Getting Around Germany -- German traffic signs and signals (Page 2 of 2)

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

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Parking signs

In this section are all signs related to parking, both prohibition signs against parking as well as signs indicating where parking is allowed.


*No stopping* Stopping or standing on the roadway is prohibited	*No 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 parking restriction applies to all streets in the area until the "End of Parking Control Zone" sign is reached; a supplemental sign will indicate the exact restriction such as requiring the use of a parking disc, voucher, or permit	*End of parking control zone*


*No stopping (end)* This sign marks the end of a no stopping area	*No stopping* Stopping or standing on the roadway is prohibited in either direction from this sign	*No stopping (start)* This sign marks the beginning of a no stopping area


*No parking (end)* This sign marks the end of a no parking area	*No parking* Parking on the roadway is prohibited in either direction from this sign	*No parking (start)* This sign marks the beginning of a no parking area


*No stopping on shoulder*	*No parking on shoulder*	*Taxi stand* This area is reserved for taxis only-- other vehicles may not stop here; the supplemental sign indicates the number of taxis allowed to wait here


*Parking area* Marks an area where parking is permitted; also used to give directions to parking areas	*Parking garage*	*Indexed parking facility*** Marks or gives directions to a numbered parking facility (e.g. parking lot #8)


*Restricted parking* You must use a parking disc to park here and you may only park for the length of time indicated	*Restricted parking* You may park here only if you have an official handicapped permit	*Special parking* Parking for vehicles with trailers allowed; vehicles may remain parked for longer than 14 days	*Special parking* Parking for travel trailers allowed; vehicles may remain parked for longer than 14 days

Parking area (end)
This sign marks the end of a parking area

Parking area (start)
This sign marks the start of a parking area

Directions to parking


*Hiker's parking* Indicates an area where you may park and hike a circuit trail	*Park & ride* Indicates a facility where you may park your vehicle and transfer to public transportation


*Parking on sidewalk allowed* This sign indicates that parallel parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively	*Parking on sidewalk allowed* This sign indicates that parallel parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively


*Parking on sidewalk allowed* This sign indicates that perpendicular parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively	*Parking on sidewalk allowed* This sign indicates that perpendicular parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively

Service signs

Below are signs that are used to give directions to motorist services on or near the road. These signs are especially used along the Autobahn. Service signs are a symbol in a white field on a blue square or rectangle.


*Filling station*	*Filling station w/ unleaded gasoline* This sign is now obsolete as all stations have unleaded fuel, but it may still appear on older signs	*Filling station w/ liquefied petroleum gas*	*Filling station w/ compressed natural gas*


*Restaurant*	*Snack bar*	*Hotel*	*Auto repair shop*


*Telephone*	*Emergency telephone*


*Rest rooms/toilette*	*First aid station*	*Police station*


*Tourist information*	*Traffic information radio* This sign shows the name and frequency of a radio station giving local traffic information; the letter at the bottom indicates the traffic reporting region that the station covers	*Campground*

Information and guide signs

Below are signs that give directions or other information.


*Entering urban area* Posted at the entrance to a built-up area and indicates that the 50 km/h speed limit and other urban traffic regulations begins	*Leaving urban area* This is usually the backside of the "Entering town area sign" and indicates the end of urban traffic regulations and the return to the 100 km/h rural speed limit; the top section shows the distance to the next town	*Leaving urban area* Same as the sign to the left except that the white top section indicates that the next town is in the same municipality as the one you are leaving	*Place name* Marks small towns that do not require the "Entering urban area" sign; this sign is also used occasionally to mark other places of interest


*Tourist destination* Used to give directions to tourist attractions	*Tourist route* Marks one of the several designated tourist roads	*Scenic area* Denotes a scenic or tourist area along or near the Autobahn	*River name* Shows the name of the river the road is crossing


*Federal Highway route number*	*Autobahn route number*	*European route number*


*Federal Highway direction marker* Shows the direction and distance to major destinations; posted at the crossroads	*Federal Highway direction marker* Alternate form of the sign to the left	*Secondary road direction marker* Shows the direction and distance to major destinations; posted at the crossroads	*Secondary road direction marker* Alternate form of the sign to the left


