Catalogue section 3.8

General indication signs (S-1–S-49)

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 background and a white symbol or wording.

How this group is laid out

These signs give information, and several of them mark where a different set of rules begins. S-1 marks the start of a motorway and, with it, of that road type's special traffic rules; S-1a does the same for an autovía, S-1b for a multi-lane road and S-1c for a 2+1 road, with three lanes and two-way traffic, whose middle lane is for overtaking and is reserved for each direction in turn. Each has its end sign in the S-2 series.

The same start-and-end pairing runs through the rest of the group: the road reserved for motor vehicles (S-3 and S-4), recommended speed (S-7 to S-10), home zones and pedestrian zones (S-28 to S-31a), ways for cycles and personal mobility vehicles (S-35 to S-44) and the shared-space zone (S-47 and S-48). Among the others are recommendations, such as S-7, which advises you not to exceed a speed; the position of a pedestrian crossing (S-13) or of a footbridge or subway (S-14a to S-14f); and places to stop: parking (S-17 and S-17a), taxis (S-18), buses (S-19), trams (S-20), lay-bys (S-34) and emergency escape lanes (S-16).

How to tell them apart

Signs in this group that look alike, and what separates them according to their definitions.

S-28S-47
Both are areas meant first of all for pedestrians, who have priority and may use the whole of the traffic area. In S-28 the speed limit is 10 km/h and games and sport are allowed; in S-47 it is 20 km/h and they are not.
S-7S-9
S-7 advises you not to exceed one speed; S-9 to stay between two values. Both are advice for when weather, road and traffic conditions are good, and under a danger sign they cover the stretch where the danger lasts.
S-11S-12a
S-11 and its variants say that a carriageway of one, two or three lanes is one-way in the direction of their arrows. S-12a and S-12b say the same of a section of carriageway.
S-22S-25
Both announce a place to turn round. At S-22 you turn at the same level; S-25 announces an exit through which you turn round at a different level.
S-15aS-15e
On every S-15 sign, the dead-end road is the one drawn inside a red box. S-15e adds an exception: it is a dead end except for pedestrians or cycles, whose pictograms it carries.

70 signs

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
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
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
2+1 road
The start of a 2+1 road: one with three lanes that carries traffic in both directions. The middle lane is there to make overtaking easier and is reserved for each direction in turn. It can also mark a slip road at an interchange leading onto a 2+1 road.
S-2
End of motorway
The end of a motorway.
S-2a
End of dual carriageway (autovía)
The end of an autovía.
S-2b
End of multi-lane road
The end of a multi-lane road.
S-2c
End of 2+1 road
The end of a 2+1 road.
S-3
Road reserved for automobiles
The start of a road reserved for automobiles.
S-4
End of road reserved for automobiles
The end of a road reserved for automobiles.
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
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
End of recommended maximum speed
The end of a stretch where the speed shown was recommended.
S-9
Recommended speed range
Recommends keeping 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
End of recommended speed range
From here, the earlier recommended-speed-range sign stops applying.
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
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
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
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
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
Pedestrian crossing here
Marks where a pedestrian crossing is.
S-14a
Pedestrian footbridge
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge is.
S-14b
Pedestrian subway
Marks where a pedestrian subway is.
S-14c
Pedestrian footbridge with ramp
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge fitted with a ramp is.
S-14d
Pedestrian subway with ramp
Marks where a pedestrian subway fitted with a ramp is.
S-14e
Pedestrian footbridge with cycle rail or ramp
Marks where a pedestrian footbridge fitted with a cycle rail or ramp is.
S-14f
Pedestrian subway with cycle rail or ramp
Marks where a pedestrian subway fitted with a cycle rail or ramp is.
S-15a
No through road
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end.
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
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
No through road ahead
The road shown boxed in red on the sign is a dead end.
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
Emergency escape lane
Marks an escape lane built so a vehicle can be stopped if its brakes fail.
S-17
Parking
Parking is allowed here. Wording or a symbol for certain classes of vehicle means parking is reserved for them. Wording giving times limits how long you may park.
S-17a
Parking for a specific need
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
Taxi rank
A place reserved for available, on-duty taxis to stop and park. A number gives the total spaces reserved.
S-19
Bus stop
A space reserved for buses to stop.
S-20
Tram stop
A space reserved for trams to stop.
S-21
Mountain pass conditions
Shows whether the pass or stretch named at the top of the sign is passable.
S-22
U-turn point, same level
A place is coming up where you can turn round at the same level.
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
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
U-turn point, different level
An exit is coming up through which you can turn round at a different level.
S-26a
Exit 300 m ahead
On a motorway or dual carriageway, 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
Exit 200 m ahead
On a motorway or dual carriageway, 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
Exit 100 m ahead
On a motorway or dual carriageway, 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
Roadside assistance
Marks the nearest SOS post or first-aid post from which you can call for help after a crash or a breakdown. The sign may give the distance to it.
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; vehicles may park only in places marked by signs or road markings; cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles may travel in both directions unless the competent authority decides otherwise; pedestrians may use the whole area, so pedestrian crossings are not marked; games and sports are allowed there. It always comes with an R-301 sign limiting speed to 10 km/h.
S-29
End of home zone
The general traffic rules apply again.
S-30a
Pedestrian zone
An area reserved for pedestrian use.
S-31a
End of pedestrian zone
The end of an area reserved for pedestrian use.
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
Shared foot and cycle path
A way for pedestrians, cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles, separated from motor traffic and usually running through open ground, parks, gardens or woodland, though outside built-up areas it may also run alongside the road. When people are walking on it, cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles must slow down so that everyone stays safe and can share the way. Pedestrians, likewise, must let cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles pass.
S-34
Lay-by
Marks a place where you can pull over in an emergency to leave the way clear.
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
Cycle track
A way meant for cycles; all other road users are barred from it.
S-36
End of cycle track
The end of a way meant for cycles.
S-37
Track for personal mobility vehicles
A way meant for personal mobility vehicles; all other road users are barred from it.
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
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
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
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
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
Cycle, personal mobility vehicle 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
End of separated cycle, personal mobility vehicle 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
Cycle crossing here
Marks where a cycle crossing is.
S-46
Pedestrian and cycle crossing here
Marks where a pedestrian crossing alongside or shared with a cycle crossing is.
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; pedestrians have priority and may use the whole area, so pedestrian crossings are not marked; cycles and, where applicable, personal mobility vehicles may travel in both directions unless the competent authority decides otherwise; vehicles may park only in places marked by signs or road markings; games and sports are not allowed.
S-48
End of shared-space zone
The general traffic rules apply again.
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 (all three shown by the motorcycle pictogram), or cycles.