Road signs in East Germany

Direction signs in Dresden in 1988.

The road signs of the German Democratic Republic includes the distinct system of traffic signs, signals, and road markings used in the country from its establishment in 1949 until the German reunification in 1990. While initially inheriting the pre-World War II German traffic code, East Germany developed its own independent Road Traffic Regulations (Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung, or StVO) in 1956. The system went through a major overhaul between 1974 and 1978 to align with the international standards of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

Despite international standardization, East German signage retained unique aesthetic and design choices that set it apart from its West German counterpart. Most notable was the use of GIL, a customized sans-serif typeface heavily based on Gill Sans, which was characterized by extremely tight spacing between letters. The country's traffic infrastructure also led to the introduction of the Ampelmännchen (little traffic light man), which was a stylized pedestrian signal created in 1961 by traffic psychologist Karl Peglau.

Following the dissolution of the GDR in 1990, East German road signs were systematically replaced by West German standards. However, the Ampelmännchen survived due to widespread public nostalgia and remains an iconic cultural symbol across modern Germany today.

(1949-1956)

Warning signs

• 
  Danger
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Series of bends
• 
  Crossroad
• 
  Railway crossing with gates
• 
  Railway crossing without gates
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon

Regulatory signs

• 
  No vehicles
• 
  No entry
• 
  No motor vehicles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No motor vehicles (in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motorcycles (in weekends and holidays)
• 
  Bicycle path
• 
  Weight limit
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Speed limit
• 
  No stopping
• 
  No parking
• 
  Turn right
• 
  Straight ahead
• 
  Turn right ahead
• 
  Straight ahead or turn right
• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Customs
• 
  Give way
• 
  Stop
• 
  Taxi stand

Information signs

• 
  Parking
• 
  Caution
• 
  First aid
• 
  Street Lighting not in use for the whole night
• 
  Over-voltage Street Lighting not in use for the whole night
• 
  Begin of urban area
• 
  End of urban area
• 
  Direction sign for highways
• 
  Direction sign
• 
  Direction sign for unpaved roads
• 
  Highway number
• 
  Ringroad or beltway for long-distance traffic
• 
  Advance direction sign
• 
  Priority road
• 
  Detour

(1956-1964)

Warning signs

• 
  Other danger
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Series of bends
• 
  Crossroad
• 
  Steep descent
• 
  Slippery road
• 
  Road narrows
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Roadworks
• 
  Children
• 
  Railway crossing with gates
• 
  Railway crossing without gates
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Single track railway crossing
• 
  Single track railway crossing (with light)
• 
  Multi track railway crossing

Prohibitory signs

• 
  No vehicles
• 
  No through traffic
• 
  Play street
• 
  No entry
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No motor vehicles
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No bicycles
• 
  No bicycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No animal-drawn vehicles
• 
  No parking
• 
  No stopping
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Weight limit
• 
  Speed limit
• 
  End of speed limit
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  Give way
• 
  Give way to trams
• 
  Stop
• 
  Customs

Mandatory signs

• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right ahead)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn right)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right or left)
• 
  Roundabout
• 
  Bicycle path
• 
  Footpath
• 
  Parking
• 
  Caution
• 
  Frist aid or hospital

Information signs

• 
  Priority road
• 
  End of priority road
• 
  Begin of expressway
• 
  End of expressway
• 
  Highway number
• 
  Direction sign for highways
• 
  Direction sign
• 
  Direction sign for unpaved roads
• 
  Begin of urban area
• 
  End of urban area
• 
  Advance direction sign
• 
  Detour scheme
• 
  Detour

(1964-1971)

Warning signs

• 
  Other danger
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Crossroad with priority
• 
  Crossroad
• 
  Right curve
• 
  Left curve
• 
  Right double curve
• 
  Left double curve
• 
  Steep descent
• 
  Slippery road
• 
  Road narrows
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Roadworks
• 
  Low-flying planes
• 
  Children
• 
  Animals
• 
  Railway crossing with gates
• 
  Railway crossing without gates
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Single track railway crossing
• 
  Single track railway crossing (electrified line)
• 
  Single track railway crossing (with light)
• 
  Multi track railway crossing

Prohibitory signs

• 
  No vehicles
• 
  No through traffic
• 
  Play street
• 
  No entry
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No motor vehicles
• 
  No bicycles
• 
  No bicycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No animal-drawn vehicles
• 
  No left turn
• 
  No right turn
• 
  No parking
• 
  No stopping
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Weight limit
• 
  Axle weight limit
• 
  Speed limit
• 
  End of speed limit
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  End of no overtaking
• 
  No honking
• 
  Give way
• 
  Give way to trams
• 
  Stop
• 
  Customs

Mandatory signs

• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left)
• 
  Roundabout
• 
  Bicycle path
• 
  Footpath
• 
  Parking
• 
  Taxi stand
• 
  Parking layout perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking layout angled to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement: on the sidewalk
• 
  Parking arrangement: half on the sidewalk
• 
  Parking arrangement: on the sidewalk perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement: half on the sidewalk, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
• 
  Caution
• 
  Preselection sign

