Catalogue section 3.8

General indication signs

They give useful information about the road type and its special rules: motorway, tunnel, one-way, pedestrian zone.

How to recognise them: A square or rectangular sign with a blue ground and a white symbol or wording.

70 signs

S-1
S-1 · Motorway
The start of a motorway, and so the point from which that road type's special rules apply. It can also mark a slip road at an interchange leading onto a motorway.
S-1a
S-1a · Dual carriageway (autovía)
The start of an autovía, and so the point from which that road type's special rules apply. It can also mark a slip road at an interchange leading onto one.
S-1b
S-1b · Multi-lane road
The start of a multi-lane road, and so the point from which that road type's special rules apply. It can also mark a slip road at an interchange leading onto one.
S-1c
S-1c · 2+1 road
The start of a 2+1 road: three lanes carrying traffic in both directions, where the middle lane is there for overtaking and is reserved for each direction in turn.
S-2
S-2 · End of motorway
The end of a motorway.
S-2a
S-2a · End of dual carriageway (autovía)
The end of an autovía.
S-2b
S-2b · End of multi-lane road
The end of a multi-lane road.
S-2c
S-2c · End of 2+1 road
The end of a 2+1 road.
S-3
S-3 · Road for motor vehicles
The start of a road reserved for motor vehicles.
S-4
S-4 · End of road for motor vehicles
The end of a road reserved for motor vehicles.
S-5
S-5 · Tunnel
The start, and possibly the name, of a tunnel, underpass or stretch treated as a tunnel. Its length in metres may appear underneath.
S-7
S-7 · Recommended maximum speed
A recommended speed in km/h that it is best not to exceed, even in good weather and traffic conditions. Placed under a danger-warning sign, the advice covers the stretch where that hazard lasts.
S-8
S-8 · End of recommended maximum speed
The end of a stretch where the speed shown was recommended.
S-9
S-9 · Recommended speed range
Keep your speed between the values shown, as long as weather, road and traffic conditions are good. Placed under a danger-warning sign, the advice covers the stretch where that hazard lasts.
S-10
S-10 · End of recommended speed range
From here, the earlier recommended-speed-range sign stops applying.
S-11
S-11 · One-way single-lane carriageway
On the single-lane carriageway continuing in the arrow's direction, drive the way the arrow points; traffic the other way is prohibited.
S-11a
S-11a · One-way two-lane carriageway
On the two-lane carriageway continuing in the arrows' direction, drive the way they point; traffic the other way is prohibited.
S-11b
S-11b · One-way three-lane carriageway
On the three-lane carriageway continuing in the arrows' direction, drive the way they point; traffic the other way is prohibited. With more lanes, the number of arrows matches them.
S-12a
S-12a · One-way section
On the section of carriageway continuing in the arrow's direction, drive the way the arrow points; traffic the other way is prohibited.
S-12b
S-12b · One-way section
On the section of carriageway continuing in the arrow's direction, drive the way the arrow points; traffic the other way is prohibited.
S-13
S-13 · Pedestrian crossing here
Marks where a pedestrian crossing is.
S-14a
S-14a · Pedestrian footbridge
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge is.
S-14b
S-14b · Pedestrian subway
Marks where a pedestrian subway is.
S-14c
S-14c · Pedestrian footbridge with ramp
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge fitted with a ramp is.
S-14d
S-14d · Pedestrian subway with ramp
Marks where a pedestrian subway fitted with a ramp is.
S-14e
S-14e · Pedestrian footbridge with cycle rail or ramp
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge fitted with a cycle rail or ramp is.
S-14f
S-14f · Pedestrian subway with cycle rail or ramp
Marks where a pedestrian subway fitted with a cycle rail or ramp is.
S-15a
S-15a · No through road
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end.
S-15b
S-15b · No through road ahead
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end. A mirrored version may be used to match the actual layout.
S-15c
S-15c · No through road ahead
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end. A mirrored version may be used to match the actual layout.
S-15d
S-15d · No through road ahead
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end.
S-15e
S-15e · No through road except for pedestrians or cycles
The road shown boxed in red is a dead end except for pedestrians or cycles. The sign carries the pictogram of whoever the exception covers.
S-16
S-16 · Emergency escape lane
Marks an escape lane built so a vehicle can be stopped if its brakes fail.
S-17
S-17 · Parking
Parking is allowed here. A wording or symbol for certain vehicle classes means the space is reserved for them; a wording giving times limits how long you may stay.
S-17a
S-17a · Short-stay parking
Parking is allowed here only for one specific purpose — reaching a pharmacy, a hospital and so on, shown by the pictogram — and only for a set time, given on a supplementary panel.
S-18
S-18 · Taxi rank
A space reserved for free and in-service taxis to stop and wait. A number gives the total spaces reserved.
