Traffic Signs & Signals – Road
Signs and Their Meanings
Prepared to take and pass your driving licence theory test, as well as to drive safely on the road, it is important to know about the significance of all types of traffic signs/signals. Road signs provide important instructions, warnings, restrictions, and guidance that every driver must follow.
This page provides a structured overview of common traffic signs used in multiple countries. While designs and minor rules may vary by region, most road signs follow internationally recognized categories such as warning signs, regulatory signs, and mandatory signs.
To see signs that are relevant to your area, please select your country from the below list.
Select Your Country to View Road Signs
Choose your country to see traffic signs and signals commonly included in your driving licence theory test.
Road Signs and Their Meanings
Warning for a danger with no specific traffic sign.
Warning for accidents.
Warning for low-flying aircrafts.
Warning for cattle on the road.
Warning for crossing deer.
Warning for a movable bridge.
Warning for a speed bump.
Warning for a bad road surface.
Warning for children.
Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.
Give way to all drivers.
Warning for a roundabout.
Warning for a crossroad with a side road on the left.
Warning for a crossroad with side road on the right.
Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.
Stop and give way to all drivers.
Warning for heavy crosswind.
Warning for a curve to the left.
Warning for a double curve, first left then right.
Warning for a curve to the right.
Warning for a double curve, first right then left.
Warning for cyclists.
Warning of poor visibility due to rain, fog or snow.
Warning for loose chippings on the road surface.
Warning for pedestrians.
Warning for a crossing for pedestrians.
Warning for a quayside or riverbank.
Warning for a road narrowing.
Warning for a road narrowing on the left.
Warning for a road narrowing on the right.
Warning for roadworks.
Warning for a slippery road surface.
Warning for snow and sleet.
Warning for a steep ascent.
Warning for a steep descent.
Warning for a traffic light.
Warning for traffic jams.
Warning for a railroad crossing without barriers.
Warning for a railroad crossing with barriers.
Warning for a railroad crossing with 1 railway.
Warning for a railroad crossing with more than 1 railway.
Warning for trams.
Warning for a road with two-way traffic.
Entry prohibited.
Buses prohibited.
Cars prohibited.
Cyclists prohibited.
Cyclists and mopeds prohibited.
Cyclists, mopeds and tractors prohibited.
Direction prohibited (road with one-way traffic).
Mopeds prohibited.
Motorcycles prohibited.
Motorcycles and cars prohibited.
Pedestrians prohibited.
Tractors prohibited.
Trailers prohibited.
Trucks prohibited.
Trucks and buses prohibited.
Overtaking prohibited.
End of the overtaking prohibition.
Overtaking prohibited for trucks.
End of the overtaking prohibition for trucks.
Begin of a speed limit.
End of the speed limit.
Begin of a zone with speed limit.
End of the zone with speed limit.
Turning around prohibited (U-turn).
Vehicles with dangerous goods prohibited.
Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.
Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.
Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.
Vehicles with an axle weight heavier than indicated prohibited.
Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.
Begin of a low-emission zone.
End of the low-emission zone.
Entry prohibited (checkpoint).
Parking prohibited.
Parking and stopping prohibited.
Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.
Turning left or right mandatory.
Turning right mandatory.
Passing left or right mandatory.
Passing right mandatory.
Mandatory direction of the roundabout.
Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory.
Driving straight ahead mandatory.
Mandatory lane for buses.
End of the lane for buses.
Mandatory lane for buses and trams.
End of the lane for buses and trams.
Mandatory lane for trucks and buses.
End of the lane for buses and trucks.
Mandatory path for cyclists.
End of the path for cyclists.
Mandatory path for cyclists and mopeds.
End of the path for cyclists and mopeds.
Mandatory path for equestrians.
End of the path for equestrians.
Mandatory path for pedestrians.
End of the path for pedestrians.
Mandatory lane for tractors.
End of the lane for tractors.
Mandatory lane for trams.
End of the lane for trams.
Mandatory lane for trucks.
End of the lane for trucks.
Begin of a built-up area.
End of the built-up area.
Crossing for pedestrians.
Dead end street.
Information about the directions of the crossroad.
Information about the next exit.
Begin of an expressway.
End of the expressway.
Overview of the lanes and their direction.
End of a lane.
Overview of the lanes and their direction.
Maximum width of a lane.
Width of the lane.
Begin of a motorway.
End of the motorway.
Road with one-way traffic.
Road with one-way traffic.
Parking allowed.
Begin of a priority road.
End of the priority road.
Begin of a residential area.
End of the residential area.
Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.
National speed limits.
Begin of an advisory speed limit.
End of the advisory speed limit.
Begin of a tunnel.
Road with two-way traffic.
Warning for an uncontrolled crossroad.
Give way to all drivers.
Warning for a roundabout.
Warning for a crossroad with a side road on the left.
Warning for a crossroad with side road on the right.
Warning for a crossroad side roads on the left and right.
Stop and give way to all drivers.
Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.
Mandatory direction of the roundabout.
Begin of a priority road.
End of the priority road.
Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.
Why Learning Road Signs Is Important
Road signs play an important role in both every driver’s theory examination and on the road, and are necessary for safe driving; each driver will be familiar with them. A driver’s knowledge about road signs will allow them to:
- Avoid traffic violations
- Increased Road Safety Awareness
- Faster Decision Making While Driving
- Effectively Preparing for Learner Licence Exams
- Reduction Of Accident Risks
Studying traffic signs regularly improves recall speed during exams and real-life driving situations.
How Road Signs Appear in Driving Theory Exams
Multiple-choice questions related to road signs and signals are included in the theory portion of many countries’ driving license tests. You may be asked to:
- Identify the meaning of a sign
- Choose appropriate action for given sign
- Recognize hazard alert symbols
- Recognize speed limit restrictions
Practicing your skill to identify road signs can increase your confidence, which increases your chances of passing the practical test on your first try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traffic signs are generally divided into warning signs, regulatory signs, mandatory signs, and information signs.
Many countries follow international standards, but shapes, colors, and specific rules may vary slightly. Always study signs specific to your country’s driving test.
Yes. Road signs are a major part of most learner permit and theory tests worldwide.
Regular practice, reviewing categorized signs, and taking mock driving theory tests can improve memorization and recognition speed.
This website is an independent educational source to support driving theory preparation. It is not affiliated with any government agency, licensing authority, or official testing body.