Appendix

ROAD TRAFFIC
SIGNS
Warning signs
Warning signs are usually in the form of a red triangle pointing upwards, with a black symbol or
words on a white background (sometime a yellow background).

They are normally positioned 150 to 250 meters before the hazard of which they give warning.
In built-up areas, inside city limits, this distance may be shorter.

1. Right hand bend

2. Left hand bend

Be prepared for oncoming traffic. Adapt your speed to
local visibility, the sharpness of the bend and whether
the road is banked. Do not stop at places where
visibility is restricted.

3. Double bend, first to the Right

4. Double bend, first to the Left

If there are more than two dangerous bends ahead,
the length of the danger zone is indicated on a
supplementary sign in meters.

5. Steep downhill
Your braking distance may be longer and your speed
faster than you think. The gradient will be indicated as
a percentage.

6. Steep uphill
Your overtaking distance may be longer and your
engine power will be weaker. The gradient will be
indicated as a percentage.

ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 189

 14. Quayside or riverbank
7. Road narrows on both sides
End of your road ahead.

15. Tunnel ahead

8. Road narrows from right
No stopping and turn on your headlights.

16. Maximum height

9. Road narrows from left

17. Uneven road

10. Right carriageway closed Poor road-grip could cause skids. Expect braking
distance to be longer than normal. Slow down.

18. Road works ahead/ Men at work

Drive carefully. The road could be narrow and in poor
11.Dual carriageway ends
surface condition. Watch out for gravel or loose stones
and workers on the road.

12. Diversion
Be prepared for oncoming traffic. Finish overtaking well
19. Bridge ahead
before the sign. Adapt your speed and position to that
of vehicles traveling in the same direction as yours.

13. Opening or swing bridge ahead 20. Ford ahead

There may be a traffic light. Be prepared to stop. In the rainy season, this road is likely to be flooded.

190 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 191

 28. Give way
21. Dip ahead
Signal your intentions clearly and give way when
Finish overtaking well before the sign. Do not overtake
required. The sign will be erected as close to the
too close to the dip. Slow down.
junction & roundabout as possible.

22. Hump ahead

Slow down so that you do not lose control and damage 29. T-Junction ahead, main road turning left
the vehicle.

23. Slippery roads

30. Minor road merging from the right.
Carriageway may be slippery, even in good weather.

24. Falling rocks (or fallen rocks)

31. Minor road merging from the left
Be ready to encounter boulders on the road.

25. Loose gravel or chippings

Slow down for oncoming traffic. Keep your distance 32. Staggered junction
from vehicles ahead. Do not overtake.

26. Junction ahead 33. Junction left

27. T-Junction ahead

How well can you see the junction? Give way to vehicles 34. Junction right
approaching from both side.

192 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 193

 42. Strong cross winds
The windsock symbol shows the direction of the
35. Traffic merging from left
prevailing wind. Keep alert to the state of the road and
be prepared to encounter sudden gusts of wind.

36. Traffic merging from right 43. Electric cable

37. Roundabout
Give way to traffic approaching from the left. Watch out 44. Unaccompanied horses or ponies crossing the road
for road signs and note the position of entrances and ahead
exits.

38. Traffic lights ahead

45. Animal grid
Be ready to obey the traffic light signals.

46. Wild animals (camel)

Several different animal symbols are used. Slow down
39. Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
and watch out for animals at the side of the road. Dawn
and dusk are the most dangerous times.

40. Level crossing without barrier ahead

At level crossings the big danger is trains; so safety
47. Cyclists on carriageway
first is the rule here. Visibility and the state of the road
are extra important. Not in use in the UAE.

48. Pedestrian crossing

41. Low flying aircraft
You are approaching a pedestrian crossing. Be ready to
Expect sudden aircraft noise also.
stop.

194 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 195

 Prohibitive signs
49. Children
Children are difficult to see and are unaccustomed to Prohibitive signs are round and have a red border on a white background with a black symbol
traffic. They are unpredictable in their movements and usually (but sometime a yellow or blue background).
may suddenly change their minds. They apply from the moment you pass the sign until you reach the next crossroads, unless
otherwise indicated by local circumstances or by the sign itself. This family of signs indicates
that certain manoeuvres and vehicle types are forbidden.
Failure to obey a prohibitive sign is an offence punishable by law.
50. Two-way traffic straight ahead
A one-way lane or carriageway becomes two-way up 100. No motor vehicles
ahead. Get ready to meet oncoming traffic on the road Applies to all vehicles traveling in either direction. It is
ahead. often qualified by a supplementary sign, e.g. no through
road. Cyclists can be led.
Pedestrians may use the carriageway even if there is a
pavement or shoulder.

