Germany Road Signs

Road Signs In Germany - What do Road Signs in Germany Mean?

If you’re driving in Germany for the first time, you should learn the road signs before hitting the road…

If you’re driving in Germany for the first time, there isn’t a great deal different from most of mainland Europe and that’s true of road signs in Germany also. However, it’s always wise to swat up in advance of hitting the roads to make sure you are know your motorway from your autobahn sign in Germany. Whilst Germany has some sections of unrestricted speed limits remaining on it’s autobahn network, speed limits apply for the majority of its roads so it’s wise to know the speed limits and other road signs and their meanings in Germany. Whether you are renting a car in Germany or driving your own car, pay attention to the road signs in Germany for a safe journey.

 

Warning Road Signs in Germany

Warning signs in Germany are often red or yellow to advise of potential danger. You should take note of any warning signs in Germany as they are designed to alert you of possible dangers ahead.

 

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  Crossroad ahead, side roads to right and left
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  Traffic light ahead
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  Road narrows on the left
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  Road ahead curves to the left side
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  Rail crossing ahead with 1 railway
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  Roadworks ahead warning
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  Poor road surface ahead
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  Cars not allowed - prohibited
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  Warning for traffic jams
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  Warning for children and minors
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  road narrows ahead
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  Uncontrolled crossroad ahead
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  Two-way traffic ahead
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  Warning for bikes and cyclists
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  Rail crossing without barriers ahead
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  Steep descent ahead
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  Heavy crosswinds in area warning
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  Road bends right then left
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  Road gets narrow on the right side
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  Deer crossing in area - road
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  Warning for pedestrians
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  Give way to all traffic
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  Slippery road surface ahead
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  Stop and give way to all traffic
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  Road bends to the right
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  Steep ascent ahead
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  Double curve ahead, to the left then to the right

 

Information Road Signs in Germany

Information signs in Germany are the most frequently used road signs in Germany and are generally used on any type of road to provide road users with general information about the road they are using and the road ahead.

 

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  Begin of a parking zone
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  Motorway begins
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  Begin of a zone for pedestrians
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  Pedestrian crossing - People can cross
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  Dead end street with a passage for pedestrians and cyclists
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  Road bends ahead
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  End of the residential area
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  Begin of a residential area
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  End of the parking zone
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  Information about the destination of the ramp
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  Road bends ahead
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  Priority road ends
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  End of a lane
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  Parking permitted
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  Begin of a tunnel
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  Route to be followed in order to turn left
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  Priority over oncoming traffic, road narrows
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  National speed limits
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  End of the lane for cyclists
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  Road bends ahead
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  End of the expressway
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  Begin of an expressway
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  Temporary change in the direction of the lanes
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  End of the zone for pedestrians
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  Lane for cyclists
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  Motorway Ends
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  Road ahead is a dead end
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  Priority road ahead

 

Mandatory Road Signs in Germany

Mandatory road signs in Germany are used where you are required to carry out a specific task, they are not suggestions, information or advisory signs, they must be adhered to and as such are arguably the most important roads signs in Germany that you need to know.

 

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  Pass on right only
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  Passing left compulsory
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  Mandatory lane for buses
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  Mandatory left
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  Cyclist must use mandatory path
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  Turning right compulsory
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  Mandatory path for equestrians
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  Left turn mandatory
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  Pedestrians move use mandatory path
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  Direction of traffic on roundabout
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  Driving faster than indicated compulsory (minimum speed)
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  Snow chains mandatory
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  Path for cyclists and pedestrians divided is compulsory
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  Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory
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  Mandatory shared path for pedestrians and cyclists
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  Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory
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  End of the minimum speed
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  Ahead Only
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  Turning right compulsory

 

Priority Road Signs in Germany

Priority road signs in Germany are designed to clarify who has priority at the junction / road ahead. If driving in a country where you drive on the other side to the road, priorities are likely to the opposite of what you are familiar with, roundabouts being a notable difference.

 

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  Stop and give way to all traffic
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  Uncontrolled crossroad ahead
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  Road bends ahead
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  Priority road ahead
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  Road bends ahead
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  Road bends ahead
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  Give way to all traffic
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  Priority road ends
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  Crossroad ahead, side roads to right and left
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  Give way to oncoming traffic, road narrows
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  Priority over oncoming traffic, road narrows
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  Direction of traffic on roundabout

 

Prohibitory Road Signs in Germany

Prohibitory road signs in Germany are used on all road types in Germany, often to restrict certain types of vehicles and certain manoeuvres such as prohibiting u-turns or setting maximum speeds.

 

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  End of the overtaking prohibition
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  Vehicles longer than indicated length prohibited
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  End of the overtaking prohibition for trucks
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  Equestrians prohibited
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  Overtaking not allowed
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  No parking
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  Speed limit
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  Vehicles with polluted fluids prohibited
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  Height restriction ahead
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  Motorcycles and cars prohibited
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  Cyclists not permitted
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  Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited
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  Polluting vehicles prohibited (low emission zone)
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  Vehicles - Cars prohibited
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  Motorbikes - Motorcycles prohibited
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  Give way to oncoming traffic, road narrows
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  Stopping and parking forbidden
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  Vehicles where axle weight heavier than indicated prohibited
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  No turning / u-turn allowed
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  Pedestrians not permitted
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  Vehicles with dangerous goods prohibited
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  Lorries - Trucks forbidden
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  Vehicles weighing heavier than indicated forbidden
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  Any vehicles that are wider that indicated forbidden
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  Speed limit ends
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  End of the zone where parking is prohibited
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  End of the low emission zone
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  Begin of a zone with speed limit
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  Begin of zone where parking is prohibited
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  End of the zone with speed limit
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  Leaving less distance than indicated prohibited
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  Entry not allowed / forbidden
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  No entry (one-way traffic)
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  Overtaking prohibited for trucks

 

Visitor Comments

• 10/11/2020

  Miss Piggy

  The warning sign described as "Cars not allowed - prohibited" is really "General danger / warning sign. A supplementary sign may explains the nature of danger."
• 26/12/2019

  Rezaul Karim

  Very helpful road signs. Please add all the necessary road signs. I am taking preparation for driving exam so need to check always the road signs.
• 28/12/2019

  kermit

  Good and helpful overview. One remark: to it The sign described as "End of the lane for cyclists" is actually marking the end of a "bicycle boulevard" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_boulevard). That's quite a different thing and has nothing to do with a lane at the edge of a road.