Road signs and markings
This domain checks whether you can read Swiss road signs and markings quickly and apply them in the correct order. The exam expects shape and colour recognition, not just word memory: danger signs are triangular with a red border, prohibition signs are round with a red border, mandatory signs are round and blue, and information or direction signs are usually rectangular.
Sign families
- Danger signs warn of bends, narrow roads, pedestrians, animals, slippery surfaces, level crossings and other hazards. They do not themselves create a speed limit, but they require you to adapt speed and attention.
- Priority signs include the yellow diamond priority-road sign, the inverted triangle yield sign and the octagonal stop sign. A stop sign always requires a complete stop, even if the road looks clear. A yield sign requires you to give way but not necessarily to stop.
- Prohibition signs include no entry, speed limits, no overtaking and parking or stopping restrictions. Blue circular signs are mandatory instructions, such as a required direction or a roundabout.
Markings
Swiss road markings are generally white, but pedestrian crossings are yellow stripes and bus lanes are marked in yellow. Continuous lines mean do not cross; broken lines may be crossed when safe and legal. Stop lines and yield lines reinforce the corresponding signs. Markings do not override a sign or a traffic light.
Worked example
You approach an intersection with a yield sign and a yellow zebra crossing just beyond it. A pedestrian is waiting at the zebra and a car is approaching on the priority road. You must first give way to the car, then stop for the pedestrian once your path is clear. The yield sign controls the vehicle conflict; the yellow crossing controls the pedestrian conflict. Neither cancels the other.
Traps that cost marks
Rolling through a stop sign is a fail-type error. Assuming a priority-road sign also removes a posted speed limit is wrong. Another trap is treating a danger sign as a prohibition: a bend warning does not ban overtaking by itself. Do not ignore yellow markings because they look different from the white lines you expect.
Key points
- Triangle = danger, red circle = prohibition, blue circle = mandatory.
- Stop sign means a full stop; yield sign means give way.
- Yellow diamond marks a priority road.
- Pedestrian crossings are yellow; white lines are general markings.
- Signs and lights outrank markings.