Motorcycles and Mopeds Permitted
  • Verbot für Krafträder, auch mit Beiwagen, Kleinkrafträder und Mofas Ban on motorcycles including those with sidecars and mopeds

Cars/automobiles

Personenkraftwagen - Pkw[8] – "Powered Car for (the transport of) Persons"; e.g., cars/automobiles

  • Personenkraftwagen (Pkw)
    Cars
  • Personenkraftwagen (Pkw)
    Cars Permitted
  • Verbot für Personenkraftwagen/Pkw
  • elektrisch betriebene Fahrzeuge
    Electric Vehicles/Cars
  • Pkw mit Anhänger
    Cars with Trailer
  • Pkw mit Anhänger
  • Verbot für Pkw mit Anhänger

Recreational vehicles, farm equipment or animal powered
  • Wohnmobile
    Motorhomes & Campers
  • Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
    Farm & Powered Equipment (& Trailers) with less than 25 km/h top speed
  • Verbot für Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
  • Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
    Farm & Powered Equipment (& Trailers) Permitted
  • Gespannfuhrwerke
    Horse-drawn Wagon
  • Verbot für Gespannfuhrwerke
    No Horse-drawn Wagons Permitted
  • Verbot für Viehtrieb
    No Cattle Permitted
  • Verbot für Reiter
    No Equestrians/Horse Riders Permitted

Trucks & lorries

Lastkraftwagen - Lkw[9] – "Powered Car for Loads", e.g., truck, lorry, semi, tractor-trailer

  • Lkw or Kfz
  • Lkw Permitted
  • No Lkw Permitted

Kraftfahrzeuge (Kfz)[10] mit einer zulässigen Gesamtmasse über 3,5 t, einschließlich ihrer Anhänger, und Zugmaschinen, ausgenommen Personenkraftwagen und Kraftomnibusse – Motor vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3,5 t, including their trailers, and tractors other than cars and buses

  • Lkw mit Anhänger
    Truck with trailer
  • Lkw with trailer permitted
  • Verbot für Lastkraftwagen (Lkw) mit Anhänger
    No trucks with trailer(s) permitted
  • Sattelkraftfahrzeuge[11]
    Semi/Tractor-Trailer
  • Single & Double Trailer Semis

Restrictions & allowances for vehicles (generally larger) than cars
  • Massenangabe
    Weight (7.5 tons)
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Masse
    Total Vehicle Weight Limit (5.5 tonnes)
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Achslast
    Load Limit per Axle (8 tonnes)
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Breite
    Width Limit (including wing mirrors)
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Höhe
    Height Limit (3.8 meters)
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Länge
    Length Limit (10 meters)

Dangerous or hazardous cargos
  • Dangerous or Hazardous Load/Cargos
  • Verbot für kennzeichnungspflichtige Kraftfahrzeuge mit gefährlichen Gütern
    No Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos Permitted
  • Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos to Water Bodies
  • Verbot für Fahrzeuge mit wassergefährdender Ladung
    No Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos to Water Bodies Permitted

Buses, public transit & rail

Buses (generally) and trains (always) have the priority/right of way[12]

  • Kraftomnibus
    Bus
  • Buses permitted
  • Verbot für Kraftomnibusse
  • Straßenbahn
    Streetrail or Trams
  • Trams Permitted
  • Train - Bahn/Zug
  • Schienenbahn
    "Railway Traffic", Trains - Bahn/Zug Permitted

Others
  • Military vehicles (generally a weight rating)
  • Lkw, Busses & Pkw with Trailers

Basics

Basic Traffic Controls

Speed Controls & Limits

  • Vorgeschriebene Mindestgeschwindigkeit
    Minimum (30 km/h) Speed Required
  • Ende der ...
    End of...
  • Beginn einer Tempo 30-Zone
    Maximum (30 km/h) Zone (still in effect after junctions)
  • End of...
  • Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit
    Maximum Speed (60 km/h)
  • Ende der ...
    End of...
  • Maximum (or recommended) Speeds in Germany for Developed/Urban Areas (50), Bundesstraßen (100) & Autobahn (130)

Passing & Overtaking

  • Überholverbot für Kraftfahrzeuge aller Art
    No Passing (for any vehicle type)
  • End of...
  • No Passing (by vehicles over 3,5 t)
  • End of...

