School areaGermany
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.
33. School area
A school area is a road or group of roads near a school where large numbers of children may walk, cycle, cross the road or enter and leave vehicles. It may be identified by warning signs, zone signs, road markings, traffic-calming measures or flashing lights.
Special speed limits, parking restrictions or access rules may apply permanently or only during school arrival and departure times. Drivers should reduce speed, watch carefully for children and be prepared to stop.
Wikimedia.org • Frank Vincentz • CC BY-SA
What speed rules apply around schools in Germany?
Schools can be protected by signed Tempo 30 restrictions or other local controls; a school or children-warning sign alone does not impose 30 km/h.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(2a),45(9); Annex 1, sign 136; Annex 2, sign 274
Warning for children.
English • Traffic sign 136-10 • Children — sign placed on the right.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 136-10 • Kinder – Aufstellung rechts.
🔗 Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Bau- und Wohnungswesen • Public domain • Source revision 2017-09-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Does a school warning sign in Germany automatically set the speed limit?
A children or school warning alerts you to a potential hazard; the enforceable numerical speed limit depends on the applicable law, regulatory signs and any time or variable display. Slow further if children are near the road.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(2a),45(9); Annex 1, sign 136; Annex 2, sign 274
How should you pass a school entrance in Germany?
Watch for children stepping out from between parked vehicles, obey crossings and any school patrol, and follow stopping or parking restrictions. Do not obstruct visibility near a crossing or school entrance; approach at a speed that permits a safe stop.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§3(2a),45(9); Annex 1, sign 136; Annex 2, sign 274

Traffic rules
Germany