51. Two-way traffic crosses one-way road

101. No Entry
Applies to all vehicles that face the sign.

52. U-turn
Warning for vehicle making U-turns from the left lane. 102. No motor vehicles
Does not apply to scheduled buses, unless indicated by
a supplementary sign.

53. Hazard ahead (or other danger)

The exact hazard may be specified on a supplementary
sign. 103. No motor vehicles with more than two wheels.
In other words, two wheeled motorcycles are permitted
here but motorcycles with a sidecar are prohibited.

54. Crossroad ahead

104. No vehicles (buses) of more than 12 seats
Except regular scheduled buses, school buses and
work buses.

105. No motorcycles

196 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 197

 106. No motor vehicles pulling a trailer.
This prohibition may be restricted to trailers exceeding 113. No vehicles over width shown
a specified total weight.

107. No goods vehicles

A supplementary sign will indicate whether the 114. No vehicles over height shown
prohibition applies only to vehicles exceeding a Used when headroom is less than 5 meters.
specified total weight.

115. No vehicles over gross weight shown

108. No tractors, construction vehicles, etc.
The gross weight is the weight of the overall load
Except as shown on a supplementary sign. These signs
borne by the wheels at any one time, ie the vehicle plus
are not very common.
contents.

109. No cycling
116. Axle weight limit in tons
Cyclists must dismount.

117. No vehicles or vehicle trains over gross weight

110. No horse-drawn vehicles
shown/or maximum load rating of road

118. Bogie weight limit in tons

111. No horse-riding A bogie comprises two axles spaced less than 2
meters apart.

119. No vehicles or vehicle trains over the length

112. No pedestrians
shown

198 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 199

 120. No vehicle carrying explosives
Vehicles carrying explosives are not permitted on this 128. No right turn
road.

121. Minimum distances between heavy goods

vehicles 129. No left turn
May be set up at bridges or on temporary roads.

122.
123. No parking (and no waiting)
130. No U-turn
This instruction normally applies until the next crossroads or
Applies until the next junction or, if erected at a
junction, but may be qualified by a supplementary sign. Parking
crossing, at the crossing itself.
and waiting is prohibited on the side of the road on which the
sign is erected.A supplementary sign may specify days.

124. No stopping (and no parking or waiting) 131. No overtaking

Applies to the side of the road on which the sign is Prohibits overtaking of all motor vehicles except two-
erected. If several signs and supplementary signs wheeled mopeds and motorcycles without a sidecar.
appear on one post, each supplementary sign applies Overtaking is prohibited until you reach the end-of-
to the sign or signs immediately above it. restriction sign

125. STOP and give way at a crossroads

All vehicles must stop and give way at this sign. Stop
132. End of overtaking restriction
at the line or, in the absence of a line, immediately
before the light or sign.

126. Stop for customs clearance 133. Overtaking by lorries prohibited

May be qualified by supplementary signs or notices, Applies to heavy goods vehicles. A supplementary sign
e.g. ‘Does not apply to vehicles carrying duty-free may specify the weight at which the prohibition takes
goods only’. effect.

134. End of overtaking by lorries restriction

Applies to heavy goods vehicles. A supplementary sign may specify the
weight at which the prohibition takes effect.
127. Give priority to oncoming traffic
Sign number 131 or 133 prohibit you from overtaking motor vehicles other
than two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles without a sidecar. Overtaking is
prohibited until you reach the end-of-restriction sign, number 132 or 134.

200 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 201

 Mandatory signs
135. Maximum speed
Applies until another sign imposes a different speed Mandatory signs are round, with a white border on a blue background. Mandatory signs give
limit. Be on your guard against speed-blindness - positive instruction rather than imposing a restriction or ban. An instruction applying to a
check your speedometer. certain type of vehicle or manoeuvre is at the same time a ban on all other types of vehicle
and manoeuvre. In other words, these signs tell road users what to do and where to go unless
otherwise directed.

Mandatory direction signs 200 - 207

136. End of maximum speed restriction These mandatory direction signs indicated that vehicles may be driven only in the direction of
the arrow or arrows.

