VerkehrszeichenVereinigte Staaten

It means that a driver may not voluntarily stop the vehicle in the restricted area. The prohibition normally includes stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods.

No stopping is the stricter restriction. A no-parking rule may still allow a brief stop for activities such as picking up passengers or loading goods, while a no-stopping rule prohibits these voluntary stops as well.

A driver may have to stop because of an emergency, traffic conditions, a red light, police instructions or another situation outside the driver's control. Such compulsory stops are generally different from voluntarily stopping the vehicle.

Parallel parking means positioning a vehicle parallel to the edge of the road, typically between vehicles already parked along the kerb or roadside.

Check mirrors and blind spots, signal when required and make sure there is enough space to complete the manoeuvre without endangering pedestrians, cyclists or other traffic.

The vehicle should be completely within the permitted parking area, reasonably close to the road edge and positioned so that it does not unnecessarily obstruct traffic or access to other vehicles.

P+R stands for park and ride. It indicates a facility where drivers can park their vehicle and continue their journey using public transport or another form of transport.

They are commonly located on the outskirts of cities, near major roads or beside railway, metro, tram or bus connections so that drivers can transfer conveniently to another mode of transport.

No. Some facilities are free, while others charge for parking or offer special combined parking and public-transport fares. Conditions depend on the individual facility and local authority.

A Kiss and Ride area is a designated place where drivers can briefly stop to drop off or pick up passengers. It is intended to keep passenger transfers quick and reduce unnecessary parking or congestion near busy destinations.

Normally no. Kiss and Ride areas are intended for immediate passenger drop-off or pick-up rather than ordinary parking. The exact legal restrictions depend on the signs and local regulations applying to the area.

Generally, you should not remain in the area waiting for a passenger who is not ready to enter the vehicle. If waiting is necessary, use an ordinary parking or waiting area unless local signs specifically permit waiting.

Only for the short period necessary for passengers to get in or out, unless signs specify a particular maximum time. Some locations establish an explicit time limit, while others simply require immediate drop-off or pick-up.

Where possible, the driver should normally remain ready to move the vehicle immediately. Leaving the vehicle to accompany a passenger into a building may turn the stop into parking and can prevent other drivers from using the area efficiently.

Passengers may normally take the luggage they need when entering or leaving the vehicle, provided this forms part of the immediate passenger transfer. Using the area for prolonged loading or unloading may not be permitted.

They are frequently located near schools, railway stations, airports, hospitals and other busy destinations where many passengers are dropped off or collected within a short period.

This depends on the local signs and regulations. A general passenger drop-off area may be available to taxis, while some locations provide separate taxi ranks or reserve the Kiss and Ride area for particular users.

Normally this should be avoided. Kiss and Ride areas are designed for rapid passenger transfers, and leaving the vehicle unattended can obstruct other users. Specific local rules may expressly prohibit parking or unattended vehicles.

Move to a suitable parking or waiting area and return when the passenger is ready to be collected. Remaining in the Kiss and Ride area unnecessarily can block the facility and contribute to congestion.

Disabled parking spaces are intended for eligible people who hold a valid disabled parking permit or card. The exact eligibility requirements and permit system depend on the country.

Generally no. Disabled parking permits are normally personal and may only be used when the permit holder is driving or travelling in the vehicle.

No. A permit may provide access to reserved spaces or exemptions from certain parking restrictions, but rules concerning parking charges and time limits vary between countries and local authorities.

Traffic management is the organised control and guidance of traffic using signs, signals, road markings, lane controls, speed restrictions, diversions and other measures.

Traffic management is used to improve safety, control traffic flow and reduce disruption. It can also protect road workers, pedestrians, cyclists and emergency services.

Common methods include traffic lights, road signs, road markings, variable-message signs, lane-control signals, temporary barriers, speed restrictions and diversions. Authorised persons may also direct traffic.

Yes. Temporary or variable speed-limit signs may impose a different maximum speed because of congestion, roadworks, weather, incidents or other conditions. Drivers must follow the limit currently displayed.

Yes. Lane-control signals, temporary signs or road markings may close lanes, move traffic into different lanes or require drivers to change lane. Follow the current signs and markings rather than the normal road layout.

Move into an open lane safely and in good time, following any arrows, signs and local merging rules. Never continue along a lane that is clearly indicated as closed.

Yes. Properly authorised temporary signs used for roadworks, incidents or other traffic-management measures must be obeyed in the same way as other official traffic signs.

Follow the directions of the authorised person. In many countries, these directions take precedence over traffic lights, road signs or the normal traffic rules.

Roadworks may use temporary speed limits, lane closures, barriers, temporary markings, traffic lights and diversions. Road users should reduce speed where necessary and carefully follow the temporary route.

Yes. Temporary or permanent traffic arrangements should account for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motor vehicles. They may be provided with separate routes, crossings, signals or diversions where necessary.

Check behind and around the vehicle for pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles and obstacles. Use mirrors and cameras where available, but also look directly because monitoring systems can have blind spots.

