Signs, signals and police directions

Sign groups – how they are structured

Road signs are a common language. Shape and colour are chosen so that you understand the message quickly, often before you can read the details. When you know the system behind the groups, you do not need to memorise every single sign – you read them.

A sign must be understood at distance, at speed and in poor weather. That is why the shape comes first, the colour next, and the symbol last. In the test, read signs the same way: group, main message, then details and supplementary signs.

The shape and colour tell you the sign group before you read the symbol.

Main groups

A sign normally stands on the right-hand side of the road, facing the road users it applies to, and takes effect from the point where it stands. The stretch behind you is no longer governed by the sign – it is the road ahead that counts.

The rule starts at the signpost – not where you first spotted the sign.

Supplementary signs change the meaning

A supplementary sign can limit the main sign – for example to a particular stretch, time period or vehicle group. If you overlook the supplementary sign, you may misunderstand the whole message.

The same main sign with three different plates below: time, vehicle group and extent give three different rules.

Sign group: A family of signs with a shared shape, colour and function, for example warning signs, prohibition signs, mandatory signs and information signs.

Supplementary sign: An additional sign, usually a white rectangle below the main sign, that clarifies or limits when and for whom the main sign applies.

Priority, give-way and prohibition signs

Some signs directly affect the interaction at junctions and decide who must wait. Others prohibit an action completely. These are among the most important to know, because they often override the main rules.

Priority means that others should normally give way to you, but it is not a shield. You must still read their speed, visibility, grip and whether someone may have missed the sign. The safe answer is often to give up a little time to keep safety.

Duty to give way and priority

Downward triangle, octagon and yellow diamond: the shape alone says who must wait.

Prohibition signs

• No entry, no overtaking, no stopping and no parking are among the most common.
• Speed limit signs set the highest permitted speed on the stretch.
• A prohibition applies from the sign until it is ended, a new speed limit is set, or a junction changes the situation.

The prohibition starts at the sign and lasts to the junction – no further.

Prohibition signs should be read literally, but also practically. Ask: what is prohibited, for whom, where does it start, and where does it end? A no-stopping prohibition is stricter than a no-parking prohibition; no stopping normally means you cannot stop for loading or unloading either.

One slash bans parking; a cross bans even a brief stop to load.

Priority road: A road where you have priority at the junctions. Shown with its own sign, and ended by the 'end of priority road' sign.

Traffic lights, signals and police signals

Signals control traffic where a clearer instruction is needed than signs can give. The most important are ordinary traffic lights, but you must also know signals at level crossings and – most importantly – police signals.

Traffic lights: red means stop, red-amber means get ready, green means drive if clear, amber means stop if you can.

Traffic lights

A green filter arrow gives clear passage in the arrow's direction, even when the main signal is red.

Light signals regulate entry into the junction, but they do not remove responsibility for checking the rest of the situation. You must still look for pedestrians, cyclists, oncoming traffic when turning, emergency vehicles and whether you can get all the way through without blocking the road.

The order of priority in traffic control

When several forms of control apply at once, the order is fixed. Police signals come first. Next come light signals, signs and road markings, all of which override the general traffic rules – and where a light signal and a give-way sign disagree, the light applies.

• 1. Directions from the police (or others with such authority, such as Statens vegvesen at a check).
• 2. Light signals, signs and road markings. A traffic light overrides give-way signs.
• 3. The traffic rules, such as giving way to the right.

Police signals come before everything. Lights, signs and markings come before the traffic rules – and a light signal comes before a give-way sign.

Police signals may be a hand movement, body position or clear direction from a person directing traffic. You should reduce speed, seek eye contact if possible and follow the signal even if the light or sign says something else.

• An arm stretched out to the side: those coming from ahead or from behind must stop. Those coming from the sides may drive.
• An arm raised straight up: everyone must stop. If you are already so far into the junction that stopping would be dangerous, drive out of it.
• A red lamp waved back and forth: if you are driving towards the light, you must stop.

The position of the arm is the whole message – read it before you look at the light.

Flashing amber allocates nothing: find the sign, and if there is none, the right-hand rule applies.

Level crossing: Where a road and railway cross at the same level. Often has a light signal, barrier and sound signal that warn of trains.