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German Road Signs and Traffic Sign Meanings

Sign 278-5: The end of a 5 km/h speed limit is here!

278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h German road sign meaning

This German regulatory sign, code 278-5, signifies the end of a previously imposed mandatory speed limit of 5 km/h. While the specific speed limit itself is very low, its cancellation means you can now resume normal driving speeds as permitted by general traffic rules or other signs. Always be attentive to your surroundings and any supplementary plates that might have applied to the previous restriction, as their context could influence your actions even after this sign.

Understanding Sign 278-5: End of 5 km/h Speed Limit

This sign marks the end of a mandatory 5 km/h speed limit, requiring drivers to acknowledge the change in regulations. Crucial for your theory test revision, understanding road sign meaning helps ensure safe driving practices according to German traffic rules.

Definition of 278-5

German road sign 278-5, officially designated "Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h", belongs to the regulatory signs group. It gives a binding rule under the German StVO and must be followed rather than treated as advisory information. 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. An end version marks the point where that specific rule, facility, or marked section ceases to apply. 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.

Meaning of 278-5

German road sign 278-5 means "End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h" and is officially listed as "Ende der zulässigen 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.

Allowed actions for 278-5

Comply with the rule from the point where the sign applies and adjust speed or lane choice before reaching it.Yield, stop, change lane, continue straight, turn, or avoid the route according to the exact instruction shown.Check road markings and traffic lights because they may work together with the sign.Use an alternative route or legal stopping place if your intended movement is restricted.Resume normal driving only when the restriction is cancelled or no longer applies to your vehicle and direction.

Prohibited actions for 278-5

Do not drive, stop, park, turn, enter, overtake, or use a traffic area in a way that conflicts with the sign.Do not rely on what other drivers are doing if the sign gives you a different legal instruction.Do not assume the rule ends at the next junction unless German traffic rules or an end sign clearly cancel it.Do not overlook supplementary plates that limit the rule to certain vehicles, times, directions, distances, or conditions.

278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign FAQ

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 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.

What does the German road sign 278-5 mean?

Sign 278-5 officially means 'End of the permissible maximum speed of 5 km/h'. It cancels a previously active binding speed limit of 5 km/h, allowing you to drive at a higher, legally permitted speed.

What should I do when I see sign 278-5?

When you see sign 278-5, it means the 5 km/h speed limit is no longer in effect. You should prepare to increase your speed to the normal limit for that road, unless other signs or conditions dictate otherwise.

Are there any situations where I should still drive slowly even after seeing sign 278-5?

Yes, sign 278-5 only cancels the specific 5 km/h limit. You must still adhere to general speed limits, other regulatory signs, traffic lights, road conditions, and your duty of care towards pedestrians and cyclists, especially in areas where a 5 km/h limit was posted.

Can supplementary plates affect the meaning of sign 278-5?

Yes, supplementary plates often clarify or restrict the application of a sign. While sign 278-5 cancels the 5 km/h limit, a supplementary plate might have limited that speed to specific vehicles or times. After seeing 278-5, you can resume normal driving unless another sign indicates a different restriction.

Is sign 278-5 a warning sign or a regulatory sign?

Sign 278-5 belongs to the regulatory signs group. This means it imposes a binding rule that you must follow, in this case, the cancellation of a specific speed limit, rather than merely warning you of a potential hazard.

What are common exam traps related to speed limit signs like 278-5 in Germany?

A common trap is assuming that seeing an end-of-speed-limit sign means you can immediately accelerate to maximum possible speed. You must always check for other signs, road conditions, or specific contexts that might still require a lower speed. Sign 278-5 simply removes the 5 km/h restriction.

278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign image

A clear reference image of the 278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign used in Germany.

278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign

Other names for the 278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h

The 278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.

German road sign 278-5German traffic sign 278-5StVO sign 278-5End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h signEnde der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/hregulatory signs 278-5

German Regulatory Signs road sign category

The 278-5 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 5 km/h road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.

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