*Secondary road direction marker* Shows the direction to minor destinations	*Local direction marker* Shows the direction to an important local destination	*Direction to Autobahn* Shows the direction to a nearby Autobahn


*Advance direction sign* Gives advance notice of directions at the upcoming intersection	*Advance direction sign* Gives advance notice of directions and the lane configuration at the upcoming intersection	*Consolidated direction sign* Shows route information for all directions from the intersection	*Autobahn entrance direction sign* Shows route information for Autobahn entrance ramps ahead

Routing for designated vehicles
Vehicle types shown on the sign must follow the route as indicated

Routing for designated vehicles
Vehicle types shown on the sign turn here

Autobahn 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 symbol denotes the type of interchange:

Exit

Crossing

Autobahn interchange advance directional sign
Located 500 meters before Autobahn exits and at both 1000 meters and 500 meters before Autobahn crossings; shows a schematic of the interchange and lists additional destinations

Autobahn interchange number

Autobahn interchange countdown markers
Located at 300 meters (three stripes), 200 meters (two stripes), and 100 meters (one stripe) before the interchange; the interchange number sign is typically mounted above the 300 meter marker


*Autobahn exit* This sign is placed just prior to the exit; it is sometimes placed in the center median	*Expressway exit*	*Expressway exit* Shows an exit for local destinations	*Exit* Marks an exit ramp from the Autobahn or expressway


*Truck stop* This sign indicates that there is an off-Autobahn truck stop at the indicated exit with fuel, food, and other services; pictograms indicating the available services often accompany this sign	*Autobahn distance board* Placed after most entrances and lists the distance to major cities along the route; distances to major destinations via intersecting Autobahns are listed at the bottom with the corresponding route number


*Detour approach* Indicates that a detour/diversion is about to start; often accompanied by a supplemental sign indicating the distance to the start of the detour	*Detour direction sign*	*Numbered detour route* Used where there are multiple detour routes in effect; follow the same-numbered route	*End of detour*


*Provisional detour* These signs mark pre-posted detour routes for use in the event that an Autobahn must be closed or as an optional route to bypass congestion; follow the same-numbered route to return to the next Autobahn entrance	*Provisional detour schematic* Used to direct Autobahn traffic to the next sequential provisional detour route when traffic cannot return to the Autobahn at the next entrance	*Alternate route* Indicates a recommended alternate route on the Autobahn system for specific vehicles or destinations in order to avoid congestion


*Detour route schematic* Indicates that the road ahead is closed and graphically shows the detour route (e.g. turn left in 80 meters and follow the road to B-Dorf and A-Dorf)	*Routing schematic for designated vehicles* Indicates that the specified vehicle type is prohibited ahead and indicates that there's a posted detour route (e.g. no hazardous vehicles ahead, so follow the posted route 80 meters ahead on the left)	*Complicated traffic route* Shows special routing required to go in the direction indicated (e.g. there's no left turn ahead, so follow the route shown instead)


*Dead end street*	*Dead end street* Children are allowed to play in the street	*Water protection area* Posted in environmentally sensitive areas; reminds drivers of vehicles carrying water-hazardous cargo to be extra careful


*Bus or streetcar stop* Parking or stopping within 15 meters of this sign is prohibited; do not pass streetcars stopped on the street to board or discharge passengers; yield to vehicles leaving the stop	*School bus stop* Watch for children during the times indicated	*Pedestrian underpass*	Pedestrian bridge


*National speed limits information* Posted at international borders and informs drivers of the general speed limits	*Customs post*	*Toll road* Motorists using this road must pay a toll	*Toll road* Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must pay a toll to use this road


*Street name signs* These signs may be mounted on a pole or on the sides of a building	*Streetlight does not stay on all night* Posted or painted on lamp posts that turn off during the night; if you park near this street lamp at night, you must leave your parking lights on; the time that the light turns off may be marked in the red area

