European traffic signs present relevant differences between countries despite an apparent uniformity and standardisation. Most European countries refer to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The convention has been adopted by the following countries (including acceding states): Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,[1] Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The convention has not been adopted by Ireland, Iceland or Malta.
Differences between European traffic signs
The main differences relate to
- Graphic design details
- Local regulatory significance
- The colour-coding of directional signs
- Local language texts (sometimes bilingual)
- The meaning and colour-coding of horizontal road surface markings
Graphic differences
- Warning signs in Ireland are yellow and diamond-shaped (as in the Americas, Australasia, and some east Asian countries), and thus differ from the white or yellow, red-bordered, triangular signs found in the rest of Europe
- The design of individual pictograms (tunnel, pedestrian, car, etc.), while broadly similar, often varies in detail from country to country
- Type of arrows may be different
- Fonts of written words
Differences of directional and informatory signage
The colour, shape, text style (bold, capitals etc.), or even an additional sign (pictogram, route number, etc.) of the signage give information about the road class of the indicated route.
Country | Motorways
(Controlled-access highway |
Expressways
(Limited-access road |
Primary routes | Secondary routes | Regional destinations | Local destinations | Tourist signs | Temporary Detour | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Outside urban area | |||||||||
Albania | PRISHTINE | SHKODER | KUDHES | n/a | n/a | Plazhi i Zaroshkes | |||
Armenia | ՍԵՎԱՆ SEVAN |
ՉԱՐԵՆՑԱՎԱՆ CHARENTSAVAN |
n/a | ՀՅՈՒՐ. ԱՆԻ ՊԼԱԶԱ HOTEL ANI PLAZA |
ՎԱՅՈՑ ՁՈՐ VAYOTS DZOR |
||||
Austria | Salzburg | Wien | Villach | n/a | Salzkammergut[c 1] | Umleitung | |||
Belarus | МІНСК | ГОМЕЛЬ | НАВАГРУДАК | n/a | вул. ФІЛІМОНАВА | КАСЦЁЛ СВЯТОГА МІХАІЛА | аб'езд | ||
Belgium | Brussel | Kortrijk Courtrai |
Gent Gand |
n/a | n/a | Centrum Centre Zentrum |
Atomium | Wegomlegging Déviation Umleitung | |
Bruxelles [c 2] | |||||||||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevo Сарајево |
Banja Luka Бања Лука |
Mostar Мостар |
n/a | n/a | Centar Центар |
Međugorje | Obilazak Обилазница | |
Bulgaria | Ямбол Yambol |
Русе Ruse |
Павликени Pavlikeni |
n/a | n/a | Център Centre |
Етър Etar |
Варна Varna | |
Croatia | Zagreb | Bjelovar | Vukovar | n/a | n/a | Centar | Plitvička jezera | Obilazak | |
Zračna luka[c 3] | |||||||||
Czech Republic | BRNO | PRAHA | VYŠKOV | n/a | SLOVANY | Letiště | Hrad Bouzov | PRAHA | |
Denmark | Aarhus | n/a | Skanderborg[c 4] | n/a | Stadion | Himmelbjerget | Nakskov | ||
Estonia | Tallinn | n/a | Toompea | n/a | n/a' | Pirita klooster | ÜMBERSÕIT | ||
Finland | HELSINKI HELSINGFORS |
LAPPEENRANTA | PORVOO BORGÅ |
n/a | KYMINLINNA | Kirjasto | Hiidenkivi | TURKU | |
France | PARIS | MARSEILLE | BEAUVAIS[c 5] | TOULON | LA CHAPPELLE | n/a | Gare S.N.C.F. | PARC NATUREL | Déviation |
Germany | Hamburg | Freiburg[c 6] | Lübeck | n/a | Bahnhof | Burg Eltz | Umleitung | ||
Greece | Θεσσαλονίκη Thessaloniki |
Πάτρα Patra |
Αθήνα Athina |
n/a | n/a | Κέντρο Centre |
Ακρόπολη Akropolis |
Εύοσμος Evosmos | |
Hungary | Budapest | Vác | Gyöngyös | n/a | n/a | ◉ Centrum | Vár | Gödöllő | |
Iceland | n/a | n/a | Akureyri | n/a | Garðabær | Flugstöð | n/a | Hjáleið | |
Ireland | Áth Cliath DUBLIN |
