![[i] Information](http://www.texashighwayman.com/info.gif) |
The main rail line between Frankfurt and Mannheim is closed until 14 December for reconstruction. Expect service changes and delays. |
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This page last updated September 1, 2024 |
This is page two of my comprehensive guide of German traffic signs, signals, and markings. If you have not reviewed the first page yet, you can get to it at the link below.
On this page:
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Parking signs
In this section are all signs related to parking, both prohibition signs as well as signs indicating where parking is allowed. For more details on parking regulations, see the parking section of the Rules of the Road page, and for information on where and how to park, see the parking section of the City Driving and Parking page.
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No stopping
Stopping, standing, or parking on the roadway on the same
side where this sign is posted is prohibited.
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No parking
Prohibits leaving your vehicle or otherwise stopping for
more than 3 minutes on the roadway on the same side where
this sign is posted except for passenger boarding/ |
Parking restriction zone
Posted at entrances to a neighborhood or area where parking
is prohibited on all streets in the area until the
"End of parking restriction zone" sign is reached.
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End of parking restriction zone
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No stopping (end)
This sign marks the end of a no stopping area
(i.e. no stopping prior to this sign on the same
side of the street where it is posted.)
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No stopping
Stopping or standing on the roadway is prohibited
in either direction on the same side where this sign is posted.
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No stopping (start)
This sign marks the beginning of a no stopping area
(i.e. no stopping beyond this sign on the same side of the street where it is posted.)
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No parking (end)
This sign marks the end of a no parking area
(i.e. no parking prior to this sign on the same side of the street where it is posted.)
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No parking
Parking on the roadway is prohibited in either direction
on the same side where this sign is posted.
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No parking (start)
This sign marks the beginning of a no parking area
(i.e. no parking beyond this sign on the same side of the street where it is posted.)
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 SIDEBAR:
Understanding parking sign arrows |
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No stopping on shoulder
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No parking on shoulder
Electric vehicles with an "E" license plate are exempt.
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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.
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Tow-away zone
Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
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Parking area
Marks an area where parking is permitted. This sign is also used to give directions to parking areas.
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Parking management zone
Posted at entrances to a neighborhood or area where parking
is permitted with the use of a parking disc or voucher as indicated
by a supplemental sign. The restrictions shown apply to all streets
beyond this sign until the "End of parking management zone sign" is reached.
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End of parking management zone
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Restricted parking
You must use a parking disc to park here and you may only
park for the length of time indicated (e.g. two hours.)
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Restricted parking
You must purchase and display a parking voucher to park here.
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Restricted parking
Only residents with the indicated parking permit number may park here.
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Restricted parking
You may park here only if you have an official handicapped permit.
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Restricted parking
Parking only for car share vehicles. The name of the specific car share company permitted to park here will be indicated.
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Restricted parking
Parking only for the vehicle class shown on the sign (e.g. parking only for passenger vehicles.)
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Restricted parking
This sign denotes a parking area where trailers may remain parked for longer than 14 days.
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Restricted parking
Parking only for electric vehicles with an "E" license plate while charging.
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Restricted parking
Parking for any electric vehicle while charging
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Restricted parking
Parking only for electric vehicles with an "E" license plate at all times. Between 8 am and 8 pm, parking is restricted to four hours with the use of a parking disc.
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Restricted parking
Parking only for electric vehicles with an "E" license plate at all times. Parking is restricted to four hours while charging with the use of a parking disc between 8 am and 8 pm.
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Parking garage
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Indexed parking facility
Marks or gives directions to a numbered parking facility (e.g. parking lot #8.)
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Directions to parking
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Parking area (end)
This sign marks the end of a parking area.
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Parking area
This sign indicates parking is allowed in both directions from the sign.
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Parking area (start)
This sign marks the start of a parking area.
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Perpendicular parking
Parking spaces are perpendicular to the roadway.
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Angle parking
Parking spaces are at an angle to the roadway.
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Parking on sidewalk allowed
Parallel parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street is
permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively.
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Parking on sidewalk allowed
Parallel parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the
right or left side of the street respectively.
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Parking on sidewalk allowed
Perpendicular parking half on the sidewalk and half in the street
is permitted on the right or left side of the street respectively.