Miscellaneous signs


*Reflector guide posts* Posted every 50 meters along the roadside, left and right sides respectively	*Reflector guide posts* Posted on the roadside at an intersection	*Obstruction marker* This sign is posted on the edge of an object in or adjacent to the roadway, left and right sides respectively	*Obstruction marker* This sign is posted on the edge of an object in or adjacent to the roadway which you may pass on either side


*Curve markers* The chevrons point in the direction to travel	*Parking hazard* Mounted on the back of vehicles and trailers that may slow or stop on roadways (i.e. maintenance vehicles)	*Mobile lane closure board* Used in construction areas to temporarily close lanes; pass by on the side indicated	*Barricade*

NATO military bridge classification signs
Posted near bridges and viaducts and indicates the safe load-carrying capacity of the bridge for military vehicles

Church services
Posted near the entrances to towns and lists scheduled Sunday church services; the gold church denotes Catholic Masses; the purple church denotes Protestant services

Construction project information
These signs are posted at the beginning of major construction zones
and give information about the project

Additional sign symbols

Here are some common additional symbols you may see on signs in Germany.


*Airport*	*Train station*	*Car train*	*Truck train*


*Ferry or harbor*	*Hospital*	*Roadside chapel*	*Industrial district*


*Sports park*	*Stadium*	Handicapped-accessible rest room/toilette

Additional sign information

In the past decade or so, electronic sign systems have been installed on Autobahns and expressways. These signs are capable of displaying facsimiles of official traffic signs and carry the same authority as their static counterparts. Common signs include speed limits and congestion warnings. When mounted overhead, these signs have added flexibility as they can be used to assign speed limits to specific lanes or to display lane control information. See the "Electronic signs" section on the Autobahn page for more details and examples.

In cities and towns, you will frequently come across convex mirrors mounted on high posts or on the sides of buildings next to the road. These mirrors are provided to help drivers see around tight corners where the visibility is blocked by a building or other obstacle.

Sign vocabulary

Words are sometimes used on traffic signs, especially on supplemental signs. Here is a rather complete list of vocabulary used on German traffic signs.

Abblendlicht - dipped (low-beam) headlights

Abstand halten - maintain following distance

Achtung! - attention!

Allee - avenue

an geraden Tagen - on "even" days
(i.e. Tue., Thur.)

an ungeraden Tagen - on "odd" days
(i.e. Mon., Wed., Fri.)

an Sonn- und Feiertagen - on Sundays and holidays

Anfang - start, begin

Anlieger frei - residents and local traffic allowed

Anlieger bis Baustelle frei - residents and local traffic allowed as far as construction site

Anlieger oder Parken frei - residents, local traffic and parking allowed

Anwohner frei - residents allowed

auch - also

auf dem Seitenstreifen - on the shoulder

Ausfahrt - exit

Ausfahrt freihalten - keep driveway exit clear

Autobahn - freeway, superhighway

Autobahndreieck - Autobahn "triangle"
(i.e. "T"-crossing)

Autobahnkreuz - Autobahn crossing

Autogas - liquified propane gas

Autohof - truck stop

Bahnhof - railway station

Baustellen ausfahrt- construction site exit

Baustellenfahrzeuge frei - construction vehicles allowed

Behelfsausfahrt - auxilliary exit

bei Nässe - during wet conditions

bei Rot hier halten - stop here on red

besetzt - full (e.g. parking lots)

Betriebs- und Versorgungsdienst frei - service and maintenance vehicles allowed

Bewohner frei - residents allowed

bis Baustelle frei - allowed as far as construction site

Di - Tuesday

Do - Thursday

Durchgangsverkehr - through traffic

dürfen überholt werden - are allowed to be passed

Einbahnstraße - one way street

Einfahrt - entrance

Einfahrt freihalten - keep driveway entrance clear

einorden - get into lane, merge

Einsatzfahrzeuge frei - operations vehicles allowed

Ende - end

Fährbenutzer frei - ferry users allowed

Fahrrad - bicycle

Fahrradstraße - bicycle path

Fahrschule - driving school (marked on vehicles operated by student drivers)