n/a | Tulach Mhór TULLAMORE[c 7] |
Seantrabh SANTRY[c 8] |
n/a | An Lár CITY CENTRE |
An Bhóireann THE BURREN |
Cúrsa Timpill DETOUR | |
Italy | VENEZIA | UDINE | BORGOSOLE | n/a | n/a | aeroporto | Colfosco | deviazione | |
Liechtenstein | St. Gallen | Chur | Schaan | Vaduz | n/a | Bahnhof | Burg | Umleitung | |
Lithuania | KLAIPĖDA | KAUNAS | VILNIUS | n/a | CENTRAS | Kernavės archeologinė vietovė | Apylanka | ||
Montenegro | Podgorica | Bar | Herceg Novi | n/a | n/a | Centar | Skadarsko Jezero | Obilazak | |
Netherlands | A 44 Amsterdam | Den Haag | Arnhem N 50 | n/a | Centrum | Nationaal Park | OMLEIDING Volg A[c 9] | ||
Norway | Nannestad | Lillestrøm | Trondheim | n/a | Sykehus | Kvitsand | |||
Poland | Wrocław | Poznań | Opole | n/a | Stacja | Kraków | Objazd | ||
Portugal | Lisboa | n/a | Portalegre | Póvoa de Varzim | ALGARVE[c 10] | centro | castelo | Desvio | |
Romania | București | Craiova | Pitești | n/a | n/a | Centru | Castelul Bran | Ocolire | |
Russia | БЕЛГОРОД | МОСКВА | ОРЛОВО | n/a | ЛИПЕЦК | ул. Арбат | музей-усадьба Н. К. РЕРИХА | объезд | |
Serbia | Београд Beograd |
Крагујевац Kragujevac |
Зрењанин Zrenjanin |
n/a | n/a | Центар Centar |
Студеница Studenica |
Обилазак Obilazak | |
Slovakia | Košice | Nitra | Bratislava | Centrum | Hrad | obchádzka | |||
Slovenia | Maribor | Nova Gorica | Medvode | n/a | n/a | Center | Postojnska jama | Obvoz | |
Spain | Villalba[c 11] | Córdoba[c 12] | Oviedo / Uviéu[c 13] | PINTO[c 14] | BADAJOZ | n/a | centro | Navacerrada | DESVÍO |
Sweden | GÖTEBORG | STOCKHOLM | FALUN | n/a | NORRMALM | Vårdcentral | Långe Erik | ||
Switzerland | Basel | Chiasso | Moudon | Ftan | n/a | Gare CFF | Castello | Umleitung Déviation Deviazione | |
Turkey | İstanbul | n/a | Ankara | n/a | n/a | Şehir Merkezi | Dara Antik Kenti | ||
Ukraine | Київ Kyiv |
Жашків Zhashkiv |
Рудня Rudnia |
n/a | n/a | ◉ Центр | Борисоглібська церква | об'їзд detour | |
United Kingdom | Nottingham M1 | n/a[c 15] | A' Chrìon-Làraich Crianlarich A82 |
Aylesbury | The NORTH[c 16] | Village Hall | Thorpe Park | Diversion |
- ↑ Used to indicate locations like regions, city centres, city districts and tourist locations. In reality, there is no clearcut and consistent usage of the white on green signs; for city centres and city districts, black on white signals are often preferred if the roads leading to them are primary roads.
- ↑ The directional signs to motorways are white on green, whereas the directional signs on motorways are white on blue. Compare sign F31 of the Belgian Road Code in green (a directional sign to a motorway, but not on a motorway) with the other directional signs in blue (especially F15, F25, F27 and F29, all of which are also used in blue on motorways): "Code de la route - Article 71. Signaux d'indication (F1-F31)". Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ↑ Used for services and objects like stations, hospitals etc. See: Pravilnik o turističkoj i ostaloj signalizaciji na cestama. Retrieved on 2022-08-07.
- ↑ Directional signs that are mounted overhead on multi-lane primary roads are white on blue.
- ↑ Used to indicate specific directions
- ↑ German traffic law does not know the category of "expressways", but there are certain roads commonly referred to as "autobahnähnliche Straßen" ("roads similar to motorways") which, while not being "motorways" in a legal sense, have a very similar profile to motorways. The signs on such roads are not white on blue (like on motorways), but normally black on yellow like on most other primary roads and, in exceptional cases, black on white like on local roads.
