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Countdown markersGermany

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Germany

62. Countdown markers

Countdown markers are a sequence of roadside signs that indicate that a particular point, such as a motorway exit, junction or railway crossing, is getting closer. They commonly use a decreasing number of bars or other symbols so drivers can judge their progress toward the upcoming location.

The markers are normally positioned at successively shorter distances from the point ahead. Their design, spacing and meaning vary between countries, so drivers should not assume that each bar always represents the same distance.

Countdown markers
Countdown markers to a level crossing. (Landkreis Mittelsachsen, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Manfred Schröter, Berga • CC BY-SA
What do countdown or exit-approach markers mean in Germany?

German motorway countdown boards are normally placed 300 metres, 200 metres and 100 metres before a motorway junction. They are also used before a serviced rest area. Read the actual exit signs and distances, and move into the correct lane in good time.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §18(7)–(10); Annex 3, sign 450; Annex 1, signs 156,159,162

Does each countdown bar always represent the same distance in Germany?

German motorway countdown boards normally mark 300, 200 and 100 metres to the junction. Railway-crossing approach boards have a different normal sequence: about 240, 160 and 80 metres, with substantially different distances shown where needed. Do not transfer one sequence to the other.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §18(7)–(10); Annex 3, sign 450; Annex 1, signs 156,159,162

What should you do if you are too late to take a motorway exit in Germany?

Continue safely to the next lawful exit or junction. Do not stop, reverse, make a U-turn or cross the median to reach a missed exit. Plan lane changes early and follow any lane-control signals.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §18(7)–(10); Annex 3, sign 450; Annex 1, signs 156,159,162

1 Germany 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Tunnel 12 Bridge 13 Cycling street 14 Pedestrian zone 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 School area 34 Overtaking 35 Crossing animals 36 Slippery road 37 Rockfall 38 Aircraft 39 Curve 40 Chevron 41 Wrong-way driving 42 Roadworks 43 Crosswind 44 Height limit 45 Width limit 46 Length limit 47 Weight limit 48 Radar speed sign 49 Selective barriers 50 Low-emission zone 51 Intersection direction sign 52 Priority at the next junction 53 Traffic lights 54 Traffic lights warning 55 Pedestrian lights 56 Road markings 57 Junction layout 58 Bike box 59 Speed feedback 60 Driving licence 61 Location marker 62 Countdown markers 63 Traffic mirror 64 Emergency telephone 65 International border 66 Pedestrian underpass 67 Cycling route 68 End of restriction 69 Parking 70 No parking 71 No stopping 72 Parallel parking 73 Park and ride 74 Kiss and ride 75 Parking meter 76 Parking disc 77 Disabled parking 78 Traffic management 79 Reversing 80 Traffic jam 81 Detour 82 Uncontrolled crossroad 83 Road surface 84 Exit 85 Horse riding 86 Provisional licence 87 Hazardous cargo 88 Emergency exit 89 Runaway truck ramp 90 Oversize load 91 Cycle highway 92 Carsharing 93 City limit 94 Gantry 95 Distance board 96 Breakdown bay 97 Hiking 98 Pavement parking 99 Road church 100 Tourist attraction ...