International Traffic Symbols for Driving in Europe
Driving in Europe, particularly France and Italy, differs little from driving in
the USA except for the narrow roads in the rural countryside and fast and
impatient drivers among the locals in the city and on the highway. It is best
to keep right and give way when a car wants to pass.
the USA except for the narrow roads in the rural countryside and fast and
impatient drivers among the locals in the city and on the highway. It is best
to keep right and give way when a car wants to pass.
The rules of driving in Europe are similar to the US,
Mexico, and Canada, including the giving of the right
of way to the car in the rotary except where noted by
dark lines or arrows.
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because they have signs
clearly marking directions to cities and towns.
When in doubt about a direction, you can go to the
inside and circle the rotary as many times as it takes
to get your bearings.
Study the rotary nuance, however, the car in the rotary
does not always have sole right of way.
Mexico, and Canada, including the giving of the right
of way to the car in the rotary except where noted by
dark lines or arrows.
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because they have signs
clearly marking directions to cities and towns.
When in doubt about a direction, you can go to the
inside and circle the rotary as many times as it takes
to get your bearings.
Study the rotary nuance, however, the car in the rotary
does not always have sole right of way.
Speed Limits
Speed limits in Europe are in Kilometers per hour
and are clearly marked along most roads in France
and Italy, often with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on the roads of France but
in limited numbers and are not the damaging size
of those found on Mexican roads. They are
marked by a tent like symbol that might fool the US
driver looking for a campsite.
Speed limits in Europe are in Kilometers per hour
and are clearly marked along most roads in France
and Italy, often with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on the roads of France but
in limited numbers and are not the damaging size
of those found on Mexican roads. They are
marked by a tent like symbol that might fool the US
driver looking for a campsite.
130 Kilometers per hour on a clear day 110 in the rain.
Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear, 68.35 in the
rain and by the rule of thumb described at left it comes
out to 86 when clear and 72 when raining: close
enough.
Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear, 68.35 in the
rain and by the rule of thumb described at left it comes
out to 86 when clear and 72 when raining: close
enough.
Kilometers to Miles
A handy rule of thumb to
quickly convert
kilometers to miles is to
take the overall
distance, 90 kilometers
for example, divide by
three and add two of the
thirds. This will give you
60 miles in this case.
90 divided by 3 =30 x
2= 60, approximately
converting 90 km to 60
miles. Although
inaccurate for long
distances, this can be
quickly done in your
head and will be near
enough for short
distances.
A handy rule of thumb to
quickly convert
kilometers to miles is to
take the overall
distance, 90 kilometers
for example, divide by
three and add two of the
thirds. This will give you
60 miles in this case.
90 divided by 3 =30 x
2= 60, approximately
converting 90 km to 60
miles. Although
inaccurate for long
distances, this can be
quickly done in your
head and will be near
enough for short
distances.
Highway Travel
Highway driving is just like highway travel in
the US with toll tickets, rest areas, food and
gas stops all being very similar. Keep small
change handy in coins for the automatic toll
gates.
Learning the words for a few of the
important highway signs, the word for right,
Droit, left, Gouche, paid parking, Payant,
and a few others can help but a use of the
language is not needed for a successful
road trip in France or Italy.
Familiarity with the road symbols would
help. A map legend will have explanations
of the circle with the line through it, the word
interdit, and various other symbols and road
sign logos now used commonly worldwide.
Highway driving is just like highway travel in
the US with toll tickets, rest areas, food and
gas stops all being very similar. Keep small
change handy in coins for the automatic toll
gates.
Learning the words for a few of the
important highway signs, the word for right,
Droit, left, Gouche, paid parking, Payant,
and a few others can help but a use of the
language is not needed for a successful
road trip in France or Italy.
Familiarity with the road symbols would
help. A map legend will have explanations
of the circle with the line through it, the word
interdit, and various other symbols and road
sign logos now used commonly worldwide.
International Traffic Symbols are not
standardized throughout Europe but
many of the graphic shapes are in
common use and easily understood.
standardized throughout Europe but
many of the graphic shapes are in
common use and easily understood.
