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Spain Traffic Signs

Spain traffic signs

Most traffic signs in Spain are (virtually) the same as traffic signs in many other EU countries. Here, in particular, Spanish road signs are listed that may differ from those in your home country or differ from familiar road signs in terms of appearance or significance.

Road signs

The traffic signs in Spain hardly differ from those in many other EU countries.
A rectangular white plate with a red border and a black place on it indicates the beginning of the built-up area. The same sign with a slanting red line indicates the end of the built-up area.

Car and motorcycle

A motorway can be indicated by the blue sign with a white car known to us or with a rectangular blue sign with two lanes in white and the text Autovía.
A triangular white sign with a red border and with an image of a car surrounded by black dots warns of poor visibility.
A triangular white sign with a red border and with an image of a tilted car warns of a traffic jam.
A round blue sign with a white headlight and downward directed beams means that drivers have to use low beam.
A round blue sign with a tire with a snow chain on it means that snow chains are mandatory.
A round blue sign with a white number on it (for example 30) indicates the minimum speed. A square blue sign with a white number on it indicates the recommended speed.
A turning prohibition is indicated by a round white sign with a red border and an inverted black U which also has a red line through it. A blue square sign with a curved white arrow and a distance in meters indicates where drivers can turn.
A round white sign with a red border and a black arrow deflecting to the left or right with a diagonal red line through it means: Forbidden to turn left (or right).
A round white sign with a red border and two cars with a number in between, indicates how many meters distance drivers have to keep to their predecessor.
A rectangular orange bottom plate with a narrow black border, a black radar symbol and black images of a car, truck and motorcycle warns of a road section where many accidents occur and where for that reason radar checks or other speed checks are being carried out.

Indications

Abierto – Open
Alto, pare – stop Stop
Autopista – Motorway (with toll)
Autovía – Car (fast) road (without toll)
Camino cerrado – Road is closed
Ceda, ceda el paso – Give priority
Cerrado – Closed
Despacio – Slow
Desvío, desviación – Detour
Estacionamiento, aparcamiento – Parking
Niebla – Fog
Nieve – Snow
Peatones – Pedestrians
Prohibido, prohibida – Prohibited
Tope – Speed bump
Velocidad máxima – Maximum speed
Viento – Wind
Zona peatonal – Pedestrian zone