- ↑ National primary & secondary roads. Route numbers are written in yellow.
- ↑ Regional & local roads
- ↑ On non-motorways only
- ↑ Regional destinations and cardinal directions are written fully in uppercase (e.g. "ALGARVE" or "NORTE"), with the text and background colors being accordingly with the type of road
- ↑ Next to AUTOPISTA also used for AUTOVÍA and AUTOBIA
- ↑ Vía reservada para automóviles
- ↑ vía rápida
- ↑ carretera convencional
- ↑ There is no expressway class of road in the UK
- ↑ Regional destinations consist of upper case cardinal destinations and regions (e.g. "The NORTH" or "The SOUTH WEST") and are only used on motorway and primary road signs
Differences in meanings
- Sometimes similar signs have minor differences in meanings, following the local traffic codes. For example, the Irish "rural speed limit" sign for local tertiary roads takes the appearance of that used to denote the end of all previously signed restrictions used elsewhere in Europe. However this sign, which is always accompanied with a "SLOW" supplementary plate, actually indicates a speed limit of 80 km/h.[2]
- All European countries use the metric system (distances in kilometres or metres; speeds in kilometres per hour; heights, widths and lengths in metres; weights in tonnes) with the exception of the United Kingdom, where distances and speeds are still indicated in imperial measurements (miles or yards and miles per hour). Since 2016, on width and height limit signs both metric and imperial measurements are used (metres and feet & inches), however older signs still show imperial-only measurements . Weight limits have been expressed in metric tonnes since 1981, but signs continued to use an upper case "T" until 2011.
Road surface markings
- Longitudinal lines (lanes and margins) and symbols on the carriageway are always white (but in Norway a yellow line separates two-way traffic and in Ireland edge lines are yellow). Temporary markings are yellow in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, but red/orange in Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Russia, and white in the United Kingdom.
- A stop line is always represented by a white thick traversal continuous line, but a give way line may be represented by a white thick dashed line as rectangles (Germany, France, Spain) or by a double-dashed line (United Kingdom) or by a white line of triangles (Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland). In Ireland, give way markings are represented by a single dashed line; on one way streets and entrances to roundabouts it is instead represented by a combination of a single solid line and a single dashed line.
- A disc (time-limited) parking place is identified by white lines in Germany and by blue lines in Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Switzerland. A chargeable parking place is identified by white lines in Germany, France, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, and Switzerland and by blue lines in Italy, Spain and Russia. A parking place reserved for disabled people is bordered in white in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom; in yellow in Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland; and in blue in France. Other reserved parking places (bus, taxis) are bordered with yellow lines in Italy, Liechtenstein, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, but with white lines in Germany.
- The prohibition of roadside parking can be indicated by a yellow continuous line (Spain, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom), by a yellow dashed line (Austria,[3] the Netherlands and France), by a yellow dashed line with X's (Liechtenstein and Switzerland), a white continuous line (Italy), or else by black-and-white (the Netherlands) or a black-and-yellow (the Netherlands and Italy) kerb markings. Only in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland does a double yellow line (as well as a white zig-zag line in the vicinity of pedestrian crossings) mean "no parking at any time".
- The prohibition of stopping / waiting can be indicated by a yellow continuous line (Austria, the Netherlands, France, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Russia), and in (certain cities of) the United Kingdom by a red continuous line (with double red lines extending the meaning to "no stopping at any time). In the United Kingdom, a yellow zig-zag line near hospitals, police stations, and schools means "no stopping".
Different typefaces in texts
- Åland uses the Swedish Tratex typeface. It formerly used the Finnish typeface in mixture with Tratex.
- Albania, Italy and San Marino use the Alfabeto normale typeface (with the narrow variant Alfabeto stretto), a heavier version of the British Transport typeface.
- Andorra officially uses the Swiss 721 (Bold Condensed) typeface, which is identical to Helvetica. However, some signs use the Caractères and Carretera Convencional / Traffic Type Spain D typefaces.
- Austria and Slovakia use the Tern typeface. In the past, Austria used the Austria Mittelschrift and Engschrift typefaces until 2010. Slovakia used the Universal Grotesk typeface from Czechoslovakia era until 2014.
- Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cyprus, Greece, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine use the Arial Bold and/or Helvetica Bold typefaces in mixture with other official typefaces.