In many countries, reversing is treated as a manoeuvre and the reversing driver must give way to other road users. The exact legal requirements depend on national traffic rules.

No. Reversing should normally be limited to the distance necessary to complete the manoeuvre safely. Driving forward generally provides better visibility and vehicle control.

A U-turn is a manoeuvre used to reverse a vehicle's direction so that it continues along the road in the opposite direction.

Check traffic in all relevant directions, mirrors and blind spots, and look for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Make sure there is sufficient visibility and space and that the manoeuvre is permitted.

No. U-turns may be prohibited by traffic signs or road rules and should never be attempted where visibility, road layout or traffic conditions make the manoeuvre unsafe.

Carpooling means two or more people sharing the same car for a journey instead of travelling separately in different vehicles.

A carpool parking area is a designated place where travellers can meet, park one or more vehicles and continue their journey together in a shared car.

No. Carpooling means several people travelling together in the same vehicle, while carsharing means different users having access to the same shared vehicle at different times.

An uncontrolled crossroad is an intersection where priority is not specifically assigned by traffic lights, an authorised person or priority signs. Drivers must use the default priority rules of the country.

This depends on the local traffic law. Some countries use priority from the right, while others use different rules. Drivers should know the default intersection rule of the country in which they are driving.

Not necessarily. The width, surface or amount of traffic on a road does not by itself determine priority unless local law specifically provides otherwise.

Yes. Approach at a speed that allows you to observe approaching traffic, determine who has priority and stop safely if necessary.

Yes. Cyclists generally follow the applicable intersection priority rules unless a specific cycle facility, sign or local rule provides otherwise.

No. Continuing straight ahead does not automatically give priority over traffic approaching on another road. The applicable priority rules must still be followed.

Turning may create additional obligations, particularly towards pedestrians, cyclists or opposing traffic. Drivers must follow both the intersection priority rule and the rules governing the intended turn.

Apply the country's default priority rule. Do not rely simply on which vehicle appears to have arrived first unless local law specifically uses that rule.

The intersection is not necessarily completely uncontrolled. Priority signs, road markings and default priority rules may still determine who must give way. Drivers should approach with particular caution.

Reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Never force your way through an intersection simply because the priority situation is unclear.

A ramp is a connecting road used to enter or leave another road, particularly a motorway, expressway or grade-separated highway.

An entrance ramp carries traffic toward the main road, while an exit ramp carries traffic away from it toward another road or destination.

Follow the signs and road markings, use the ramp to adjust your speed to the traffic on the motorway and merge only when it is safe and permitted. The exact priority rules depend on the country.

An exit is a designated route or point that allows traffic to leave a road, motorway or expressway and continue toward another road or destination.

Check the direction signs, select the correct lane in good time, signal when required and avoid sudden lane changes when approaching the exit.

Continue safely along the road and use a later exit or another permitted route. Do not stop, reverse or make a dangerous sudden manoeuvre simply to reach an exit you have missed.

Equestrian refers to horse riding and, in a traffic context, particularly to people travelling on horseback or using designated horse-riding routes.

Depending on local rules, riders may use roads, bridleways, paths or routes specifically designated for horse riding.

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

An emergency exit is a designated escape route that allows people to leave the traffic area of a tunnel and reach a safer location during an emergency.

Use an emergency exit when evacuation is necessary because of fire, smoke or another serious danger, or when instructed to evacuate by tunnel personnel or emergency services.

No. Tunnel emergency exits are intended for people evacuating on foot. Leave the vehicle when necessary and follow the marked escape route towards safety.

It provides an emergency stopping area for a vehicle that can no longer slow down adequately with its normal brakes. It is particularly intended for heavy vehicles on long or steep descents.

Depending on its design, the ramp may rise uphill or contain deep gravel, sand or another arresting material that creates resistance and rapidly reduces the vehicle's speed.

No. An escape ramp is an emergency safety facility and should be kept clear for vehicles that have lost effective braking or control.

An oversize load is a load that makes a vehicle or vehicle combination exceed one or more of the normal legal dimensions for road use, such as its permitted width, height or length.

Often yes. Depending on the country, dimensions and route, a permit may be required and can specify where and when the vehicle may travel and what additional safety measures must be used.

Escort vehicles can warn other road users, help manage difficult road sections and assist the exceptional vehicle when its size creates additional traffic risks. The number and type of escorts required depend on national rules and the dimensions of the transport.

A city limit marks the boundary of a city, town, village, locality or municipality. On roads, it is often indicated by a place-name or boundary sign.

No. A city-limit or locality sign may simply identify a place or administrative boundary. A legally defined built-up area can use a different sign or definition.

No. In some countries a locality or boundary sign has consequences for traffic rules, while in others it mainly identifies the place. Drivers must follow the traffic signs and rules that apply in that country.

Not always. Some signs indicate an administrative municipal boundary, while others identify a city, town, village or locality without exactly following the municipality's legal boundary.

A city limit identifies the boundary of a named place or administrative area. A built-up area is a traffic-law concept that may affect rules such as default speed limits. The two boundaries can coincide, but they do not have to.

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.

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.

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 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.