Road signs in Germany

Road sign gantry with variable-message signs on the A 3 in Frankfurt am Main

Traffic signs, installations, and symbols used in Germany are prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation (StVO) (German: Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung) and the Traffic Signs Catalog (VzKat) (German: Verkehrszeichenkatalog).^[1]^[2]

§§ 39 to 43 of the StVO regulate the effect of traffic signs and installations. Annexes 1 to 3 illustrate most danger, regulatory, and directional signs and annex 4 illustrates the traffic installations. Other traffic signs and installations not specified in the StVO, primarily specific supplementary signs, are published in the VzKat.^[1]

The VzKat was issued in May 2017^[2] under the General Administrative Rules for the Road Traffic Regulation (VwV-StVO) (German: Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung).^[3]

The StVO, the VwV-StVO and the VzKat are supported by technical rules (German: Technische Regelwerke), mostly published by the Forschungsgesellschaft für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen (FGSV), especially:

The Guidelines for Directional Signage outside of Motorways (RWB^[4]^[5]) (German: Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung außerhalb von Autobahnen)
The Guidelines for Directional Signage on Motorways (RWBA^[6]^[7]) (German: Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung auf Autobahnen)
The Guidelines for touristic Signage (RtB^[8]) (German: Richtlinien für die touristische Beschilderung)
The Guidelines for Signage for detours (RUB^[9]^[10]) (German: Richtlinien für Umleitungsbeschilderungen)
The Guidelines for the Marking of Roads (RMS-1^[11], RMS-2^[12] and RMS-A^[13]) (German: Richtlinien für die Markierung von Straßen)

All signs have assigned numbers. The suffix number after the hyphen refers to the variation of the sign; the suffix on signs with variable numbers is the number depicted on the sign (for speed limits, maximum heights, etc.).^[2]

Symbols[edit]

Symbols pursuant to § 39 paragraphs 7, 10, and 11 of the StVO:^[1]

Multi-track motor vehicles
Motor vehicles with a permissible mass above 3.5 t – including their trailer(s) – and tractor units, except passenger vehicles and buses
Cycle traffic
Cycle used for the transport of goods or persons – freight bicycle
Pedestrians
Equestrians
Cattle
Tram
Bus
Passenger vehicle
Passenger vehicles – or motorcycles with a sidecar – which are occupied by at least three persons – high-occupancy vehicle
Passenger vehicle with a trailer
Truck with a trailer
Campervan
Motor vehicles and vehicle combinations which cannot or may not drive faster than 25 km/h
Motorcycles – also with a sidecar – scooters, and motorized bicycles
Motorized bicycles
One-seated two-wheeled mopeds with an electric motor which automatically regulates its design speed to no more than 25 km/h – E-Bikes -
Small electric vehicles pursuant to the Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge-Verordnung (eKFV) (Small Electric Vehicle Act)
Drawn carriage
Electrically powered vehicle marked pursuant to the Vehicle Registration Regulation (FZV) (German: Fahrzeug-Zulassungsverordnung)
Carsharing vehicles

Danger signs[edit]

Danger signs pursuant to part 2 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 1 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.

Sign 101
Danger. A supplementary sign can specify the danger.
Sign 101-10 / 101-20
Aircraft
Sign 101-11
Pedestrian crosswalk
Sign 101-21
Pedestrian crosswalk
Sign 101-12 / 101-22
Cattle
Sign 101-13 / 101-23
Equestrians
Sign 101-14 / 101-24
Amphibians
Sign 101-15
Rockfall
Sign 101-25
Rockfall
Sign 101-51
Slipperiness due to snow or ice
Sign 101-52
Grit/gravel at the edge of the road
Sign 101-53
Shore or riverbank
Sign 101-54
Insufficient clearance
SIgn 101-55
Movable bridge
Sign 102
Intersection with priority to the right
Sign 103-10
Curve (left)
Sign 103-20
Curve (right)
Sign 105-10
Double curve (first left)
Sign 105-20
Double curve (first right)
Sign 108-10
Descent
Sign 110-12
Ascent
Sign 112
Uneven road
Sign 114
Slipperiness when road is wet or dirty
Sign 117-10
Crosswind
Sign 117-20
Crosswind
Sign 120
Road narrowing
Sign 121-10
One-sided road narrowing (right)
Sign 121-20
One-sided road narrowing (left)
Sign 123
Roadworks
Sign 124
Traffic jams
Sign 125
Oncoming traffic
Sign 131
Traffic signals
Sign 133-10 / 133-20
Pedestrians
Sign 136-10 / 136-20
Children
Sign 138-10 / 138-20
Cycles
Sign 142-10
Wild animals
Sign 142-20
Wild animals
Sign 151
Railroad crossing
Sign 156-10 / 156-20
Railroad crossing with three-striped warning – 240 m distance
Sign 156-11 / 156-21
Railroad crossing with three-striped warning – custom distance
Sign 157-10 / 157-20
Three-striped warning for railroad crossing – 240 m distance
Sign 157-11 / 157-21
Three-striped warning for railroad crossing – custom distance
Sign 159-10 / 159-20
Two-striped warning for railroad crossing – 160 m distance
Sign 159-11 / 159-21
Two-striped warning for railroad crossing – custom distance
Sign 162-10 / 162-20
One-striped warning for railroad crossing – 80 m distance
Sign 162-11 / 162-21
One-striped warning for railroad crossing – custom distance