Information signs

• 
  Frist aid or hospital
• 
  Public telephone
• 
  Repair service
• 
  Gas station
• 
  Priority road
• 
  Priority road direction
• 
  Begin of expressway
• 
  End of expressway
• 
  Highway number
• 
  Direction sign for highways
• 
  Direction sign
• 
  Direction sign for motorway
• 
  Direction sign for through traffic
• 
  Direction sign for unpaved roads
• 
  Begin of urban area
• 
  End of urban area
• 
  Advance direction sign
• 
  Detour scheme
• 
  Detour

(1971-1979)

Warning signs

• 
  Other danger
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Crossroad with priority
• 
  Right curve
• 
  Left curve
• 
  Right double curve
• 
  Left double curve
• 
  Steep descent
• 
  Slippery road
• 
  Road narrows
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Roadworks
• 
  Low-flying planes
• 
  Children
• 
  Animals
• 
  Traffic lights ahead
• 
  Railway crossing with gates
• 
  Railway crossing without gates
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Single track railway crossing
• 
  Single track railway crossing (electrified line)
• 
  Single track railway crossing (with light)
• 
  Multi track railway crossing

Prohibitory signs

• 
  No vehicles
• 
  No through traffic
• 
  Play street
• 
  No entry
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motor vehicles
• 
  No motor vehicles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No bicycles
• 
  No bicycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles (only in weekends and holidays)
• 
  No animal-drawn vehicles
• 
  No left turn
• 
  No right turn
• 
  No U-turn
• 
  No parking
• 
  No stopping
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Weight limit
• 
  Axle weight limit
• 
  Maximum speed limit
• 
  End of maximum speed limit
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  End of no overtaking
• 
  No honking
• 
  End of all restrictions
• 
  Give way
• 
  Give way to trams
• 
  Stop
• 
  Customs

Mandatory signs

• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left)
• 
  Two-way traffic
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right or left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left ahead)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right ahead)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn right)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn left)
• 
  Roundabout
• 
  Bicycle path
• 
  Footpath
• 
  Pedestrian underpass
• 
  Minimum speed limit
• 
  End of minimum speed limit
• 
  Parking
• 
  Taxi stand
• 
  Parking arrangement perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement at an angle to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement: on the sidewalk
• 
  Parking arrangement: half on the sidewalk
• 
  Parking arrangement: on the sidewalk perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement: half on the sidewalk, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
• 
  Parking arrangement: on the roadway parallel to the direction of travel
• 
  Caution
• 
  Preselection sign
• 
  Advance direction sign with restriction

Information signs

• 
  First aid or hospital
• 
  Public telephone
• 
  Repair service
• 
  Gas station
• 
  Camping
• 
  Priority road
• 
  Priority road direction
• 
  Begin of expressway
• 
  End of expressway
• 
  Highway number
• 
  Direction sign for highways
• 
  Direction sign
• 
  Direction sign for motorway
• 
  Direction sign for through traffic
• 
  Direction sign for unpaved roads
• 
  Begin of urban area
• 
  End of urban area
• 
  Advance direction sign
• 
  Advance direction sign for lines
• 
  Motorway
• 
  End of motorway
• 
  Advance direction sign for motorway
• 
  Direction sign for motorway
• 
  Advance sign for motorway junctions
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Detour scheme
• 
  Detour
• 
  Detour direction (go straight)
• 
  Detour direction (turn right)
• 
  Detour direction (turn left)
• 
  Chevron delineator

Additional signs

• 
  Pedestrians keep left
• 
  Pedestrians to use the opposite footway
• 
  Begin
• 
  End
• 
  Risk of black ice
• 
  Telephone number
• 
  Winding road at 4000 m
• 
  Three consecutive hazard points
• 
  Distance to the object
• 
  Grit
• 
  Loose gravel
• 
  Bicycle crossing
• 
  Deaf people
• 
  Time restriction
• 
  Direction (left)
• 
  At an altitude of 800 m
• 
  Unsupervised parking
• 
  Exit (straight)
• 
  Vehicle type (truck)
• 
  Vehicle type (bus)
• 
  Vehicle type (car)
• 
  Vehicle type (motorcycle)
• 
  Tram in oncoming traffic
• 
  Tram crossing
• 
  Faling rocks
• 
  Measurement
• 
  Except bicycles
• 
  Except people's police vehicles
• 
  Except fire service vehicles
• 
  Except motor vehicles
• 
  Except for scheduled buses
• 
  Except taxi
• 
  Except construction vehicles
• 
  Except ambulances
• 
  Except service vehicles
• 
  Except for service vehicles
• 
  Frost damage

(1979-1990)

