Road signs in Germany

Road signs and symbols used in Germany are prescribed under the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) (German Road Traffic Act) and the Katalog der Verkehrszeichen (VzKat) (Catalog of Traffic Signs).

Paragraph 9 of the StVO states that "The traffic signs and installations illustrated in annexes 1 to 4 may also be installed with the alternatives described in the Catalog of Traffic Signs." (The Catalog of Traffic Signs (VZKat) is published in the Federal Ministry of Transport Gazette by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building, and Infrastructure.) The VzKat was issued in May 2017 under the Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung] (VwV-StVO) (general administrative regulations for the Road Traffic Act).

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 (e.g. speed limit, maximum height, etc.).

Symbols

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

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  Multi-track motor vehicles
• 
  Motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass above 3.5 t - including their trailer - and combination vehicles, except passenger vehicles and buses
• 
  Cycles
• 
  Bicycle utilized 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 towing a trailer
• 
  Truck towing a trailer
• 
  Campervan
• 
  Motor vehicles and vehicle combinations which cannot or may not drive faster than 25 km/h
• 
  Motorcycles - also with a sidecar - mopeds, 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
• 
  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.

General danger signs

• 
  Sign 101
  Danger. A supplementary sign can specify the danger.
• 
  Sign 101-10 / 101-20
  Aircraft
  
• 
  Sign 101-11 / 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 / 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 / 103-20
  Curve
• 
  Sign 105-10 / 105-20
  Double curve
• 
  Sign 108-10
  Descent
• 
  Sign 110-12
  Ascent
• 
  Sign 112
  Uneven road
• 
  Sign 114
  Slipperiness when road is wet or dirty
• 
  Sign 117-10 / 117-20
  Crosswind
• 
  Sign 120
  Road narrowing
• 
  Sign 121-10 / 121-20
  One-sided road narrowing
• 
  Sign 123
  Construction area
• 
  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 / 142-20
  Wild animals

Special danger signs approaching railroad crossings

• 
  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.

Waiting and stopping requirements

• 
  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

Mandatory direction of travel

• 
  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 / 220-20
  One-way street

Mandatory passing

• 
  Sign 222
  Pass on the right
• 
  Sign 222-10
  Pass on the left

Drivable shoulders, bus stops, and taxi stands

• 
  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
• 
  Sign 224-51
  Bus stop for school buses during designated times
• 
  Sign 229 - 229-31
  Taxi stand

Dedicated paths and lanes

• 
  Sign 237
  Bicycle path
• 
  Sign 238
  Equestrian path
• 
  Sign 239
  Sidewalk
• 
  Sign 240
  Combined pedestrian and bicycle path
• 
  Sign 241-30 / 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

Priority

Reißverschlussverfahren
"Zipper Rule" for 1-Way Traffic Merging & 2-Way Traffic Priorities

• 
  einseitig (links) verengte Fahrbahn
  Road narrows on the left, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies, 2-Way Oncoming Traffic Yields to You)
• 
  Verengte Fahrbahn
  Narrow Roadway Ahead, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies
• 
  einseitig (rechts) verengte Fahrbahn
  Road narrows on the right, 1-Way Zipper Rule Applies, 2-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 yourself 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

Priority Travel 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 & 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 verboten but also trucks too.

• 

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 – "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 & Double Trailer Semis

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

Basics

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

Autobahn

German Limited Access Highway - Blue Background

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

• 
  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 rects
  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 signpost
• 
  Detour sign (U3)
• 
  Umleitung
  Detour sign
• 
  End of Detour
• 
  Planskizze
  Layout of Detour route
• 
  Umlenkungspfeil (Streckenempfehlung)
  Existing alternate Autobahn route
• 
  End of detour (symbol)
• 
  Complicated traffic touring (if turning left is forbidden)
• 
  European road number sign (E 36)
• 
  Straßenname
  Street name sign
• 
  Direction to Bahnhof
  Trainstation/ 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)
• 
  Traffic Calming Zone
• 
  End of Traffic Calming Zone
• 
  Pedestrian crossing patrol
• 
  Sidewalk parking for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight up to 2.8 metric tons
• 
  Parking disc
• 
  Fußgängerüberweg
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Fußgängerüberweg
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Sackgasse
  No through road
• 
  Erste Hilfe oder Krankenhaus
  First aid or hospital
• 
  Street light warning marker (lamp will not remain lit all night)

