| International Traffic Symbols |
International Traffic Symbols, Driving in Europe
Driving in Europe, will be governed by international driving symbols that are
similar to those in Canada and Mexico.
similar to those in Canada and Mexico.
Driving in Europe is similar to driving in 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. (this varies in France)
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because the rotary will 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.
Canada, including the giving of the right of way to the
car in the rotary except where noted by dark lines or
arrows. (this varies in France)
The rotary will become a most welcome sight while
driving in France and Italy because the rotary will 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 with international symbols
along most roads in France and Italy, often with
flashing lights.
Speed limits in Europe are in Kilometers per hour
and are clearly marked with international symbols
along most roads in France and Italy, often with
flashing lights.
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
International driving
symbols will use KM
rather than 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.
International driving
symbols will use KM
rather than 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.
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 can help when driving in France,
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 where
familiarity with the international road symbols
would help. A map legend will have
explanations of the symbols and road sign
logos now used commonly worldwide.
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 can help when driving in France,
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 where
familiarity with the international road symbols
would help. A map legend will have
explanations of the symbols and road sign
logos now used commonly worldwide.
International Traffic Symbols are
primarily graphic shapes that are
easily understood.
primarily graphic shapes that are
easily understood.
International Traffic Symbols on Europe's highways are similar to those in Mexico with the
use of graphic shapes rather than language, less similar to those in the US.
use of graphic shapes rather than language, less similar to those in the US.
International Traffic Symbols, Europe
Driving in Europe for
Americans or
Canadians will not
require a driving test
but except for France,
non European Union
visitors should carry
an International
Driving Permit
Americans or
Canadians will not
require a driving test
but except for France,
non European Union
visitors should carry
an International
Driving Permit
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
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.
International Traffic
Symbols in Europe use
graphics rather than
language
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.
Symbols in Europe use
graphics rather than
language
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.
| 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 international driving symbol
shows an exit speed limit of 90 km per
hour
shows an exit speed limit of 90 km per
hour
| the Dead End Symbol |
The stop sign shape
common in US is
used internationally
for stop, yellow for
caution, and green
for go at traffic
lights.
common in US is
used internationally
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. The International Traffic
Symbols are not standardized throughout Europe but many of the
symbols are common to several countries
graphic symbols rather than language. The International Traffic
Symbols are not standardized throughout Europe but 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
International
Traffic Symbols in
Europe include the
speed limit in KM
per hour
Traffic Symbols in
Europe include the
speed limit in KM
per hour
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| International Traffic Symbols |