2/6/2018 Brian's Guide to Getting Around Germany - German Traffic Signs & Signals (Page 2 of 2)

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This page last updated January 31, 2018
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Parking signs
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In this section are all signs related to parking, both prohibition signs against parking as well as signs indicating
where parking is allowed.

No stopping No parking Parking restriction zone End of parking

Stopping or standing on
the roadway on the same
side where this sign is
posted is prohibited
Prohibits leaving your Posted at entrances to a restriction zone
vehicle or otherwise neighborhood or area
stopping on the roadway where parking is
on the same side where prohibited on all streets in
this sign is posted for the area until the "End of
more than 3 minutes parking restriction zone"
except for passenger sign is reached
boarding/discharging and
loading/unloading

No stopping (end) No stopping No stopping (start)

This sign marks the end of a no Stopping or standing on the This sign marks the beginning of a
stopping area (i.e. no stopping prior roadway is prohibited in either no stopping area (i.e. no stopping
to this sign on the same side of the direction on the same side where beyond this sign on the same side
street where it is posted) this sign is posted of the street where it is posted)

No parking (end) No parking No parking (start)

This sign marks the end of a no Parking on the roadway This sign marks the beginning of a
parking area (i.e. no parking prior to is prohibited in either direction on no parking area (i.e. no parking
this sign on the same side of the the same side where this sign is beyond this sign on the same side
street where it is posted) posted of the street where it is posted)

SIDEBAR: Understanding parking sign arrows

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No stopping on shoulder No parking on shoulder Taxi stand Tow-away zone

This area is reserved for Illegally parking vehicles
taxis only-- other vehicles will be tower at the
may not stop here; the owner's expense
supplemental sign
indicates the number of
taxis allowed to wait here

Parking area Parking management zone End of parking management zone

Marks an area where parking is
permitted; also used to give
directions to parking areas
Posted at entrances to a
neighborhood or area where parking
is permitted on all streets in the area
with the use of a parking disc or
voucher as indicated by a
supplemental sign; effective until the
"End of parking management zone
sign" is reached

Restricted parking Restricted parking Parking for indicated Parking for indicated
You must use a parking You may park here only if vehicles vehicles
disc to park here and you you have an official Parking only for the Parking for vehicles with
may only park for the handicapped permit vehicle class shown on the trailers allowed; vehicles
length of time indicated sign (i.e. parking only for may remain parked for
passenger vehicles) longer than 14 days

Parking garage Indexed parking facility Directions to parking

Marks or gives directions to a
numbered parking facility (e.g.
parking lot #8)

Parking area (end) Parking area Parking area (start)

This sign marks the end of a parking This sign indicates parking is This sign marks the start of a
area allowed in both directions from the parking area
sign

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Perpendicular parking Angle parking

This sign indicates that parking spaces are This sign indicates that parking spaces are
perpendicular to the roadway at an angle to the roadway

Parking on sidewalk allowed Parking on sidewalk allowed

This sign indicates that parallel parking half on the This sign indicates that parallel parking completely on
sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on the right the sidewalk is permitted on the right or left side of the
or left side of the street respectively street respectively

Parking on sidewalk allowed Parking on sidewalk allowed

This sign indicates that perpendicular parking half on This sign indicates that perpendicular parking
the sidewalk and half in the street is permitted on the completely on the sidewalk is permitted on the right or
right or left side of the street respectively left side of the street respectively

Hiker's parking Park & ride Commuter carpool parking

Indicates an area where you may Indicates a facility where you may Indicates a roadside parking lot for
park and hike a circuit trail park your vehicle and transfer to use by carpoolers
public transportation

Service signs
Below are signs that are used to give directions to motorist services on or near the road. These signs are
especially used along the Autobahn. Service signs are a symbol in a white field on a blue square or rectangle.

Filling station Filling station w/ unleaded gasoline

(Obsolete)
This sign is now obsolete as all stations have unleaded
fuel, but it may still appear on older signs

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Electric vehicle Filling station w/ Filling station w/ Hydrogen station

charging station liquefied petroleum gas compressed natural gas

Restaurant Snack bar Hotel Auto repair shop

Restrooms/toilets Autobahn chapel Police station Tourist information

Telephone Emergency telephone First aid station

Motor home park Motor home and Campground Traffic information radio
travel trailer park (Obsolete)
This sign shows the name
and frequency of a radio
station giving local traffic
information; the letter at
the bottom indicates the
traffic reporting region that
the station covers

Information and guide signs

Below are signs that give directions or other information.

