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).

§§ 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.

The latest version of the VzKat was issued in May 2017 as the annex to the General Administrative Rules for the Road Traffic Regulation (VwV-StVO) (German: Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung).

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) (German: Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung außerhalb von Autobahnen)
• The Guidelines for Directional Signage on Motorways (RWBA) (German: Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung auf Autobahnen)
• The Guidelines for touristic Signage (RtB) (German: Richtlinien für die touristische Beschilderung)
• The Guidelines for Signage for detours (RUB) (German: Richtlinien für Umleitungsbeschilderungen)
• The Guidelines for the Marking of Roads (RMS-1, RMS-2 and RMS-A) (German: Richtlinien für die Markierung von Straßen)
• The Guidelines for Traffic Signals (RiLSA) (German: Richtlinien für Lichtsignalanlagen)
• The Guidelines for the safety of road construction sites (RSA) (German: Richtlinien für die verkehrsrechtliche Sicherung von Arbeitsstellen an 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.).

Overview

General symbols

Symbols pursuant to § 39 paragraphs 7, 10, and 11 of the StVO:

• 
  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

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

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
  No trucks carrying hazardous materials
• 
  Sign 263–5,5
  
• 
  Sign 263-8
  
• 
  Sign 264-2
  
• 
  Sign 265–3,8
  
• 
  Sign 266-10
  
• 
  Sign 267
  No entry
• 
  Sign 268
  Snow chains required
• 
  Sign 269
  No trucks carrying water-polluting substances
• 
  Sign 270.1
  Low-emission zone
• 
  Sign 270.2
  End of low-emission zone
• 
  Sign 272
  No U-turn
• 
  Sign 273
  
• 
  Sign 274-60
  Speed limit
• 
  Sign 274.1
  Speed limit zone
• 
  Sign 274.2
  End of speed limit zone
• 
  Sign 275-30
  Minimum speed
• 
  Sign 276
  No passing
• 
  Sign 277
  No passing (for trucks)
• 
  Sign 277.1
  
• 
  Sign 278-60
  End of speed limit
• 
  Sign 279-30
  End of minimum speed
• 
  Sign 280
  
• 
  Sign 281
  
• 
  Sign 281.1
  
• 
  Sign 282
  End of all restrictions
• 
  Sign 283
  No stopping of any kind (No drop-off or pick-up)
• 
  Sign 283-10
  
• 
  Sign 283-11
  
• 
  Sign 283-20
  
• 
  Sign 283-21
  
• 
  Sign 283-30
  
• 
  Sign 283-31
  
• 
  Sign 286
  No parking
• 
  Sign 286-10
  
• 
  Sign 286-11
  
• 
  Sign 286-20
  
• 
  Sign 286-21
  
• 
  Sign 286-30
  
• 
  Sign 286-31
  
• 
  Sign 290.1
  No parking zone
• 
  Sign 290.2
  End of no parking zone
• 
  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
  

Directional signs

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
  Right-of-way only on upcoming intersection
• 
  Sign 306
  Priority road (Right-of-way on all following intersections)
• 
  Sign 307
  End of priority road
• 
  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
  Tunnel
• 
  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
  Autobahn exit
• 
  Sign 333.1
  Federal Highway (Bundesstraße) exit
• 
  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 area
• 
  Sign 356
  Pedestrian crossing patrol
• 
  Sign 357
  Dead end
• 
  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

• 
  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

• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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
• 
  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

Traffic rules

Priority

Reißverschlussverfahren
"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

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

See also: Priority to the right

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

Yield or reduce speed as necessary

• 
  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

Vehicle classifications & specifics

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

Basic

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

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

Motorcycles

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

Personenkraftwagen – Pkw – "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

• 
  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

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

• 
  Lkw or Kfz
• 
  Lkw permitted
• 
  No Lkw permitted

Kraftfahrzeuge (Kfz) 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

Traffic restrictions & allowances for vehicles (generally larger) than cars

• 
  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

• 
  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

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

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

Primary road classifications & related signs

• 
  Nummernschild für Autobahnen
  Autobahn – (limited access highway) route number (48 for example)
• 
  Bundesstraße
  Country road (non-isolated highway) route number (35 for example)
• 
  European road number sign (E 36 for example)
• 
  Straßenname
  Street name sign

Traffic regulations

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 for example) spacing
• 
  Schneeketten sind vorgeschrieben
  Snow chains must be carried in vehicle
• 
  End of previous limitation (i.e., speed or passing)

Autobahn

See also: Autobahn

German Limited Access Highway – Blue Background

Signs used on Autobahn

• 
  Knotenpunkte der Autobahnen
  Interchange/Exit/Ausfahrt Number (26 for example)
• 
  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 limited access roads

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

See also: Bundesstraße

• 
  Ausfahrt auf Bundesstraße
  Exit off Main Road (to Mainz/Wiesbaden for example)
• 
  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)
• 
  Direction to Bahnhof
  Train station/ Railway Station

Urban or built-up areas

• 
  Start Urban Area (50 km/h speed limit)
• 
  Town sign: End of Urban Area (here with distance to next town)