Direction signs
The signs that show the way. The background colour is not decoration — it tells you what kind of road you are being pointed at.
Do you know the direction signs? Take a 5-sign quiz
Pick what the sign means. You see the answer straight away – no account needed.
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What does this sign mean?
Gantry direction sign (719). Direction sign mounted on a gantry over the carriageway indicating destination and direction of travel per lane at the junction. The driver follows the lane corresponding to the desired destination. Read more about the sign → -
What does this sign mean?
Exit direction sign (715). Direction sign placed at the actual exit from a motorway or road with a grade-separated junction, showing the destination for the exit. The driver turns off here to reach the indicated destination. Read more about the sign → -
What does this sign mean?
Ring route (723.21). Indicates the number of a ring road or ring route around or through an urban area. The driver follows the ring route number to get around the area. Read more about the sign → -
What does this sign mean?
Road number for national road (non-European route) (723.13). Indicates the number of a national road that is not a European route. The driver uses the road number to get oriented and stay on the correct route. Read more about the sign → -
What does this sign mean?
Cycle route table sign (753). Shows destinations and directions for cycle routes arranged in table form at an intersection. Cyclists follow the direction indicated for their desired destination. Read more about the sign →
Signs and road markings are one of the seven themes of the theory test. Try the whole test – the first questions are free, no account.
Where the group sits in the regulations
The group holds 35 signs and is governed by chapter 8 of the Norwegian sign regulations: the general provisions in § 15, and the individual signs in § 16.
Read the colour first, the place name second
Direction signs carry their system in the colour. Green points to a motorway, blue to other main roads, white to local roads, and brown to sights and tourist destinations. So you can read what kind of road you are joining before you have read where it goes.
That is useful in practice, because the road type sets the rules: which vehicles may use it, what speeds are in play, and whether you can turn round or stop at all.
Road numbers and distances
Besides place names, many of these signs carry a road number. The number is the part that does not change along the way, which makes it the simplest way to stay on the same road through several junctions.
Distances given are to the place, not to the exit. On long stretches that is a common source of confusion, and a reason to read the whole sign rather than only the top line.
Six signs from the group, explained
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Tabular advance direction sign 701Gives advance warning of a junction or an exit by showing road numbers and/or place names arranged in a table. The driver uses the sign to position correctly well before the junction.
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Road number for European route 723.11Indicates the number of a European route (E-road), shown in white text on a green background. The driver uses the number to follow the correct route.
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Road number for national road (non-European route) 723.13
Indicates the number of a national road that is not a European route. The driver uses the road number to get oriented and stay on the correct route.
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Road number for numbered county road 723.15Indicates the number of a numbered county road. The driver uses the number to follow the desired route.
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Motorway – symbol on direction signs 761This symbol is used on direction signs. It means the road the sign points to is signed as a motorway (sign 502), and the motorway rules apply there.
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Expressway – symbol on direction signs 763This symbol is used on direction signs. It means the road the sign points to is signed as an expressway (sign 503), and the expressway rules apply there.
All 35 direction signs
Below are all 35 signs in the group as they actually look. Tap a sign for its name, its meaning and what the test tends to ask about it.
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Tabular advance direction sign701
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Diagrammatic advance direction sign703 -
Exit direction sign705 -
Lane direction sign707 -
Gantry direction sign709 -
Tabular direction sign711 -
Standard direction sign713 -
Exit direction sign715
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Lane direction sign717 -
Gantry direction sign719
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Road number for European route723.11
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Road number for national road (non-European route)723.13
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Road number for numbered county road723.15
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Ring route723.21
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National tourist route723.31 -
Diversion route for large vehicles723.41 -
Route for transport of dangerous goods723.51 -
Other diversion routes723.61 -
Junction number on multi-lane road723.71 -
Junction number on two-lane road723.73 -
Distance sign725 -
Place name sign727 -
Street/road name sign729 -
Combined direction sign731 -
Diversion for specific vehicle groups741 -
Temporary diversion743 -
End of temporary diversion745 -
Pedestrian direction sign749 -
Cycle route direction sign751 -
Cycle route table sign753
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Cycle route sign755 -
Cycle route distance sign757 -
Motorway – symbol on direction signs761
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Expressway – symbol on direction signs763
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Toll road/road user charge765
Read about the sign group in the theory course: chapter 7, Signs, signals and police directions →
Frequently asked questions
What does the colour of a direction sign mean?
Green points to a motorway, blue to other main roads, white to local roads, brown to sights and tourist destinations. The colour tells you the road type, and therefore which rules apply there.
Why is the road number on the sign?
Because the number follows the road the whole way. Place names change with where you are, but the number is the reliable way to stay on the same road through several junctions.