Entering urban area Leaving urban area
Posted at the entrance to This is usually the
a built-up area and backside of the "Entering
indicates that the 50 km/h town area sign" and
speed limit and other indicates the end of urban
urban traffic regulations traffic regulations and the
begins return to the 100 km/h
rural speed limit; the top
Leaving urban area Place name
Same as the sign to the Marks small towns that do
left except that the white not require the "Entering
top section indicates that urban area" sign; this sign
the next town is in the is also used occasionally
same municipality as the to mark other places of
one you are leaving interest

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section shows the
distance to the next town

Federal Highway route number Autobahn route number European route number

Federal Highway Secondary road Secondary road Local direction marker

direction marker direction marker direction marker Shows the direction to an
Shows the direction and Shows the direction and Shows the direction to important local destination;
distance to major distance to major minor destinations; posted posted at the junction
destinations; posted at the destinations; posted at the at the junction
junction junction

Advance direction sign Advance direction sign Advance direction sign

Gives advance notice of directions Gives advance notice of directions Gives advance notice of directions
at an approaching intersection as well as the lane configuration at at an approaching roundabout; note
an approaching intersection (e.g. the "do not enter" for the leg at the 2
left lane must turn left) o'clock position

Consolidated direction sign Abbreviated consolidated direction sign

Shows route information for all directions at this Shows route information for all directions at this
junction (single board or multiple panels) junction (used in urban areas)

Direction to Autobahn
Shows the direction to the indicated
Autobahn and destination
Autobahn entrance direction sign Autobahn entrance direction sign
Shows direction information for Shows direction information for
Autobahn entrance ramps ahead Autobahn entrance ramps ahead as
well as the lane configuration at
those intersections (e.g. right lane
must turn right)

Autobahn exit initial approach
sign
Located 1000 meters (nominally)
before Autobahn exits and shows
the interchange number and name
Autobahn junction initial
approach sign
Located 2000 meters (nominally)
before the junction of two
Autobahns and shows the
interchange number and name
Autobahn interchange advance
directional sign
Located 500 meters before
Autobahn exits and at both 1000
meters and 500 meters before
Autobahn junctions; shows a
schematic of the interchange and

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lists additional destinations

Autobahn interchange number Autobahn interchange Autobahn exit

Shown on the initial interchange
approach sign and on the first
interchange countdown marker;
interchanges are numbered
sequentially-- if a new interchange
is added, a letter suffix is used to
preserve the numbering system
countdown markers This sign is placed just prior to the
Located at 300 meters (three exit; it is sometimes placed in the
stripes), 200 meters (two stripes), center median
and 100 meters (one stripe) before
the interchange; the interchange
number sign is typically mounted
above the 300 meter marker

Expressway interchange initial Expressway interchange Expressway exit

approach sign
Located 1000 meters (nominally)
before exits and shows the
interchange name
countdown markers
Located at 300 meters (three
stripes), 200 meters (two stripes),
and 100 meters (one stripe) before
the interchange
This sign is placed just prior to the
exit; it is sometimes placed in the
center median

Expressway exit Exit Truck stop

Shows an exit for local destinations
Marks an exit ramp from the This sign indicates that there is an
Autobahn or expressway off-Autobahn truck stop at the
indicated exit (typically the next exit)
with the services indicated by the
pictograms

Autobahn distance board Expressway distance board

Placed after most entrances and lists the distance to Placed after most entrances and lists the distance to
major cities along the route; distances to major major cities along the route
destinations via intersecting Autobahns are listed at the
bottom with the corresponding route number

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Provisional Autobahn detour
These signs mark pre-posted detour routes for use in
the event that an Autobahn must be closed or as an
optional route to bypass congestion-- follow the same-
numbered route to return to the next Autobahn
entrance; the "red dot" detour is used in some areas to
mark a specific special detour due to Autobahn
construction or an especially congested area-- the red
dot (or sometimes a red circle) is more easily
discernable at a distance making the detour easier to
follow
Route through roundabout
Instead of an integrated arrow on the main sign, detour
routes through a roundabout are instead (and rather
inexplicably) indicated with a white supplemental sign
(the other two sign categories that use these are also
shown here; more detail on them is below); note that
this is a new sign and is the official sign for this
purpose, but there are many older or improvised
implementations that put the roundabout arrow on the
main sign instead; in addition, the white signs are
sometimes used in an unsanctioned combination
with signs other than those shown here

