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GERMAN TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, & MARKINGS


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SIGNALS

(Items marked with this symbol are especially important for US visitors.)

Traffic signals in Germany are usually located on same side of the intersection as the approaching traffic and are often mounted overhead as well as on the right and left sides of the road.

(Above: Typical German traffic signal)

Figure 1

The traffic signals used in Germany are the same red-yellow-green type found in the US and elsewhere. Red, of course, means "STOP". Green means "PROCEED with caution", and yellow means "PREPARE TO STOP". In Germany, however, an extra phase is added: just before the light changes from red to green, the yellow signal comes on briefly in conjunction with the red. This means "PREPARE FOR GREEN" and is helpful if you are driving a manual transmission and have it in neutral. Figure 1 shows the signal cycle.

Many locations have partial signals consisting of just the red and yellow lamps. These function just like regular traffic signals minus the green phase. So, when the green would normally be on, there is instead no signal. If you come upon one of these signals, obey it like you would any traffic signal. When it would normally be green, then ignore the signal and obey any other signs or signals, or in the absence of such, use the default right-of-way rules. These types of signals are usually located at railroad and streetcar crossings.

Intersections in Germany often have signals controlling each permitted direction of travel, such as the examples in Figure 2. If signals at an intersection show these arrows and you don't see a signal with an arrow for the direction you want to go, then traveling that direction may not be permitted; look for signs. A full green signal without any arrows (like in Figure 1 above) usually means you may travel straight ahead or make a right or left turn unless otherwise prohibited by signs. Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists when turning left or right. Oftentimes there will be a flashing yellow signal to the right of the other signals warning you that pedestrians also have a green light.

Figure 2


Figure 3		In the case of left turns, the signal in Figure 3 indicates a protected left turn.

Sometimes, there may be a special left turn signal located at the far left side of the intersection. These signals, which consist of either a yellow and green left arrow assembly or just the green arrow, are used when the left turn changes from permitted to protected during the green phase for that direction. When both the green and yellow signals are used, the signal shown in Figure 4 indicates a left turn is permitted but not protected-- use caution. When the green arrow is on, as shown in Figure 5, then the turn is protected. When used by itself, a green arrow indicates a protected left turn. If the arrow is off, then obey the signals for straight-through traffic.

Figure 4

Figure 5


Right turns on red are generally not permitted in Germany. Such a turn is permitted only at intersections with the green arrow sign shown in Figure 6 after coming to a complete stop and yielding to all other traffic and pedestrians. This is the only traffic law retained from the former East Germany and thus is rarely found in the western states.		Figure 6

A flashing yellow traffic signal (Figure 7 below) or a traffic signal with no lights showing (Figure 8) indicates that the intersection is currently not being controlled by the signals. Most traffic signals in Germany are switched off at night and sometimes on weekends as well. Also, some pedestrian crossing signals turn themselves off after a period of inactivity. To provide for traffic control in this situation, nearly all traffic signals also have right-of-way signs installed nearby, usually near the rightmost signal face. Motorists must obey the signs when the signal is dark or flashing. So, if you encountered Figure 7 below, you would have to yield. If you encountered Figure 8, you would have the right-of-way. The signs also provide regulation in the rare event of signal malfunction. Where used, a flashing yellow almost always indicates that you must yield or stop. However, you may have to stop or yield even if there is no flashing yellow-- watch for the signs. There is no flashing red signal in Germany. When the signals are out and you are required to stop, you do not need to stop at the stop line or sign; instead, you should stop at a location where you can see the traffic on the intersecting street.

Figure 7

Figure 8

When the traffic signals are in operation, the signal takes precedence over the sign. Therefore, if you encountered Figure 9 below, you would have to stop. In Figure 10, you could proceed without stopping.

Figure 9

Figure 10

Germany also uses lane control signals in some areas, especially at customs posts and along the Autobahn to indicate lane closures. They use the standard international symbols. See the electronic signs page for further information.

ROAD MARKINGS

Road pavement markings in Germany are generally similar to those in the US. Unlike the US, however, all regular road markings in Germany are white, include those used to separate opposing traffic. Yellow road markings are used in construction areas and supercede the regular white markings. Below are diagrams and descriptions of most of the road markings you will encounter in Germany. The light blue numbers on the diagrams correspond to the explanations.

1- Stop line: You must stop behind the thick solid line across your lane.

2- Wait line: A thick broken line across your lane is the equivalent to a yield sign (and is often used in conjunction with it.) If necessary, you must wait behind the broken line across your lane.

3- Priority road: A broken line passing through an intersection along the edge of one of the roadways indicates the path of the priority road.

4- Pedestrian crosswalk: Zebra-striped markings across the roadway mark a pedestrian crosswalk. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

5- No stopping/parking zone: Zig-zag lines next to the curb mark a specific area (often near a near a bus stop or driveway) where you may not stop or park.

6- Numbers: Numbers on the pavement in your lane usually indicate the speed limit. Often used during sudden drops in the speed limit for safety reasons.

7- Letters and numbers: A combination of letters and numbers on the pavement usually indicate route numbers. These are frequently used at complicated intersections to get traffic in the correct lane. Example: a marking such as "B27" indicates that the lane you are in follows the B27 highway.

8- Intersection arrows: Arrows on the pavement in your lane indicate which turns are allowed from your lane.

9- Restricted zone: You may not drive in an area with diagonal lines.

10- No passing in one direction: You may pass only if you have a broken line on your side. You may not cross a solid line on your side to pass.

11- No passing: You may not cross the solid center line to pass.

12- Merge arrow: An arrow slanting toward the right in the center of the roadway warns passing traffic to merge to the right as a no passing zone is approaching.

13- Lane separation line: Short broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate that the passing zone is ending.

14- Lane separation line: Long broken lines between opposing traffic lanes indicate passing is allowed (unless prohibited by a sign). This marking is also used to separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction.

15- Edge marking: A solid line along the side of the roadway marks the edge of the roadway or separates the travel lanes from the shoulder.

16- Lane separators: Long broken lines separate traffic lanes traveling in the same direction.

17- Acceleration/deceleration lane: Short, thick broken white lines separate a deceleration (exit) lane or acceleration (entrance) lane from the main traffic lanes.

18- Restricted zone: You may not drive in an area with diagonal lines.

Yellow markings: Yellow road markings are used in construction areas. These markings supercede all of the white markings. Yellow markings may consist of traffic paint or raised pavement markers.

Colored curb markings are not used in Germany. Head-in and parallel parking lines are obvious and similar to those used in the US.

Lane assignments

On streets not signed as one-way, here are the default lane assignments based on the number of marked lanes on the street:

2 lanes- The left lane is for oncoming traffic; the right lane is for traffic moving in your direction.
3 lanes- The center lane is reserved for left turns only. You may not pass. The far left lane is for oncoming traffic; the far right lane is for traffic moving in your direction.
4 lanes- The left two lanes are for oncoming traffic; the right two lanes are for traffic moving in your direction. These are usually separated by a single or double solid white line. Even if separated by a broken white line, you may not cross the center line to pass.
5 lanes- Same as 4 lanes except that center lane is for left turns only. (Very rare.)

Odd lane arrangements or assignments are usually marked fairly obviously, either on the road surface or by signs (i.e. )

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NOTICE: The information contained on this site is provided "as-is". Although I make reasonable efforts to keep it updated, I make no guarantee regarding accuracy and assume no responsibility for inconveniences or other issues arising from its use. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.