German road sign 274-5, officially 'Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h', is a regulatory sign imposing a strict maximum speed of 5 kilometres per hour. You'll typically encounter this sign in areas where extreme caution is needed, such as junctions, restricted zones, parking areas, or shared pedestrian and cycle paths. It demands early recognition and precise speed adjustment before you enter the controlled zone, ensuring safety for all road users.
This explanation card covers the specific meaning and implications of German road sign 274-5, which indicates a maximum speed of 5 km/h. Mastering road sign interpretation is crucial for your driving theory test revision and understanding German traffic rules.
German road sign 274-5, officially designated "Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h", belongs to the regulatory signs group. It creates a binding restriction or prohibition that applies until it is cancelled, replaced, or limited by a supplementary plate. 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. 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 274-5 means "Maximum speed liwith 5 km/h" and is officially listed as "Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h". 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 274-5 - Maximum speed liwith 5 km/h 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 274-5, 'Zulässige Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h', means you must not drive faster than 5 km/h in the area where the sign applies. This is a strict regulatory limit designed to ensure safety in potentially hazardous or sensitive areas.
This sign is often placed in specific locations requiring very slow speeds, such as busy junctions, pedestrian zones, cycle paths, parking garages, areas with construction, or roads with complex traffic arrangements. Always look for supplementary plates that might specify the exact area or vehicle types the sign applies to.
You must adjust your speed to 5 km/h or less *before* you reach the point where the sign's restriction begins. The sign dictates the maximum speed within its designated area, so preparing your speed in advance is crucial for compliance and safety.
A common trap is not understanding that this is a binding legal limit, not a suggestion. Learners might also forget to check for supplementary plates that could alter the sign's application (e.g., only for certain vehicles or times) or assume the restriction ends at the next junction without a specific cancellation sign.
A regulatory speed limit sign like 274-5 remains in effect until it is explicitly cancelled, replaced by another speed limit sign, or limited by a supplementary plate. You should always be aware of your surroundings and look for signs that indicate the end of the restriction.
A clear reference image of the 274-5 - Maximum speed liwith 5 km/h road sign used in Germany.

The 274-5 - Maximum speed liwith 5 km/h road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 274-5 - Maximum speed liwith 5 km/h road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing similar road signs aids your German driving theory test revision by highlighting subtle differences, enhancing sign recognition, and preventing common errors. Exploring these related signs helps you better understand traffic sign comparisons and master the official regulations for safer driving.

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