Traffic signsWorldwide

A ski route is a designated route intended for skiing, such as an alpine or cross-country skiing route.

They may be indicated by coloured markers, skiing symbols, arrows or route numbers. The marking system depends on the country and ski area.

Not necessarily. Many ski-route markers form part of a recreational trail system rather than ordinary road-traffic regulation.

A winter equipment zone is an area where vehicles may be required to use specified winter equipment such as winter tyres or snow chains.

Depending on the country and conditions, requirements may include winter tyres, snow chains or other approved traction equipment.

Not necessarily. Some requirements apply during a fixed seasonal period, while others apply only when snow, ice or particular road conditions are present.

A tourist attraction is a place that visitors travel to because of its cultural, historical, natural, recreational or entertainment value.

Examples include monuments, castles, museums, scenic locations, cultural sites, amusement parks and recreational destinations.

Yes. Many countries use tourist or direction signs to guide travellers toward important attractions and places of interest.

A viewpoint is a designated location that provides visitors with a scenic or notable view of the surrounding landscape.

Viewpoints are commonly found along mountain roads, coastlines, valleys, scenic routes and other areas with notable landscapes.

Yes. Tourist or direction signs may guide travellers toward scenic viewpoints, although the signs and symbols used vary between countries.

An axle weight limit specifies the maximum permitted load carried by an individual axle or axle group. A vehicle exceeding the indicated axle load may not use the restricted road or structure.

No. Total vehicle weight is the combined weight of the entire vehicle and its load, while axle weight is the portion of that weight supported by a particular axle. Both limits may apply at the same time.

They help prevent excessive stress on roads and structures such as bridges. They also ensure that vehicle loads are distributed safely between the axles.

A licence plate is a plate displaying the registration identifier assigned to a vehicle. It allows authorities and other authorised systems to identify the vehicle's registration.

Yes. Licence plate, registration plate and number plate are different terms commonly used for the plate displaying a vehicle's official registration number.

Most motor vehicles used on public roads must display one or more registration plates, but requirements differ for motorcycles, trailers, agricultural vehicles and other special vehicle categories.

This depends on the country and vehicle type. Cars commonly require front and rear plates, while motorcycles and certain other vehicles may require only a rear plate.

Yes. A required registration plate must normally remain clearly visible and readable. It should not be hidden by luggage, dirt, accessories or other objects.

Generally no. Changing the characters, colours, dimensions or appearance of an official plate may make it invalid or illegal. Plates and authorised reproductions must comply with local specifications.

Follow the local reporting and replacement procedure. Many countries require the loss or theft to be reported to the police or vehicle-registration authority before a replacement plate can be issued.

A plate must remain legible and compliant with local requirements. If damage prevents it from being read or makes it invalid, it should be replaced according to the local registration procedure.

Some countries allow motorists to request a personalised registration combination. The available characters, formats and prohibited combinations are determined by the registration authority.

This varies between countries. In some systems the plate remains with the vehicle, while in others it remains associated with the registered holder and may be retained or returned when the vehicle is sold.

A charging station is a location where electric vehicles can be connected to an electricity supply to recharge their batteries. A station may contain one or several individual charging points.

Charging stations are intended for vehicles that can be externally charged, such as battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The exact vehicle categories permitted may be indicated by local signs or operator conditions.

Not necessarily. A space beside a charger may be reserved for electric vehicles or vehicles that are charging. Drivers must check the signs and markings before parking there.

Not where the parking space is officially reserved for electric vehicles. An ordinary parking space located near a charger may be different, so the applicable signs and markings determine who may park there.

This depends on the local traffic and parking rules. Many charging spaces require the vehicle to be connected to the charger, even if the vehicle itself is electric.

Charging may be free or subject to payment. The price and payment method are determined by the charging operator, while separate parking charges may also apply.

Yes. Traffic signs, parking regulations or charging conditions may establish a maximum duration to encourage drivers to move their vehicles and make the charger available to others.

Follow the local parking rules and charging conditions. Some locations require vehicles to leave after charging or impose additional fees or time limits when the charging session has ended.

No. A charging station does not allow a driver to ignore no-parking rules, reserved spaces, time limits or other traffic regulations. The vehicle must still be legally parked.

No. Charging stations can provide different charging powers. Some are intended for longer parking periods, while high-power chargers can recharge compatible vehicles much more quickly.