Feuergasse - fire lane

Flughafen - airport

Forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei - forestry vehicles allowed

Fr - friday

frei - exempt, allowed (e.g. "Anlieger frei" = "Residents allowed"); also means "available" (i.e. parking spaces)

freihalten - keep clear

Frostschäden - frost/freeze damage

Fußgänger - pedestrian

Gasse - alley, lane

gebührenpflichtig - toll/fee required

Gefahr- danger

gesperrt - closed, blocked (e.g. "Straße gesperrt" = "road closed")

Glatteis - "black ice"

grüne Welle bei 60 km/h - all green signals ("green wave") at 60 km/h

h - o'clock (e.g. "8-16 h" = "8am - 4pm")

Hafengebiet; Schienenfahrzeuge haben Vorrang - harbor area; rail vehicles have right-of-way

Haltbrucht - wayside/stopping area

Haltestelle - bus/tram stop

hier gilt die StVO - official traffic laws are in effect here (used on private parking lots)

Industriegebiet; Schienenfahrzeuge haben Vorrang - industrial area; rail vehicles have right-of-way

kein/keine - no (e.g. "Keine Mofas" = "no mopeds")

keine Wendemöglichkeit - no place to turn around (i.e. on dead-end street)

Kfz. - motor vehicle

Krankenfahrzeuge frei - ambulances allowed

Kreuzung - intersection

Kreuzung freihalten - keep intersection clear

Landwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei - agricultural vehicles allowed

Land- und forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei - agricultural and forestry vehicles only

Licht! - turn on your headlights (when entering a tunnel)

Licht? - turn off your headlights (when coming out of a tunnel)

Licht ausschalten - turn off headlights

Licht einschalten - turn on headlights

Lieferverkehr frei - delivery vehicles allowed

Linienverkehr frei - scheduled transit vehicles allowed

Lkw. - truck

Mi - Wednesday

mit Ausweis Nr. - with permit number

mit Parkausweis Nr. - with parking permit number

mit Parkschein - with parking voucher

Mo - Monday

Mofas - mopeds

Nebel - fog

Nebenstrecke - secondary route

Nothalt - emergency stopping area

Notruf - emergency telephone

nur - only

Ölspur - watch for oil on lane

P + M - carpool parking

P + R - park & ride

Parkausweis - parking permit

Parken in gekennzeichenten Flächen 2
Std. - parking in marked spaces for 2 hours

Parken in gekennzeichenten Flächen erlaubt - parking in marked spaces allowed

Parken Sa und So erlaubt - parking permitted on Saturday and Sunday

Parkhaus - parking garage (above ground)

Parkplatz - parking place, lot

Parkscheibe - parking disc

Parkschein - parking voucher

Parkscheinautomat - parking voucher dispensing machine

Parkuhr - parking meter

Pkw. - passenger vehicle (car)

Polizei - police

Radfahrer absteigen - bicyclists dismount

Radweg - bicycle trail

Rasthaus - service area

Rasthof - service area

Raststätte - service area

Rauch - smoke

Reißverscluss erst in 200 m - "zipper" merge begins in 200 meters

Richtung - direction of travel

Rollsplitt - loose gravel/chippings

Sa - Saturday

Sackgasse - dead end, cul-de-sac

Schleudergefahr - skidding danger

Schnellstraße - expressway

Schule - school

Schulbus - school bus

Schülerlotse - school crossing guard

So - Sunday

Sperrgebiet - restricted area

Sperrung - closure

Spur - traffic lane

Spurrillen - lane grooves

Spurrinnen - lane grooves

Stadtmitte - downtown/city center

Stau - congestion/traffic jam

Straße - street

Straßenbahn - streetcar

Std. - hours (abbr. for "Stunden") (e.g. "2 Std." = "2 hours")