Regulatory signs[edit]

Regulatory signs pursuant to part 3 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 2 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.

Sign 201-50 / 201-52
Crossbuck. Yield the right-of-way to railborne vehicles
Sign 201-51 / 201-53
Crossbuck with lightning rod. Yield the right-of-way to railborne vehicles; the tracks possess overhead electrical wires
Sign 205
Yield the right-of-way
Sign 206
Stop. Yield the right-of-way.
Sign 208
Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way
Sign 209
Right ahead
Sign 209-10
Left ahead
Sign 209-30
Straight ahead
Sign 211
Right here
Sign 211-10
Left here
Sign 214
Straight ahead or right ahead
Sign 214-10
Straight ahead or left ahead
Sign 214-30
Left ahead or right ahead
Sign 215
Roundabout
Sign 220-10
One-way street
Sign 220-20
One-way street
Sign 222
Pass on the right
Sign 222-10
Pass on the left
Sign 223.1-50 – 223.1-52
Drive on the shoulder
Sign 223.2-50 – 223.2-52
No longer drive on the shoulder
Sign 223.3-50 – 223.3-52
Vacate the shoulder
Sign 224
Bus stop or tram stop
Sign 224-51
Bus stop for school buses during designated times
Sign 229 – 229-31
Taxi stand
Sign 237
Bicycle path
Sign 238
Equestrian path
Sign 239
Sidewalk
Sign 240
Combined pedestrian and bicycle path
Sign 241-30
Separated pedestrian and bicycle path
Sign 241-31
Separated pedestrian and bicycle path
Sign 242.1
Begin of a pedestrian zone
Sign 242.2
End of a pedestrian zone
Sign 244.1
Begin of a bicycle street
Sign 244.2
End of a bicycle street
Sign 244.3
Begin of a bicycle zone
Sign 244.4
End of a bicycle zone
Sign 245
Bus lane
Sign 250
No vehicles of any kind permitted
Sign 251
Sign 253
Sign 254
Sign 255
Sign 257-50
Sign 257-51
Sign 257-52
Sign 257-53
Sign 257-54
Sign 257-55
Sign 257-56
Sign 257-57
Sign 257-58
Sign 259
Sign 260
Sign 261
Sign 263–5,5
Sign 263-8
Sign 264-2
Sign 265–3,8
Sign 266-10
Sign 267
Sign 268
Sign 269
Sign 270.1
Sign 270.2
Sign 272
Sign 273
Sign 274-60
Sign 274.1
Sign 274.2
Sign 275-30
Sign 276
Sign 277
Sign 277.1
Sign 278-60
Sign 279-30
Sign 280
Sign 281
Sign 281.1
Sign 282
Sign 283
Sign 283-10
Sign 283-11
Sign 283-20
Sign 283-21
Sign 283-30
Sign 283-31
Sign 286
Sign 286-10
Sign 286-11
Sign 286-20
Sign 286-21
Sign 286-30
Sign 286-31
Sign 290.1
Sign 290.2
Sign 293
Sign 294
Sign 295
Sign 296
Sign 297
Sign 297.1
Sign 297.1-21
Sign 298
Sign 299 - No parking or waiting area

[edit]

Directional signs[edit]

Directional signs pursuant to part 4 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 4 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.

