German road sign 551-25, officially known as a 'Zusammenführungstafel', indicates a lane merge situation where one lane joins a road with multiple lanes. This sign is part of traffic control boards and helps manage traffic flow, especially in areas with roadworks or lane closures on motorways and multi-lane roads. It requires drivers to adapt their speed, position, and attention early to safely merge with other traffic streams.
This sign visually explains how traffic lanes merge, specifically indicating one lane joining a continuing four-lane route. Proper road sign meaning interpretation is crucial for safe lane changes and traffic flow, especially during complex roadworks or diversions as part of your theory test revision.
German road sign 551-25, officially designated "Zusammenführungstafel - an einmündender Strecke - 1-streifig einmündend plus 4-streifig durchgehend", 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. An end version marks the point where that specific rule, facility, or marked section ceases to apply. 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 551-25 means "Lane merge board - an einmündender Strecke - 1-lane einmündend plus 4-lane continuing" and is officially listed as "Zusammenführungstafel - an einmündender Strecke - 1-streifig einmündend plus 4-streifig durchgehend". 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 551-25 - Lane merge board - an einmündender Strecke - 1-lane einmündend plus 4-lane continuing 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 551-25, the 'Lane Merge Board', shows a configuration of lanes where one lane is merging into a section with four continuing lanes. It visually guides drivers on how lanes are arranged ahead, indicating a need to merge or be aware of merging traffic.
Upon seeing sign 551-25, you should prepare to merge or acknowledge merging traffic. It's crucial to adapt your speed, check your surroundings, and select the appropriate lane well in advance of the actual merge point, rather than waiting until the last moment.
A common trap is reacting too late to the merge indicated by the sign. Learners might fail to recognise the need to change lanes early or might merge aggressively. Always anticipate the lane configuration change and position your vehicle accordingly before the merge becomes critical.
Sign 551-25 should always be interpreted in conjunction with accompanying road markings, traffic lights, temporary signs, or police instructions. These can refine the meaning, indicate specific lane closures, or provide further guidance on priority, so pay close attention to the entire traffic control system.
While often seen on motorways and high-speed multi-lane roads, sign 551-25 can appear in various locations where lane configurations change, such as construction zones or areas with temporary lane diversions. Its purpose is to manage lane merging regardless of the specific road type.
A clear reference image of the 551-25 - Lane merge board - an einmündender Strecke - 1-lane einmündend plus 4-lane continuing road sign used in Germany.

The 551-25 - Lane merge board - an einmündender Strecke - 1-lane einmündend plus 4-lane continuing road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 551-25 - Lane merge board - an einmündender Strecke - 1-lane einmündend plus 4-lane continuing road sign is part of the German Traffic Control Boards category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing related road signs like this lane merge board helps solidify your understanding and reduces confusion during your theory test revision. Practising traffic sign comparison actively improves your ability to recall and correctly interpret all signs, crucial for your German driving licence exam.

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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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