Use of traffic signs

Because there are many different traffic signs, it is good to know what format there is. And in which way and in which combinations certain signs can occur.

Individual signs

Individual signs (signs without a zone addition or supplementary plate that states otherwise) only apply to the next intersection. This can be, for example, a sign indicating a speed limit, or forbidding you to park on that side of the carriageway. After every intersection, the sign must be repeated to maintain its validity.

For example:

• If you encounter the sign 70 km/h within built-up areas, you may drive with a maximum speed of 70 km/h up to the next intersection.
• If this sign is not repeated after the intersection, the speed limit of 70 km/h expires at this intersection and the normal speed limit applies in built-up areas of 50 km/h.
• If you encounter a sign ‘end 70 km/h’ before an intersection, this speed limit will expire from that sign.

Zone sign

The effect of a zone sign is different from that of an individual sign. The word ‘zone’ indicates that the sign remains valid until you leave the area (zone). This is indicated by the ‘end zone’ sign.

If the E-1 (parking prohibited) sign is a zone sign, this sign no longer applies only to the side of the carriageway where the sign is placed, but to both sides of the carriageway in the entire zone. As with an individual sign E-1, an exception applies to the places intended for parking, such as parking spaces, parking lanes, and car parks.

Supplementary plates

A sign can be combined with a supplementary plate. There may be several things on this plate:

All this can be represented by means of texts or pictograms, or a combination thereof.

Multiple speed limits

It may be that several speed limits seem to apply to a situation. For example, you can normally drive 50 km/h in built-up areas, but there may also be a sign 30 km/h. In that case, the 50 km/h expires and you can only drive 30 km/h.

There are signs that only show the speed limit:

If two of these signs with different speed limits are close together, the lowest indicated speed always applies. It does not matter whether this is an individual sign or a zone sign. This can occur, for example, with a temporary decrease in speed during roadworks.

There are also other signs that say something about the speed limit, without that speed limit on it. They indicate a road type with a corresponding speed limit.

If one of these signs is combined with a sign with a speed limit, the indicated speed limit applies. Even if it is higher than the normal speed limit for this road type (for example, in built-up areas).

If other signs are combined with each other, the lowest indicated speed limit applies. Like an autoweg combined with a built-up area sign.

Of course, a vehicle may never drive faster than is permitted for this type of vehicle. Even if the speed limit is 130 km/h on a motorway, a lorry may only drive a maximum of 80 km/h here.

Recommended speed

Apart from the maximum speed limit, there can also be a recommended speed. A recommended speed is indicated on a square blue sign with a number on it. Sometimes these signs are combined with a warning sign or supplementary plate which indicates what situation this recommended speed applies to.

A recommended speed is a safe speed in case of good road and weather conditions. If these conditions are poor, for instance, in case of snowfall or rain, it is sensible to maintain an even lower speed than the recommended speed.

It is not mandatory to adhere to the recommended speed, but it is strongly advised. A recommended speed ends as soon as the situation, to which it applies, ends. If there is no situation indicated, the recommended speed normally ends at the ‘end recommended speed’ sign.

Yellow background

If traffic signs need to be more noticeable, they may be placed on a yellow background. The sign itself is not yellow and therefore does not count as a temporary traffic sign.