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Parking on sidewalk allowed
Perpendicular parking completely on the sidewalk is permitted on
the right or left side of the street respectively.
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Hiker's parking
Indicates an area where you may park to take a hike.
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Park and ride
Indicates a facility where you may park your vehicle and transfer to public transportation.
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Carpool parking
Indicates a parking lot for use by carpoolers (parken und mitfahren.)
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Parking voucher dispenser
Marks the location of a kiosk where you can purchase a parking voucher.
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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.
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Filling station
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Filling station w/ unleaded gasoline
(Obsolete)
This sign is now obsolete as all stations have unleaded fuel, but it may still appear on older signs. (Note difference with blue "shadow pump" below.)
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Electric vehicle charging station
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Filling station with liquefied petroleum gas
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Filling station with compressed natural gas
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Filling station with hydrogen fuel
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Restaurant
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Snack bar
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Hotel
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Auto repair shop
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Restrooms/
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Autobahn chapel
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Police station
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Tourist information
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Public telephone
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Emergency telephone
The sign on the right is obsolete.
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First aid station
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Motor home park
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Motor home and travel trailer park
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Campground
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Traffic information radio
(Obsolete)
This sign showed the name and frequency of a radio station
giving local traffic information. The letter at the bottom
indicated the traffic reporting region that the station covered.
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Information and guide signs
This section contains signs that give directions or other information.
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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.
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Leaving urban area
This is usually the backside of the "Entering urban area sign" and
indicates the end of urban traffic regulations and the return to the
100 km/h rural speed limit (unless otherwise posted.) The top section shows the distance to the next town.
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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.
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Place name
Marks small locales that do not warrant the "Entering urban area" sign. This sign is also used occasionally to mark other places of interest.
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Federal Highway route number
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Autobahn route number
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European route number
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Federal Highway direction marker
Posted at the junction and shows the direction and distance to major destinations.
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Secondary road direction marker
Posted at the junction and shows the direction and distance to major destinations.
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Secondary road direction marker
Posted at the junction and shows the direction to minor destinations.
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Local direction marker
Posted at the junction and shows the direction to an important local destination.
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Advance direction sign
Gives advance notice of directions at an approaching intersection.
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Advance direction sign
Gives advance notice of directions as well as the lane configuration
at an approaching intersection (e.g. left lane must turn left.) Also note
the "no trucks" for the left roadway.
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Advance direction sign
Gives advance notice of directions at an approaching roundabout. Note
the "do not enter" for the leg at the 9 o'clock position and the
"motor vehicles only" at the 3 o'clock position.
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Consolidated direction sign
Shows route information for all directions at this junction
(single board [left] or multiple panels [right].)
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Abbreviated consolidated direction sign
Shows route information for all directions at this junction.
(This style of sign is often used in urban areas in lieu of the consolidated sign to the left.)
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Direction to Autobahn
Shows the direction to the indicated Autobahn and destination. This sign is
typically located at the entrance ramp to the Autobahn.
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Autobahn entrance direction sign
Shows direction information for Autobahn entrance ramps ahead.
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Autobahn entrance direction sign
Shows direction information for Autobahn entrance ramps ahead
as well as the lane configuration at those intersections (e.g. right lane must turn right.)
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Autobahn exit initial approach sign
Located 1000 meters (nominally) before Autobahn exits and shows the interchange number and name.
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Autobahn junction initial approach sign
Located 2000 meters (nominally) before the junction of two Autobahns
and shows the interchange number and name.
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Autobahn interchange advance directional sign
Located 500 meters before Autobahn exits and at both 1000 meters
and 500 meters before Autobahn junctions and shows a schematic
of the interchange and lists additional destinations.
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Autobahn interchange number
Shown on the initial interchange approach sign and on the first
interchange countdown marker. Interchanges are numbered sequentially;
if a new interchange is added, a letter suffix is used to preserve the numbering system.
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Autobahn interchange countdown markers
Located at the indicated distances before the interchange. The interchange
number sign is typically mounted above the 300 meter marker.
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Autobahn exit
This sign is placed just prior to the exit. It is sometimes
located on the left side in the center median.
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Expressway interchange initial approach sign
Located 1000 meters (nominally) before exits and shows the interchange name.
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Expressway interchange countdown markers
Located at the indicated distances before the interchange.
