Traffic signs, installations, and symbols used in Germany are prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation (StVO) (German: German: Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung) and the Traffic Signs Catalog (VzKat) (German: German: Verkehrszeichenkatalog).[1] [2] [3]
§§ 39 to 43 of the StVO regulate the effect of traffic signs and installations. Annexes 1 to 3 illustrate most danger, regulatory, and directional signs and annex 4 illustrates the traffic installations. Other traffic signs and installations not specified in the StVO, primarily specific supplementary signs, are published in the VzKat.
The latest version of the VzKat was issued in May 2017 as the annex to the General Administrative Rules for the Road Traffic Regulation (VwV-StVO) (German: German: Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zur Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung).[4]
The StVO, the VwV-StVO and the VzKat are supported by technical rules (German: Technische Regelwerke), mostly published by the Forschungsgesellschaft für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen (FGSV), especially:
All signs have assigned numbers. The suffix number after the hyphen refers to the variation of the sign; the suffix on signs with variable numbers is the number depicted on the sign (for speed limits, maximum heights, etc.).
Symbols pursuant to § 39 paragraphs 7, 10, and 11 of the StVO:
Danger signs pursuant to part 2 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 1 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.
Regulatory signs pursuant to part 3 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 2 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.
Directional signs pursuant to part 4 of the VzKat which includes permissible variations of signs listed in annex 4 of the StVO. When one sign has two sign numbers, the first number is the illustrated sign while the latter number is a mirrored or slightly altered version of the sign.
German: Reißverschlussverfahren[18]
"Zipper rule" for one-way traffic merging & two-way traffic priorities
Yield as necessary to not endanger themselves or other road users
See also: Priority to the right.
Priority traffic does not yield, signal all turns
Yield or reduce speed as necessary[19]
Official (base) Symbols in Germany as per Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO) § 39 Verkehrszeichen
Red ring
In addition to any sign/placard, the red ring forbids (in general) the item noted and anything of greater size or value; i.e., if a car is pictured, then not only are cars not permitted but trucks, as well.
A red ring is also a traffic sign itself: No vehicles (of any type) permitted, pushing motorcycles/mopeds/bicycles permitted
Classified as above/below 500 cc motor size, and with or without sidecar
Personenkraftwagen – Pkw[20] – "Powered car for (the transport of) persons"; e.g., cars/automobiles
German: Lastkraftwagen – Lkw – (literally "powered car for loads", e.g., truck, lorry, semi, tractor-trailer)
Kraftfahrzeuge (Kfz)[21] mit einer zulässigen Gesamtmasse über 3,5 t, einschließlich ihrer Anhänger, und Zugmaschinen, ausgenommen Personenkraftwagen und Kraftomnibusse – Motor vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3,5 t, including their trailers, and tractors other than cars and buses
Buses (generally) and trains (always) have the priority/right-of-way
See also: Autobahn.
German Limited Access Highway – Blue Background[22]
Note: Though road design of Kraftfahrstraße is comparable to Autobahn, speed limit is mandatory, signposting is similar but has yellow background.
See also: Bundesstraße.
Roadway lanes delineated by lines for/of single vehicle width
Parking is considered any stop exceeding three minutes.