European Road Signs Guide 2026 | Types & Meanings Explained

Warning Sign Categories:

• Curve warnings - Sharp bends, winding roads, hairpin turns
• Intersection warnings - Crossroads, T-junctions, roundabouts ahead
• Traffic condition warnings - Traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, cyclists
• Road condition warnings - Slippery surface, uneven road, roadworks
• Obstacle warnings - Animals, falling rocks, low-flying aircraft
• Speed-related warnings - Speed bumps, end of highway

Key Theory Test Tips:

• Warning signs require you to slow down and increase awareness
• The symbol inside indicates the specific hazard
• Distance plates below may indicate how far until the hazard
• Some warnings are permanent, others temporary (yellow background for roadworks)

Prohibitory Signs (Red Circle):

• No entry - Red circle with white bar
• Speed limits - Number inside indicates maximum speed
• No overtaking - Two cars side by side
• No stopping/parking - Red X or diagonal lines
• Vehicle restrictions - Specific vehicle types prohibited

Mandatory Signs (Blue Circle):

• Direction arrows - Must follow indicated direction
• Minimum speed - Must maintain at least this speed
• Chains required - Snow chains mandatory
• Cycle path - Cyclists must use this path
• Pedestrian path - Pedestrians only

End of Restriction Signs:

• White circle with diagonal gray lines
• Indicates previous restriction no longer applies

Direction Signs:

• Motorway signs - Usually blue with white text
• Primary route signs - Green with white text (varies by country)
• Local direction signs - White with black text
• Tourist destination signs - Brown background

Information Signs:

• Parking information - Blue P with details
• Hospital, fuel, food services
• Speed camera warnings
• Toll information
• Emergency phone locations

Priority Signs:

• Priority road sign - Yellow diamond
• Give way/Yield - Inverted triangle
• Stop sign - Red octagon (universal)
• Priority over oncoming traffic - Blue rectangle with arrows

Lane Markings:

• Solid white line - Do not cross
• Broken white line - May cross when safe
• Double solid lines - No crossing from either direction
• Solid with broken - Can cross from broken side only

Special Markings:

• Yellow lines - Usually parking restrictions
• Zigzag lines - No stopping (near crossings)
• Box junctions - Don't enter unless exit is clear
• Cycle lanes - Green or red colored
• Bus lanes - Usually marked 'BUS'

Painted Arrows:

• Lane direction arrows
• Turn-only lane indicators
• Merge arrows
• Exit lane markings

Notable Differences:

Speed Limits:

• Germany - No general highway limit (advisory 130 km/h)
• UK - Uses miles per hour
• Most EU - 50 urban, 90 rural, 120-130 highway (km/h)

Sign Colors:

• Motorway signs: Blue (most EU), Green (some countries)
• Route numbers vary in color coding

Unique Signs:

• Spain - Distinctive kilometer markers
• France - Frequent toll (péage) signs
• Netherlands - Specific bicycle priority signs
• Germany - Environmental zone signs
• Italy - ZTL (limited traffic zone) signs

Test Tip: Focus on signs used in your specific country, but be aware that you may encounter different signs when driving abroad.

High-Frequency Test Signs:

1. 1Speed limit and end of speed limit
2. 2No entry and one-way street
3. 3Give way and Stop
4. 4Roundabout ahead
5. 5Pedestrian crossing
6. 6No overtaking
7. 7Priority road
8. 8Road works ahead
9. 9Slippery road
10. 10Level crossing (railway)

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Confusing 'no entry' with 'no through road'
• Mixing up minimum and maximum speed signs
• Forgetting that advisory speed signs are not mandatory
• Confusing similar warning signs (curves vs. winding road)
• Not recognizing end-of-restriction signs

Study Strategy:

• Group similar signs together
• Learn the logic behind sign shapes and colors
• Use practice tests to identify weak areas
• Focus on signs you'll see locally first