Straßenschäden - road damaged

Streugut - road sand/salt

Stunde - hour

Tankstelle - filling station

Tiefgarage - underground parking garage

Tollwut - rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies outbreak area)

überholen - overtake, pass

Umleitung - detour/diversion

Unfall - accident

verboten - prohibited

Verkehr - traffic

Verkehrshelfer - school crossing guard

verschmutzte Fahrbahn - dirt/mud on road

Verkehrsführung geändert - traffic pattern has been changed

Vorfahrt - right-of-way/priority

Vorfahrt geändert - right-of-way has been changed

Vorfahrtstraße - priority road

Vorrang - right-of-way/priority

Vorsicht - caution

Wasserschutzgebiet - water protection area

Weg - way, lane

Werktags - workdays

Wildtollwut - rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies outbreak area)

Zentrum - downtown/city center

Zufahrt bis 25 frei - access permitted as far as 25 (house number or other location)

SIGNALS

Traffic signals in Germany are the same type found in the US and elsewhere. Signals are usually located on same side of the intersection as the approaching traffic and are often mounted overhead as well as on the right and left sides of the road. Signals generally operate the same as most other places, but there are a few idiosyncrasies. Below are illustrations and descriptions of various signals and related signs that you will come across in Germany. Items marked with are especially important for US visitors.

Typical German traffic signals

Typical German traffic signals

Figure 1

Traffic signals in Germany use the same red, yellow, and green lights found in the US and elsewhere. Red, of course, means STOP. Green means PROCEED with caution, and yellow means PREPARE TO STOP. In Germany, however, an extra phase is added: just before the light changes from red to green, the yellow signal comes on briefly in conjunction with the red. This means PREPARE FOR GREEN and is helpful if you are driving a manual transmission to give you a bit of warning to get into gear. Figure 1 (left) shows the signal cycle.

Some locations have partial signals consisting of just the red and yellow lamps as shown in Figure 2 (right). These function just like regular traffic signals minus the green phase. So, when the green light would normally be on, there is instead no signal. If you come upon one of these signals showing yellow or red, obey it like you would any traffic signal. Otherwise, ignore the signal and obey any other signs or signals, or in the absence of such, use the default right-of-way rules. These types of signals are usually located at railway crossings.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Intersections in Germany often have signals controlling each permitted direction of travel, such as the examples in Figure 3 (left). If a signal at an intersection has an arrow for the direction you want to travel, you must obey it. If you don't see a signal with an arrow for the direction you want to go, then traveling that direction may not be permitted; be sure to look for signs. A full green signal without any arrows (like in Figure 1 above) usually means you may travel straight ahead or make a right or left turn unless otherwise prohibited by signs.

In the case of left turns, the signal shown in Figure 4 (right) indicates a protected left turn.

Figure 4

When the right-of-way for left turns changes from permitted to protected (or vice-versa), a different style of signal is used. In this case, the left turn signal is located across the intersection on the left corner. There are two varieties in use: a green-yellow combination, or a single green signal. The combination signal consists of a flashing yellow arrow (Figure 5 below) or a solid green arrow (Figure 6). The yellow flashing arrow shown in Figure 5 indicates a left turn is permitted but not protected-- use caution and yield to oncoming traffic. When the green arrow is on, as shown in Figure 6, then the turn is protected. In some cases, there is only the single green arrow signal (i.e. no flashing yellow arrow.) Just as in the other cases, the green arrow indicates a protected left turn. If the arrow is off, then obey the signals for through traffic and yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Always watch for and yield to pedestrians and cyclists when turning left or right. Sometimes there will be a flashing yellow signal like the one shown in Figure 7 (left) adjacent to the other signals warning you that pedestrians crossing the intersecting street also have a green light.

Right turns on red are not universally permitted in Germany. However, such a turn is permitted at intersections with the green arrow sign shown in Figure 8 (right) but only after coming to a complete stop and yielding to all other traffic and pedestrians. This is the only traffic law retained from the former East Germany and thus is still somewhat rarely found in the western states, although it is now being implemented more in many areas.