S-19
S-19 · Bus stop
A space reserved for buses to stop.
S-20
S-20 · Tram stop
A space reserved for trams to stop.
S-21
S-21 · Mountain pass conditions
Shows whether the pass or stretch named at the top of the sign is passable.
S-22
S-22 · U-turn point, same level
A place is coming up where you can turn round at the same level.
S-23
S-23 · Hospital
Marks a hospital, and reminds you to take the care that being near medical premises calls for — above all, not making noise.
S-24
S-24 · End of dipped-headlight requirement
The end of a stretch where at least dipped headlights were compulsory. You may switch them off, unless visibility, the time of day or the road's lighting still require them.
S-25
S-25 · U-turn point, different level
An exit is coming up through which you can turn round at a different level.
S-26a
S-26a · Exit 300 m ahead
On a motorway or autovía, the next exit is roughly 300 m away. Where the exit is on the left, the diagonal runs down from left to right and the sign stands on the left of the carriageway.
S-26b
S-26b · Exit 200 m ahead
On a motorway or autovía, the next exit is roughly 200 m away. Where the exit is on the left, the diagonal runs down from left to right and the sign stands on the left of the carriageway.
S-26c
S-26c · Exit 100 m ahead
On a motorway or autovía, the next exit is roughly 100 m away. Where the exit is on the left, the diagonal runs down from left to right and the sign stands on the left of the carriageway.
S-27
S-27 · Roadside assistance
Marks the nearest emergency post or phone from which you can call for help after a crash or a breakdown. The sign may give the distance to it.
S-28
S-28 · Home zone (play street)
An area meant first of all for pedestrians, where special rules apply: vehicles are limited to 10 km/h and drivers must give way to pedestrians.
S-29
S-29 · End of home zone
The general traffic rules apply again.
S-30a
S-30a · Pedestrian zone
An area reserved for pedestrian use.
S-31a
S-31a · End of pedestrian zone
The end of an area reserved for pedestrian use.
S-32
S-32 · Electronic tolling available
A vehicle using the lanes marked this way may pay the toll by dynamic or electronic tolling, as well as by other means, provided it carries the equipment for it.
S-33
S-33 · Shared foot and cycle path
A way for pedestrians, cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles, separated from motor traffic. It usually runs through open ground, parks, gardens or woodland, though outside built-up areas it may also run alongside the road.
S-34
S-34 · Lay-by
Marks a place where you can pull over in an emergency to leave the way clear.
S-34a
S-34a · Tunnel lay-by with emergency phone
Marks a place in a tunnel where you can pull over in an emergency to leave the way clear, fitted with an emergency phone.
S-35
S-35 · Cycle track
A way meant for cycles; all other road users are barred from it.
S-36
S-36 · End of cycle track
The end of a way meant for cycles.
S-37
S-37 · Track for personal mobility vehicles
A way meant for personal mobility vehicles; all other road users are barred from it.
S-38
S-38 · Track for cycles and personal mobility vehicles
A way meant for cycles and personal mobility vehicles; all other road users are barred from it.
S-39
S-39 · End of track for personal mobility vehicles
The end of a way meant for personal mobility vehicles, from which other road users were barred.
S-40
S-40 · End of track for cycles and personal mobility vehicles
The end of a way meant for cycles and personal mobility vehicles, from which other road users were barred.
S-41
S-41 · Cycle and foot way, separated
A way for cycles and pedestrians with separate space for each. The sign's layout may be adapted to how the spaces actually run.
S-42
S-42 · End of separated cycle and foot way
The end of a way for cycles and pedestrians with separate space for each. The sign's layout may be adapted to how the spaces actually run.
S-43
S-43 · Cycle, PMV and foot way, separated
A way for cycles, personal mobility vehicles and pedestrians, with the first two separated from pedestrians. The sign's layout may be adapted to how the spaces actually run.
S-44
S-44 · End of separated cycle, PMV and foot way
The end of a way for cycles, personal mobility vehicles and pedestrians, with the first two separated from pedestrians. The sign's layout may be adapted to how the spaces actually run.
S-45
S-45 · Cycle crossing here
Marks where a cycle crossing is.
S-46
S-46 · Pedestrian and cycle crossing here
Marks where a pedestrian crossing alongside or shared with a cycle crossing is.
S-47
S-47 · Shared-space zone
An area meant first of all for pedestrians, where special rules apply: vehicles are limited to 20 km/h, the space is shared between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, and pedestrians have priority.
S-48
S-48 · End of shared-space zone
The general traffic rules apply again.
S-49
S-49 · Motorcycle or cycle advance box
A waiting area before the stop line at a light-controlled junction, reserved for the vehicles shown on the sign — motorcycles, three-wheelers treated as motorcycles and mopeds, or cycles.