Provisional detour schematic Alternate route End of alternate route

Used to direct Autobahn traffic to
the next sequential provisional
detour route when traffic cannot
return to the Autobahn at the next
entrance
Indicates a recommended alternate
route on the Autobahn system for
specific vehicles or destinations in
order to avoid congestion

Routing for designated vehicles Routing for designated vehicles

Vehicle types shown on the sign must follow the route Vehicle types shown on the sign turn here
as indicated; white supplemental signs (shown above)
are used for directions through a roundabout

Detour approach Detour direction sign Detour direction sign End of detour
Indicates that a These are being phased- Follow these signs to
detour/diversion is about out in favor of the sign to remain on the detour
to start; often the right route; white supplemental
accompanied by a signs (shown above) are
supplemental sign used for directions through
indicating the distance to a roundabout; this sign
the start of the detour can also be used at the
start of a detour in lieu of
the "detour approach" sign
to the left

Detour route schematic Routing schematic for designated Complicated traffic route
Indicates that the road ahead is vehicles Shows special routing required to
closed and graphically shows the Indicates that the specified vehicle go in the direction indicated (e.g.
detour route (e.g. turn left in 80 type is prohibited ahead and

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meters and follow the road to A-Dorf indicates that there's a posted there's no left turn ahead, so follow
and B-Dorf to return back to the detour route (e.g. no vehicles over the route shown instead)
route to Stuttgart) 3.5t on the road ahead, so follow
the posted route 80 meters ahead
on the left)

River name Scenic area Iron Curtain marker

Shows the name of the river the Denotes a scenic or tourist area Marks the location where Germany
road is crossing along or near the road and Europe was divided prior to
1989

Tourist route Tourist route direction marker Tourist route

Marks one of the several themed Shows the direction to follow to stay Shows addiitonal route information
tourist roads on the indicated tourist route about the route (in this example,
which direction the route is headed)

Tourist attractions Tourist attraction direction Tourist attraction

Used to give directions to tourist marker Shows addiitonal route information
attractions Shows the direction to the indicated about the attraction (in this example,
tourist destination the town it's located in)

Dead end street Dead end street Dead end street

Children are allowed to play in However, there is a through path for
the street pedestrians and/or bicycles

Pedestrian underpass
Marks the entrance to an
underpass, subway, or
tunnel that pedestrians
must use to cross under
the road
Pedestrian bridge
Marks the entrance to a
bridge or viaduct that
pedestrians must use to
cross over the road
Pedestrians must cross Water protection area
street Posted in environmentally
Posted where the sidewalk sensitive areas; reminds
is closed (i.e. for drivers of vehicles carrying
construction) and directs water-hazardous cargo to
pedestrians to use the be extra careful
sidewalk across the street
in the direction indicated

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Bus or streetcar stop
Parking within 15 meters of this sign
is prohibited; do not pass streetcars
stopped on the street to board or
discharge passengers; yield to
buses leaving the stop
School bus stop National speed limits information
Watch for children during the times Posted at international borders and
indicated informs drivers of the general speed
limits

Customs post Toll road Truck toll road End truck toll road
Motorists using this road Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
must pay a toll must pay the federal toll to
use this road

Street name signs Streetlight does not stay Turn headlights on Turn headlights off
These signs may be on all night Posted before tunnels to Posted after tunnels to
mounted on a pole or on Applied to lamp posts with remind drivers to switch- remind drivers to switch-
the side of a building a streetlight that turns off on their headlights off their headlights
during the night; if you
park near this street lamp
at night, you must leave
your parking lights on; the
time that the light turns off
may be marked in the red
area

Miscellaneous signs

Reflector guide posts Reflector guide posts Curve markers Obstruction marker
Posted every 50 meters Posted on the roadside at Posted on the outside of a This sign is posted on the
along the roadside, left an intersection with a curve and point in the edge of an object or island
and right sides driveway or side road direction to travel in the roadway that you
respectively; a blue may pass on either side
reflector on the backside is
used to deter wildlife
crossing at night

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Obstruction marker/channelizing Obstruction marker/channelizing Obstruction marker/ channelizing

device (left)
This sign is posted on the edge of
an object or island in or adjacent to
the roadway that you must pass to
the right of; these are also used as
a channelizing device in
construction areas
device (right) device
This sign is posted on the edge of Includes flashing lights and
an object or island in or adjacent to integrated keep right/left sign
the roadway that you must pass to
the left of; these are also used as a
channelizing device in construction
areas