International Traffic Symbols on Europe's highways are similar to those in Mexico with the
use of graphics, less so to those in the US or Canada
use of graphics, less so to those in the US or Canada
In France the Traffic Laws, International
Traffic Symbols, and the Renting of an
automobile varies little from the US or Canada
Traffic Symbols, and the Renting of an
automobile varies little from the US or Canada
Driving in Europe
for Americans or
Canadians will
not require a
driving test but
except for
France, visitors
should carry an
International
Driving Permit
for Americans or
Canadians will
not require a
driving test but
except for
France, visitors
should carry an
International
Driving Permit
Speed limits in France will be clearly marked as numbers within a red circle on a white
background. The Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various towns. Gassing
up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
background. The Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various towns. Gassing
up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
zone ends
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
The no parking
symbol.
The cities in
France will have
paid parking,
usually an
automated system
with a machine that
vends a ticket for
placing on the
windshield or a
ticket that you take
on entering and
insert and pay on
leaving
symbol.
The cities in
France will have
paid parking,
usually an
automated system
with a machine that
vends a ticket for
placing on the
windshield or a
ticket that you take
on entering and
insert and pay on
leaving
Highway speed Limit,
reduced in rain and fog
from the usual 130 KM
per hour for clear day
speeds on France's toll
roads.
reduced in rain and fog
from the usual 130 KM
per hour for clear day
speeds on France's toll
roads.
In Europe a common
shape for a warning
ahead is the triangle.
The top one pictured
left is Italy's symbol for
a stop light ahead.
Various countries us
different colored
backgrounds and a
simple graphic within.
This differs from the US
Canada, and Mexico
where the diamond
shape is used for a
warning ahead and in
the US where the
warning may be in
English without a
graphic.
shape for a warning
ahead is the triangle.
The top one pictured
left is Italy's symbol for
a stop light ahead.
Various countries us
different colored
backgrounds and a
simple graphic within.
This differs from the US
Canada, and Mexico
where the diamond
shape is used for a
warning ahead and in
the US where the
warning may be in
English without a
graphic.
| Warning ahead Diamond, US, Canada, Mexico |
| Warning ahead triangle, Europe |
| the No Stopping Symbol |
Here the exit speed limit is 70 km per hour
Here the exit speed limit is 90 km per hour
| the Dead End Symbol |
The familiar Stop
Sign shape is used
internationally as are
the colors red for
stop, yellow for
caution, and green for
go
at traffic lights.
Sign shape is used
internationally as are
the colors red for
stop, yellow for
caution, and green for
go
at traffic lights.
International Traffic Symbols for Driving in Europe display graphic
symbols rather than language. Although the International Traffic
Symbols are not standardized throughout Europe, many of the
symbols are common to several countries
symbols rather than language. Although the International Traffic
Symbols are not standardized throughout Europe, many of the
symbols are common to several countries
International Traffic Symbols for Driving in Europe use
graphic symbols rather than language except in
pointing out cities by name.
The US driver will note that difference. The
International Traffic Symbols are not standardized
throughout Europe but a few symbols like the circle for
the speed limit are common
graphic symbols rather than language except in
pointing out cities by name.
The US driver will note that difference. The
International Traffic Symbols are not standardized
throughout Europe but a few symbols like the circle for
the speed limit are common
Custom Search
Highway speed Limit
sign in KM per hour
sign in KM per hour
Auto Europe offers selection, price, and ease of booking on the web. . Shop
online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
standard or automatic, two door, four door and other options. Renting for
more than 17 days; see their options
online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
standard or automatic, two door, four door and other options. Renting for
more than 17 days; see their options
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Information for those renting a vehicle in France and Italy
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When traveling by air you can start saving on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one
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Cruise passengers can take advantage of these deals also at some hotels. See more info at link below
with detailed information and photos of included hotels with reviews.
Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and
enhance your experience.
When traveling by air you can start saving on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one
night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city. (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide
The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money
on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange
for a limo from your home to the airport. Some of the hotels in the program offer Free, 24 hour shuttles to
the airport.
Most hotels offer two Weeks Free parking (link) with one night stay, some three weeks or a reasonable day
rate for extra days.
Cruise passengers can take advantage of these deals also at some hotels. See more info at link below
with detailed information and photos of included hotels with reviews.
Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and
enhance your experience.
Shop Arles Hotels from $60 USD
Shop Aix-en-Provence Hotels
Photos and reviews from $60 USD
Photos and reviews from $60 USD