German road sign 501-72, officially 'Überleitungstafel - ohne Gegenverkehr', is a crucial traffic control board indicating a lane shift on a 3-lane road without oncoming traffic. It guides you to move the two left lanes to the left and the right lane to the right, often before roadworks or lane closures. Early recognition and timely lane adjustment are vital to avoid sudden reactions and ensure smooth traffic flow.
Master the interpretation of German road sign 501-72, essential for your driving theory test revision. This sign explains how traffic lanes are dynamically adjusted, requiring drivers to adapt their position and speed early to navigate lane changes safely and comply with German traffic rules.
German road sign 501-72, officially designated "Überleitungstafel - ohne Gegenverkehr - 3-streifig, davon die beiden linken Fahrstreifen nach links übergeleitet und rechter 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 501-72 means "Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with beiden linken lane to the left diverted rechter lane to the right verschwenkt" and is officially listed as "Überleitungstafel - ohne Gegenverkehr - 3-streifig, davon die beiden linken Fahrstreifen nach links übergeleitet und rechter 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 501-72 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with beiden linken lane to the left diverted rechter 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 501-72 is a lane transfer board designed to guide drivers through a change in lane configuration on a 3-lane road. It informs you that the two left lanes will divert to the left, and the right lane will shift to the right, typically due to roadworks or lane closures. Its purpose is to ensure drivers adjust their position well in advance.
Upon seeing sign 501-72, you must understand the indicated lane changes and select your correct lane as early as possible. Reduce your speed to match the temporary road conditions, maintain a safe following distance, and always follow any supplementary signs, cones, or markings that further direct traffic.
A common mistake is waiting too long to choose the correct lane, leading to last-minute, potentially unsafe maneuvers. Learners might also ignore temporary markings or assume normal road conditions, which can be dangerous in areas with roadworks. Reacting late to the shift shown by the arrows is a frequent exam trap.
Sign 501-72 can appear on various roads, but it's most commonly found on motorways and multi-lane roads where lane management is necessary. You'll often see it in conjunction with temporary roadworks, lane closures, or to manage traffic flow through construction stages. Always combine the sign's information with visible road markings and other traffic control devices.
'Verschwenkt' in the official German title 'rechter Fahrstreifen nach rechts verschwenkt' means the right lane is shifted or diverted to the right. This sign visually communicates these specific lane movements, indicating that traffic in the right lane needs to move sideways to the right, while traffic in the left lanes moves sideways to the left.
A clear reference image of the 501-72 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with beiden linken lane to the left diverted rechter lane to the right verschwenkt road sign used in Germany.

The 501-72 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with beiden linken lane to the left diverted rechter lane to the right verschwenkt road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 501-72 - Lane transfer board - without oncoming traffic - 3-lane, with beiden linken lane to the left diverted rechter 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.
Comparing related signs like this lane transfer board helps solidify your understanding and improve recall for the German theory test. Effective traffic sign comparison is crucial for accurate recognition and fewer mistakes 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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