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Expressway exit
This sign is placed just prior to the exit. It is sometimes
located on the left side in the center median.
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Expressway exit
Shows an exit for local destinations.
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Exit
Marks an exit ramp from the Autobahn or expressway.
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Truck stop
This sign indicates that there is an off-Autobahn service
area at the indicated exit (typically the next exit) with
the services indicated by the pictograms.
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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.
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Expressway distance board
Placed after most entrances and lists the distance to major cities along the route.
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Autobahn emergency detour
These signs mark pre-posted detour routes for use in the event that
an Autobahn must be closed due to a crash or other incident, or as an
optional route to bypass congestion. Follow the same-numbered route
to return to the next Autobahn entrance.
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Emergency detour schematic
Used to direct Autobahn traffic to the next sequential detour route
when traffic cannot return to the Autobahn at the next entrance.
For example, veer right at the next intersection and begin following
U24 to return to the Autobahn.
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"Red route" detour
These signs mark a special detour to bypass a long-term Autobahn
construction project or a frequently congested area.
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Detour approach
Announces a closure ahead for which a detour should be followed.
Examples: (left) A40 toward Dortmund is closed, so follow
the "U43" detour at the next exit; (right) Exit 4 is
closed during the dates shown, so follow the "red route" detour straight ahead.
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Alternate route
Indicates a recommended alternate route on the Autobahn system
for specific vehicles or destinations in order to avoid congestion.
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End of alternate route
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Detour approach
Indicates that a detour/ |
Detour direction sign
These are being phased-out in favor of the sign to the right.
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Detour direction sign
Follow these signs to remain on the detour route. This sign may
also be used at the start of a detour in lieu of the "detour approach"
sign to the left. These signs may be accompanied by a destination panel on top.
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End of detour
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Routing for designated vehicles
Vehicle types shown on the sign must follow the route as indicated.
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Routing for designated vehicles
Vehicle types shown on the sign turn here.
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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
A-Dorf, then to B-Dorf to return back to the route to Stuttgart.)
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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 vehicles
over 3.5t on the road ahead, so follow the posted route 80 meters ahead on the left.)
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Special traffic route
Shows special routing required to go in the direction indicated
(e.g. there's no left turn ahead, so follow the route to the right as shown instead.)
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River name
Shows the name of the river the road is crossing.
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Scenic area
Denotes a scenic or tourist area along or near the road.
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Iron Curtain marker
Marks a location where Germany and Europe was divided prior to 1989.
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Tourist route
Marks a themed tourist road.
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Tourist route direction marker
Shows the direction to follow to stay on the indicated tourist route.
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Tourist route
Shows additional route information (in this example, that the route is headed toward Bad Mergentheim.)
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Tourist attractions
Used to give directions to tourist attractions.
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Tourist attraction direction marker
Shows the direction to the indicated tourist destination.
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Tourist attraction
Shows additional route information about an attraction (in this example, the town in which it's located.)
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Dead end street
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Dead end street
However, there is a through path for pedestrians and/or bicycles.
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Pedestrian underpass
Marks the entrance to an underpass, subway, or tunnel that pedestrians must use to cross the road.
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Pedestrian overpass
Marks the entrance to a bridge or overpass that pedestrians must
use to cross the road.
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Pedestrians must cross street
Posted where the sidewalk is closed (e.g. for construction) and
directs pedestrians to use the sidewalk across the street in the direction indicated.
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Water protection area
Posted in environmentally sensitive areas and reminds drivers of
vehicles carrying water-hazardous cargo to be extra careful.
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Bus or streetcar stop
Parking within 15 meters of this sign is prohibited. Do not pass
streetcars stopped on the street to board or discharge passengers.
Yield to transit vehicles leaving the stop.
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School bus stop
Watch for children during the times indicated.
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National speed limits information
Posted at international borders and informs drivers of the statutory speed limits.
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EU border sign
Posted at international borders and shows the name of the country you're entering.
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Customs post
Be prepared to stop.
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Toll road
Motorists using this road must pay a toll.
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Truck toll road
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must pay the national toll to use this road.
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End truck toll road
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Street name signs
These signs may be mounted on a pole or on the side of a building.
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Streetlight does not stay on all night
Applied to lamp posts with a streetlight that turns 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.