Sign 301
Sign 306
Sign 307
Sign 308
Sign 310
Sign 311
Sign 314
Sign 314-10
Sign 314-20
Sign 314-30
Sign 314-50
Sign 314.1
Sign 314.2
Sign 315-50
Sign 315-55
Sign 315-60
Sign 315-65
Sign 315-70
Sign 315-75
Sign 315-80
Sign 315-85
Sign 316
Park and ride
Sign 316-50
Park and ride
Sign 317
Parking for hikers
Sign 318
Sign 325.1
Sign 325.2
Sign 327
Sign 327-50
Sign 327-51
Sign 328
Sign 330.1Autobahn Start
Sign 330.2Autobahn End
Sign 331.1
Sign 331.2
Sign 332
Sign 332.1
Sign 332.1-20
Sign 333
Sign 333.1
Sign 333.1-20
Sign 340
Sign 341
Sign 342
Sign 350-10
Pedestrian crossing
Sign 350-20
Pedestrian crossing
Sign 350.1
Sign 350.2
Sign 354
Water protection zone
Sign 356
Pedestrian crossing patrol
Sign 357
No through road
Sign 357-50
Sign 357-51
Sign 357-52
Sign 358
First aid or hospital
Sign 363
Police station
Sign 365-50
Telephone
Sign 365-51
Emergency telephone
Sign 365-52
Petrol station
Sign 365-53
Petrol station with LPG
Sign 365-54
Petrol station with CNG
Sign 365-55
Motorway hotel
Sign 376
Motorway restaurant
Sign 377
Motorway refreshments
Sign 378
Lavatory
Sign 365-59
Road church
Sign 365-60
Camping and caravan site
Sign 365-61
Information
Sign 365-62
Repairs
Sign 365-63
Pedestrian underpass
Sign 365-64
Pedestrian overpass
Sign 365-65
Charging station for electric vehicles
Sign 365-66
Hydrogen Station
Sign 365-67
Motor caravan campsite
Sign 365-68
Campersite
Sign 385
old number since 2017: 385-50
Sign 386.1
Sign 386.1-10
Sign 386.1-11
new design 2017
Sign 386.1-12
Sign 386.1-20
new sign 2017
Sign 386.1-21
new design 2017
Sign 386.1-22
Sign 386.1-30
Sign 386.1-50
old number since 2017: 386.1-32
Sign 386.1-51
old number since 2017: 386.1-33
Sign 386.1-52
old number since 2017: 386.1-34
Sign 386.1-53
old number since 2017: 386.1-50
Sign 386.2
Sign 386.2-10
new design 2017
Sign 386.2-11
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-12
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-22
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-20
new design 2017
Sign 386.2-21
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-30
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-51
new sign 2017
Sign 386.2-52
old number since 2017: 386.2-30
Sign 386.2-53
new sign 2017
Sign 386.3
Sign 386.3-50
Sign 390
Sign 390.2
Sign 391
Sign 392
Sign 393
Sign 394-50
Sign 401
Sign 405
Sign 406-50
Sign 406-51
Sign 410
Sign 415-10
Sign 415-20
Sign 415-10
Sign 415-20
Sign 418-10
Sign 418-20
Sign 419-10
Sign 419-20
Sign 421-20
Sign 422-10
Sign 422-11
Sign 422-20
Sign 422-21
Sign 422-30
Sign 422-32
Sign 422-34
Sign 422-36
Sign 430-10
Sign 430-20
Sign 432-10
Sign 432-20
Sign 434
Sign 434-52
Sign 434-53
Sign 437
Sign 438
Sign 439
Sign 440
Sign 441
Sign 442-10
old number since 2017: 442-11
Sign 442-12
old number since 2017: 442-13
Sign 442-13
old number since 2017: 442-10
Sign 442-20
old number since 2017: 442-21
Sign 442-22
old number since 2017: 442-23
Sign 442-23
old number since 2017: 442-20
Sign 442-50
new sign 2017
Sign 442-51
new sign 2017
Sign 442-52
new sign 2017
Sign 442-53
new sign 2017
Sign 448
Sign 448-50
Sign 448.1
Sign 449
Sign 450-50
Sign 450-51
Sign 450-52
Sign 450-53
Sign 450-54
Sign 450-55
Sign 453
Sign 453-50
Sign 454-10
Sign 454-20
Sign 455.1-10
Sign 455.1-11
Sign 455.1-12
Sign 455.1-20
Sign 455.1-21
Sign 455.1-22
Sign 455.1-30
Sign 455.1-50
Sign 455.2
Sign 457.1
Sign 457.2
Sign 458
Sign 460-10
Sign 460-11
Sign 460-12
Sign 460-20
Sign 460-21
Sign 460-22
Sign 460-30
Sign 460-50
new sign 2017
Sign 466
Sign 467.1-10
Sign 467.1-20
Sign 467.1-30
Sign 467.2
Sign 500
Sign 501-10
Sign 501-11
Sign 501-12
Sign 501-15
new sign 2017
Sign 501-16
old number since 2017: 501-15
Sign 501-17
old number since 2017: 501-16
Sign 501-18
old number since 2017: 501-17
Sign 501-20
Sign 501-21
Sign 501-22
Sign 505-11
old number since 2017: 505-12
Sign 505-12
new sign 2017
Sign 505-21
old number since 2017: 505-22
Sign 505-22
new sign 2017
Sign 511-11
Sign 511-12
Sign 511-20
Sign 511-21
Sign 511-22
Sign 513-10
Sign 513-11
Sign 513-20
Sign 513-21
Sign 514-10
Sign 514-20
Sign 515-11
old number since 2017: 515-12
Sign 515-12
old number since 2017: 515-13
Sign 515-21
old number since 2017: 515-22
Sign 515-22
old number since 2017: 515-23
Sign 521-30
Sign 521-31
Sign 521-32
Sign 521-33
Sign 522-30
Sign 522-31
Sign 522-32
Sign 522-33
Sign 522-34
Sign 522-35
Sign 522-36
Sign 522-37
new sign 2017
Sign 522-38
new sign 2017
Sign 531-10
Sign 532-10
Sign 535-11
Sign 536-20
Sign 541-10
Sign 542-10
Sign 545-11
Sign 546-10
Sign 551-20
Sign 551-21
Sign 551-22
Sign 590-10
Sign 590-11

