Police signalsGermany
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.
118. Police signals
Police signals are hand gestures, body positions, lights or other signals used by police officers or other authorised persons to control traffic. They may require road users to stop, proceed, change direction or follow another temporary traffic arrangement.
Road users should observe and obey police signals even when they differ from the normal traffic signs or signals. The exact gestures and their meanings vary between countries.
Wikimedia.org • Video2005 • CC BY-SA
What does a German police officer raising one arm at a junction mean?
A raised arm means traffic approaching the junction must wait for the next signal; road users already in the junction should clear it. Officers’ directions take precedence over other traffic controls but do not remove the duty to drive carefully.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO section36 — police directions and signals
What does a police officer holding an arm sideways mean in Germany?
At an intersection, an officer extending an arm sideways across a traffic approach orders that approach to stop, while cross traffic may proceed. Follow the officer’s actual gesture rather than guessing from traffic-light colours.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO section36 — police directions and signals

Traffic rules
Germany