Mobile lane closure board Traffic cone Barricade

Used in construction areas to
temporarily close lanes; pass by on
the side indicated

Bollard Reduced clearance Parking hazard

Placed at the entrance to pedestrian Marks the edges of an overpass or Mounted on the back of vehicles
areas and bike paths to prevent other structure with reduced vertical and trailers that may slow or stop on
unauthorized vehicle entry and/or horizontal clearance roadways (e.g. maintenance
vehicles)

NATO military bridge classification signs Church services

Posted near bridges and viaducts and indicates the Posted near the entrances to towns and lists scheduled
safe load-carrying capacity of the bridge for military Sunday church services; the gold church denotes
vehicles Catholic Masses while the purple church denotes
Protestant services

Shut off engine Nature reserve

These signs remind drivers to shut off their engine
while stopped to reduce pollution

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School bus Autobahn kilometer marker Self-driving car reference sign

Mounted on the front and back of a This sign is installed on several
vehicle that is carrying school Autobahns and is used as a
children; use extreme caution when reference point for self-driving cars;
passing a stopped bus displaying human drivers can ignore these
this sign

Construction project information Utility reference signs

These signs are posted at the beginning of While not technically traffic signs, these signs are often
major construction zones and give information found on sign posts or buildings next to streets; these
about the project mark the location of various underground utility
manholes and access points located in the street

Additional sign symbols

Here are some common additional symbols you may see on signs in Germany.

Airport Railway station Car train Multimodal terminal

Ferry or harbor Hospital Industrial district

Sports park Stadium Handicapped-accessible

restroom/toilet

Castle Museum War cemetery

Additional sign information

In the past two decades, electronic sign systems have been installed on Autobahns and expressways. These signs
are capable of displaying facsimiles of official traffic signs and carry the same authority as their static counterparts.
Common signs include speed limits and congestion warnings. When mounted overhead, these signs have added
flexibility as they can be used to assign speed limits to specific lanes or to display lane control information. See the
"Electronic signs" section on the Autobahn page for more details and examples.

In cities and towns, you will frequently come across convex mirrors mounted on high posts or on the sides of
buildings next to the road. These mirrors are provided to help drivers see around tight corners where the visibility is

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blocked by a building or other obstacle.

Sign vocabulary

Words are sometimes used on traffic signs, especially on supplemental signs. Here is a rather complete list of
vocabulary used on German traffic signs.