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Turn headlights on
Posted before tunnels to remind drivers to switch-on their headlights.
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Turn headlights off
Posted after tunnels to remind drivers to switch-off their headlights.
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Miscellaneous signs and devices
This section contains traffic channeling devices and other miscellaneous signs.
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Reflector guide posts
Posted every 50 meters along the roadside, left and right sides
respectively. Blue reflectors may be installed the back side of
the post; these ostensibly deter wildlife from crossing at night.
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Reflector guide posts
Posted on the roadside at an intersection with a driveway or side road.
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Curve markers
Posted along the outer edge of a curve and point in the direction to travel.
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Obstruction marker
This sign is posted on the edge of an object or island in
the roadway that you may pass on either side.
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Obstruction marker/
Posted on the edge of an object or island in
or adjacent to the roadway that you must pass to the right of.
These are also used on channelizing devices (pylons) in work zones and
may use fluorescent yellow instead of white.
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Obstruction marker/
Posted on the edge of an object or island
in or adjacent to the roadway that you must pass to the
left of. These are also used on channelizing devices (pylons) in
work zones and may use fluorescent yellow instead of white.
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Obstruction marker/
Includes flashing lights and integrated keep right/left sign.
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Mobile lane closure board
Used in construction areas to temporarily close lanes.
You must pass by on the side indicated.
Newer versions employ digital signage.
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Traffic cone
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Barricade
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NATO military bridge classification signs
Posted near bridges and viaducts and indicates the safe
load-carrying capacity of the bridge for military vehicles.
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Church services
Posted near the entrances to towns and lists
scheduled church services. The gold denotes Catholic
Masses while the purple denotes Protestant services.
Additional colors are also used to denote other denominations.
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Forest road closed
This sign indicates that the forest road here is closed
to motor vehicles and horse riders. There is also usually a road barrier.
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Nature reserve
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Shut off engine
These signs remind drivers to shut off their engine to reduce
pollution while stopped at a traffic signal or railway crossing.
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School bus
Mounted on the front and back of a vehicle that is carrying
school children. Use extreme caution when passing a stopped
bus displaying this sign.
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Self-driving car reference sign
This sign is installed on several Autobahns and is
used as a reference marker by self-driving cars.
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Wrong way
Placed on Autobahn exit ramps (facing opposite the flow of traffic)
to warn drivers they are going the wrong way. These have been deployed
in an effort to reduce wrong-way (Geisterfahrer) crashes.
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Autobahn kilometer markers
These can be used by drivers when reporting crashes or breakdowns.
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Cross-section reference sign
This sign is installed on the overhead gantry for digital signs and
gives the kilometer location of the gantry. This is mainly for use by
maintenance workers, but can be used by drivers when reporting crashes or breakdowns.
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Construction project information
These signs are posted at the beginning of major construction
zones and give information about the project.
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Utility reference signs
While not technically traffic signs, these signs are often
found on sign posts or buildings next to streets and mark
the location of various underground utility manholes and
access points located in the street.
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Autobahn construction zone smileys
Posted in some Autobahn construction zones and indicate
the remaining distance until the end of the road work.
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Additional sign symbols
Here are some common other symbols you may see on signs in Germany.
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| City center | Airport | Hospital | Industrial district |
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| Railway station | Ferry or harbor | Car train | Multimodal terminal |
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| Sports park | Stadium | Swimming pool | Indoor swimming pool | ||
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| Castle | Museum | War cemetery | Handicapped-accessible restroom/ |
Additional sign information
Over the past three decades, traffic management systems have been installed on most Autobahns and many urban expressways. These systems deploy digital signs are capable of displaying facsimiles of official traffic signs that carry the same authority as their static counterparts. Common signs include speed limits, passing restrictions, 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 "traffic management" section on the Autobahn page for more details and examples.
In cities and towns, you will frequently come across convex mirrors mounted on 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.