A general danger warning sign indicates that there is a hazard ahead that is not represented by a more specific warning sign in the local traffic-sign system.

It can be used for unusual or uncommon hazards for which no dedicated warning symbol exists. The nature of the danger may be explained by an additional panel, symbol or message.

Look for a supplementary panel, text or symbol accompanying the warning sign. It may describe the hazard or provide information needed to understand the warning.

Increase your attention, observe the road and surroundings carefully and adapt your speed where necessary so that you can respond safely to the hazard.

Not normally. A warning sign alerts road users to danger rather than establishing a numerical speed limit. A separate speed-limit sign may be provided where a specific maximum speed is required.

It is used when the traffic-sign system does not contain a specific symbol that accurately represents the particular hazard.

Yes. A general warning sign may be used for either a temporary or continuing hazard, depending on local signing rules and the circumstances.

Yes. Depending on the country's traffic-sign system, an additional panel may indicate the distance to the hazard, the length of the dangerous section or other useful information.

No. A danger warning sign does not by itself change the priority rules. Drivers must continue to follow traffic lights, priority signs and the normal right-of-way rules.

Not necessarily. The sign normally warns of a hazard ahead of the sign, and the dangerous situation may extend over a section of road. Supplementary information may indicate its location or length.

Floodwater can reduce grip, hide damage or debris, affect vehicle control and make the actual depth of the water difficult to judge.

Only when it is clearly safe and permitted. If the depth, current or road condition is uncertain, drivers should avoid entering the flooded section and find another route.

Authorities may use warning signs, temporary traffic signs, barriers or road-closure signs to warn drivers or prevent access to a flooded road.

A blind summit is the crest of a hill where the driver's view of the road beyond the summit is restricted.

Vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, bends or obstacles may be hidden beyond the crest, leaving drivers less time to react.

Generally, no when visibility is insufficient. Drivers should avoid entering the path of opposing traffic unless they have a clear view and overtaking is permitted by the applicable traffic rules.

An ADR tunnel category determines which dangerous-goods transports are permitted or prohibited from passing through a particular road tunnel.

Category A has no ADR tunnel restrictions. Categories B, C, D and E impose increasingly extensive restrictions on dangerous goods that could cause consequences such as explosions, toxic releases or major fires.

Normally, no. ADR tunnel categories specifically regulate vehicles carrying dangerous goods covered by the ADR rules. Other vehicles must still obey the normal traffic and tunnel regulations.

A temporary traffic sign is a sign installed for a limited period to regulate, warn or direct traffic because of temporary road conditions.

They are commonly used at roadworks, accidents, temporary closures, diversions and special events.

It should normally be removed, covered or otherwise made ineffective so that it does not confuse road users or conflict with the normal traffic arrangement.

Hanging trees are trees or branches that extend over or toward a road, cycle path or footpath and may interfere with the safe passage of road users.

They can reduce vertical or lateral clearance, obstruct signs or signals and create a collision hazard, particularly for tall vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Drivers should slow down, check the available clearance and pass only when it can be done safely. They should avoid swerving suddenly into another lane or toward other road users.

A dip is a short depression in the road surface where the road falls and then rises again.

A dip can reduce visibility, affect vehicle stability and hide road users or obstacles. Water may also collect in the lowest part of the depression.

Approach at a suitable speed, keep the vehicle under control and be prepared for hazards that may not be visible until you enter or leave the dip.

Turn on red means that a road user may proceed in a specified turning direction despite a red traffic light when local law or a specific sign or signal permits it.

No. Some countries permit certain turns on red, while others prohibit them unless a special sign or signal provides an exception.

This depends on the local traffic rules. In some jurisdictions a complete stop is required before turning, while other systems use a give-way rule or a separate signal that permits the movement.

Usually no. A road user permitted to proceed against a red light generally has to give way to traffic, pedestrians and cyclists who are lawfully moving through the intersection.

Yes. Drivers must check pedestrian crossings carefully and give way where required before making the permitted turn.

Yes. Some countries use special signs or bicycle signals that allow cyclists to turn or continue in a specified direction while the main traffic light remains red.

Where the local signal system provides this arrangement, a green arrow may permit movement only in the direction indicated even though the main signal remains red. Applicable give-way rules must still be followed.

