Logo
German Road Signs and Traffic Sign Meanings

Sign 278-90: End of the 90 km/h Speed Limit

278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h German road sign meaning

German road sign 278-90 signifies the termination of a previously imposed maximum speed limit of 90 km/h. As part of Germany's regulatory signs, this sign instructs you that the binding speed restriction no longer applies from this point onwards. It's crucial to recognize this sign and be aware that other rules, traffic lights, or supplementary plates might still influence your speed. This sign is key for understanding when speed restrictions are lifted, helping you drive safely and confidently.

Interpreting the "End of 90 km/h Speed Limit" Sign

Mastering the meaning of "End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h" is crucial for your German theory test revision. This sign indicates where a previously set maximum speed limit no longer applies, requiring you to adjust your driving behaviour accordingly for safe passage.

Definition of 278-90

German road sign 278-90, officially designated "Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 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 278-90

German road sign 278-90 means "End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h" and is officially listed as "Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 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 278-90

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 278-90

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.

278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign FAQ

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 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 German road sign 278-90 mean?

Sign 278-90, officially 'Ende der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h', indicates that a mandatory speed limit of 90 km/h has ended. You are no longer restricted to 90 km/h from the point where you see this sign, provided no other speed limits are in effect.

After seeing sign 278-90, can I immediately drive at any speed?

Not necessarily. While sign 278-90 cancels the 90 km/h limit, other speed restrictions might still apply. Always check for other signs, road markings, traffic lights, or conditions like weather or traffic density before accelerating. The general speed limit for built-up areas (50 km/h) or other posted limits may still be in force.

What are common exam traps related to speed limit ending signs like 278-90?

A common trap is assuming that once a specific speed limit ends, there are no speed limits at all. Learners might forget that general speed limits (e.g., 50 km/h in built-up areas) still apply, or they might overlook other signs that impose a different, perhaps lower, speed. Always scan your surroundings for any relevant traffic control devices.

Does the end of a speed limit always occur at a junction?

No, the end of a speed limit indicated by sign 278-90 does not necessarily coincide with a junction. It marks the exact point where the restriction officially ceases, which could be anywhere on the road – mid-stretch, before or after a junction, or near specific facilities. Always react to the sign itself, not just to road layout changes.

What if there are supplementary plates with sign 278-90?

Supplementary plates (Zusatzzeichen) can modify the effect of sign 278-90. For example, a plate might specify that the end of the speed limit only applies to certain types of vehicles, or only during certain times. Always read supplementary plates carefully in conjunction with the main sign to understand the exact rule.

278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign image

A clear reference image of the 278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign used in Germany.

278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign

Other names for the 278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h

The 278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.

German road sign 278-90German traffic sign 278-90StVO sign 278-90End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h signEnde der zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/hregulatory signs 278-90

German Regulatory Signs road sign category

The 278-90 - End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h road sign is part of the German Regulatory Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.

Reinforce Your Knowledge: Compare Similar Road Signs

Comparing signs like 'End zulässigen Höchstgeschwindigkeit 90 km/h' with similar regulatory markers helps solidify your understanding of German traffic rules. Effective traffic sign comparison is crucial for accurate recognition and fewer errors during your theory test revision.

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