137. No Horn
No horns to be sounded. This sign may be found outside a 200. Right only
school or hospital.

138. End of restriction

201. Left only
Applies to and cancels any prohibitive sign.

139. Taxi zone

The prohibition applies to vehicles or activities other
202. Ahead only
than those indicated on the sign. In this case, the zone
is restricted to taxi use.

140. Loading zone

The prohibition applies to vehicles or activities other
203. Right only
than those indicated on the sign. In this case, the zone
is restricted to vehicles loading.

204. Left only

202 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 203

 211. U-turn
205. Turn right or continue straight ahead Vehicles may make a U-turn at this intersection or
crossroads.

206. Turn left or continue straight ahead 212. Roundabout (Mandatory direction)

Mandatory lane
207. Turn left or right signs 213 - 220

Mandatory lane 213. Pedestrians only

signs 208 - 212

208. Right only

214. Cycle route
This lane sign means that a vehicle may pass only to
Track reserved for cyclists.
the right of the sign.

215
216. Shared track for pedestrians and bicycles
209. Left only
This is a dual track which may be used by both cyclists
Vehicles may pass only to the left of the sign.
and pedestrians and is restricted to other traffic. This
sign is adapted to local conditions.

210. Left or Right 217. Horse Riders

Vehicles may pass on either side of the sign. This sign does not prohibit pedestrians from using the track.

204 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 205

 Information signs
218. Pedestrian stairs Information signs come in a variety of shapes and colors. These help you find and follow the
Stairs leading to a subway reserved for pedestrians
road you want, e.g. a motorway.
only.
They can also direct you to the nearest car park, or indicate destinations, distances, how to get
to service stations, amenities or any other places of interest.

219. Beginning of lane reserved for scheduled buses, etc.

300. Beginning of motorway

220. End of lane reserved for scheduled buses, etc.

These lanes reserved for buses and other vehicles plying regular
routes. They may also be used by bicycles. A supplementary sign will
indicate whether the lane is open to other types of traffic, such as 301. End of motorway
taxis. This sign also prohibits vehicles that are excluded from the lane Motorways have at least two carriageways, one in each direction.
from stopping or parking. Authorized vehicles are also prohibited from to cross these roads either under underpass or overpass, and
stopping or parking in the lane . speeds are therefore much higher than on ordinary roads. At the
end of a motorway, get ready to encounter oncoming traffic.

221. Minimum speed 60 km/h

302. Motor vehicle only
Not in use in the UAE

222. End of minimum speed restriction

303. End of Motor vehicle only
Not in use in the UAE

304. Primary road

Traffic on primary roads has priority, i.e. vehicles entering a
primary road from a minor road must give way. This sign may
be set up on primary roads after every crossing or junction.

206 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 207

 305. End of primary road 313. Route sign

306. One-way traffic

This sign is erected parallel to the carriageway and 314. Protect our natural environment
indicates the direction of flow

307. No through road 315. Mosque

308
316. Emergency telephones
309. Parking

310. Signpost – used on public roads 317. Information

311. Humps ahead

318. Repair shop or garage
Reduce speed, humped road surface ahead.

312. Distance sign 319. Filling station

208 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 209

 320. Police station 327. Hospital

328. Tourist and/or national heritage signs

321. Refreshments These signs are brown with white letters, symbols and
border. They carry different symbols.

329
330
331. Countdown markers
322. Restaurants
Countdown markers for distance to a
roundabout: 300 metres, 200 meters and
100 meters

323. Hotels 332. Route sign

324. Picnic areas 333. Multiple route sign

334. Signpost
325. Clinic Indicates the distance in kilometers to a certain
destination.

326. Hospital 335. Lane direction sign

210 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 211

 Supplementary signs 400 - 410

336. Exit ahead Supplementary signs are only found in combination with other signs. Their sole purpose is to
Indicates the distance to the exit named on the sign. qualify the information given by the primary sign, and they will normally also be of the same color.

A supplementary sign might indicate the period during which a prohibition must be observed, the
distance remaining to a hazard up ahead, or the distance for which the sign applies.

337. Exit sign

Displays the same place name as the ‘exit ahead’ sign. 400. Length of a stretch of road beginning at specified
distance from sign

338. Bypass
Bypass for heavy, high, long or broad vehicles. 401. Length of a stretch of road beginning
at sign

339. Lane directions 402. Distance to the information given by the warning
sign

340. Lanes merge ahead

Adhere to the rules about changing lanes. 403. Stop and give way at specified distance ahead

341. Bus stop only 404. EEffective on each side of sign

The arrows may also be horizontal.