Other

Autobahn

German Limited Access Highway - Blue Background[13]

Signs used on Autobahn

  • Nummernschild für Autobahnen
    Autobahn - (limited access highway) route number (48)
  • Knotenpunkte der Autobahnen
    Interchange/Exit/Ausfahrt Number (26)
  • Autobahn distance sign (usually after entrance)
  • Autobahn sign indicating next exit has a service area nearby
  • Autobahn sign
    announcing next exit
  • Autobahn reminder exit sign, showing next exit ahead
  • Autobahn marker (300m before exit)
  • Autobahn marker (200m before exit)
  • Autobahn marker (100m before exit)
  • Autobahn Ausfahrt
    exit (at end of exit lane)
  • Begin of Autobahn (Motor vehicles capable of speeds exceeding 60 km/h only)
  • End of Autobahn
  • Tunnel ahead
  • Breakdown bay (used only on highways without emergency shoulder or in larger construction areas)

Signs leading to Autobahn

  • Pfeilwegweiser zur Autobahn
    Direction towards Autobahn entrance
  • Direction Signs to Autobahn, Messe (Fair/Convention Center) & Bundesstraße (without number)
  • same
    Bundesstraße with Number and distances to next cities
  • Vorwegweiser zur Autobahn
    Autobahn junction entrance sign
  • Vorwegweiser zur Autobahn
    Autobahn junction entrance sign

other signs

  • Autobahn Detour
  • Autobahn Detour ahead
  • Detouring onto opposite lane (in 200 m)
  • End of lane

Signs of federal highways

Note: Though road design of Kraftfahrstrasse is comparable to Autobahn, speed limit is mandatory, signposting is similar but has yellow background.

Bundesstraße - non-limited access highways or main roads - yellow background
  • Bundesstraße
    Country road (non-isolated highway) route number (35)
  • Ausfahrt auf Bundesstraße
    Exit off Main Road (to Mainz/Wiesbaden)
  • Ausfahrt
    Exit
  • Signpost at junction leading onto a main road
  • Signpost at junction leading onto a minor road
  • Signpost at junction
  • Sign on approaches to junctions
  • Sign on approaches to junctions
  • Sign on approaches to junctions (lanes)
  • Route for Lkw/Kfz
  • Route for Lkw/Kfz
  • Lkw/Kfz geradeaus
    Go Straight Ahead
  • Lkw/Kfz abbiegen rects
    Turn Right Ahead
  • Lkw/Kfz abbiegen links
    Turn Left Ahead
  • Hazardous Cargos - Go Straight Ahead
  • Hazardous Cargos - Go Right Ahead
  • Hazardous Cargos - Go Left Ahead
  • Radverkehr
    Bicycles Go Straight Ahead
  • Radverkehr
    Bicycles Turn Right Ahead
  • Radverkehr
    Bicycles Turn Left Ahead
  • Detour signpost
  • Detour sign (U3)
  • Umleitung
    Detour sign
  • End of Detour
  • Planskizze
    Layout of Detour route
  • Umlenkungspfeil (Streckenempfehlung)
    Existing alternate Autobahn route
  • End of detour (symbol)
  • Complicated traffic touring (if turning left is forbidden)
  • European road number sign (E 36)
  • Straßenname
    Street name sign
  • Direction to Bahnhof
    Trainstation/ Railway Station

Urban or built-up areas

Traffic priority - priority roads

Priority Travel Does Not Yield, Signal All Turns

  • Vorfahrtstraße
    Priority Road starts
  • Vorfahrtstraße
    Priority Road ends
  • Vorfahrt
    Priority at the next intersection/crossroads only
  • Uncontrolled Intersection Ahead
    Proceed with extreme caution, priority is not assigned
  • Yield to cross-wise traffic

Fahrtbahn/Streifen - driving lane controls

Roadway lanes delineated by lines for/of single vehicle width

  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus
    You must go straight ahead, yield appropriately
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, hier rechts
    Turn right here (in front of the sign)
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, hier links
    Turn left here (in front of the sign)
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, rechts
    You must turn right ahead, yield appropriately
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, links
    You must turn left ahead, yield appropriately
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus oder rechts
    You must go straight or turn right
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus oder links
    You must go straight or turn left
  • Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Rechts oder links
    You must turn right or turn left
  • Kreisverkehr
    Roundabout (Yield to traffic in circle, signal only on exit)
  • Einbahnstraße
    One-way street
  • Einbahnstraße
    One-way street
  • Vorgeschriebene Vorbeifahrt, Rechts vorbei
    Keep right of traffic barrier/divider
  • Vorgeschriebene Vorbeifahrt, Links vorbei
    Keep left of traffic barrier/divider
  • Use of hard shoulder as driving lane permitted
  • No use of hard shoulder as driving lane permitted
  • 3 Fahrstreifen und 1 Seitenstreifen'
    3 Driving Lanes + 1 Hard Shoulder (use permitted)
  • 3 Fahrstreifen und 1 Seitenstreifen'
    3 Driving Lanes + 1 Hard Shoulder (use not permitted)

Dedicated lane use required for ...