ab - after Mäharbeiten - mowing work

Abblendlicht - dipped (low-beam) headlights
Abstand halten - maintain following distance
Achtung! - attention!
Alle Richtungen - all directions
Allee - avenue
Altenheim - nursing home
an geraden Tagen - on "even" days (i.e. Tue., Thur.)
an ungeraden Tagen - on "odd" days (i.e. Mon., Wed.,
Fri.)
an Sonn- und Feiertagen - on Sundays and holidays
Anfang - start, begin
Anlieger frei - residents and local traffic exempt
Anlieger bis Baustelle frei - residents and local traffic
allowed as far as construction site
Anlieger oder Parken frei - residents, local traffic and
parking exempt
Anwohner frei - residents exempt
Arbeitskolonne - work convoy
auch - also
auf 800 m - beginning in 800 m
auf dem Seitenstreifen - on the shoulder
auf der gesamte Wendeplatte - on the entire
turnaround bay
Ausbaustrecke - widened road section
Ausfahrt - exit
Ausfahrt freihalten - keep driveway exit clear
Ausgenommen - except
Außer - except
Autobahn - freeway, superhighway
Autobahndreieck - Autobahn "triangle" (i.e. "T"-
crossing)
Autobahnkreuz - Autobahn crossing/junction
Autogas - liquified propane gas
Autohof - truck stop
Bahnhof - railway station
Baustelle- construction area
Baustellen ausfahrt- construction site exit
Baustellenfahrzeuge frei - construction
vehicles exempt
Baustellenverkehr - construction vehicles
Baustrecke- construction area
befahren- to travel on (e.g. "Seitenstreifen befahren" =
"drive on the shoulder")
Begehen auf eigene Gefahr - proceed at your own
risk
Behelfsausfahrt - auxilliary exit
bei Nässe - during wet conditions
bei Rot hier halten - stop here on red
besetzt - full, occupied (e.g. parking lot)
Betreten verboten - keep out
Betriebs- und Versorgungsdienst frei - service and
maintenance vehicles exempt
Bewohner frei - residents exempt
bis an die Haltelinie fahren - drive up to the stop line
bis Baustelle frei - allowed as far as construction site
Das Abladen von Gartenabfällen, Schutt und
sonstigen Abfällen ist verboten - the dumping of
garden waste, debris, and other waste is prohibited
Di - Tuesday
Dieser Weg wird bei Eis- und Schneeglätte nich
geräumt und gestreut - this road is not plowed or
sanded during winter weather
Do - Thursday
Durchgangsverkehr - through traffic
dürfen überholt werden - are allowed to be passed
Einbahnstraße - one way street
Einfahrt - entrance
Einfahrt freihalten - keep driveway entrance clear
Eingeschränkter - limited
einorden - get into lane, merge
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Markierung fehlt - road markings (striping) missing
Markierungsarbeiten - road marking work
Mi - Wednesday
mit Ausweis Nr. - with permit number
mit Parkausweis Nr. - with parking permit number
mit Parkschein - with parking voucher
Mo - Monday
Mofas - mopeds
Müll und Schutt abladen verboten - dumping
prohibited
Nebel - fog
Nebenstrecke - secondary route
neuer Fahrbahnbelag/neue Fahrbahndecke - new
road surface
noch 8km - next 8km
Nothaltebucht - emergency stopping area
Notruf - emergency telephone
nur - only
nur innerhalb gekennzeichneter Parkflächen - only
within marked parking spaces
OD - through road (through a town)
Ölspur - watch for oil on lane
Ortsdurchfahrt - through road (through a town)
P + M - carpool parking
P + R - park and ride
Parkausweis - parking permit
Parken in gekennzeichenten Flächen 2 Std. -
parking in marked spaces for 2 hours
Parken in gekennzeichenten Flächen erlaubt -
parking in marked spaces allowed
Parken Sa und So erlaubt - parking permitted on
Saturday and Sunday
Parkflächen - parking spaces
Parkhaus - parking garage (above ground)
Parkplatz - parking place, lot
Parkscheibe - parking disc
Parkschein - parking voucher
Parkscheinautomat - parking voucher dispensing
machine
Parkstände - parking spaces
Parkuhr - parking meter
Pkw. - passenger vehicle (car)
Polizei - police
Polizeikontrolle - police checkpoint
Privatgrundstück: Wer hier parkt, wird
kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt - Private property:
Anyone parked here will be towed at their expense
Radfahrer absteigen - bicyclists dismount
Radweg - bicycle trail
Rasthaus - service area
Rasthof - service area
Raststätte - service area
Rauch - smoke
räumen - vacate (e.g. "Seitenstreifen räumen" =
"vacate the shoulder")
Reißverschluss erst in 200 m - "zipper" merge begins
in 200 meters
Rettungsweg - rescue lane
Richtung - direction of travel
Rollsplitt - loose gravel/chippings
Sa - Saturday
Sackgasse - dead end, cul-de-sac
schäden - damage
Schleudergefahr - skidding danger
Schneeverwehungen - snow drifts
Schranke - gate, barrier
Schnellstraße - expressway
Schritt fahren - drive very slowly
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Einsatzfahrzeuge frei - operations vehicles excepted Schule - school
Elektrofahrzeuge - Electric cars Schulbus - school bus
