Teorio
Steep ascent
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When you see the Zeichen
Expect a steep uphill section and adjust your speed and gear selection in good time. Keep a sufficient following distance because vehicles ahead may become significantly slower, and avoid unnecessary overtaking manoeuvres.
Rules
- The percentage indicates the gradient: 12 % means an increase in elevation of 12 metres over 100 metres of horizontal distance.
- Zeichen 110 does not prescribe a specific speed; however, you must drive in a way that allows you to control your vehicle safely despite the uphill gradient.
- Outside built-up areas, the Gefahrzeichen is generally placed 150 to 250 metres before the start of the uphill section; a different distance may be indicated by a Zusatzzeichen.
- Zeichen 110 does not imply either an overtaking ban or priority for vehicles travelling uphill.
Tips
- Shift into a lower gear in good time, before the engine speed drops sharply.
- Keep a greater distance because heavy or underpowered vehicles can suddenly become significantly slower on an uphill section.
- Only overtake when you have sufficient visibility and power reserves; speed and acceleration may be lower than expected uphill.
- When moving off uphill, prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, for example by using the parking brake, clutch and accelerator smoothly together, or by using hill-start assist.
Common misunderstandings
- The percentage is mistakenly understood as an angle in degrees.
- Zeichen 110 is confused with Zeichen 108: Zeichen 110 warns of an uphill gradient, while Zeichen 108 warns of a downhill gradient.
- Some learner drivers assume that vehicles travelling uphill automatically have priority; there is no such general rule in Germany.
Exam tip
Pay particular attention to the meaning of the percentage in exam questions: at 15 %, the road rises 15 metres over 100 metres of horizontal distance. The sign alone neither imposes a maximum speed nor prohibits overtaking.
Did you know
A gradient of 10 % does not correspond to an angle of 10 degrees, but only to approximately 5.7 degrees. The percentage is calculated by dividing the increase in elevation by the horizontal distance and multiplying by 100.
Frequently asked questions
What does an indication of 12 % on the sign mean?
The road rises 12 metres over 100 metres of horizontal distance. The indication is not an angular measurement in degrees.
Do I have to slow down immediately at Zeichen 110?
The sign does not contain a fixed speed limit. However, you must adapt your speed to the gradient, visibility, traffic and the vehicle's capabilities.
May I overtake on an uphill section?
Zeichen 110 alone does not prohibit overtaking. You may only overtake if the traffic situation is clear, visibility is sufficient and your vehicle has enough acceleration reserve despite the uphill gradient.
Does a vehicle travelling uphill have priority over a vehicle travelling downhill?
No. In Germany, there is no general priority based solely on the direction of travel on a hill. What matters are traffic signs, Vorfahrt rules and, in the case of obstacles, in particular which side the obstacle is on.
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