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine use typefaces based on one specified in a Soviet standard ГОСТ 10807–78 (no longer valid in Russia since January 1, 2006).[4][5] In Belarus, the according standard is СТБ 1140–2013 (formerly СТБ 1140–99).[6] In Ukraine, it is ДСТУ 4100–2002. In Russia, it is ГОСТ Р 52290–2004.[7]
- Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia use the SNV typeface. Liechtenstein and Switzerland used this typeface until 2003.
- Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, and the United Kingdom use the Transport typeface. An oblique variant of Transport is used in Ireland for Irish text.
- Motorway typeface is used for route numbers on United Kingdom and Ireland motorways, and for exit and route numbers in Portugal.
- Denmark uses the Dansk Vejtavleskrift typeface. The typeface is derived from the British Transport typeface.
- Estonia uses the Arial Narrow Bold typeface.
- Finland uses a typeface developed in the 1960s by the former national board of roads and waterways.[10]
- France uses the Caractères typeface.
- Germany, Czech Republic and Latvia use the DIN 1451 typeface.
- Greece uses a modified version of the British Transport typeface on most regular roads; motorway signs use a modified version of DIN 1451.
- Hungary does not use a defined typeface as the letters are defined one-by-one in the national regulation. The typeface resembles the DIN 1451 typeface closely.[11]
- Luxembourg uses Helvetica (Bold), Caractères L4 (italic), DIN 1451, and the SNV typefaces, often inconsistently.
- The Netherlands uses typefaces derived from FHWA typeface: ANWB/RWS Cc (narrow), Dd (medium) and Ee (wide).
- Norway uses the Trafikkalfabetet typeface.
- Poland does not use a defined typeface as the letters are defined one-by-one in the national regulation.[12] There are three typefaces resembling the defined one, with two of them distributed as non-commercial freeware – Drogowskaz and Tablica drogowa typefaces. The third one, fully compliant with the regulation is available only for road signs making companies.
- Spain used two typefaces in the past: Autopista (derived from FHWA series E modified) for motorways and Carretera Convencional (also known as CCRIGE or Traffic Type Spain D)[13] for other situations. The typeface Carretera Convencional is derived from the British Transport typeface, and is almost identical to the Italian Alfabeto Normale. Since 2014, all new signs use Carretera Convencional regardless of the status of the road.
- Sweden uses the Tratex typeface.
- Switzerland and Liechtenstein use the ASTRA-Frutiger typeface since 2003.
- Turkey uses two typefaces derived from the FHWA typeface. O-Serisi is used for motorways and E-Serisi is used for all other roads.
In Albania, Andorra, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Monaco, Russia, San Marino, Sweden, and Ukraine, destinations on direction signs are written in capital letters. In Ireland, they are written in all-capital letters in English and in mixed-case letters in Irish. In Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein. Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland both capital and lowercase are used. In Spain, destinations reached by motorway are written in capital and lowercase, while those reached by other roads are written in capital letters. In the United Kingdom and Portugal, regional destinations names and cardinal directions are written in capital letters, while the remaining destinations names are written in capital and lowercase.