Elektrofahrzeuge während des Ladevorgangs frei - Schulweg - school crossing
Electric cars exempt while recharging Schülerlotse - school crossing guard
Eltern haften für Ihre Kinder - parents are Schutt abladen verboten - dumping prohibited
responsible for their children Seitenstreifen - Shoulder
Ende - end Seitenstreifen nicht befahrbar - Do not drive on the
shoulder
Fahrbahn - roadway, lane Skiabfahrtkreuzt - ski-run crossing
Fahrbahn überflutet - roadway flooded Skiwanderweg kreuzt - ski trail crossing
Fährbenutzer frei - ferry users exempt So - Sunday
Fahrrad - bicycle Sperrgebiet - restricted area
Fahrradstraße - bicycle path Sperrung - closure
Fahrschule - driving school (marked on vehicles spiegel beachten - pay attention to the traffic mirror
operated by student drivers) Sprengarbeiten - blasting area
Fahrzeug - vehicle Spur - traffic lane
1 Fahrzeug bei Grün - one vehicle per green signal Spurrillen - lane grooves
fehlende Fahrbahnmarkierung - road markings Spurrinnen - lane grooves
(striping) missing Stadtmitte - downtown/city center
Feuergasse - fire lane Standspur - Shoulder/breakdown lane
Feuerwehrzufahrt - fire department access Stau - congestion/traffic jam
Flughafen - airport Std. - hours (abbr. for "Stunden") (e.g. "2 Std." = "2
folgen - follow hours")
Forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei - forestry Straße - street
vehicles exempt Straßenbahn - streetcar
Fr - friday Straßenreinigung - street cleaning
frei - exempt (e.g. "Anlieger frei" = "Residents
exempt"); also means "available" (i.e. parking Straßenschäden - road damaged
spaces) Streugut - road sand/salt
freihalten - keep clear Stunde - hour
Frostschäden - frost/freeze damage
Fußgänger - pedestrian Tag und Nacht - day and night
Fußgänger bitte andere Straßenseite benutzen - Tankstelle - filling station
pedestrians please use the other side of the street Tiefgarage - underground parking garage
Tollwut - rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies
Gasse - alley, lane outbreak area)
gebührenpflichtig - toll/fee required
Gefahr- danger überholen - overtake, pass
Gehweg- sidewalk, footpath Umleitung - detour/diversion
gesperrt - closed, blocked (e.g. "Straße gesperrt" = Unberechtigt parkende Fahrzeuge werden
"road closed") kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt - Improperly parked
Glatteis - "black ice" vehicles will be towed at their owner's expense
grüne Welle bei 60 km/h - all green signals ("green Unfall - accident
wave") at 60 km/h
Gülletransport frei - slurry transport exempt verboten - prohibited
Verkehr - traffic
Verkehrshelfer - school crossing guard
h - o'clock (e.g. "8-16 h" = "8am - 4pm") Vermessung - survey crew
Hafengebiet; Schienenfahrzeuge haben Vorrang - verschmutzte Fahrbahn - dirt/mud on road
harbor area; rail vehicles have right-of-way versetzt fahren - drive in a stagger formation
Haltebucht - wayside/stopping area Verkehrsführung geändert - traffic pattern has been
Haltestelle - bus/tram stop changed
Haltverbot - stopping prohibited Vorfahrt - right-of-way/priority
hier gilt die StVO - official traffic laws are in effect here Vorfahrt geändert - right-of-way has been changed
(often posted at private parking lots) Vorfahrtstraße - priority road
hier gilt rechts vor links - standard right-of-way (right Vorrang - right-of-way/priority
before left) applies here (posted at entrance to Vorrang beachten - give the right-of-way
private roads) Vorsicht - caution
Hochwasser - high water
Wasserschutzgebiet - water protection area
Im gesamten Ortsbereich - in the entire town Weg - way, lane
Industriegebiet; Schienenfahrzeuge haben Vorrang Wendeplatte - turnaround bay
- industrial area; rail vehicles have right-of-way Werktags - workdays
Widerrechtlich geparkte Fahrzeuge werden
kein/keine - no (e.g. "Keine Mofas" = "no mopeds") kostenpflichtig abgeschleppt - illegally parked
keine Wendemöglichkeit - no place to turn around vehicles will be towed at owner's expense
(i.e. on dead-end street) Wildtollwut - rabies (used on signs to warn of a rabies
Kfz. - motor vehicle outbreak area)
Krankenfahrzeuge frei - ambulances exempt Winterdienst - snow removal service
Krankenhaus - hospital
Kreuzung - intersection Zentrum - downtown/city center
Kreuzung freihalten - keep intersection clear Zufahrt - access
Krötenwanderung - frog crossing Zufahrt bis XX frei - access permitted as far as XX
Kuppe - blind hill (house number or other location)
Zuflussregelung - Ramp metered (i.e. traffic signal on
Ladezone - loading zone entrance ramp)
Landwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei - agricultural
vehicles exempt
Land- und forstwirtschaftlicher Verkehr frei -
agricultural and forestry vehicles exempt
Langsam fahren - drive slowly
Lärmschutz - noise prevention