Traffic priority - priority roads

Priority Travel Does Not Yield, Signal All Turns

• 
  Vorfahrtstraße
  Priority Road starts
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
  Vorfahrtstraße
  Priority Road ends
• 
  Vorfahrt
  Priority at the next intersection/crossroads only
• 
  Uncontrolled Intersection Ahead
  Proceed with extreme caution, priority is not assigned
• 
  Yield to cross-wise traffic

Fahrtbahn/Streifen - driving lane controls

Roadway lanes delineated by lines for/of single vehicle width

• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus
  You must go straight ahead, yield appropriately
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, hier rechts
  Turn right here (in front of the sign)
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, hier links
  Turn left here (in front of the sign)
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, rechts
  You must turn right ahead, yield appropriately
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, links
  You must turn left ahead, yield appropriately
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus oder rechts
  You must go straight or turn right
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Geradeaus oder links
  You must go straight or turn left
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung, Rechts oder links
  You must turn right or turn left
• 
  Kreisverkehr
  Roundabout (Yield to traffic in circle, signal only on exit)
• 
  Einbahnstraße
  One-way street
• 
  Einbahnstraße
  One-way street
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Vorbeifahrt, Rechts vorbei
  Keep right of traffic barrier/divider
• 
  Vorgeschriebene Vorbeifahrt, Links vorbei
  Keep left of traffic barrier/divider
• 
  Use of hard shoulder as driving lane permitted
• 
  No use of hard shoulder as driving lane permitted
• 
  3 Fahrstreifen und 1 Seitenstreifen'
  3 Driving Lanes + 1 Hard Shoulder (use permitted)
• 
  3 Fahrstreifen und 1 Seitenstreifen'
  3 Driving Lanes + 1 Hard Shoulder (use not permitted)

Dedicated lane use required for ...

• 
  Fußwege
  Footway / Pedestrian lane
• 
  Gemeinsamer Fuß- und Radweg
  Shared use path
• 
  Getrennter Rad- und Gehweg
  Shared, but separated bicycle & pedestrian path
• 
  Radweg
  Bicycle lane
• 
  Bussonderfahrstreifen
  Bus lane
• 
  Sonderweg Reiter
  Bridleway

Special zones

• 
  Beginn einer Fußgängerzone
  Pedestrian zone
• 
  Ende einer ....
  End of pedestrian zone
• 
  Beginn der Fahrradstraße
  Bicyclist zone
• 
  End of bicyclist zone

Stopping, waiting, parking

Parking is considered any stop exceeding three minutes.

Absolutely no stopping or waiting on traffic lanes (Emergency Excepted)

• 
  Haltverbot
  Absolutely No Stopping (on traffic lanes)
• 
  Continuation of Absolutes Haltverbot
  Top arrow only (start of zone), Bottom arrow only (end of zone)

No waiting/standing longer than 3 minutes on traffic lanes - "Loading/Unloading & Pick-up/Drop-off Zone"

• 
  Eingeschränktes Halteverbot
  No parking. Waiting is allowed.
• 
  Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Anfang)
  Start of Waiting Only Zone (left side)
• 
  Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Anfang)
  Start of Waiting Only Zone (right side)
• 
  Eingeschränktes Halteverbot (Ende)
  End of Waiting Only Zone (right side)
• 
  Continuation of Eingeschränktes Halteverbot
• 
  No parking zone
• 
  End of no parking zone

Bus Stop & Taxi Zones

• 
  Bus or tram stop: 15 m parking prohibition prior to and behind this sign (30 m altogether)
• 
  School bus stop: 15 m parking prohibition prior to and behind this sign (30 m altogether)
• 
  Taxi rank (no stopping or parking allowed)
• 
  End of previous limitation (i.e., speed or passing)

