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National
Transport
German
Traffic Signs & Signals (Page 1 of 2) |
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| This page last updated
January
28, 2010 |
Below
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 topic is divided into two pages. These pages
may also be of interest to road and sign aficionados.
On
these pages:
SIGNS
Germany
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 2009.
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, most signs are assigned an official
number. This number is used on traffic tickets and accident
reports when a sign is involved in the incident. You can obtain
the official sign number for each sign on this page by holding your
mouse over the sign for a second (works with most web browsers).
Note that the 2009 revision to the traffic code eliminated the official
number and definition for some signs although the signs themselves were
allowed to continue to be used as necessary.
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These
pages include changes made to the traffic code regarding signs that
took effect in September 2009. Signs marked as "obsolete" are
being phased-out by 2019. Signs marked as "deprecated" no longer
carry an official definition, but can be used as needed. Signs
marked as "new" were added in 2009. |
Vehicle class symbols
Traffic signs in Germany employ a set of standard symbols to indicate
the type or class of vehicle being referred 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:
| Symbol |
Description |
Other lesser included
classes |
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Motor vehicles
Includes all multi-track motorized vehicles |
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Passenger vehicles
Includes all cars and light trucks |
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Vehicles over 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 a
passenger vehicle; it specifically does not include buses |
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Motorcycles
Includes motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, and mopeds |
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The following are
the remaining vehicle class symbols:
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| Mopeds |
Bicycles |
Buses |
Motor homes
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| Passenger vehicles with
trailers |
Vehicles over 3.5t
with trailers |
Slow moving vehicles
Includes tractors and other vehicles that cannot exceed 25 km/h |
Horse-drawn vehicles
(New)
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Cattle/animals
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Riders |
Pedestrians |
Tracked military vehicles |
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| Streetcars |
Rail vehicles |
Vehicles with
marked hazardous cargo |
Vehicles
carrying more
than 3000 liters of water-pollutants |
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Supplemental signs
The
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:
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Distance to the condition
shown
on the parent sign |
Duration (length) of the
condition
shown on the parent sign |
Here
are some examples to better illustrate the difference between the two
types of distance signs:
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Traffic signals
200 meters ahead |
Rough road next
800 meters |
Autobahn ends
2 kilometers ahead |
No passing next
1 kilometer |
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Warning signs
This
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.
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General
danger
This 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. |
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Accident hazard
Marks an area where a high number of accidents have occurred |
Sliding danger
Used to warn of a downhill section with strong side winds that may
cause a vehicle pulling a trailer to lose control |
Tree overhang
Drivers of trucks and other high-profile vehicles should beware of low
trees |
Winter sports
along road
Watch out for people and be aware that the road may not be salted or
sanded |
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Soft shoulder
(Obsolete)
Avoid
driving on the shoulder |
Soft shoulder for
heavy vehicles
(Obsolete)
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Rough road edge
(Obsolete)
There
is a rough drop-off along the edge of the road |
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| Curve (left) |
Curve
(right) |
Double curve
First curve is to the left |
Double curve
First curve is to the right |
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Lane shift (left)
All lanes shift to the left |
Lane shift (right)
All lanes shift to the right |
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Lane crossover
(left)
All lanes cross over the median to the left |
Lane crossover
(right)
All lanes cross over the median to the right |
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Lane split
Left lane(s) crosses over to left side of median;
right lane(s) remains on right side of median |
Road shift
Traffic is shifted briefly to the left/right, then back again. |
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Steep upgrade
The degree of the ascent is shown |
Steep downgrade
The degree of the decent is shown; prepare to downshift |
Falling rocks
(Deprecated)
Watch out for rocks on the road and do not stop or park |
Strong cross wind
Prepare to adjust steering as necessary and avoid passing |
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| Rough road |
Beware of ice/snow
(Deprecated)
The road or bridge ahead freezes easily
(applicable
during Winter months) |
Slippery when
wet or dirty
Avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or steering |
Loose gravel
(Deprecated)
Avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or steering |
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Road work
Watch for workers, machinery, dirt, or mud on the roadway |
Traffic signals
ahead
Be prepared to stop |
Quay/riverbank
(Deprecated)
There is an unguarded quay, riverbank, or landing ahead or alongside
the road |
Drawbridge
(Deprecated)
Be prepared to stop |
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Pedestrians
Marks a general area where pedestrians may be on or near the road |
Pedestrian
crossing ahead
(Deprecated)
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Pedestrian crossing
Marks a crosswalk and indicates that pedestrians have the right-of-way |
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Watch for children
Posted near schools and playgrounds; reduce speed and be prepared to
stop quickly |
Crossing guards
Marks a crosswalk where school crossing guards may direct traffic |
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Wild animal crossing
Be prepared to stop or swerve suddenly; use low-beam headlights |
Domestic animal crossing
(Deprecated)
Watch for animals and mud on the road |
Frog crossing
(Deprecated)
The road ahead is used by migrating frogs |
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Congestion hazard
Marks an area where congestion frequently occurs; be prepared to slow
down or stop |
Bicycle crossing |
Buses
(Deprecated)
Watch for buses entering, leaving, or crossing the road |
Low-flying aircraft
(Deprecated)
Be prepared for sudden noise and, at night, for the glare of landing
lights |
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Two-way traffic
Generally posted where oncoming traffic is unexpected, such as when
coming from a one-way street to a two-way street |
Road narrows |
Road narrows (left side) |
Road narrows (right side) |
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Two-way traffic
The number of lanes in each direction is shown |
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| Left lane ends |
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| Right lane ends |
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| Lane added (left) |
Lane added (right) |
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Lanes added to another
roadway
The lanes from your roadway are added to another roadway; you will not
have to merge |
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Railway crossing signs
This
section shows all signs related to railway level crossings.
