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GERMAN TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, & MARKINGS |
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SIGNS |
Germany has a comprehensive and standardized traffic sign system. Most signs use international symbols. The sign system has been overhauled over the last decade to more closely conform with European standards.
Below, you will find a complete collection of German traffic signs with their official meaning and additional notes. These signs were gathered from a number of sources including the official German traffic code handbook and related websites.
Officially, German traffic signs are divided into three major categories: warning, regulation, and guidance. However, I have divided the signs into several additional categories and I've placed each sign where it most logically belongs regardless of its official designation.
In the German traffic code, each sign is assigned an official number. This number is used on traffic tickets and accident reports when a sign is involved in the incident. You can obtain the official sign number for each sign on this site by holding your mouse over the sign for a second (works with most web browsers).
Supplemental signs
The German sign system uses a fair amount of "Supplemental Signs" (Zusatzschild). These are black and white rectangular or square signs mounted below the parent sign. These signs modify or give additional information regarding the condition shown on the parent sign such as exemptions, restrictions, or more specific details. The most common supplemental signs are those for distances, such as the distance to the parent sign's condition or the duration of the condition:
Distance
to the condition shown on the parent sign |
Duration
(length) of the condition shown on the parent sign |
Here are some examples to further explain these signs:
Traffic
signals 100 meters ahead |
Steep
downgrade next 3 kilometers |
Autobahn
ends 100 meters ahead |
No
passing zone next 3 kilometers |
Supplemental signs use symbols wherever possible. However, many supplemental signs use words. A complete list of supplemental sign vocabulary is provided at the end of the signs section (click here to go there.)
Warning signs
General danger This sign marks an area where caution should be used. It is rarely used by itself. Instead, a supplemental sign is usually mounted beneath this sign with information on a specific hazard for which no other sign exists. Some examples of the more common combinations are below: |
Winter
sports permitted along roadway This road may not be sanded/salted. |
Rough road edge | Accident
hazard Marks an area where a high number of accidents have occurred. |
Tree
overhang Drivers of trucks and other high-profile vehicles should beware of low trees. |
Frogs
crossing The road ahead is used by migrating frogs. |
Curve to the right | Curve to the left | Double
curve First curve to the right. |
Double
curve First curve to the left. |
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Lane
shift All lanes shift to the left |
Lane
shift All lanes shift to the right |
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Lane
crossover All lanes cross over to left side of median |
Lane
crossover All lanes cross over to right side of median |
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Lane
split Left lane(s) crosses over to left side of median; right lane(s) remains on right side of median. |
Steep
downgrade You should shift to a lower gear. The degree of the slope is shown. |
Steep
upgrade The degree of the incline is shown. |
Falling
rocks Reduce speed as rocks may be on the road. Do not stop or park. |
Side
wind Reduce speed and prepare to steer into wind gusts. Avoid passing. |
Uneven pavement/rough road | Watch
for ice The road or bridge ahead freezes easily. Applicable in late Fall, Winter, and early Spring. |
Road
slippery when wet or dirty Don't brake, accelerate, or steer suddenly. |
Loose gravel |
Road
work Drive carefully and prepare to stop for workers or machinery. Watch for slippery conditions due to dirt or mud on roadway. |
Traffic
signals ahead Be prepared to stop. |
Quay/riverbank There is an unguarded quay or riverbank along the road. Use caution and stop/park your vehicle securely. |
Movable
bridge/drawbridge Be prepared to stop. |
Pedestrians Marks an area where pedestrians may be on or near the road. |
Pedestrian crossing ahead | Pedestrian
crossing Located immediately at the crosswalk and indicates that pedestrians have the right-of-way. |
Children Posted near schools and playgrounds. Reduce speed and be prepared to stop quickly. |
Crossing
guards School crossing guards may be directing traffic. |
Low-flying
aircraft Be prepared for sudden noise. At night, be prepared for the glare of landing lights |
Wild
animals crossing Reduce speed and use caution. Dip your headlights. |
Domestic
animals crossing Watch for animals on the road and be prepared to stop if necessary. Also, be prepared for dirt or mud on the road. |
Traffic
congestion Prepare to slow down or stop. Leave an area between traffic lanes for emergency vehicles. |
Bicycle crossing | Buses Watch for buses entering or leaving the roadway. |
Oncoming traffic/two-way
traffic Generally posted where oncoming traffic is unexpected, such as when coming from a one-way street to a two-way street. |
Two-way
traffic One lane of traffic in each direction. |
Two-way
traffic Two lanes of traffic in each direction. |
Two-way
traffic One lane of traffic in your direction, two lanes of traffic in the opposite direction. |
Two-way
traffic Two lanes of traffic in your direction, one lane of traffic in the opposite direction. |
Roadway narrows | Roadway narrows on right side | Roadway narrows on left side |
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Left lane ends | Right lane ends |
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Lane added to right side | Lane added to left side | The
lanes from your roadway are added to another roadway You will not have to merge. |
Railroad crossing signs
Guarded
railroad crossing ahead There are barricades or half barricades at the railroad crossing. |
Unguarded
railroad crossing ahead There are no barricades at the railroad crossing. There may, however, be crossing signals. |
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Guarded
railroad crossing ~240 meters ahead |
Unguarded
railroad crossing ~240 meters ahead |
~160 meters to railroad crossing | ~80 meters to railroad crossing |
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Railroad
crossing to the left at next intersection |
Railroad
crossing to the right at next intersection |
Railroad
crossing Marks the railroad crossing. You must stop here if a train is approaching. |
Electrified
railroad crossing This railroad crossing has electrical wires overhead. High profile vehicles should exercise caution. |
Railroad
crossing signal This is the standard railroad crossing signal in Germany. It functions like a traffic signal without the green light. When the yellow signal comes on, a train is approaching; prepare to stop. When the red comes on, you must stop. If there are barriers, they will lower after the signal turns red. |
Railroad
crossing flasher This is the old standard railroad crossing signal in western Germany. You must stop when the red signal flashes. |
Railroad
crossing flasher This is the old standard railroad crossing signal in eastern Germany. You must stop when the red signal flashes. |
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© This page and all of its contents are Copyright 2002 by Brian K. Purcell
NOTICE: The information contained on this site is provided "as-is". Although I make reasonable efforts to keep it updated, I make no guarantee regarding accuracy and assume no responsibility for inconveniences or other issues arising from its use. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.