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ab: after Abblendlicht: dipped/ Abstand halten: maintain following distance Achtung!: attention! Alle Richtungen: all directions Allee: avenue Altenheim: nursing home 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 exempt Anlieger bis Baustelle frei: residents and local traffic allowed as far as construction site Anlieger oder Parken frei: residents, local traffic and parking exempt Anschlussstelle: interchange/ Anwohner frei: residents exempt AQ: Autobahn cross-section Arbeitskolonne: work convoy auch: also auf 800 m: beginning in 800 m auf dem Seitenstreifen: on the shoulder auf der gesamte Wendeplatte: on the entire turnaround bay Ausbaustrecke: widened road section Ausfahrt: exit Ausfahrt freihalten: keep driveway exit clear Ausgenommen: except Außer: except Außer Betrieb: out of order (i.e. traffic signal or digital sign) Autobahn: freeway, superhighway Autobahndreieck: Autobahn "triangle" (i.e. "T"-junction) Autobahnkreuz: Autobahn crossing/ Autogas: liquified propane gas Autohof: truck stop Bahnhof: railway station Baustelle: construction area Baustellen ausfahrt: construction site exit Baustellenfahrzeuge frei: construction vehicles exempt Baustellenverkehr: construction vehicles Baustrecke: construction area befahren: to travel on (e.g. "Seitenstreifen befahren" = "drive on the shoulder") Begehen auf eigene Gefahr: proceed at your own risk Behelfsausfahrt: auxilliary exit bei Nässe: during wet conditions bei Rot hier halten: stop here on red bei Rückstau Kreuzung freihalten: keep intersection clear during traffic backups Berechtigte frei: authorized vehicles exempt besetzt: full, occupied (e.g. parking lot) Betreten verboten: keep out Betriebs- und Versorgungsdienst frei: service and maintenance vehicles exempt Betriebsgelände: Business premises Bewohner frei: residents exempt bis an die Haltelinie fahren: drive up to the stop line bis Baustelle frei: allowed as far as construction site bitte sauberhalten: please keep clean Blockabfertigung: "block processing" (i.e. metered traffic entry to a tunnel) Das Abladen von Gartenabfällen, Schutt und sonstigen Abfällen ist verboten: the dumping of garden waste, debris, and other waste is prohibited Di: Tuesday Dieser Weg wird bei Eis- und Schneeglätte nich geräumt und gestreut: this road is not plowed or treated during winter weather Do: Thursday Durchgangsverkehr: through traffic dürfen überholt werden: are allowed to be passed Einbahnstraße: one way street Einfahrt: entrance Einfädeln lassen: allow merging Einfahrt freihalten: keep driveway entrance clear Eingeschränkter: limited einordnen: get into line einordnen/einfädeln lassen: allow other vehicles to merge Einsatzfahrzeuge frei: operations vehicles excepted Elektrofahrzeuge: electric vehicles Elektrofahrzeuge während des Ladevorgangs frei: electric vehicles exempt while recharging Eltern haften für Ihre Kinder: parents are responsible for their children Ende: end erlaubt: allowed Fahrbahn: roadway, lane Fahrbahn überflutet: roadway flooded Fährbenutzer frei: ferry users exempt Fahrrad: bicycle Fahrradstraße: bicycle path Fahrschule: driving school (marked on vehicles operated by student drivers)
Fahrzeug: vehicle 1 Fahrzeug bei Grün: one vehicle per green signal fehlende Fahrbahnmarkierung: road markings/ Feuergasse: fire lane Feuerwehrzufahrt: fire department access/ Flughafen: airport folgen: follow Forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei: forestry vehicles exempt Fr: friday frei: exempt (e.g. "Anlieger frei" = "Residents exempt"); also means "available" (i.e. parking spaces) freihalten: keep clear Frostschäden: frost/ Fußgänger: pedestrian Fußgänger bitte andere Straßenseite benutzen: pedestrians please use the other side of the street Gasse: alley, lane gebührenpflichtig: toll/ Gefahr: danger Gefährliche Kreutzung: dangerous intersection Gehweg: sidewalk, footpath 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 Gülletransport frei: slurry transport exempt h: o'clock (e.g. "8-16 h" = "8 am - 4 pm") Hafengebiet; Schienenfahrzeuge haben Vorrang: harbor area; rail vehicles have right-of-way Haltebucht: wayside/ Haltestelle: bus/ Haltverbot: stopping prohibited hier gilt die StVO: official traffic laws are in effect here (often posted at private parking lot entrances) hier gilt rechts vor links: standard right-of-way (right before left) applies here (often posted at entrances to private roads) hinter: behind or past (e.g. "B10 gesperrt hinter Dietersdorf" = "B10 closed past Dietersdorf") Hochwasser: high water Im gesamten Ortsbereich: in the entire town 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 exempt Krankenhaus: hospital Kreuzung: intersection Kreuzung freihalten: keep intersection clear Krötenwanderung: frog crossing Kuppe: blind hill |
Ladezone: loading zone Landwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei: agricultural vehicles exempt Land- und forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei: agricultural and forestry vehicles exempt