Road markings/lines

Intersections & Crosswalks

• 
  Haltlinie
  Stop line
• 
  Fußgängerüberweg
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Wartelinie
  Yield line

Driving Lanes

• 
  Fahrstreifenbegrenzung und Fahrbahnbegrenzung
  Solid Travel Lane (middle) & Travel Lane Boundary (right) - Crossing Not Permitted
• 
  Leitlinie
  Guide (Dividing) Line - Crossing/Overtaking Permitted
• 
  Einseitige Fahrstreifenbegrenzung
  Traffic on Solid Side May Not Cross Line. Traffic on Divided Side May Cross Line.
• 
  Direction arrows (no stopping or parking allowed)
• 
  Advance notice arrow
• 
  Advance notice arrow to indicate a lane end
• 
  Sperrflächen
  Occupying this area not permitted
• 
  Grenzmarkierung für Halt- und Parkverbote
  No Parking or Waiting Area

Information signs

• 
  Parking place
• 
  Parkplatz (Anfang)
  Parking place (start)
• 
  Parking place (end)
• 
  Beginn einer Parkraumbewirtschaftungszone
  Start of Parking management area, only parking with parking disc or parking ticket
• 
  End of Parking management area
• 
  Car park, parking garage
• 
  Wasserschutzgebiet
  Water protection zone
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  Place name (information only, does not imply a speed limit)
• 
  Tourist attraction
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  Tourist route
• 
  Tourist route
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  Tourist sign (here: river or channel)
• 
  Tourist route
• 
  Tourist route
• 
  Tourist route
• 
  Tourist sign (here: referring to the former East-West German border)
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  Toll road for heavy lorries
• 
  End of toll road for heavy lorries
• 
  Toll road
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  Stop - customs

Informational signs

• 
  Park and Ride
• 
  Park and ride
• 
  Parking for hikers
• 
  Police station
• 
  Telephone
• 
  Emergency telephone
• 
  Petrol station
• 
  Petrol station with LPG
• 
  Petrol station with CNG
• 
  Motorway hotel
• 
  Road church
• 
  Information
• 
  Repairs
• 
  Pedestrian underpass
• 
  Pedestrian overpass
• 
  Charging station for electric vehicles
• 
  Hydrogen Station
• 
  Motor caravan campsite
• 
  Campsite
• 
  Motorway restaurant
• 
  Motorway refreshments
• 
  Lavatory

Standardized traffic symbols

Arrows

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  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
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  2 km ahead
• 
  Stop 100 m ahead
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  Zipper method in ... m
• 
  For 800 m
• 
  For 3 km
• 
  Continues for ... m
• 
  Continues for ... km
• 
  100 m ahead
• 
  200 m ahead
• 
  400 m ahead
• 
  600 m ahead
• 
  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
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  Pass over verges/shoulder
• 
  End of passing over verges/shoulder
• 
  Tunnel category B
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  Tunnel category C
• 
  Tunnel category D
• 
  Tunnel category E
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  Disabled with permit No. ... allowed
• 
  Bicycle and residents allowed
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  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)
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  Parking allowed at weekends
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  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 being charged (with number)
• 
  Electric vehicles (with number)
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  Parking allowed in marked areas
• 
  Only with parking ticket
• 
  Toll ticket
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  On the verges/shoulder
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  When wet
• 
  Mode of transport
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  Weight (12 tons)
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  Park (pull in straight)
• 
  Park (pull in diagonally)
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  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

Road equipment

• 
  Barrier board
• 
  Guiding beacon
• 
  Guide cone
• 
  Moveable road barrier
• 
  Moveable road barrier with flashing arrow
• 
  Reflexion post (right-hand side)
• 
  Reflexion post (left-hand side)

Retired signs

Obsolete signs since 2017

• 
  Buses crossing
• 
  Two-way cycle route running parallel to road
• 
  Risk of ice
• 
  Start of restriction
• 
  Mopeds allowed
• 
  Vehicles exempt from the traffic ban at an increased pollutant concentration

Obsolete signs since 2013

• 
  Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
• 
  Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Recommended speed
• 
  End of recommended speed
• 
  Soft verges
• 
  Soft verges