Road equipment[edit]

Sign 600-30
Sign 605-10
Sign 605-11
Sign 605-13
Sign 605-14
Sign 605-23
Sign 605-24
Sign 610-40
Sign 615
Sign 616-30
Sign 616-31
Sign 620-40
Sign 620-41
Sign 625-10
Sign 626-10
Sign 626-20
Sign 626-30
Sign 626-31
Sign 627-50
Sign 628-10
Sign 629-10
Sign 630-10

Additional road signs[edit]

To the left
To the right
After the left turn, a hazard exists (another sign defining the hazard would be above)
After the right turn, a hazard exists (another sign defining the hazard would be above)
Fußgänger Gehweg gegenüber benutzen
Use Sidewalk on left side of roadway
Fußgänger Gehweg gegenüber benutzen
Use Sidewalk on right side of roadway
Directional indications by arrows, detour signs, three-quarter circle^[14]
Both directions, two opposing horizontal arrows
Both directions, two opposite vertical arrows
Two-way cycle route crossing road
Cycling in the opposite direction
Directional indications by arrows, detour signs, semicircle^[14]
For 800 m
For 3 km
Continues for ... m
Continues for ... km
Course of this priority road turns left
Road from left and ahead has priority
100 m ahead
200 m ahead
400 m ahead
600 m ahead
2 km ahead^[15]
Stop 100 m ahead
Zipper method in ... m
Late merge in 200m
Ends in ...m
Hazardous Sidewinds for cars with caravans/trailers
Risk of accident
Migratory toad crossing
Oil slick
Smoke
Loose chippings
Construction site exit
Damaged roadway
Spillage on road
Exit
Accident
Knoll
Police check
Fog
Driveway
Right of way changed
Traffic routing changed
Industrial area (trains have priority)
Port area (rail traffic has priority)
Children allowed to play in road
Skiers allowed to cross road
Large wagons can park here without the usual two week temporal parking restriction
Caravans can park here without the usual two week temporal parking restriction
Information about motorail for lorries
End of restriction
Cyclists dismount
Green wave at ...km/h
Stop here on red
Pass over verges/shoulder
End of passing over verges/shoulder
Tunnel category B
Tunnel category C
Tunnel category D
Tunnel category E
Disabled with permit No. ... allowed
Bicycle and residents allowed
Residents only
Residents or Resident's Visitors Parking Only
Residents with permit No. ... allowed
Taxis allowed
Regular scheduled buses allowed
Emergency vehicles allowed
Ambulances allowed
Delivery vehicles allowed
Agricultural vehicles allowed
Forestry vehicles allowed
Agricultural and forestry vehicles allowed
Operational and utility vehicles allowed
Electric vehicles while charging allowed
Electric vehicles allowed
Construction vehicles allowed
Access to construction site allowed
Access to neighbouring construction site allowed
Access to ... allowed
Ferry users allowed
Vehicles with red, yellow or green Low Emission Zone Sticker permitted
Vehicles with yellow or green Low Emission Zone Sticker permitted
Vehicles with green Low Emission Zone Sticker permitted
Skiers crossing road at times shown
At times shown
At times shown
Parking with disc for 2 hours
Parking with disc in marked zone for 2 hours
Working days
Working days at times shown
Working days at times shown
Monday-Friday, at times shown
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at times shown
Sundays and public holidays, at times shown
School bus (at times shown)
Parking allowed at weekends
Disabled users only
Disabled with permit No. ... only
Residents with permit No. ... only
Slow vehicles allowed to pass
Taxi stand
Number of taxis
Electric vehicles while being charged (with number)
Electric vehicles (with number)
Parking allowed in marked areas
Only with parking ticket
Toll ticket
On the verges/shoulder
When wet
Through traffic
Weight (12 tons)
Park (pull in straight)
Park (pull in diagonally)
Only within marked parking areas
For cyclists and moped riders
Grit on road
No parking on verges/shoulder
Also buses and cars with trailers
Rabies! Endangered area
Wild animal rabies! Endangered area