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Railway crossing
ahead
This sign formerly indicated an unguarded railway crossing ahead;
however, as of late 2009, it will now be used to warn of all railway
crossings; you may not overtake between this sign and the crossing |
Guarded railway
crossing ahead
(Obsolete)
This sign formerly indicated a railway crossing with barriers or
half-barriers ahead; it will still be seen until all instances have
been replaced with the "railway crossing ahead" sign to the left by
2019; you may not overtake between this sign and the crossing |
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Railway crossing approx.
240 meters ahead
These countdown markers are located on the left and right sides of the
road respectively and indicate that the crossing is about 240 meters
ahead; a different distance may be shown on the marker if applicable |
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Approx. 160 meters to
railway crossing
A different distance may be shown on the sign if applicable |
Approx. 80 meters to
railway crossing
A different distance may be shown on the sign if applicable |
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| Railway crossing on
crossroad (left) |
Railway crossing on
crossroad (right) |
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Railway crossing
(St. Andrew's cross)
Posted at the crossing; you must stop here if a train is
approaching |
Electrified
railway crossing
This railroad crossing has electrical wires overhead;
high profile vehicles should exercise caution |
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Railway crossing
signal
This is now the standard railroad crossing signal in
Germany; yellow indicates a train is approaching-- stop if possible;
red means you must stop and remain stopped until the signal turns off |
Railway crossing
flasher
(Obsolete prior to 2009)
This is the old standard railroad crossing signal in western Germany;
you must stop when the red signal flashes |
Railway crossing
flasher
(Obsolete prior to 2009)
This is the old standard railroad crossing signal in East Germany; you
must stop when the red signal flashes |
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Right-of-way signs
This
section shows signs related to right-of-way assignment.
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Priority road
You have the right-of-way at all intersections on this
road until cancelled by a "Yield", "Stop", or "End of Priority Road"
sign; outside of urban areas, parking is prohibited on this road |
End of priority road
You must yield at all subsequent intersections |
Priority
You have the right-of-way at the next intersection only |
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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 |
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Priority road
turns (left)
The priority road (wide black line) turns left in the
intersection; the other lines represent other streets at this
intersection |
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Priority road
turns (right)
The priority road (wide black line) turns right in the
intersection; the other lines represent other streets at this
intersection |
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Yield to Priority
road
The priority road (wide black line) turns in the
intersection; you must yield to traffic following or leaving the
priority road coming from the left or approaching from straight ahead |
Yield to Priority
road
The priority road (wide black line) turns in the
intersection; you must yield to traffic following or leaving the
priority road coming from the right or approaching from straight ahead |
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Stop and yield to
Priority road
The same rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,
but you must come to a complete stop first |
Stop and yield to
Priority road
The same rules as "yield to priority road" above apply,
but you must come to a complete stop first |
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Yield to roundabout
Traffic in the roundabout has right-of-way |
Yield and watch
for bicycles
You must yield to all intersecting traffic, including
traffic on the bicycle path |
Stop ahead
There is a stop sign 100 meters ahead |
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Unmarked
intersection ahead
The next intersection is uncontrolled; yield the
right-of-way to traffic approaching the intersection from the right |
Priority over
oncoming traffic
You have the right-of-way over oncoming traffic along the
narrow one lane road ahead |
Yield to oncoming
traffic
You must give way to oncoming traffic along the narrow
one lane road ahead |
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Speed limit signs
Below are the various signs related to speed limits.
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Maximum 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 reached |
Conditional speed
limit
The speed limit shown is only in effect when the road is
wet |
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Minimum speed limit
Shown in km/h; you must travel at this speed or faster
unless road, weather, or traffic conditions make it necessary to drive
slower |
Advisory speed limit
(Obsolete)
Shown in km/h; indicates the recommended speed limit for good road,
weather, and traffic conditions; this sign is being phased-out by 2019 |
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End of speed limit
The general speed limit now applies |
End of speed limit
zone |
End of minimum
speed limit |
End of advisory
speed limit
(Obsolete) |
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Minimum speed
limit by lane
A new lane is added ahead and the minimum speed limit(s)
shown applies to
the indicated lane(s) |
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Minimum speed
limit by lane
The minimum speed limit(s) shown apply to the indicated
lane(s) |
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End of minimum
speed limit by lane
These signs also typically indicate a lane ending |
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Regulatory signs
This
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.
