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German Road Signs and Traffic Sign Meanings

Sign 391: Prepare for a Toll Road Ahead

391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke German road sign meaning

German road sign 391, officially 'Mautpflichtige Strecke', is an information sign that alerts you to an upcoming toll road. As part of Germany's guide and information signs, it prompts you to check for specific toll requirements or payment methods before entering the controlled area. You should adapt your route, speed, or lane position early, ensuring you comply with any associated regulations or signage. Always combine this information with supplementary plates and road markings.

Understanding Mautpflichtige Strecke (Sign 391)

This essential guide sign 'Mautpflichtige Strecke' informs drivers about upcoming toll routes in Germany, requiring drivers to understand specific payment rules and adjust their journey accordingly. Familiarise yourself with this sign's meaning for your theory test revision and safe driving.

Definition of 391

German road sign 391, officially designated "Mautpflichtige Strecke", belongs to the guide and information signs group. It provides official information that supports orientation and safer decisions without usually creating a prohibition by itself. You may see it in route guidance, priority-road sections, motorway services, parking facilities, tourist destinations, diversions, and local information points, depending on how the road authority has arranged the location. 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 using the information early while still obeying mandatory signs and markings. Always combine the sign with road markings, traffic lights, police instructions, and any supplementary plates at the same location.

Meaning of 391

German road sign 391 means "Mautpflichtige Strecke" and is officially listed as "Mautpflichtige Strecke". 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 391

Use the sign to plan your route, lane position, destination choice, or stopping decision early.Keep scanning for follow-up signs because guide information is often repeated or refined before the actual turn or facility.Match the sign information with navigation instructions, road markings, and the real traffic situation.Move gradually into the correct lane when the sign indicates a direction, motorway exit, service area, parking area, or detour.Continue to obey all mandatory signs and priority rules even when the information sign is your main route cue.

Prohibited actions for 391

Do not make abrupt lane changes, braking manoeuvres, or route decisions after reading the sign too late.Do not confuse information signs with permission to ignore separate prohibitions, priority rules, or lane markings.Do not stop or park near an information sign unless the surrounding rules clearly allow it.Do not assume a service, route, or parking option is suitable for your vehicle without checking detailed plates or local restrictions.

391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign FAQ

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke 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 'Mautpflichtige Strecke' (Sign 391) mean?

Sign 391, 'Mautpflichtige Strecke', means that the road section ahead requires payment, i.e., it is a toll road. It serves as an information sign to alert drivers to this condition in advance, prompting them to check for further instructions or payment methods.

What action should I take when I see Sign 391?

When you see sign 391, you should prepare for a toll road. This means checking for any specific payment requirements, toll booths, or electronic toll collection points. It's important to adapt your speed and lane position gradually to avoid sudden manoeuvres when you reach the tolling area, and to ensure you comply with any accompanying signs or road markings.

Is Sign 391 a prohibition sign?

No, sign 391 ('Mautpflichtige Strecke') is an information sign, not a prohibition sign. It informs you about an upcoming condition (a toll road) but doesn't directly prohibit any actions by itself. However, you must still obey any separate mandatory signs, priority rules, or speed limits in the area, and comply with the toll payment requirements.

What are common mistakes regarding Sign 391 in the theory exam?

A common mistake is to not recognise that Sign 391 requires proactive preparation. Learners might forget to look for supplementary signs indicating payment methods or specific toll zones. Another trap is confusing this information sign with a direct order to stop; instead, it’s a heads-up to check conditions and comply with the tolling system without disrupting traffic flow.

Does Sign 391 mean I have to stop immediately?

Sign 391 ('Mautpflichtige Strecke') does not mean you must stop immediately. It indicates that the road ahead is subject to tolls. You should be looking for signs that direct you to toll booths or payment stations, where you will then need to stop or reduce speed to pay the toll according to instructions.

391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign image

A clear reference image of the 391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign used in Germany.

391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign

Other names for the 391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke

The 391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.

German road sign 391German traffic sign 391StVO sign 391Mautpflichtige Strecke signMautpflichtige Streckeguide and information signs 391

German Guide and Information Signs road sign category

The 391 - Mautpflichtige Strecke road sign is part of the German Guide and Information Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.

Reinforce Your Road Sign Knowledge

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