German road sign 528-31, officially 'Fahrstreifentafel - ohne Gegenverkehr mit integrierten Zeichen 263', is a traffic control board that visually guides you through complex lane arrangements. It indicates a 3-lane section ahead in your direction of travel, often used near roadworks or major lane changes, but crucially, without any opposing traffic. Pay close attention to the arrows to anticipate lane closures, shifts, or merges early and select the appropriate lane well in advance.
This explanation details the German "Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel" (528-31), crucial for your theory test revision. Master the road sign meaning and traffic sign explanation for safe lane changes and route decisions on complex roads.
German road sign 528-31, officially designated "Fahrstreifentafel - ohne Gegenverkehr mit integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-streifig in Fahrtrichtung", 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. 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 528-31 means "Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel" and is officially listed as "Fahrstreifentafel - ohne Gegenverkehr mit integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-streifig in Fahrtrichtung". 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 528-31 - Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel 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 528-31 indicates a road layout ahead with three lanes for your direction of travel, and no oncoming traffic. It's often seen in roadworks to manage lane shifts, closures, or merges, guiding drivers to the correct lane well before the critical point.
The most critical action is to observe the arrows on the sign early and decide which lane you need to be in. You must then position your vehicle in the correct lane and signal any necessary lane changes well before reaching the lane taper, merge, or closure.
A common mistake is waiting too long to choose the correct lane. Learners might continue in a lane that the sign indicates is ending or shifting, or they might try to change lanes at the last moment. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially in heavy traffic or roadworks.
Sign 528-31 itself is a directional lane board and does not inherently set a speed limit. However, it often appears in areas with temporary speed restrictions due to roadworks or lane changes. Always look for accompanying signs, such as the 'Zone 263' symbol or other speed limit signs, and adapt your speed to the conditions indicated by the lane arrangement.
The phrase 'without oncoming traffic' is important because it means you don't need to worry about vehicles coming from the opposite direction during the lane shift or merge. This simplifies the situation, allowing you to focus solely on managing your lane choice and speed relative to traffic in your direction.
A clear reference image of the 528-31 - Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel road sign used in Germany.

The 528-31 - Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 528-31 - Lane board - without oncoming traffic with integrierten Zeichen 263 - 3-lane in the direction of travel road sign is part of the German Traffic Control Boards category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Compare this sign with similar traffic signs to enhance your understanding and improve recall for your German driving theory test. Practicing traffic sign comparison helps you recognise distinctions quickly and reduce errors during your exam revision.

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