Langsam fahren: drive slowly Lärmschutz: noise prevention Licht!: turn on your headlights (i.e. when entering a tunnel) Licht?: turn off your headlights (i.e when coming out of a tunnel) Licht ausschalten: turn off headlights Licht einschalten: turn on headlights Lieferverkehr frei: delivery vehicles exempt Linienverkehr frei: scheduled transit vehicles exempt Linksabbieger: left-turning traffic Lkw/LKW: truck/ Luftreinhaltung: air pollution control Mäharbeiten: mowing work Markierung fehlt: road markings/ Markierungsarbeiten: road marking work Mi: Wednesday mit Ausweis Nr.: with permit number mit Parkausweis Nr.: with parking permit number mit Parkschein: with parking voucher Mo: Monday Mofas: mopeds Müll und Schutt abladen verboten: dumping prohibited Nebel: fog Nebenstrecke: secondary route neuer Fahrbahnbelag/neue Fahrbahndecke: new road surface nicht nach Navi fahren!: don't follow GPS directions noch 8 km: next 8 km Nothaltebucht: emergency stopping area Notruf: emergency telephone nur: only nur innerhalb gekennzeichneter Parkflächen: only within marked parking spaces OD: through road (through a town) Ölspur: watch for oil on lane Ortsdurchfahrt: through road (through a town) P + M: carpool parking P + R: park and 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 Parkflächen: parking spaces Parkhaus: parking garage (above ground) Parkplatz: parking place, lot Parkscheibe: parking disc Parkschein: parking voucher Parkscheinautomat: parking voucher dispensing machine Parkstände: parking spaces Parkuhr: parking meter Pkw/PKW: passenger vehicle/ Polizei: police Polizeikontrolle: police checkpoint Privatgrundstück: Wer hier parkt, wird kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt: Private property: Anyone parked here will be towed at their expense Radfahrer absteigen: bicyclists dismount Radio ein: turn on your radio Radweg: bicycle trail Rasthaus: service area Rasthof: service area Raststätte: service area Rauch: smoke räumen: vacate (e.g. "Seitenstreifen räumen" = "vacate the shoulder") Reißverschluss erst in 200 m: "zipper" merge begins in 200 meters Rettungsgasse/Rettungsweg: rescue lane Richtung: direction of travel Rollsplitt: loose gravel/ Sa: Saturday Sackgasse: dead end, cul-de-sac schäden: damage Schleudergefahr: skidding danger Schneeverwehungen: snow drifts Schranke: gate, barrier Schnellstraße: expressway Schritt fahren: drive very slowly Schule: school Schulbus: school bus Schulweg: school crossing Schülerlotse: school crossing guard Schutt abladen verboten: dumping prohibited Seitenstreifen: Shoulder Seitenstreifen nicht befahrbar: Do not drive on the shoulder Skiabfahrtkreuzt: ski-run crossing Skiwanderweg kreuzt: ski trail crossing So: Sunday Sonn- und Feiertagen: Sundays and holidays Sperrgebiet: restricted area Sperrung: closure spiegel beachten: pay attention to the traffic mirror Sprengarbeiten: blasting area Spur: traffic lane Spurrillen: lane ruts Spurrinnen: lane ruts Stadtmitte: downtown/ Standspur: shoulder/ Stau: congestion/ Std.: hours (abbr. for "Stunden") (e.g. "2 Std." = "2 hours") Straße: street Straßenbahn: streetcar Straßenreinigung: street cleaning Straßenschäden: road damaged Streugut: road sand/ Stunde: hour StVO: traffic regulations (abbr. for "Straßenverkehrsordnung") Tag und Nacht: day and night Tankstelle: filling station Tiefgarage: underground parking garage Tollwut: rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies outbreak area) überholen: overtake, pass Umleitung: detour/ Umweltspur: "green" lane (buses, electric vehicles, carpools, etc.) Umweltzone: low emissions restriction zone Unberechtigt parkende Fahrzeuge werden kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt: Improperly parked vehicles will be towed at their owner's expense Unfall: accident verboten: prohibited Verkehr: traffic Verkehrshelfer: school crossing guard Vermessung: survey crew verschmutzte Fahrbahn: dirt/ versetzt fahren: drive in a stagger formation Verkehrsführung geändert: traffic pattern has been changed Vorfahrt: right-of-way/ Vorfahrt geändert: right-of-way has been changed Vorfahrtstraße: priority road Vorrang: right-of-way/ Vorrang beachten: give the right-of-way Vorsicht: caution Wasserschutzgebiet: water protection area Weg: way, lane Wendeplatte: turnaround bay Werktags: workdays (Monday through Saturday) Widerrechtlich geparkte Fahrzeuge werden kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt: illegally parked vehicles will be towed at owner's expense Wildtollwut: rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies outbreak area) Winterdienst: snow removal service Zentrum: downtown/ Zufahrt: access Zufahrt bis XX frei: access permitted as far as XX (house number or other location) Zuflussregelung: ramp metered (i.e. traffic signal on entrance ramp) |
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SIGNALS
Traffic signals (Ampel) in Germany are the same red-yellow-green type found pretty
much everywhere. However, the signals are usually located on near side of the
intersection instead of across the intersection as is typical in the US.
The basic operation is similar to that of 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.
Signals with white horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines, triangles, circles, or letters are signals for public transit vehicles and should be ignored.
