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Countdown markersFrance

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. 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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
France

65. Countdown markers

Countdown markers are a sequence of roadside signs that indicate that a particular point, such as a motorway exit, junction or railway crossing, is getting closer. They commonly use a decreasing number of bars or other symbols so drivers can judge their progress toward the upcoming location.

The markers are normally positioned at successively shorter distances from the point ahead. Their design, spacing and meaning vary between countries, so drivers should not assume that each bar always represents the same distance.

Countdown markers to a level crossing. Stop and give way 100 metres ahead. (Étrembières, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What do countdown or exit-approach markers mean in France?

French motorway advance direction signs identify approaching exits and interchanges. Read the exit or destination information and any displayed distance, and prepare for the correct lane in good time.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation — IISR5 Articles83-2 and83-6/83-7 advance motorway direction/exit information. Body narrowed to the directly verified advance signs; no unverified fixed countdown-bar distance added.

What should you do if you are too late to take a motorway exit in France?

Continue safely to the next lawful exit or junction. Do not stop, reverse, make a U-turn or cross the median to reach a missed exit. Plan lane changes early and follow any lane-control signals.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • France, Code de la route R421-4,R421-6 and R421-7 — motorway entry/exit, no reversing/U-turns and emergency stopping

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...