Road signs, signals and road markings
What the exam tests
This domain tests whether you can read the road environment quickly and correctly. Greek signs follow the Vienna Convention system, so shape and colour carry meaning even before you read the symbol. Questions often combine a sign, a traffic light and a road marking in one scene.
Core rules
- Danger warning signs are triangular with a red border. Regulatory signs are circular: red-bordered signs prohibit or restrict, while blue circular signs impose a mandatory instruction. Information signs are usually rectangular and blue or green. Priority signs include the octagonal STOP sign and the inverted triangular give-way sign.
- A STOP sign requires a complete stop at the stop line, even when the road looks empty. A give-way sign requires you to yield, but does not require a stop if the way is clearly safe.
- Traffic lights: red means stop before the stop line; green means you may proceed only if the exit is clear and you can give way to pedestrians and traffic already lawfully in the junction; amber means stop unless stopping safely is impossible. A flashing amber signal means proceed with caution and be ready to give way.
- Road markings reinforce signs. A continuous white line must not be crossed. A broken line may be crossed when safe. Double continuous lines prohibit crossing. Stop lines, give-way lines, arrows, hatched areas and pedestrian crossings must be respected. Yellow markings commonly indicate parking or stopping restrictions.
Worked example
A driver approaches a junction with a green light, but the exit beyond the junction is blocked by queuing traffic. The driver enters anyway and stops across a pedestrian crossing. The green light gave permission to proceed, not a right to block the junction. The correct action is to wait behind the stop line until there is space beyond the junction, keeping the crossing clear.
Traps
A green light does not give absolute priority. A give-way sign is not a STOP sign, but failing to yield is still an offence. Do not treat a flashing amber light as a normal green. Do not cross a continuous line to overtake a slow vehicle or to reach a turning. Signs placed low or partly obscured still bind you if they are lawfully placed.