Special zones

Stopping, waiting, parking

Parking is considered any stop exceeding three minutes.

Absolutely no stopping or waiting on traffic lanes (Emergency Excepted)

  • Haltverbot
    Absolutely No Stopping (on traffic lanes)
  • Continuation of Absolutes Haltverbot
    Top arrow only (start of zone), Bottom arrow only (end of zone)

No waiting/standing longer than 3 minutes on traffic lanes - "Loading/Unloading & Pick-up/Drop-off Zone"

  • Eingeschränktes Halteverbot
    No parking. Waiting is allowed.
  • Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Anfang)
    Start of Waiting Only Zone (left side)
  • Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Anfang)
    Start of Waiting Only Zone (right side)
  • Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Ende)
    End of Waiting Only Zone (right side)
  • Continuation of Eingeschränktes Halteverbot
  • No parking zone
  • End of no parking zone

Bus Stop & Taxi Zones

  • Bus or tram stop: 15 m parking prohibition prior to and behind this sign (30 m altogether)
  • School bus stop: 15 m parking prohibition prior to and behind this sign (30 m altogether)
  • Taxi rank (no stopping or parking allowed)
  • End of previous limitation (i.e., speed or passing)

Road markings/lines

Intersections & Crosswalks[14]

Driving Lanes

  • Fahrstreifenbegrenzung und Fahrbahnbegrenzung
    Solid Travel Lane (middle) & Travel Lane Boundary (right) - Crossing Not Permitted
  • Leitlinie
    Guide (Dividing) Line - Crossing/Overtaking Permitted
  • Einseitige Fahrstreifenbegrenzung
    Traffic on Solid Side May Not Cross Line. Traffic on Divided Side May Cross Line.
  • Direction arrows (no stopping or parking allowed)
  • Advance notice arrow
  • Advance notice arrow to indicate a lane end
  • Sperrflächen
    Occupying this area not permitted
  • Grenzmarkierung für Halt- und Parkverbote
    No Parking or Waiting Area

Information signs
  • Parking place
  • Parkplatz (Anfang)
    Parking place (start)
  • Parking place (end)
  • Beginn einer Parkraumbewirtschaftungszone
    Start of Parking management area, only parking with parking disc or parking ticket
  • End of Parking management area
  • Car park, parking garage
  • Wasserschutzgebiet
    Water protection zone
  • Place name (information only, does not imply a speed limit)
  • Tourist attraction
  • Tourist route
  • Tourist route
  • Tourist sign (here: river or channel)
  • Tourist route
  • Tourist route
  • Tourist route
  • Tourist sign (here: referring to the former East-West German border)
  • Toll road for heavy lorries
  • End of toll road for heavy lorries
  • Toll road
  • Stop - customs

Informational signs

Standardized traffic symbols

Arrows

Road equipment
  • Barrier board
  • Guiding beacon
  • Guide cone
  • Moveable road barrier
  • Moveable road barrier with flashing arrow
  • Reflexion post (right-hand side)
  • Reflexion post (left-hand side)

Retired signs

Obsolete signs since 2017 [15]

  • Buses crossing
  • Two-way cycle route running parallel to road
  • Risk of ice
  • Start of restriction
  • Mopeds allowed
  • Vehicles exempt from the traffic ban at an increased pollutant concentration

Obsolete signs since 2013 [15]

References
  1. "Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) § 39 Verkehrszeichen". Federal Ministry of Transport. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. "VzKat 2017" (in German). 5 July 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  3. "Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung] (VwV-StVO)". Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. de:Reißverschlussverfahren
  5. "§ 39 StVO 2013 - Einzelnorm". www.gesetze-im-internet.de.
  6. "German Road Signs: Guide to Parking & Road Signs in Germany". Auto Europe. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  7. name="LoC"www.bast.de
  8. "Personenkraftwagen". 11 April 2018 – via Wikipedia.
  9. "Lastkraftwagen". 16 April 2018 – via Wikipedia.
  10. "Kraftfahrzeug". 20 April 2018 – via Wikipedia.
  11. "Sattelzug". 25 April 2018 – via Wikipedia.
  12. /Traffic: Priority (right of way)
  13. "Brian's Guide to Getting Around Germany - The Autobahn". www.gettingaroundgermany.info.
  14. de:Straßenmarkierung
  15. "www.bast.de".
  16. "§ 40 StVO 2013 - Einzelnorm". www.gesetze-im-internet.de.
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