342. Pedestrian crossing

Motorists have special obligations towards
pedestrians. This pedestrian crossing sign is very 405. Effective in direction of the arrow
common in the rest of the world, although it is not used Used in parking areas
in the UAE.

212 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 213

 Temporary signs

406. Effective in direction of the arrow Temporary signs (500 - 530) with an orange background are set up in conjunction with road
Used in parking areas. works. Other designs and shapes can be designed from the specific need.

500. Road construction ahead

407. Parking configurations

501. Detour ahead

408. Symbol for the specified vehicle or road user
Other symbols are also used.

502. Two-lane traffic ahead

409. Direction sign used at curves, junctions, etc

503. Single lane ahead

410. Exit sign at merging point between main
carriageway and exit road.

504. Left lane closed

505. Right lane closed

214 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 215

 506. Keep right 513. End construction

507. Crossing ahead 514. Direction

508. Left or right 515. Road closed, local traffic only

509. Right hand side 516. Road closed

510. Speed at roadwork 517. Direction signs

511. Left lane must turn left

512. Construction access

216 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 217

Appendix

ROAD
MARKINGS
Lines across the road 600 - 604
Give Way line
A broken white line across your lane shows that traffic on the road you want to enter has
priority. The lines show where you should stop, if necessary, to take your final look. A broken
line is normally found at the entrance to a roundabout. This tells you that traffic inside the
roundabout has priority and you must give way.

Stop line
A single continuous line across your half of the road shows where you must stop at junctions
with ‘Stop’ signs, or at junctions controlled by traffic lights.

600. Stop line

Stop lines indicate where you must stop at a road sign
or traffic light.

601. Give Way line or Yield line

The yield symbol amplifies the message conveyed by
the give way sign.

602. Pedestrian crossing

Indicated by road markings and road signs or traffic
lights.

603. Cycle track

Indicated by a cycle track line.

604. Advance warning of liability to Give Way

Indicates and warns you of a Give Way sign posted up
the road.

Road markings 221

Lines along the road 605 - 613 609. Double prohibitory line
These lines are normally used on carriageways with
Double white lines two lanes of traffic in each direction. Where necessary,
This important road marking strongly prohibits certain actions, in particular double prohibitory lines are also used on roads with
overtaking and parking. only one lane in each direction. Crossing or straddling
a double prohibitory line is always prohibited.
Overtaking
When the line nearest to you is a continuous line, you must not cross or straddle it.
610. Direction line
If there is a broken line on your side and a continuous white line on the other, you may cross Indicates how vehicles should turn and how to be able
both lines to overtake. Make sure you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid line to keep your lane and to better position your vehicle
on your side. through intersections and roundabouts.

Single broken lines

Watch out for places where the single broken line in the center of the road gets longer. This
shows a hazard ahead. 611. Edge line
The edge of the road is usually marked with a broken
Arrows on the road line. Crossing a broken edge line is permitted wherever
Arrows often warn that there is a double white line coming up. Do not begin to overtake when you may temporarily need to drive onto the shoulder,
e.g. to help another vehicle overtake.Edge lines are
you see them on your side.
normally white but sometime can be yellow.

605. Centerline 612. Continuous edge line

This broken line marks the center of the road. Used on motorways where driving on the shoulder is
On main roads, each individual marking is 3 metres considered unsuitable. Motor vehicles should therefore never
long. The distance between markings is 9 metres. In straddle or cross a continuous edge line.
built-up areas, the dashes marking out the centerline Continuous edge lines are normally white but sometime can be
may be spaced more closely together. yellow.

606. Lane lines

Broken lane lines divide the carriageway into two or 613. Restricted area
more lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. In Crossing or straddling a restricted area is prohibited.
built-up areas, the dashes marking out the lane lines Such small areas are painted with solid white.
may be spaced more closely together.

607. Prohibitory line

Crossing or straddling a prohibitory line is forbidden,
even by a single wheel. Never cross this line unless
there is a broken centerline between you and the
prohibitory line.

608. Warning line

On roads that are less than 7 metres wide, warning lines are used
instead of center and prohibitory lines. They may also be used on
wider roads in built-up areas or give warning of a prohibitory line or
hazard ahead.
Crossing a warning line is prohibited unless you are certain that the
road is clear. Each individual marking is 9 metres long. The distance
between them is 3 metres.