Priority[edit]

Reißverschlussverfahren^[16]
"Zipper rule" for one-way traffic merging & two-way traffic priorities

Einseitig (links) verengte Fahrbahn
Road narrows on the left, one-way zipper rule applies, two-way oncoming traffic yields to you)
Verengte Fahrbahn
Narrow roadway ahead, one-way zipper rule applies
Einseitig (rechts) verengte Fahrbahn
Road narrows on the right, one-way zipper rule applies, two-way yield to oncoming traffic
Two-way traffic ahead (red indicates who must yield)
Oncoming traffic (red indicates who must yield)
Vorrang vor dem Gegenverkehr
Priority over oncoming vehicles

Environmental factors[edit]

Yield as necessary to not endanger themselves or other road users

Steinschlag
Possible rockfall in road (No braking, slowing, stopping or parking)
Schnee- oder Eisglätte
Snow or ice possible ahead (road freezes easily, no sudden braking or turning)
Splitt, Schotter
Loose chippings
Unebene Fahrbahn
Uneven surfaces ahead, bumpy road
Schleuder- oder Rutschgefahr
Slippery road (water, ice, snow, oil or dirt)

Traffic priority – priority roads[edit]

Priority traffic does not yield, signal all turns

Vorfahrtstraße
Priority Road
Course of this priority road turns left
Road from left and ahead has priority
Ende der Vorfahrtsstraße
End of priority road
Vorfahrt
Priority to through-traffic at the next intersection/crossroads only
Kreuzung o. Einmündung mit Vorfahrt von rechts
Uncontrolled Intersection Ahead
Yield to cross traffic

Other factors[edit]

Yield or reduce speed as necessary^[17]

Stau/Verkehrstau
Traffic jams/queues possible
Kurve
Dangerous curve to the left (Slow & stay to the right)
Kurve
Dangerous curve to the right (Slow & stay to the right)
Doppelkurve
Double curves, first to left (Slow & stay to the right)
Doppelkurve
Double curves, first to right (Slow & stay to the right)
Gefälle
Steep Grade/Hill Down (10%)
Steigung
Steep Grade/Hill Up (12%)
Flugbetrieb
Low-flying aircraft, Aircraft noise & lights may distract drivers
Seitenwind
Crosswinds from the right possible
Seitenwind
Crosswind from the left possible
Ufer
Road may end suddenly in a water area (quay or ferry slip ahead)
Unzureichendes Lichtraumprofil
Narrowed clearance by trees
Bewegliche Brücke
Opening or swing bridge ahead
Viehtrieb
Cattle possible
Reiter
Equestrians possible
Amphibienwanderung
Frogs and toads possible
Wildwechsel
Wild animals possible^[18]

Vehicle classifications & specifics[edit]

Official (base) Symbols in Germany as per Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) § 39 Verkehrszeichen^[14]

Basic[edit]

Red ring

In addition to any sign/placard, the red ring forbids (in general) the item noted and anything of greater size or value; i.e., if a car is pictured, then not only are cars not permitted but trucks, as well.