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Traffic signals in Germany use the same green, yellow, and red sequence found in most places. Red, of course, means STOP. Green means PROCEED with caution, and yellow means PREPARE TO STOP. In Germany, however, an extra indication 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. |
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Some locations have two-section signals consisting of just the red and yellow sections as shown in Figure 2 (right.) These function just like regular traffic signals minus the green light. So, when the green light would normally be on, there is instead no signal (dark.) 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 and some pedestrian crossings. |
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Intersections in Germany often have signals controlling each permitted maneuver at the intersection, 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 circular 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. |
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In the case of left turns, a green arrow like the one shown in Figure 4 (right) indicates a protected left turn. Oncoming traffic, as well as pedestrians, will have a red signal. |
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There are two varieties in use: a two-section signal with green and yellow arrows, or a single green arrow signal. The two-section signal consists of a flashing yellow arrow (Figure 5 below) and a solid green arrow (Figure 6.) The yellow flashing arrow indicates a left turn is allowed but not protected — use caution and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. When the green arrow is on, then the turn is protected. When only the single green arrow signal is used (i.e. a single-section signal), if the signal is dark, then obey the signals for through traffic and yield to oncoming traffic if turning left. |
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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 to the right also have a green light. (There may be a pedestrian symbol instead of the arrow.) Even if there is no flashing signal, if you are turning and don't have a green arrow signal, watch for and yield to any pedestrians. |
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Note that the green arrow in this case is on a static sign and is not a signal. If the sign shown in Figure 9 is posted, then it means only bicycles can turn right on red. |
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Many intersections have dedicated signals for right turns. These can consist of either a complete three-section signal, a two-section signal, or a single-section signal consisting of just the green arrow. The two-section signals come in two versions. The first consists of green and yellow arrows that are used to allow traffic to make a right turn while the signal for through traffic is red. So, if you encountered the signals in Figure 10 (below) and you wanted to turn right, you could do so without having to stop. The cycles for these can vary; two common cycles are shown in Figure 11. When the right turn signals are dark, you must obey the signals for through traffic. |
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The other version of the two-section right turn signal consists of the red and yellow sections instead of the yellow and green as discussed above. These are used when right turns must wait for some part of the time that through traffic has green, e.g. to allow for pedestrians, bicycles, or streetcars to cross the road to the right. So for example, if you want to turn right and encounter the signal in Figure 12 (below), you would have to stop and wait. Figure 13 shows a common cycle for this type of signal. |
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To provide for traffic control in this situation, nearly all traffic signals also have right-of-way signs installed nearby, usually adjacent to the rightmost signal face. Motorists must obey these signs when the signal is off or flashing. So, if you encountered Figure 14 (below), you would have to yield. If you encountered Figure 15, 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 — again, 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. |
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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 digital sign systems found on the Autobahn and urban expressways to close lanes during incidents and road work. They use the same standard arrow and X symbols used in many other countries. |
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Lane open |
Lane closed ahead
Merge in the direction indicated. These signals are often flashing. |
Lane closed
You may not drive in this lane. |
ROAD MARKINGS
Pavement markings in Germany are generally similar to those in the US and elsewhere. Unlike the US, however, all regular road markings in Germany are white, including those used to separate opposing traffic. Yellow road markings are used only in construction areas and, when used, supersede the regular white markings.
