German road sign 533-29, officially designated 'Trennungstafel - 5-streifig durchgehend und 3-streifig rechts ab', is a traffic control board used to guide drivers through complex lane arrangements. It informs you that a section of road with five lanes of continuous traffic will merge to three lanes on the right. Drivers must recognise this situation early, adapt their speed and position, and choose the correct lane well before reaching the controlled area, often found in roadworks or high-speed lane-change zones on motorways and multi-lane roads.
This sign details lane configurations before roadworks or high-speed lane changes, crucial for your theory test revision and safe driving. Mastering this road sign explanation helps you correctly interpret lane shifts and adapt your driving decisions proactively to avoid hazards.
German road sign 533-29, officially designated "Trennungstafel - 5-streifig durchgehend und 3-streifig rechts ab", 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 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 533-29 means "Lane separation board - 5-lane continuing 3-lane right ab" and is officially listed as "Trennungstafel - 5-streifig durchgehend und 3-streifig rechts ab". 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 533-29 - Lane separation board - 5-lane continuing 3-lane right ab 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 533-29, a lane separation board, informs drivers about an upcoming change in lane configuration. Specifically, it indicates that a road currently with five lanes of continuous travel will reduce to three lanes on the right side. Its purpose is to allow drivers ample time to adjust their position and speed safely before reaching the lane merge or closure point.
Upon seeing sign 533-29, you should immediately prepare for a lane reduction. Begin by observing the road markings and any supplementary signs. You must select the appropriate lane early – either one of the continuing lanes or one that will be accessible for merging to the right. Reduce your speed to match the traffic flow and the conditions of the managed area, and maintain a safe following distance.
A common mistake is waiting too long to decide which lane to use, leading to sudden, unsafe lane changes at the merge point. Another error is failing to reduce speed sufficiently, especially in roadworks areas where conditions may be more hazardous. Learners might also ignore temporary markings or barriers, assuming they override standard rules, which is incorrect.
No, sign 533-29 does not necessarily mean you must exit the road. It indicates that the current number of lanes will change, specifically reducing from five to three lanes on the right. You should follow the lane diagram shown by the sign and any accompanying markings to choose a lane that continues through the controlled section.
While sign 533-29 itself doesn't specify a speed limit, it signals a situation often associated with temporary speed reductions due to roadworks or lane changes. You should reduce your speed proactively to match the temporary lane width, road curvature, traffic density, and the overall environment shown by the sign and any associated warnings or temporary speed limits.
A clear reference image of the 533-29 - Lane separation board - 5-lane continuing 3-lane right ab road sign used in Germany.

The 533-29 - Lane separation board - 5-lane continuing 3-lane right ab road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 533-29 - Lane separation board - 5-lane continuing 3-lane right ab road sign is part of the German Traffic Control Boards category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing signs like this one with others in its group aids recognition and reduces errors, which is crucial for your German theory test preparation. Effective traffic sign comparison helps embed correct driving rules and improves your overall sign recognition for confident navigation.

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