Figure 8

Many intersections have special right turn signals. These two-section signals consist of green and yellow arrows and are used to allow traffic to make a free right turn while the signal for through traffic is red. So, if you encountered the signals in Figure 9 (below) and you wanted to turn right, you could do so without having to stop. The cycles for these can vary depending on the phasing for the signals at the intersection; the two most common cycles are shown in Figure 10. When the right turn signal is dark, you must obey the signals for through traffic.

Red signal with green right arrow signal

Figure 9

Red signal with green right arrow signal cycles

Figure 10

A flashing yellow signal or a traffic signal that is completely dark indicates that the intersection is currently not being controlled by the signals. Most traffic signals in Germany are switched off at night and sometimes on weekends as well. Also, some pedestrian crossing signals turn themselves off after a period of inactivity. To provide for traffic control in this situation, nearly all traffic signals also have right-of-way signs installed nearby, usually near the rightmost signal face. Motorists must obey the signs when the signal is off or flashing. So, if you encountered Figure 11 (below), you would have to yield. If you encountered Figure 12, you would have the right-of-way. The signs also provide regulation in the rare event of signal malfunction. Where used, a flashing yellow almost always indicates that you must yield or stop. However, you may have to stop or yield even if there is no flashing yellow-- watch for the signs. There is no flashing red signal in Germany. When the signals are off and you are required to stop, you do not need to stop at the stop line or sign; instead, you should stop at a location where you can safely see the traffic on the intersecting street.

Figure 11

Figure 12

When the traffic signals are in operation, the signal takes precedence over the sign. Therefore, if you encountered Figure 13 (below), you would have to stop. In Figure 14, you could proceed without stopping.

Figure 13

Figure 14

Lane control signals are used in areas where reversible lanes are used, or in areas where lanes may need to be closed periodically. They are also used in conjunction with the electronic sign systems found on the Autobahn and urban expressways to close lanes after accidents and during road work. They are the same standard arrow and X symbols used in many other countries:


*Lane open*	*Lane closed ahead* Merge in the direction indicated	*Lane closed* You may not drive in this lane

ROAD MARKINGS

Road pavement markings in Germany are generally similar to those in the US. Unlike the US, however, all regular road markings in Germany are white, include those used to separate opposing traffic. Yellow road markings are used in construction areas and supersede the regular white markings. Below are diagrams and descriptions of most of the road markings you will encounter in Germany. The light blue numbers on the diagrams correspond to the explanations.

Urban road markings

1	Stop line You must stop behind the thick solid line across your lane.
2	Wait line A thick broken line across your lane is the equivalent to a yield sign (and is often used in conjunction with it.) If necessary, you must wait behind the broken line across your lane.
3	Priority road A broken line passing through an intersection along the edge of one of the roadways indicates the path of the priority road.
4	Pedestrian crosswalk Zebra-striped markings across the roadway mark a pedestrian crosswalk. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
5	No stopping/parking zone Zig-zag lines next to the curb mark a specific area (often near a near a bus stop or driveway) where you may not stop or park.
6	Numbers Numbers on the pavement in your lane usually indicate the speed limit. Often used during sudden drops in the speed limit for safety reasons.
7	Letters and numbers A combination of letters and numbers on the pavement usually indicate route numbers. These are frequently used at complicated intersections to guide motorists into the correct lane. For instance, a marking such as "B27" indicates that the lane you are in follows the B27 highway.
8	Intersection arrows Arrows on the pavement in your lane indicate which turns are allowed from your lane.
9	Restricted zone You may not drive in an area with diagonal lines.

Rural road markings

10	No passing in one direction You may pass only if you have a broken line on your side; you may not cross a solid line on your side to pass.
11	No passing You may not cross the solid center line to pass.
12	Merge arrow An arrow slanting toward the right in the center of the roadway warns passing traffic to merge to the right as a no passing zone is approaching.
13	Lane separation line Short broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate that the passing zone is ending.
14	Lane separation line Long broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate passing is allowed (unless prohibited by a sign). This marking is also used to separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction.