Logo
German Road Signs and Traffic Sign Meanings

Sign 278-80: The End of the 80 km/h Speed Limit is Here!

278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h German road sign meaning

German traffic sign 278-80 signifies the termination of a previously imposed mandatory speed limit of 80 km/h. This regulatory sign, part of Germany's StVO, means you are no longer bound by that specific speed restriction and can resume driving at a speed appropriate for the current conditions, provided no other speed limits apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, as other signs, road markings, or traffic lights might introduce new rules.

Understanding Speed Limit Cancellation Sign 278-80

This sign signifies the termination of a mandatory 80 km/h speed limit, a crucial detail for your German driving theory test revision. Mastering the meaning and application of such regulatory signs is key to safe driving and accurate road sign interpretation in Germany.

Definition of 278-80

German road sign 278-80, officially designated "Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 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 278-80

German road sign 278-80 means "End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h" and is officially listed as "Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 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 278-80

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 278-80

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.

278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign FAQ

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 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 278-80 specifically mean?

Sign 278-80 means that a previously established mandatory speed limit of 80 km/h is no longer in effect. You can now drive faster, as long as you comply with other applicable speed limits and drive safely for the current road conditions.

Do I need to slow down when I see sign 278-80?

No, quite the opposite. Sign 278-80 indicates the *end* of a speed restriction. You do not need to slow down because of this sign; you can resume normal driving speed if no other speed limits are posted or implied by road conditions.

Are there any situations where sign 278-80 might be confusing?

Learners might sometimes confuse this sign with signs that *impose* a speed limit. It's crucial to remember that this sign *removes* a previous limit. Also, always check for any other signs or road markings that might be present, as they could introduce a new speed limit immediately or further down the road.

What should I do after seeing the 278-80 sign during my theory test?

In the theory test, recognising sign 278-80 correctly shows you understand when speed restrictions end. You should answer questions related to it by indicating that the specific 80 km/h limit is no longer binding, allowing for higher speeds if safe and legal.

Can other factors affect the speed limit even after sign 278-80?

Yes, absolutely. While sign 278-80 cancels a specific posted limit, general speed regulations still apply. Always consider road conditions, weather, traffic density, and other posted signs (like advisory speed limits for curves or temporary limits due to roadworks) to drive safely.

278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign image

A clear reference image of the 278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign used in Germany.

278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign

Other names for the 278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h

The 278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.

German road sign 278-80German traffic sign 278-80StVO sign 278-80End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h signEnde der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/hregulatory signs 278-80

German Regulatory Signs road sign category

The 278-80 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.

Reinforce Your Knowledge: Similar German Road Signs

Comparing related road signs like "End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h" with other speed limit signs aids in precise recognition and recall for your German driving theory test. Deepen your understanding through this traffic sign comparison to reduce errors and prepare effectively for your exam.

201-50 - Railway crossbuck - stehend road sign

Railway crossbuck - stehend

Master the Standing Railway Crossbuck (Andreaskreuz - stehend) Sign

German Regulatory Signs201-50
201-51 - Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil road sign

Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil

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

German Regulatory Signs201-51
201-52 - Railway crossbuck - liegend road sign

Railway crossbuck - liegend

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

German Regulatory Signs201-52
201-53 - Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil road sign

Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil

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

German Regulatory Signs201-53
205 - Yield road sign

Yield

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

German Regulatory Signs205
206 - Stop and yield road sign

Stop and yield

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

German Regulatory Signs206
208 - Oncoming traffic has priority road sign

Oncoming traffic has priority

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

German Regulatory Signs208
209 - Mandatory direction - right road sign

Mandatory direction - right

Mandatory Direction - Right: Sign 209 Explained

German Regulatory Signs209

Ready to Master German Road Signs? Start Your Focused Revision

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
CTA Decorative Squares

Dive into German road sign knowledge

205 Yield German road signGerman Driving Theory B courseGerman Driving Theory AM courseGerman HGV Theory - C/CE course215 Roundabout German road signGerman Motorcycle Theory A course206 Stop and yield German road signGerman Bus & Coach Theory (D) course209 Mandatory direction - right German road signGerman Regulatory Signs German road sign category208 Oncoming traffic has priority German road sign209-10 Mandatory direction - left German road sign201-50 Railway crossbuck - stehend German road sign201-52 Railway crossbuck - liegend German road signGerman Supplementary Signs German road sign categoryGerman Danger Warning Signs German road sign category211 Mandatory direction - hier right German road sign220-10 One-way street - pointing left German road signGerman Traffic Control Boards German road sign category211-10 Mandatory direction - hier left German road sign220-20 One-way street - pointing right German road sign214-30 Mandatory direction - right left German road sign222 Mandatory pass-by side - right vorbei German road signGerman Guide and Information Signs German road sign category209-30 Mandatory direction - straight ahead German road sign222-10 Mandatory pass-by side - left vorbei German road sign214 Mandatory direction - straight ahead right German road sign214-10 Mandatory direction - straight ahead left German road sign201-51 Railway crossbuck - stehend with Blitzpfeil German road sign201-53 Railway crossbuck - liegend with Blitzpfeil German road signGerman Traffic Facilities and Road Markings German road sign category223.3-50 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.3-51 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.3-52 Vacate the hard shoulder lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-50 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-51 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.1-52 Use the hard shoulder as a lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-50 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 2 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-51 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 3 lane + hard shoulder German road sign223.2-52 End use of the hard shoulder as a lane - 4 lane + hard shoulder German road sign