Below are diagrams and descriptions of most of the road markings you will encounter in Germany. The letters on the diagrams correspond to the explanations below.
| A | Stop line You must stop behind the thick solid line across your lane. |
| B | Wait line A thick broken line across your lane is 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 to yield to other traffic. |
| C | Priority road A thick broken line passing through an intersection along the edge of one of the roadways indicates that road is the priority road. |
| D | Priority road A curved thick broken line passing through an intersection along the edge of one of the roadways denotes a priority road that turns at the intersection. If there is a centerline, it will also follow the path of the priority road. |
| E | Pedestrian crosswalk Zebra-striped markings across the roadway mark a pedestrian crosswalk. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk or preparing to enter the crosswalk. |
| F | Pedestrian crosswalk At traffic signals, crosswalks are marked by dashed lines across the road instead of a zebra crossing. Pedestrians are only allowed to cross when they have a green light. |
| G | Arrows Arrows on the pavement indicate the required or permitted movements from that lane. |
| H | Numbers Numbers on the pavement in a lane usually indicate the speed limit, but may also indicate a route number. Speed limits may also be shown as a number in circle, or by a facsimile of the red, white, and black speed limit sign on the pavement. |
| I | Letters and numbers A combination of letters and numbers on the pavement usually indicate a route number. These are frequently used at complicated intersections to guide motorists into the correct lane. For instance, a marking such as "B53" indicates that the lane you are in follows the B53 highway. |
| J | Restricted area Hash lines mark an area upon which driving is prohibited. |
| K | 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. |
| L | Bus stop The word "BUS" on the pavement indicates a bus stop or bus lane. It may be accompanied by zig-zag "no stopping" lines. |
| M | Sign facsimile Monochrome or color facsimiles of official traffic signs may also be painted on the pavement to improve driver awareness. |
| N | Word message Word messages may also be painted on the pavement to improve driver awareness. |
| O | Bicycle crossing A red path across the road or through an intersection highlights where a bicycle lane crosses. Motorists crossing such a lane must yield to cyclists. |
| P | Bicycle lane A solid white line a few meters away from the curb or edge of the road marks a dedicated bicycle lane where other vehicles are not permitted to drive or park. A broken line indicates a shared lane where other vehicles can park to make deliveries or drive in as necessary to avoid oncoming traffic. In addition to the white markings, the pavement may also be painted red like shown in item "O" above. |
| Q | Lane extension lines Broken white lines in an intersection are used to mark the path of lanes through the intersection. |
| R | Guide line A broken line between opposing traffic lanes indicates crossing is allowed unless otherwise prohibited by a sign. |
| S | Warning line More closely spaced broken lines are used as a warning on the approach to a solid line, obstacle, or lane division. |
| T | Merge arrow An arrow pointing toward the right in the center of the roadway warns overtaking traffic to return to the right as a no passing zone is approaching. |
| U | No crossing You may not cross a solid center line to overtake. You may only turn across a solid line to access a driveway that is not accessible any other way. |
| V | No crossing on one side You may cross over the center line only if you have a broken line on your side and doing so does not endanger traffic; you may not cross when there is a solid line on your side. |
Markings on narrow country lanes are being updated to use a broken edge line and no centerline. This encourages motorists to reduce speed, centers the motorist on the road to better see any oncoming traffic, provides an ad-hoc bicycle lane, and still provides room for the driver to pull close to the edge of the road to allow an oncoming vehicle to pass.
Head-in and parallel parking lines are mostly intuitive and similar to those used in the US. An "X" or "N" marking between parking spaces denotes a no-parking area.