Warning signs

• 
  Other danger
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Crossroad with priority
• 
  Crossroad
• 
  Traffic lights ahead
• 
  Right curve
• 
  Left curve
• 
  Right double curve
• 
  Left double curve
• 
  Steep descent
• 
  Steep ascent
• 
  Crosswinds
• 
  Slippery road
• 
  Road narrows (both sides)
• 
  Road narrows (right side)
• 
  Road narrows (left side)
• 
  Two-way traffic
• 
  Roadworks
• 
  Loose gravel
• 
  Falling rocks
• 
  Pedestrian crossing ahead
• 
  Children
• 
  Wild animals
• 
  Domesticated animals
• 
  Low-flying planes
• 
  Bicycle crossing
• 
  Tram crossing
• 
  Railway crossing without gates
• 
  Railway crossing with gates
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Countdown beacon
• 
  Railway crossbuck
• 
  Railway crossbuck (with light)
• 
  Railway crossbuck (electrified line)

Regulatory signs

• 
  No vehicles
• 
  No entry
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No motor vehicles
• 
  No trucks
• 
  No agricultural vehicles
• 
  No vehicles with trailer
• 
  No bicycles
• 
  No animal-drawn vehicles
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Weight limit
• 
  Axle weight limit
• 
  No U-turn
• 
  No honking
• 
  Minimum distance limit
• 
  Maximum speed limit
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  No overtaking for trucks
• 
  End of all restrictions
• 
  End of maximum speed limit
• 
  End of no overtaking
• 
  No stopping
• 
  No parking
• 
  Stop
• 
  Give way
• 
  Customs
• 
  Give way to oncoming traffic
• 
  Minimum speed limit
• 
  End of minimum speed limit
• 
  Snow chains mandatory
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right ahead)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn left ahead)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn right)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or turn left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (turn right or left)
• 
  Mandatory direction (go straight or U-turn)
• 
  Advance direction sign with restriction
• 
  Keep right
• 
  Keep left
• 
  One-way traffic (right)
• 
  One-way traffic (left)
• 
  One-way traffic
• 
  Preselection sign
• 
  Reduction in the number of traffic lanes
• 
  Increase in the number of traffic lanes
• 
  Bus stop
• 
  Tram stop
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Pedestrian underpass
• 
  Pedestrian overpass
• 
  For pedestrians – use the opposite side of the street (go left)
• 
  For pedestrians – use the opposite side of the street (go right)
• 
  Footpath
• 
  Bicycle path
• 
  Parking
• 
  Unsupervised parking
• 
  Reserved parking
• 
  Taxi stand
• 
  Parking with time limit; use only with parking disc.
• 
  Parking layout perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking layout angled to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking regulations for sidewalks
• 
  Parking half on the sidewalk
• 
  Parking regulations on the sidewalk, perpendicular to the direction of travel
• 
  Parking arrangement: half on the sidewalk, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
• 
  Parking arrangement on the roadway, parallel to the direction of travel.
• 
  No parking zone
• 
  Speed limit zone
• 
  End of no parking zone
• 
  End of speed limit zone

Information signs

• 
  Priority road
• 
  End of priority road
• 
  European route number
• 
  Highway number
• 
  Motorway
• 
  End of motorway
• 
  Direction sign for motorway
• 
  Advance notice of a motorway junction
• 
  Advance direction sign for motorway
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Exit countdown marker
• 
  Motorway exit direction sign
• 
  Begin of urban area
• 
  End of urban area
• 
  Advance direction sign for lines
• 
  Advance direction sign
• 
  Dircetion sign for highway
• 
  Dircetion sign
• 
  Dircetion sign for unpaved roads
• 
  Dircetion sign for through traffic
• 
  Priority over oncoming traffic
• 
  Dead end
• 
  Hospital
• 
  Frist aid
• 
  Public telephone
• 
  Repair service
• 
  Gas station
• 
  Camping
• 
  Restaurant
• 
  Refreshment
• 
  Hotel or motel
• 
  Public toilet
• 
  Information post
• 
  National speed limits
• 
  Detour scheme
• 
  Detour direction (turn right)
• 
  Detour direction (turn left)
• 
  Detour direction (go straight)
• 
  Motorway direction (to straight)
• 
  Motorway direction (to right)
• 
  Announcement of lane change

Additional signs

• 
  Priority road direction
• 
  Begin
• 
  In front of and behind
• 
  End
• 
  Left
• 
  Left and right
• 
  Right
• 
  Distance to the object
• 
  Section length
• 
  Number of danger
• 
  Time restriction
• 
  Risk of snow and icy
• 
  Risk of sudden fog
• 
  Dangerous road shoulder
• 
  Play street
• 
  Train operations
• 
  Vehicle type (truck)
• 
  Vehicle type (bicycle)
• 
  Vehicle type (motorcycle)
• 
  Vehicle type (car)
• 
  Vehicle type (bus)
• 
  Vehicle type (tram)
• 
  Disabled people
• 
  Except for the disabled
• 
  Valid in wet conditions
• 
  Telephone number
• 
  Sports facility

1988 addition

• 
  Segregated pedestrian and cycle path
• 
  Segregated pedestrian and cycle path
• 
  Shared-use path
• 
  Highway exit direction sign
• 
  Park and ride

See also

• Road signs in Germany