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Licht! - turn on your headlights (when entering a
tunnel)
Licht? - turn off your headlights (when coming out of a
tunnel)
Licht ausschalten - turn off headlights
Licht einschalten - turn on headlights
Lieferverkehr frei - delivery vehicles exempt
Linienverkehr frei - scheduled transit vehicles exempt
Linksabbieger - left-turning traffic
Lkw. - truck

SIGNALS
Traffic signals in Germany are the same red-yellow-green type found in the US and elsewhere. Signals are usually
located on same side of the intersection as the approaching traffic and are often mounted overhead as well as on
the right and left sides of the road. Signals generally operate the same as most other places, but there are a few
idiosyncrasies. Below are illustrations and descriptions of various signals and related signs that you will come
across in Germany. Items marked with are especially important for US visitors.

Typical German traffic signals

Traffic signals in Germany use the same red, yellow, and green lights found in the US and elsewhere.
Red, of course, means STOP. Green means PROCEED with caution, and yellow means PREPARE
TO STOP. In Germany, however, an extra indication is added: just before the light changes from red
to green, the yellow signal comes on briefly in conjunction with the red. This means PREPARE FOR
GREEN and is helpful if you are driving a manual transmission to give you a bit of warning to get into
gear. Figure 1 (left) shows the signal cycle.
Figure 1

Some locations have partial signals consisting of just the red and yellow lamps as shown in Figure 2
(right). These function just like regular traffic signals minus the green indication. So, when the green
light would normally be on, there is instead no signal. If you come upon one of these signals showing
yellow or red, obey it like you would any traffic signal. Otherwise, ignore the signal and obey any
other signs or signals, or in the absence of such, use the default right-of-way rules. These types of
Figure 2
signals are usually located at railway crossings.

Intersections in Germany often have signals controlling each permitted direction of travel,
such as the examples in Figure 3 (left). If a signal at an intersection has an arrow for the
direction you want to travel, you must obey it. If you don't see a signal with an arrow for the
direction you want to go, then traveling that direction may not be permitted; be sure to look for
signs. A full green signal without any arrows (like in Figure 1 above) usually means you may
travel straight ahead or make a right or left turn unless otherwise prohibited by signs.
Figure 3

In the case of left turns, the signal shown in Figure 4 (right) indicates a protected left turn.

Figure 4

When the right-of-way for left turns changes from permitted to protected (or vice-versa), a different style of
signal is used. In this case, the left turn signal is located across the intersection on the left corner. There are two
varieties in use: a green-yellow combination, or a single green signal. The combination signal consists of a flashing
yellow arrow (Figure 5 below) or a solid green arrow (Figure 6). The yellow flashing arrow shown in Figure 5

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indicates a left turn is permitted but not protected-- use caution and yield to oncoming traffic. When the green
arrow is on, as shown in Figure 6, then the turn is protected. In some cases, there is only the single green arrow
signal (i.e. no flashing yellow arrow.) Just as in the other cases, the green arrow indicates a protected left turn. If
the arrow is off, then obey the signals for through traffic and yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.

Figure 5 Figure 6

Always watch for and yield to pedestrians and cyclists when turning left or right. Sometimes
there will be a flashing yellow signal like the one shown in Figure 7 (left) adjacent to the other
signals warning you that pedestrians crossing the intersecting street also have a green light.

Figure 7

Right turns on red are not universally permitted in Germany. However, such a turn is
permitted at intersections with the green arrow sign shown in Figure 8 (right) but only after
coming to a complete stop and yielding to all other traffic and pedestrians. This is the only
traffic law retained from the former East Germany and thus is still somewhat rarely found in
the western states, although it is now being implemented more in many areas.
Figure 8

Many intersections have special right turn signals. These two-section signals consist of green and yellow arrows
and are used to allow traffic to make a free right turn while the signal for through traffic is red. So, if you
encountered the signals in Figure 9 (below) and you wanted to turn right, you could do so without having to stop.
The cycles for these can vary depending on the phasing for the signals at the intersection; the two most common
cycles are shown in Figure 10. When the right turn signal is dark, you must obey the signals for through traffic.

Figure 9 Figure 10

A flashing yellow signal or a traffic signal that is completely dark indicates that the intersection is currently not
being controlled by the signals. Most traffic signals in Germany are switched off at night and sometimes on
weekends as well. Also, some pedestrian crossing signals turn themselves off after a period of inactivity. To
provide for traffic control in this situation, nearly all traffic signals also have right-of-way signs installed nearby,
usually near the rightmost signal face. Motorists must obey the signs when the signal is off or flashing. So, if you
encountered Figure 11 (below), you would have to yield. If you encountered Figure 12, you would have the right-
of-way. The signs also provide regulation in the rare event of signal malfunction. Where used, a flashing yellow
almost always indicates that you must yield or stop. However, you may have to stop or yield even if there is no
flashing yellow-- watch for the signs. There is no flashing red signal in Germany. When the signals are off and you
are required to stop, you do not need to stop at the stop line or sign; instead, you should stop at a location where
you can safely see the traffic on the intersecting street.