Table of traffic signs comparison
Priority
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Give way | or |
or |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Priority road | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of priority road | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Give way to oncoming traffic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Priority over oncoming traffic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stop ahead | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Give way ahead | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Warning
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Curve | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series of curves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crossroads (with priority to the right) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crossroads (with a minor road) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roundabout | or [note 1] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traffic signals | or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two-way traffic | or |
or |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traffic queues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steep ascent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steep descent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
Pedestrian crossing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pedestrians | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cyclists | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domesticated animals | or |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wild animals | or or |
or or |
or or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Road narrows | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Uneven surface | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bump | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dip | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
Slippery surface | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loose surface material | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soft or low verges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ice or snow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fog | [note 2] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Falling rocks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crosswinds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unprotected body of water | or |
or | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening bridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tunnel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
Low-flying aircraft | or |
or |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level crossing with barriers ahead | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level crossing without barriers ahead | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level crossing (single track) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level crossing (multiple tracks) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roadworks | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other danger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Prohibitory
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No entry | or [note 3] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No motor vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No motor vehicles except motorcycles without sidecar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No motorcycles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No mopeds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No pedal cycles | [note 4] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No heavy goods vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No buses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No vehicles pulling a trailer | or |
(caravans) |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or |
or or |
or |
(caravans) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
No agricultual vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No animal-drawn vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No vehicles carrying explosives or inflammables | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No vehicles carrying water pollutants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Width limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length limit | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight limit per axle | [note 5] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
No stopping | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No parking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted parking zone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No overtaking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No overtaking by heavy goods vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No right turn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No left turn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No U-turn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum following distance between vehicles | or |
(only on motorways) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No honking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
No pedestrians | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Speed limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Speed limit zone | or |
or |
(school zone) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France and Monaco | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain and Andorra | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Mandatory
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Go straight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turn right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Go straight or turn right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Turn left or right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roundabout | [note 6] |
[note 6] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keep left / Keep right | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May pass on either side | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route for vehicles carrying dangerous goods | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minimum speed limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
Footpath | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cycle path | [note 4] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shared pedestrian and cycle path | [note 4] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segregated pedestrian and cycle path | [note 4] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bridle path | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Special regulations
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One-way traffic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pedestrian crossing | or |
or |
[note 7] |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cycle crossing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bump | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Living street | or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pedestrian zone | or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cycle street | or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bus lane | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tunnel | or [note 8] |
or |
or |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start of expressway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start of motorway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Indication
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No through road | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hospital | or |
or |
or |
[note 9] or [note 10] |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First aid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bus stop | or [note 11] |
or |
Varying design | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxi stand | or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parking | or [note 12] |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parking garage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lane configuration | Varying design | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Escape lane | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Emergency lay-by | or |
or |
or |
or |
or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
Advisory speed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National border | or or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National speed limits | (Italy) (San Marino) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
De-restriction
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
End of speed limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of speed limit zone | or |
(school zone) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of no overtaking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of no overtaking by heavy goods vehicles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of no honking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of all previously signed restrictions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of minimum speed limit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of living street | or |
or |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of expressway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of motorway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
Built-up area limits
Under the Vienna Convention the begin and end built-up area signs imply a change between built-up area and rural traffic rules including speed limit. In many European countries the dark background with light coloured text version of the sign is intended for information only.[14] Poland uses white text on a green background (E-17a/E18a) to show the political boundary of a place as information and uses the black on white pictogram version (D-42/D-43) to designate the change of traffic rules.[15]
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Entrance to built-up area | or or or |
or |
or |
or or |
[note 13] or at traffic calming schemes |
or |
or |
or or |
or |
or |
NOT USED |
or |
or |
or |
Switzerland:[note 14] (main roads) (minor roads) Liechtenstein: (main roads) (minor roads) |
NOT USED | ||||||||||||||||
Leaving built-up area | or or or |
or |
or |
or or |
at traffic calming schemes |
or |
or or |
or |
or |
NOT USED |
or |
or |
or |
Switzerland:[note 15] (main roads) (minor roads) Liechtenstein: (main roads) (minor roads) |
NOT USED | |||||||||||||||||
Entrance to locality | NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
or |
NOT USED |
Varying design | ||||||||||||||
Leaving locality | NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
NOT USED |
Varying design | ||||||||
Austria | Belgium | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy, San Marino, and Vatican City | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Moldova | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland and Liechtenstein | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom |
See also
- Comparison of European traffic laws
- Traffic sign
- Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals
- Traffic signs in post-Soviet states
- Road signs in Armenia
- Road signs in Austria
- Road signs in Azerbaijan
- Road signs in Belarus
- Road signs in Belgium
- Road signs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Road signs in Croatia
- Road signs in the Czech Republic
- Road signs in Denmark
- Road signs in Estonia
- Road signs in Finland
- Road signs in France
- Road signs in Georgia
- Road signs in Germany
- Road signs in Greece
- Road signs in Hungary
- Road signs in Iceland
- Road signs in Ireland
- Road signs in Italy
- Road signs in Lithuania
- Road signs in Malta
- Road signs in Montenegro
- Road signs in the Netherlands
- Road signs in Norway
- Road signs in Poland
- Road signs in Portugal
- Road signs in Russia
- Road signs in Serbia
- Road signs in Sweden
- Road signs in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- Road signs in Turkey
- Road signs in Ukraine
- Road signs in the United Kingdom
Notes
- ↑ For mini-roundabouts
- ↑ Plate below danger sign reads one of either: German: Nebel, French: brouillard, Italian: nebbia
- ↑ Used with an exceptions supplementary plate.
