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School areaWorldwide

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Worldwide. 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
Worldwide

39. 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.

Warning for children. (Lyon, France)
Wikimedia.org • Sebleouf • CC BY-SA
What is a school area?

A school area is a road or group of roads near a school where drivers should expect large numbers of children, pedestrians, cyclists and stopping vehicles.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

What is the speed limit in a school area?

There is no universal school-area speed limit. The applicable limit depends on the country, region, signs and whether a variable restriction is active.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

Warning for children. Warning for children.

Must you drive below the displayed limit?

Yes, when necessary. The displayed speed is a maximum. Children, congestion, poor visibility or vehicles stopping near the school may require a much lower speed.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

Do children automatically have priority everywhere?

No. Priority depends on crossings, traffic lights, authorised crossing supervisors and local rules. Drivers must nevertheless take exceptional care to avoid endangering children.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

When do the school-area rules end?

Follow the locally defined extent of each restriction. A school warning sign alone does not necessarily create a special legal zone. A signed speed or access restriction may end at a specified boundary, time or end sign, according to local law.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

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