Road signs in Germany explained

Road signs in Germany follow the design of that set out in the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

Traffic signs, road markings, installations, and symbols used in Germany are prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation (StVO, de|Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung) and the Traffic Signs Catalog (VzKat, de|Verkehrszeichenkatalog).^{[1] [2] [3]}

Regulation

§§ 39 to 43 of the StVO regulate the effect of traffic signs and installations. Annexes 1 to 3 illustrate most warning, regulatory, and directional signs and annex 4 illustrates the traffic installations. Other traffic signs and installations not specified in the StVO, primarily specific supplementary signs, are published in the VzKat.

The latest version of the VzKat was issued in May 2017 as the annex to the General Administrative Rules for the Road Traffic Regulation (VwV-StVO, de|Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung).^[4]

The StVO, the VwV-StVO and the VzKat are supported by technical rules, mostly published by the (FGSV), especially:

• The Guidelines for Directional Signage outside of Motorways (RWB, de|Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung außerhalb von Autobahnen|link=no)^{[5] [6]}
• The Guidelines for Directional Signage on Motorways (RWBA, de|Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung auf Autobahnen|link=no)^{[7] [8]}
• The Guidelines for Touristic Signage (RtB, de|Richtlinien für die touristische Beschilderung|link=no)^[9]
• The Guidelines for Signage for Detours (RUB, de|Richtlinien für Umleitungsbeschilderungen|link=no)^{[10] [11]}
• The Guidelines for the Marking of Roads (RMS, de|Richtlinien für die Markierung von Straßen|link=no)
• The Guidelines for Traffic Signals (RiLSA, de|Richtlinien für Lichtsignalanlagen|link=no)^{[12] [13]}
• The Guidelines for the Safety of Road Construction Sites (RSA, de|Richtlinien für die verkehrsrechtliche Sicherung von Arbeitsstellen an Straßen|link=no)^[14]

Each sign has an assigned number. The suffix number after the hyphen refers to the variation of the sign; the suffix on signs with variable numbers is the number depicted on the sign (for speed limits, maximum heights, etc.).

The used typeface is the DIN 1451 font.

History

Germany signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signal in 1968,^[15] together with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The adoption of the provisions of both conventions led to the development of a new StVO which entered into force in 1971 in West Germany.^[16]

The first sign with symbols of the current design is Sign 325 (residential street), which has been introduced in 1980.^[17] In 1992 this design has been applied to all road signs of the StVO.^[18]

Obsolete signs

Obsolete signs since 2013

Historic signs

These signs were in use until 1992.

Signs for traffic diversion

Notes and References

1. Web site: Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) § 39 Verkehrszeichen . 18 August 2020 . Federal Ministry of Transport.
2. Web site: VzKat 2017 . DE . 5 July 2020 . 18 August 2020.
3. Web site: German Road Traffic Regulations (Translation) . 15 May 2024 . PDF.
4. Web site: Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (VwV-StVO) . 18 August 2020.
5. Web site: RWB 2000 . 2023-10-11 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . de.
6. Web site: RWB 2000 - Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung außerhalb von Autobahnen . 2023-10-11 . www.verkehrsblatt.de.
7. Web site: RWBA 2000 . 2023-10-11 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . de.
8. Web site: RWBA - Richtlinien für die wegweisende Beschilderung auf Bundesautobahnen . 2023-10-11 . www.verkehrsblatt.de.
9. Web site: RtB . 2023-10-11 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . de.
10. Web site: RUB . 2023-10-11 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . de.
11. Web site: RUB 2021 - Richtlinien für Umleitungsbeschilderungen (RUB) . 2023-10-11 . www.verkehrsblatt.de.
12. Web site: RiLSA. 15 May 2024 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . de.
13. Web site: Guidelines for Traffic Signals . 15 May 2024 . en . PDF.
14. Web site: RSA 21 . www.fgsv-verlag.de . 15 May 2024. |language=de
15. Web site: Convention on Road Signs and Signals . United Nations Treaty Collection . 24 January 2025.
16. Web site: Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) . 24 January 2025.
17. Web site: Verordnung zur Änderung der Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung . 24 January 2025.
18. Web site: Elfte Verordnung zur Änderung der Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung . 24 January 2025.