- 1 2 3 4 Also applies to mopeds with a maximum design speed of 25 km/h.
- ↑ Also applies to sets of axles not more than 1 metre apart.
- 1 2 Mini-roundabouts only.
- ↑ Always produced on non-urban roads, in urban settings only, if badly visible; mandatory priority given to pedestrians – always applicable on any pedestrian crossings even without sign.
- ↑ The square tunnel sign is used in advance of and at the entrance of the tunnel. The colour of the tunnel sign containing the tunnel name depends on the classification of the route where it is placed.
- ↑ Indicates hospital with emergency station open 7/24.
- ↑ Means only presence of hospital, rest home, or the like. Is an educated indication to be quiet and to drive carefully.
- ↑ The sign may be rectangular or circular, colours can be varied and the names and logos of bus operators may be added.
- ↑ The circular sign is used to indicate on-street parking, while the square-shaped sign indicates off-street parking.
- ↑ Green for national roads and white for regional and local roads.
- ↑ The presence of an entry sign of a town or village is often accompanied with a speed limit; normally the generally valid speed limit of 50 km/h. Sign no. 2.30.1
- ↑ The name above the horizontal line is the name of the next village or town (not the name of the current place), the name(s) below the line mention the next major settlement(s), and optionally, the distance to them.
Sources
- European Standard for Traffic Signs - EN 12899-1:2001 Fixed, Vertical Road Traffic Signs – Part 1: Fixed Signs, Requirements
References
- ↑ Erkut Kırmızıoğlu (2010). Analysis of comprehension of traffic signs: a pilot study in Ankara, Turkey (Master of Science thesis). Middle East Technical University. hdl:11511/20158.
- ↑ "The rural speed limit sign" (PDF). Department of Transport.
- ↑ "Halte- und Parkverbot". Fahrschule Fürböck (in German). Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ↑ "Межгосударственный стандарт ГОСТ 10807-78 "Знаки дорожные. Общие технические условия" (утв. постановлением Госстандарта СССР 30.08.1978 N 2401) (с изменениями и дополнениями) (не действует) | ГАРАНТ". base.garant.ru. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ "Скачать ГОСТ 10807-78 Знаки дорожные. Общие технические условия". meganorm.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ↑ "СТБ 1140-2013 Технические средства организации дорожного движения. Знаки дорожные. Общие технические условия" (PDF). meganorm.ru (in Russian and Belarusian). Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ↑ "ГОСТ Р 52290-2004 Технические средства организации дорожного движения. Знаки дорожные. Общие технические требования (с Поправками, с Изменениями N 1, 2, 3)". docs.cntd.ru. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ↑ Bovtko, Sergiy (11 June 2020). "Нові дорожні знаки. Навіщо вони з'явилися і що буде далі?" (in Ukrainian). Auto RIA. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ↑ "ДСТУ 4100:2021 Безпека дорожнього руху" (PDF). zakon.isu.net.ua (in Ukrainian). 14 September 2022.
- ↑ Österman, Tuomas; Miettinen, Saija; Ronkainen, Kaisa (2005). "Opastusmerkkien luettavuus" [Readability of guidance signs] (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Tiehallinto. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ↑ Útügyi műszaki előírás, e-ÚT 04.02.12.
- ↑ Obwieszczenie Ministra Infrastruktury z dnia 9 września 2019 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu rozporządzenia Ministra Infrastruktury w sprawie szczegółowych warunków technicznych dla znaków i sygnałów drogowych oraz urządzeń bezpieczeństwa ruchu drogowego i warunków ich umieszczania na drogach [Announcement of the Minister of Infrastructure of 9 September 2019 on the publication of the uniform text of the Minister of Infrastructure regulation on detailed technical conditions for road signs and signals as well as road safety devices and conditions for their placement on roads], Dz. U. z 2019 r. poz. 2311
- ↑ "Traffic Type Spain D". Myfonts.com. 22 February 1999. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
- ↑ "Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals - unece" (PDF). United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ↑ "Rozporządzenie Ministrów Infrastruktury oraz Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji z dnia 31 lipca 2002 r. w sprawie znaków i sygnałów drogowych". Polish Parliament. Retrieved 12 July 2018.