Yes. In countries where turning on red is normally permitted, a specific sign may prohibit the manoeuvre at particular intersections.

This depends entirely on the country and road layout. Some jurisdictions permit particular left turns on red, while many do not. Never assume that a rule allowing a right turn also permits a left turn.

Remain stopped until a signal clearly permits you to proceed. Never pass a red light based only on what is permitted in another country.

High voltage refers to electrical installations operating at voltage levels that can create a serious risk of electric shock, burns or electrocution.

It may be found at power lines, substations, railway and tram infrastructure, industrial facilities and other electrical installations.

Keep away from the electrical equipment, respect barriers and safety distances and do not enter restricted areas or touch electrical installations.

A tram lane is a lane or track area intended primarily for trams and other authorised public-transport vehicles.

It depends on the country and the signs provided. Some tram lanes are exclusively reserved for trams, while others may also be used by buses, taxis, cyclists or other authorised vehicles.

Usually, where permitted and necessary. Drivers may be allowed to cross tram tracks to turn, enter a property or cross an intersection, but they must follow the applicable signs and priority rules.

Rail safety covers the rules, equipment and precautions intended to prevent accidents involving trains, railway infrastructure and people.

Railway crossings bring road users and railway vehicles into the same location. Road users must therefore obey the warning systems and never enter when a train is approaching or the crossing cannot be cleared safely.

Normally, no. Railway tracks are operational transport infrastructure and should be entered only at authorised crossing points or where access is specifically permitted.

An equestrian trail is a designated path or route intended primarily for people travelling on horseback.

They are commonly found on forest paths, rural tracks, recreational routes and bridleways where horse riding is permitted.

It depends on the route and local rules. Some trails are reserved for horse riders, while others are shared with pedestrians, cyclists or other authorised users.

Yes, where local traffic rules permit. Horses may be ridden, led or used with animal-drawn vehicles on public roads and designated routes.

Drivers should slow down, leave plenty of space and pass calmly, avoiding unnecessary horn use, sudden acceleration or other actions that could frighten the horse.

Yes. Horse riders using a road are road users and must follow the traffic rules that apply to riders and animals in that country.

An identity card is an official document used to prove who a person is. It is normally issued by a government or other competent authority.

Identity cards commonly contain information such as the holder's name, photograph, date of birth and identification or document number. The exact information varies between countries.

This depends on the country. Some countries require residents or citizens above a certain age to carry official identification, while others require identification only in particular circumstances.

Yes, where permitted by local law. Police and other authorised officials may require a person to identify themselves in circumstances such as traffic enforcement, investigations or other official checks.

No. An identity card primarily proves a person's identity, while a driving licence proves that the holder is authorised to drive particular categories of motor vehicle. A country may require drivers to carry both documents.

No. Proof of identity does not by itself give a person permission to drive. A driver must hold the appropriate valid driving licence when one is required.

Some identity cards are accepted as travel documents between certain countries, while other journeys require a passport. Travellers should check the entry requirements for their destination.

Report the loss or theft according to the procedure of the issuing country so that the document can be cancelled or blocked and a replacement can be requested.

An expired card may no longer be accepted as valid identification or as a travel document. The holder should renew the document according to the rules of the issuing authority.

An electronic identity card contains an electronic chip in addition to the information visible on the card. Depending on the national system, the chip may allow secure electronic identification or access to online government services.

It warns that conditions in or near the area create an increased risk of fire. Drivers should take extra care and avoid anything that could ignite vegetation, fuel or other flammable material.

No. A warning sign by itself normally warns of a hazard rather than automatically closing the road. Access may nevertheless be restricted by additional signs, barriers or instructions when the fire danger is particularly high.

Remain alert, obey any accompanying restrictions and avoid actions that could cause a fire. If there is an active fire or smoke affecting the road, reduce your exposure to the danger and follow instructions from emergency services or road authorities.

Local traffic generally means vehicles that have a legitimate reason to enter a particular street or area, such as reaching a home, business, delivery address or other destination located there.

No. Through traffic passes through an area without having a destination or other necessary stop there. A restriction allowing only local traffic is normally intended to prevent this type of unnecessary through traffic.

This depends on national rules and the signs in place. Residents, visitors, deliveries, emergency services and certain service vehicles are commonly permitted, but the precise categories vary between countries.