A red ring is also a traffic sign itself: No vehicles (of any type) permitted, pushing motorcycles/mopeds/bicycles permitted

Verbot für Fahrzeuge aller Art
No vehicles of any kind permitted
Verbot für Kraftwagen und sonstige mehrspurige Kraftfahrzeuge
No 2-tracked motor vehicles permitted
Verbot für Fußgänger
No pedestrians permitted

Bicycles & mopeds[edit]

Radfahrer
Bicycles permitted
E-Bikes
Electric Bicycles permitted
Mofas
Mopeds
Mofas
Mopeds permitted
Verbot für Mofas Mopeds forbidden
No Mopeds permitted

Motorcycles[edit]

Classified as above/below 500 cc motor size, and with or without sidecar

Krafträder, auch mit Beiwagen, Kleinkrafträder und Mofas
Motorcycles (above 500 cc), also with sidecar, small motorcycles (below 500 cc) and mopeds
Motorcycles and Mopeds Permitted
Verbot für Krafträder, auch mit Beiwagen, Kleinkrafträder und Mofas Ban on motorcycles including those with sidecars and mopeds

Cars/automobiles[edit]

Personenkraftwagen – Pkw^[19] – "Powered car for (the transport of) persons"; e.g., cars/automobiles

Personenkraftwagen (Pkw)
Cars
Personenkraftwagen (Pkw)
Cars permitted
Verbot für Personenkraftwagen (Pkw)
elektrisch betriebene Fahrzeuge
Electric vehicles/cars
Pkw mit Anhänger
Cars with trailer
Pkw mit Anhänger
Verbot für Pkw mit Anhänger

Recreational vehicles, farm equipment or animal powered[edit]

Wohnmobile
Motorhomes & Campers
Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
Farm & Powered Equipment (& Trailers) with less than 25 km/h top speed
Verbot für Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
Kraftfahrzeuge und Züge
Farm & Powered Equipment (& Trailers) Permitted
Gespannfuhrwerke
Horse-drawn Wagon
Verbot für Gespannfuhrwerke
No Horse-drawn Wagons Permitted
Verbot für Viehtrieb
No Cattle Permitted
Verbot für Reiter
No Equestrians/Horse Riders Permitted

Trucks & lorries[edit]

Lastkraftwagen – Lkw – (literally "powered car for loads", e.g., truck, lorry, semi, tractor-trailer)

Lkw or Kfz
Lkw permitted
No Lkw permitted

Kraftfahrzeuge (Kfz)^[20] mit einer zulässigen Gesamtmasse über 3,5 t, einschließlich ihrer Anhänger, und Zugmaschinen, ausgenommen Personenkraftwagen und Kraftomnibusse – Motor vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3,5 t, including their trailers, and tractors other than cars and buses

Lkw mit Anhänger
Truck with trailer
Lkw with trailer permitted
Verbot für Lastkraftwagen (Lkw) mit Anhänger
No trucks with trailer(s) permitted
Sattelkraftfahrzeuge
Semi/tractor-trailer
Single- and double-trailer semis

Restrictions & allowances for vehicles (generally larger) than cars[edit]

Massenangabe
Weight (7.5 tons)
Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Masse
Total Vehicle Weight Limit (5.5 tonnes)
Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Achslast
Load Limit per Axle (8 tonnes)
Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Breite
Width Limit (including wing mirrors)
Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Höhe
Height Limit (3.8 meters)
Verbot für Fahrzeuge über angegebene tatsächliche Länge
Length Limit (10 meters)

Dangerous or hazardous cargos[edit]

Dangerous or Hazardous Load/Cargos
Verbot für kennzeichnungspflichtige Kraftfahrzeuge mit gefährlichen Gütern
No Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos Permitted
Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos to Water Bodies
Verbot für Fahrzeuge mit wassergefährdender Ladung
No Dangerous or Hazardous Loads/Cargos to Water Bodies Permitted

Buses, public transit & rail[edit]

Buses (generally) and trains (always) have the priority/right-of-way

Kraftomnibus
Bus
Buses permitted
Verbot für Kraftomnibusse
Straßenbahn
Streetrail or trams
Trams permitted
Train – Bahn/Zug
Schienenbahn
"Railway Traffic", Trains – Bahn/Zug permitted

Others[edit]