222 Road markings Road markings 223

Combination of lines along the road 614 - 616 Lanes for specific types of vehicle 618 - 619
Only buses may use the bus lane during the times of operation shown on the sign. Outside of
those periods all vehicles may use the bus lane. Where there are no times shown, the bus lane
614. Centreline and prohibitory line is in operation 24 hours a day. Do not park or drive on a bus lane when it is in operation.
This combination of lines indicates that visibility is
restricted.
Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line. If a broken line marks the cycle
lane, do not drive or park in it unless this is unavoidable.

615. Warning line and centerline

You may cross the lines only if you can see the road is
clear and you know you can cross in safety.
618. Reserved lane line
Used to separate lanes reserved for scheduled vehicles.

616. Warning line and prohibitory line

This combination of lines gives warning of a prohibitory line
or a hazard up ahead. 619. Cycle lane line
This line separates cycle tracks from other lanes. Cyclists
must use cycle tracks, if provided.

In some cases, cyclists are protected from other traffic by a

prohibitory line (607).

Reflective studs or cat-eye Words on the road, road numbers and destination markings

617. Reflective studs or cat-eye

620. Text
These are white reflective studs, popularly known as cat’s eyes, spaced in a
Text may sometimes be used to amplify the message
row between lanes, lane lines or as a center-of-road line.
conveyed by a line, usually with a clear meaning such as
STOP, SLOW, KEEP CLEAR or U-TURN ONLY.
There are flashing amber cat’s eyes to warn drivers that they are approaching
a pedestrian crossing.
Sometimes lanes have destination markings or road numbers
on the road surface. These enable drivers to get into the
At road works, cat’s eyes may be used to help identify the lanes that are in
correct lane early.
operation

224 Road markings Road markings 225

Lane arrows 621 - 625 Temporary road markings
Lane arrows tell you which lane to take for the direction you want, and are placed well before a
junction to help you get into the correct lane in good time.
628. Temporary road markings, yellow reflective studs or cat’s eyes
Where the road is wide enough, you may find one arrow pointing in each direction, left in the left
hand lane, straight ahead in the center lane and right in the right-hand lane. Some arrows might May be used to help identify the lanes in operation at road works.
be combined depending on how busy the junction is. If the road is only wide enough for two
lanes arrows might have two directions combined. Orange or yellow road marking colors are being used. Temporary
road markings have precedence over ordinary road markings. They
serve as lane lines and prohibitory lines and are used to mark the
edge of the carriageway in conjunction with road works, etc.

621, 622, 623, 624, and 625 Lane arrows Parking related road markings
This series of arrows indicate the lane you must or
should take. If prohibitory lines border the lane, you
must follow the direction indicated by the arrow(s). 629. Parking spaces
The arrow otherwise serves to suggest an appropriate Marked with continuous or broken white lines. The complete
choice of route. parked cars must be within the lines.

630. Parking spaces reserved for disabled persons

626. Lane change markings Only persons holding special permits may park in spaces
Lane change markings warn you to get in lane in time and to marked this way.
watch out for traffic merging with your lane up ahead.

631. Parking prohibited

Speed reduction lines Indicated by a broken yellow curbside line. Used at bus stops
and on curbstones at junctions.

627. Speed reduction lines

Raised yellow lines may be painted across the carriageway as speed

632
reducers. The purpose of these yellow lines is to make drivers aware of their
633. No stopping or parking
speed after a period of driving at higher speeds.
This prohibition is sometimes used with a continuous yellow
Reduce your speed in good time.
line and may appear at certain bus stops. (632) may be
combined with a zigzag line or yellow cross lines marked on
They are sometime painted at the approach to roundabouts or speed
the carriageway. This marking may also be used instead of
humps, on the hard shoulder, or when entering a village or approaching a
a broken curbside line to indicate that parking is prohibited.
particular hazard. Reduce your speed in good time.
(633)

226 Road markings Road markings 227

Box junctions

634. Box junctions

Yellow crisscross lines mark a box junction. Their purpose is to keep

the junction clear by preventing traffic from stopping in the path of
crossing traffic.

You must not enter a box junction unless your exit road is clear. But
you can enter the box when you want to turn left end you are only
prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic.

If there is a vehicle already on the junction waiting to turn left, you are
free to enter behind it and wait to turn left providing that you will not
block any oncoming traffic wanting to turn left.

If there are a number of vehicles waiting to turn, it is unlikely you will

be able to proceed before the traffic signals change, so you should
wait for the next clear opportunity before entering the box.

228 Road markings

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Road markings 231
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