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No passing
You may not overtake other vehicles except bicycles,
mopeds, and motorcycles |
No 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 motorcycles |
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No passing
Passing of tractors and other designated slow-moving
vehicles is permitted |
No passing
The no passing restriction applies only to vehicles with
a permitted gross weight over 3.5 tonnes, buses, and any vehicle
pulling a trailer |
No passing
The no passing restriction is in effect only between
8:30am and 6:00pm and applies only to vehicles with a permitted gross
weight over 3.5 tonnes, buses, and any vehicle pulling a trailer |
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| End of no passing
zone |
End of no passing zone
for vehicles
over 3.5t |
End of all
restrictions
This sign cancels all previous speed limit and passing
restrictions; however, the general speed limit applies |
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Road closed
All vehicles are prohibited; a supplemental sign
indicating exceptions to this prohibition often accompanies this sign |
Motor vehicles
prohibited
Applies to all motor vehicles except motorcycles and
mopeds |
Vehicles over 3.5t
prohibited |
Vehicles over 7.5t
prohibited |
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| Bicycles
prohibited |
Mopeds prohibited
(Deprecated)
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Motorcycles and mopeds
prohibited |
Multiple prohibition
All motor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, are
prohibited |
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Horses prohibited
(Deprecated) |
Pedestrians prohibited |
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Vertical clearance
Vehicles, including loads, higher than the indicated
height are prohibited |
Horizontal
clearance
Vehicles, including loads, wider than the indicated width
are prohibited |
Length restriction
Vehicles, including loads, longer than the indicated
length are prohibited |
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Lane crossover with
width restriction
All lanes cross over the median and the width restriction
shown is in effect
for the indicated lane(s) |
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Lane shift with
width restriction
All lanes shift and the width restriction shown is in
effect
for the indicated lane(s) |
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Weight limit
Vehicles with an actual composite weight exceeding the
indicated limit are prohibited |
Axle weight limit
Vehicles exceeding the indicated weight on any axle are
prohibited |
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Minimum following distance
Vehicles with a permitted gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes
are required to maintain the indicated minimum following distance |
Hazardous cargo prohibited
Vehicles transporting marked hazardous materials are
prohibited |
Water polluting cargo
prohibited
Vehicles transporting more than 3000 liters of
water-pollutants are prohibited |
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Emergency traffic
restriction due to air pollution
Only vehicles displaying a valid emissions inspection
sticker are permitted
(shown
only when applicable) |
Traffic restriction zone
for reduction of air pollution
Only vehicles displaying one of the indicated colored
emissions inspection stickers are permitted |
End of traffic
restriction zone for reduction of air pollution
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Snow chains or
tires required
A speed limit of 50 km/h applies
(shown only when applicable) |
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| Do not enter |
One way street
Traffic on this street must travel in the direction of
the arrow |
One way street
Bicycles are exempted and may travel in either direction |
One way street
(Obsolete)
The street you are on is one way; this sign is being phased-out by 2019 |
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Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must turn left |
Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must turn right |
Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must turn either left or right |
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Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must continue straight ahead (i.e. no turns) |
Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must continue straight ahead or turn left
(i.e. no right turn) |
Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must continue straight ahead or turn right
(i.e. no left turn) |
No U-turn |
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Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must turn left here |
Mandatory direction of
travel
All traffic must turn right here |
Pass by on left
All traffic must pass the obstacle on the left side (i.e.
keep left) |
Pass by on right
All traffic must pass the obstacle on the right side
(i.e. keep right) |
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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
to provide additional capacity |
Shoulder lane ends
If you are in the shoulder traffic lane, you must merge
to the left immediately |
End of shoulder lane
Do not drive on the shoulder past this point
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Pedestrian path
Pedestrians only |
Pedestrian zone
Marks the entrance to an area reserved for pedestrians;
all adjacent streets are included until the "End of pedestrian zone"
sign is reached |
End of pedestrian zone
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Bicycle path
Bicycles only |
Bicycle path
Mopeds also allowed |
End of bicycle path
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Pedestrian &
bicycle path
Pedestrians and bicycles only; both can use the entire
pathway |
Split pedestrian
& bicycle path
Pedestrians and bicycles only; pedestrians and cyclists
must keep to the side of the path indicated by the sign |
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Bus lane
All other vehicles prohibited |
Bus lane
This sign shows which lane is reserved for buses |
Bridle path
Horses only |
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Traffic
calming zone
Marks the beginning of an area where traffic calming
rules apply |
End of traffic
calming zone
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Tunnel
Posted at the entrance to a tunnel and indicates that
low-beam headlights must be turned-on, that U-turns are prohibited, and
that accidents or breakdowns must be moved to a designated emergency
wayside |
Emergency wayside
Marks a roadside bay for stopping in case of an emergency
or breakdown; all other use is prohibited |
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Autobahn entrance
Posted on Autobahn entrance ramps and indicates that
Autobahn traffic regulations begin |
Expressway entrance
Motor vehicles only |
End of Autobahn
Located on Autobahn exit ramps and indicates that
Autobahn traffic regulations end; may also be used to warn that the
Autobahn ends ahead |
End of expressway
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