Figure 11 Figure 12

When the traffic signals are in operation, the signal takes precedence over the sign. Therefore, if you
encountered Figure 13 (below), you would have to stop. In Figure 14, you could proceed without stopping.

Figure 13 Figure 14

Lane control signals are used in areas where reversible lanes are used, or in areas where lanes may need to be
closed periodically. They are also used in conjunction with the electronic sign systems found on the Autobahn and
urban expressways to close lanes after accidents and during road work. They are the same standard arrow and X
symbols used in many other countries:

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Lane open Lane closed ahead Lane closed

Merge in the direction indicated You may not drive in this lane

ROAD MARKINGS

Road pavement markings in Germany are generally similar to those in the US. Unlike the US, however, all regular
road markings in Germany are white, including those used to separate opposing traffic. Yellow road markings are
used in construction areas and supersede the regular white markings. Below are diagrams and descriptions of
most of the road markings you will encounter in Germany. The light blue numbers on the diagrams correspond to
the explanations.

Stop line
1 You must stop behind the thick solid line across your lane.
Wait line
2 A thick broken line across your lane is the equivalent to a yield sign (and is often used in conjunction with
it.) If necessary, you must wait behind the broken line across your lane.
Priority road
3 A broken line passing through an intersection along the edge of one of the roadways indicates the path of
the priority road.
Pedestrian crosswalk
4 Zebra-striped markings across the roadway mark a pedestrian crosswalk. You must yield the right-of-way to
pedestrians in the crosswalk.
No stopping/parking zone
5 Zig-zag lines next to the curb mark a specific area (often near a near a bus stop or driveway) where you
may not stop or park.
Numbers
6 Numbers on the pavement in your lane usually indicate the speed limit. Often used during sudden drops in
the speed limit for safety reasons.
Letters and numbers
A combination of letters and numbers on the pavement usually indicate route numbers. These are
7 frequently used at complicated intersections to guide motorists into the correct lane. For instance, a marking
such as "B27" indicates that the lane you are in follows the B27 highway.
Intersection arrows
8 Arrows on the pavement in your lane indicate which turns are allowed from your lane.
Restricted zone
9 You may not drive in an area with diagonal lines.

No passing in one direction

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10 You may pass only if you have a broken line on your side; you may not cross a solid line on your side to
pass.

11 No passing
You may not cross the solid center line to pass.
Merge arrow
12 An arrow slanting toward the right in the center of the roadway warns passing traffic to merge to the right as
a no passing zone is approaching.

13 Lane separation line

Short broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate that the passing zone is ending.
Lane separation line
14 Long broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate passing is allowed (unless prohibited by a sign).
This marking is also used to separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction.

Edge marking
15 A solid line along the side of the roadway marks the edge of the roadway or separates the travel lanes from
the shoulder.

16 Lane separators
Long broken lines separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction.
Acceleration/deceleration lane
17 Short, thick broken white lines separate a deceleration (exit) lane or acceleration (entrance) lane from the
main traffic lanes.

18 Restricted zone
You may not drive in an area with diagonal lines.

Colored curb markings are not used in Germany. Head-in and parallel parking lines are obvious and similar to
those used in the US.

On streets not signed as one-way, here are the default lane assignments based on the number of marked lanes on
the street:

2 lanes: The left lane is for oncoming traffic; the right lane is for traffic moving in your direction.

3 lanes: The center lane is reserved for left turns only. You may not pass. The far left lane is for oncoming
traffic; the far right lane is for traffic moving in your direction.

4 lanes: The left two lanes are for oncoming traffic; the right two lanes are for traffic moving in your
direction. These are usually separated by a single or double solid white line. Even if separated by a broken
white line, you may not cross the center line to pass.

5 lanes: Same as 4 lanes except that center lane is for left turns only. (Very rare.)

Odd lane arrangements or assignments are usually marked fairly obviously, either by arrows on the road surface
and/or by signs.

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