German road sign 501-71, officially 'Überleitungstafel', is a crucial traffic control board indicating how lanes are diverted. This specific variant shows a 3-lane road where the left lane shifts left, and the two right lanes shift right, without oncoming traffic. It's often seen in roadworks or complex traffic situations on motorways or multilane roads. Drivers must recognise this early, choose the correct lane proactively, and adjust their speed and position before reaching the merging or shifting point.
This sign informs drivers about upcoming lane shifts on a 3-lane road, directing the left lane left and the right lanes right. Mastering road sign meaning is crucial for your German theory test preparation, ensuring you correctly interpret traffic sign explanations and navigate lane changes safely.
German road sign 501-71, officially designated "Überleitungstafel - ohne Gegenverkehr - 3-streifig, davon linker Fahrstreifen nach links übergeleitet und die beiden rechten Fahrstreifen nach rechts verschwenkt", belongs to the traffic control boards group. It shows how lanes are arranged, shifted, narrowed, separated, or merged, usually before a roadworks or high-speed lane-change area. You may see it in motorways, multilane roads, temporary roadworks, lane closures, lane shifts, merge areas, and construction-stage traffic management, 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 translating the arrows into early lane choice rather than reacting at the last moment. Always combine the sign with road markings, traffic lights, police instructions, and any supplementary plates at the same location.
German road sign 501-71 means "Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with linker lane to the left diverted beiden rechten lane to the right verschwenkt" and is officially listed as "Überleitungstafel - ohne Gegenverkehr - 3-streifig, davon linker Fahrstreifen nach links übergeleitet und die beiden rechten Fahrstreifen nach rechts verschwenkt". 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 501-71 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with linker lane to the left diverted beiden rechten lane to the right verschwenkt 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 501-71, the Lane Transfer Board, informs drivers about a planned lane shift or diversion. It clearly shows how the lanes are rearranged, in this case, a 3-lane setup where the left lane moves left and the right two lanes move right, guiding you through areas like roadworks or lane closures safely.
Upon seeing sign 501-71, you must anticipate the lane changes ahead. Proactively select the appropriate lane based on the arrows shown – in this case, deciding early whether to stay in the right lanes shifting right or move to the left lane shifting left. Reduce speed and increase your awareness of other vehicles' movements.
A common trap is waiting too long to make a lane choice, leading to hurried or unsafe lane changes at the last moment. Learners might also ignore the arrows, continuing in a lane that is about to be closed or diverted, which is dangerous and can lead to accidents or exam failure.
Sign 501-71 doesn't necessarily force you to change lanes, but it directs you to the correct lane for your continued travel. You must follow the path indicated by the arrows. If you are in a lane that is shown as diverted or ending, you must merge or shift to the indicated lane. Always combine the sign's guidance with road markings.
You will typically encounter signs like 501-71 in areas where traffic flow needs to be managed due to temporary changes. This includes roadworks, construction zones, temporary lane closures, or major events that require lanes to be shifted, narrowed, or merged to maintain safety and traffic flow on motorways and multi-lane roads.
A clear reference image of the 501-71 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with linker lane to the left diverted beiden rechten lane to the right verschwenkt road sign used in Germany.

The 501-71 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with linker lane to the left diverted beiden rechten lane to the right verschwenkt road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 501-71 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with linker lane to the left diverted beiden rechten lane to the right verschwenkt road sign is part of the German Traffic Control Boards category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Reviewing related road signs like this lane transfer board alongside similar variants sharpens your ability to distinguish crucial differences, which is vital for accurate theory test revision. Comparing traffic signs directly aids sign recognition and prevents common errors during your exam preparation.

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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.
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