This regulatory sign, officially known as "Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung - rechts oder links," mandates a specific direction of travel – either right or left. You must follow the direction indicated by the sign from the point it applies. Always pay attention to accompanying road markings, traffic lights, and supplementary plates, as these can refine how the rule is applied to your specific situation. Learners should understand that this sign commands a specific route choice, so prepare to adjust your speed and lane accordingly before reaching the controlled area.
This regulatory sign dictates specific mandatory directions, requiring drivers to understand and follow the indicated path to comply with German traffic law. Proper interpretation is crucial for safe driving and passing your theory test revision.
German road sign 214-30, officially designated "Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung - rechts oder links", belongs to the regulatory signs group. It assigns a required direction, lane, route, or traffic area and must be followed from the point where the sign applies. You may see it in junctions, restricted streets, cycle and pedestrian facilities, parking areas, low-emission zones, and roads with binding lane or speed rules, depending on how the road authority has arranged the location. Any left reference should be read as part of the direction, road side, lane arrangement, or placement shown by the sign. Any right reference should be read as part of the direction, road side, lane arrangement, or placement shown by the sign. The practical meaning is not just the symbol itself, but the driving decision it triggers: adjust speed, position, priority, route choice, stopping behaviour, or attention before the situation becomes urgent. For learners, the key skill is knowing whether the sign commands, forbids, limits, or cancels a rule. Always combine the sign with road markings, traffic lights, police instructions, and any supplementary plates at the same location.
German road sign 214-30 means "Mandatory direction - right left" and is officially listed as "Vorgeschriebene Fahrtrichtung - rechts oder links". In practice, it tells drivers to recognise the situation early, adapt before reaching the controlled area, and check whether markings or supplementary plates change how the rule applies.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 214-30 - Mandatory direction - right left road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the German driving theory exam in Germany.
Sign 214-30, titled "Mandatory direction - right left," instructs drivers that they must proceed in either the right or the left direction indicated by the sign. It is a regulatory sign that enforces a specific path of travel.
When you encounter sign 214-30, you must choose to go either right or left as indicated. You should prepare for this direction change before reaching the sign, adjusting your speed and position. Always check for road markings or supplementary plates that might modify the instruction.
Sign 214-30 is a mandatory directive. You must follow the indicated direction unless there is an explicit sign cancelling the rule, or if police officers or traffic lights give a different instruction. Supplementary plates can also limit its application to certain vehicles or times.
A common trap is assuming you can choose freely between going right or left if the sign indicates both. The sign typically means you must take *one* of the indicated directions, often along specific lanes or routes. Learners might also overlook supplementary plates that restrict the mandatory direction to certain vehicles or times, leading to incorrect assumptions.
Generally, sign 214-30 applies to all vehicles. However, always look for supplementary plates below the main sign. These plates can restrict the mandatory direction to specific vehicle types (like cars or trucks), or apply it only during certain hours or under specific conditions. If no such plate is present, assume it applies to you.
If sign 214-30 indicates mandatory directions to the right or left, and your intended path is straight, you must adhere to the sign's instruction. This means you cannot go straight and must choose one of the mandated directions. You may need to find an alternative route or use a U-turn if legally permissible elsewhere.
A clear reference image of the 214-30 - Mandatory direction - right left road sign used in Germany.

The 214-30 - Mandatory direction - right left road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 214-30 - Mandatory direction - right left road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Sharpen your recognition of German traffic rules by comparing this sign with similar regulatory signs. Effective traffic sign comparison aids memory and helps prevent common mistakes during your theory test revision.

Master the Standing Railway Crossbuck (Andreaskreuz - stehend) Sign

Understand the Railway Crossbuck with Blitzpfeil (Sign 201-51) in Germany

German road sign 201-52: The Railway Crossbuck 'Andreaskreuz - liegend'

Germany's Railway Crossbuck Sign 201-53 with Blitzpfeil: What You Need to Know

Understand the German "Yield" Sign (Sign 205 - Vorfahrt gewähren)

Sign 206: Stop and Yield – You must stop and give way

Sign 208: You Must Yield to Oncoming Traffic on This Road

Mandatory Direction - Right: Sign 209 Explained
Deepen your understanding of specific road sign categories or test your knowledge with practice questions. Explore our themed sign groups for targeted study or jump into quizzes to reinforce your recognition skills for the official German theory exam.
All German Road Signs List