Vorfahrtstraße
You are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you at every junction.
What to do: Carry on, but watch for drivers who fail to give way. Outside towns you may not park on the carriageway. Priority lasts until the end sign, a give way sign or a stop sign.
Ende der Vorfahrtstraße
Your priority ends. Priority to the right applies at the next junction without signs.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to give way to traffic from the right.
Kreuzung oder Einmündung mit Vorfahrt von rechts
At the next junction, traffic from the right has priority.
What to do: Slow down and give way to vehicles coming from your right.
Vorfahrt
You have priority at the next junction only.
What to do: You may go first at the next junction. After it, the normal rules apply again.
Vorfahrt gewähren.
Give way to traffic on the road you are entering.
What to do: Slow down, be ready to stop and go only when the way is clear.
Halt. Vorfahrt gewähren.
Stop and give way to traffic on the road you are entering.
What to do: Stop completely at the stop line, or where you can see the other road if there is no line. Then give way.
Grünpfeil
You may turn right while the light is red, after stopping.
What to do: Stop completely, then turn right only from the right-hand lane when no pedestrian, cyclist or other traffic is affected.
Kreisverkehr
Roundabout. When it stands with a give way sign, traffic already on the roundabout has priority.
What to do: Give way to traffic on the roundabout. Do not signal as you enter. Signal right before you exit.
Verbot der Einfahrt
No entry for vehicles from this direction.
What to do: Do not enter.
Einbahnstraße
One-way street in the direction of the arrow.
What to do: Drive only in the direction of the arrow. You may park on either side.
Ortstafel
You are entering a built-up area. The 50 km/h limit starts at this sign, with no speed sign needed.
What to do: Be at 50 km/h or less by the sign.
Ortstafel (Rückseite)
You are leaving the built-up area. The 50 km/h urban limit ends.
What to do: The rural limit of 100 km/h applies unless a sign says otherwise.
Tempo 30-Zone
A 30 km/h limit applies on every street in the zone until the end-of-zone sign.
What to do: Keep to 30 km/h or less throughout the area.
Ende sämtlicher streckenbezogener Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkungen und Überholverbote
All signposted speed limits and overtaking bans on this stretch end.
What to do: The general limits apply again. On the Autobahn this means no limit for cars, with 130 km/h advised.
Autobahn
Autobahn rules start here.
What to do: Only vehicles that can exceed 60 km/h may use it. No stopping, turning or reversing. Keep right except to overtake.
Kraftfahrstraße
Motor road rules start here.
What to do: Only vehicles that can exceed 60 km/h may use it. No stopping, turning or reversing. Join and leave only at junctions.
Andreaskreuz
Railway crossing. Trains have priority.
What to do: Stop before the cross when a train is coming, lights flash red or barriers are lowering.
Umweltzone
Low emission zone. Only vehicles displaying a sticker of a colour shown on the plate may enter. All current zones admit only the green sticker.
What to do: Enter only if your car has the green sticker on the windscreen.
Absolutes Haltverbot
No stopping on the carriageway on this side of the road.
What to do: Do not stop, even briefly, until the next junction or the end of the restriction.
Eingeschränktes Haltverbot
No parking on this side of the road. Stopping is allowed for up to 3 minutes, or to let people in or out or to load.
What to do: Do not leave the car.
Parken
Parking is allowed. A plate below may limit the time or require a ticket or a parking disc.
What to do: Read any plate below the sign before you leave the car.
Verkehrsberuhigter Bereich
Pedestrians may use the whole street and children may play anywhere. Vehicles must travel at walking pace.
What to do: Drive at walking pace, give way to pedestrians and park only in marked bays.
Fahrradstraße
The street is for cyclists. Other vehicles may use it only if a plate below allows them, and then at 30 km/h or less.
What to do: Stay out unless a plate allows cars. If allowed, keep to 30 km/h and do not push past cyclists, who may ride side by side.
Fußgängerzone
Pedestrian zone. No vehicles unless a plate below allows them.
What to do: Do not drive in unless a plate allows your vehicle, and then only at walking pace.
Stau
Queuing traffic ahead.
What to do: Slow down. On a fast road you may switch on your hazard lights to warn drivers behind.
Schneeketten vorgeschrieben
Snow chains are compulsory from this point.
What to do: Fit chains before continuing and keep to 50 km/h or less.
| On the sign | Means |
|---|---|
| Vorfahrt gewähren | Give way |
| Vorfahrtstraße | Priority road The yellow diamond sign. |
| Ortstafel | Town sign The yellow sign at the edge of a town. It sets the 50 km/h limit. |
| Tempo 30-Zone | 30 km/h zone |
| Verkehrsberuhigter Bereich | Traffic-calmed area Walking pace. |
| Baustelle | Roadworks |
| Umleitung | Detour |
| Sackgasse | Dead end |
| Einbahnstraße | One-way street |
| Kreisverkehr | Roundabout |
| Bahnübergang | Level crossing |
| Umweltzone | Low emission zone |
| Fußgängerzone | Pedestrian zone |
| Fahrradstraße | Bicycle street |
Drawings follow the official designs described by Germany's road authorities. Real signs vary a little in size and lettering. The full guide to driving in Germany