Catalogue section 3.6
Obligation signs (R-400a–R-422)
They set a compulsory rule you must follow from the sign onwards.
How to recognise them: A circle with a blue background carrying, in white, the symbol of what you must do.
How this group is laid out
A mandatory sign tells you to do something from the point where it stands, and what it tells you comes in several kinds. Some say which way to go: the arrow on R-400 gives the direction you must follow, the one on R-401 which side of an island or obstruction to pass (R-401c lets you choose either side), R-402 the way round a roundabout, and R-403 the only directions you may take.
Others say which way to use, and here the sign's name tells you whether anyone else may go in. A "compulsory carriageway" (R-404 to R-406 and R-414 to R-416) or a "compulsory track" (R-408 and R-419) obliges certain users to use it, and its definition bars no one else from it. A way or track that is "reserved and compulsory" (R-407a, R-407b, R-409, R-410, R-420 and R-421) also bars every other user.
The rest say how to drive: at no less than a minimum speed (R-411), with snow chains or special tyres (R-412) or winter tyres (R-412b), with at least dipped headlights on (R-413), with your seat belt on (R-417), paying by electronic toll (R-418) or, for cyclists, getting off and walking (R-422).
How to tell them apart
Signs in this group that look alike, and what separates them according to their definitions.
R-400a
R-403aR-400a requires you to follow the one direction its arrow shows. The arrows on R-403a, by contrast, are the only directions you may take.
R-401a
R-401cThe arrow on R-401a fixes the side of the refuge, island or obstruction you must pass. The arrows on R-401c show both sides, and you must pass on one of them.
R-404
R-407aR-404 requires motor vehicles, other than two-wheeled motorcycles, to use that carriageway, and its definition bars no one else from it. R-407a requires cycles to use the way and bars everyone else from it.
R-412
R-412bR-412 does not let you go on without snow chains, another authorised anti-skid device or special snow tyres. R-412b requires special winter tyres.
33 signs
R-400a
Compulsory direction
The arrow shows the direction vehicles must follow.
R-400b
Compulsory direction
The arrow shows the direction vehicles must follow.
R-400c
Compulsory direction
The arrow shows the direction vehicles must follow.
R-400d
Compulsory direction
The arrow shows the direction vehicles must follow.
R-400e
Compulsory direction
The arrow shows the direction vehicles must follow.
R-401a
Pass this side
The arrow shows which side of the refuge, island or obstruction vehicles must pass.
R-401b
Pass this side
The arrow shows which side of the refuge, island or obstruction vehicles must pass.
R-401c
Pass either side
The arrows show the sides of the refuge, island or obstruction, one of which vehicles must pass.
R-402
Compulsory direction at a roundabout
The arrows show the direction of the circular movement vehicles must follow.
R-403a
Only these directions allowed
The arrows show the only directions vehicles may take.
R-403b
Only these directions allowed
The arrows show the only directions vehicles may take.
R-403c
Only these directions allowed
The arrows show the only directions vehicles may take.
R-404
Compulsory carriageway for automobiles, except two-wheeled motorcycles
Drivers of automobiles — other than two-wheeled motorcycles and three-wheelers treated as motorcycles — must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-405
Compulsory carriageway for two-wheeled motorcycles
Riders of two-wheeled motorcycles and three-wheelers treated as motorcycles must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-406
Compulsory carriageway for lorries, tractor units and vans
Drivers of lorries, tractor units and vans, whatever their mass, must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to. A tonnage figure on the vehicle symbol or on a supplementary plate means the duty applies only when the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is above that figure.
R-407a
Compulsory cycle track
Cyclists must use the way this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-407b
Compulsory moped track
Moped riders must use the way this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-408
Compulsory track for animal-drawn vehicles
Drivers of animal-drawn vehicles must use the track this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-409
Compulsory bridleway
Riders must take their mounts along the track this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-410
Compulsory footpath
Pedestrians must use the path this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-411
Minimum speed
You must drive at least at the speed shown, in km/h, from the sign until a different minimum-speed sign, an end-of-minimum-speed sign, or a maximum-speed sign of the same or a lower value.
R-412
Snow chains required
You may not go on unless you have snow chains or other authorised anti-skid devices fitted to at least one wheel on each side of the same driven axle, or special snow tyres.
R-412b
Winter tyres required
You may not go on without special winter tyres.
R-413
Dipped headlights required
You must drive with at least dipped headlights on, whatever the visibility and street lighting, from the sign until an end-of-obligation sign.
R-414
Compulsory carriageway for dangerous goods
Drivers of any vehicle carrying dangerous goods that must be placarded under the relevant rules must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-415
Compulsory carriageway for water-polluting loads
Drivers of any vehicle carrying more than 1,000 litres of substances that can pollute water must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-416
Compulsory carriageway for explosive or flammable goods
Drivers of any vehicle carrying explosive or readily flammable goods that must be placarded under the relevant rules must use the carriageway this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-417
Seat belt required
A reminder that you must wear your seat belt.
R-418
Electronic toll only
You must pay the toll by dynamic or electronic tolling; a vehicle using the lanes marked this way must carry working equipment for it, as the law requires.
R-419
Compulsory track for tractors
Tractor drivers must use the track this sign stands at the entrance to.
R-420
Compulsory track for personal mobility vehicles
Riders of personal mobility vehicles must use the way this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-421
Compulsory track for cycles and personal mobility vehicles
Cyclists and riders of personal mobility vehicles must use the way this sign stands at the entrance to, and all other road users are barred from it.
R-422
Dismount and continue on foot
Cyclists must continue on foot. If this applies only at certain times, a supplementary panel will say so.
The definitions in the list follow the regulation's Spanish text. The introduction and the comparisons are ours.
Source: Reglamento General de Circulación — Anexo I, apartado 5: Catálogo oficial de señales de la circulación y marcas viales (Catálogo de señales verticales, tomo I) · Anexo I, apartado 5 (Catálogo de señales verticales de circulación, tomo I)
Keep going
Other sign categories
- Danger warning signs58
- Priority signs6
- Entry prohibition signs21
- Passage restriction signs6
- Other prohibition and restriction signs20
- End of prohibition, restriction or obligation signs17
- General indication signs70
- Lane signs42
- Service signs34
- Advance direction signs27
- Direction signs28
- Road identification signs7
- Location signs25
- Confirmation signs3
- Urban-specific signs8
- Supplementary panels24
- Other signs26
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