Military vehicles (generally a weight rating)
Lkw, busses & Pkw with trailers

Primary road classifications & related signs[edit]

Basics[edit]

Basic Traffic Controls

Verbot der Einfahrt
Do Not Enter
Verbot des Wendens
No U-turns

Speed Controls & Limits

Vorgeschriebene Mindestgeschwindigkeit
Minimum (30 km/h) Speed Required
Ende der ...
End of...
Beginn einer Tempo 30-Zone
Maximum (30 km/h) Zone (still in effect after junctions)
End of...
Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit
Maximum Speed (60 km/h)
Ende der ...
End of...
Maximum (or recommended) Speeds in Germany for Developed/Urban Areas (50), Bundesstraßen (100) & Autobahn (130)

Passing & Overtaking

Überholverbot für Kraftfahrzeuge aller Art
No Passing (for any vehicle type)
End of...
No Passing (by vehicles over 3,5 t)
End of...

Other

Umwelt
Low-emission zone / Environmental Zone
End of a low-emission zone
Lkw / Trucks / Semis must maintain minimum (70 m) spacing
Schneeketten sind vorgeschrieben
Snow chains must be carried in vehicle
Border sign

Autobahn[edit]

German Limited Access Highway – Blue Background^[21]

Signs used on Autobahn

Nummernschild für Autobahnen
Autobahn – (limited access highway) route number (48)
Knotenpunkte der Autobahnen
Interchange/Exit/Ausfahrt Number (26)
Autobahn distance sign (usually after entrance)
Autobahn sign indicating next exit has a service area nearby
Autobahn sign
announcing next exit
Autobahn reminder exit sign, showing next exit ahead
Autobahn marker (300m before exit)
Autobahn marker (200m before exit)
Autobahn marker (100m before exit)
Autobahn Ausfahrt
exit (at end of exit lane)
Begin of Autobahn (Motor vehicles capable of speeds exceeding 60 km/h only)
End of Autobahn
Tunnel ahead
Breakdown bay (used only on highways without emergency shoulder or in larger construction areas)

Signs leading to Autobahn

Pfeilwegweiser zur Autobahn
Direction towards Autobahn entrance
Direction Signs to Autobahn, Messe (Fair/Convention Center) & Bundesstraße (without number)
same
Bundesstraße with Number and distances to next cities
Vorwegweiser zur Autobahn
Autobahn junction entrance sign
Vorwegweiser zur Autobahn
Autobahn junction entrance sign

other signs

Autobahn Detour
Autobahn Detour ahead
Detouring onto opposite lane (in 200 m)
End of lane

Signs of federal highways

Note: Though road design of Kraftfahrstraße is comparable to Autobahn, speed limit is mandatory, signposting is similar but has yellow background.

Kraftfahrstraße
Fast traffic highway (Motor vehicles capable of speeds exceeding 60 km/h only)
End of fast traffic highway

Bundesstraße – non-limited access highways or main roads – yellow background[edit]

Bundesstraße
Country road (non-isolated highway) route number (35)
Ausfahrt auf Bundesstraße
Exit off Main Road (to Mainz/Wiesbaden)
Ausfahrt
Exit
Signpost at junction leading onto a main road
Signpost at junction leading onto a minor road
Signpost at junction
Sign on approaches to junctions
Sign on approaches to junctions
Sign on approaches to junctions (lanes)
Route for Lkw/Kfz
Route for Lkw/Kfz
Lkw/Kfz geradeaus
Go Straight Ahead
Lkw/Kfz abbiegen rechts
Turn Right Ahead
Lkw/Kfz abbiegen links
Turn Left Ahead
Hazardous Cargos – Go Straight Ahead
Hazardous Cargos – Go Right Ahead
Hazardous Cargos – Go Left Ahead
Radverkehr
Bicycles Go Straight Ahead
Radverkehr
Bicycles Turn Right Ahead
Radverkehr
Bicycles Turn Left Ahead
Detour or bypass signpost
Detour or bypass sign (U3)
Umleitung
Detour or bypass sign
End of Detour or bypass
Planskizze
Layout of Detour or bypass route
Umlenkungspfeil (Streckenempfehlung)
Existing alternate or bypass Autobahn route
End of detour or bypass (symbol)
Complicated traffic touring (if turning left is forbidden)
European road number sign (E 36)
Straßenname
Street name sign
Direction to Bahnhof
Train station/ Railway Station