Questions and answers

How far before the hazard is a warning sign?

50–250 m

It depends on the speed limit. At 60 km/h or lower, a warning sign normally stands 50–150 metres before the hazard. At 70 km/h or higher, 150–250 metres before. On a motorway it stands 400 metres before and is repeated after 200 metres.

Outside built-up areas, where the limit is usually 80 km/h, that means 150–250 metres. If the sign stands somewhere else, a supplementary sign tells you the distance to the hazard.

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Night driving on a mountain road: dipped headlights light up a sharp bend with a guardrail, first snow at the roadside.

60 km/h or lower: 50–150 mbefore the hazard
70 km/h or higher: 150–250 mbefore the hazard
Motorway: 400 mand repeated after 200 m
Other distance: Supplementary signstates the distance to the hazard

Distance from sign to hazard

Speed limit 60 km/h or lower50–150 m
Speed limit 70 km/h or higher150–250 m
Motorway (repeated after 200 m)400 m

Standard distances from the Statens vegvesen sign handbook. The distance is shortened where actual speeds are well below the limit.

Why the distance grows with speed

A warning sign should give you time to react and slow down before you reach the hazard. The higher the speed, the further you travel before you react and the longer you need to brake. That is why the sign stands further away where the limit is high.

According to the sign handbook, the distance is adapted to the speed people actually drive if that is well below the limit – then the sign can stand closer.

When the sign stands elsewhere

If the sign cannot stand at the normal distance, a supplementary distance plate is put under it, and that distance applies. At level crossings there are also separate distance signs, about 300 and 150 metres before the track.

Warning signs normally stand on the right-hand side of the road. Where special conditions make it necessary, a second sign can stand on the left.

How the theory test asks about it

The question often reads “outside built-up areas, warning signs are usually placed …” – the answer is 150–250 metres before the hazard. Remember that a warning sign always comes before the hazard, never at it. See every warning sign or take a free theory test.

Why the sign comes before the hazard

The warning sign gives you time to notice, react and slow down before you get there.

Sources

Checked against the sources 4 October 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

How far before the hazard in a built-up area?

Where the limit is 60 km/h or lower – as it usually is in built-up areas – normally 50–150 metres before the hazard.

Are warning signs on both sides of the road?

Usually only on the right. An extra sign on the left is added where special conditions make it necessary.

How do I know the distance if it is different?

A supplementary sign under the warning sign states the distance to the hazard.