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Shark teeth
The marking highlights a waiting obligation resulting from an existing right-before-left rule away from federal, state and district roads and other major roads, as well as a Vorfahrt entitlement of cycling traffic ordered by Zeichen 205 or 206 along intersections or junctions of express cycle routes. In the case of this Vorfahrt entitlement of cycling traffic, the markings are to be arranged on both sides along the edges of the carriageway of the express cycle route, with their points facing the traffic required to wait.
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When you see the Zeichen
If the shark teeth point in your direction, you must expect a duty to wait arising from the existing Vorfahrt rules. Reduce your speed, check the intersection or junction carefully, and give Vorfahrt to traffic with priority.
Rules
- Zeichen 342 highlights an existing duty to wait; the marking itself does not establish Vorfahrt or a duty to wait.
- At a right-before-left intersection, the shark teeth make it clear that traffic approaching from the right has Vorfahrt.
- At intersections or junctions of high-speed cycle routes, they may highlight Vorfahrt for bicycle traffic ordered by Zeichen 205 or 206.
- At a high-speed cycle route with Vorfahrt, the markings are placed on both sides along the edges of its carriageway; their points face the traffic required to wait.
Tips
- Pay attention to the direction of the triangle points: they point towards the traffic that must wait.
- Also look for Zeichen 205 or 206 and check whether the duty to wait follows from these signs or from the right-before-left rule.
- Approach slowly enough that you can wait safely before the route with Vorfahrt.
- At a high-speed cycle route, expect bicycles approaching quickly and check both directions of travel particularly carefully.
Common misunderstandings
- Shark teeth are mistakenly regarded as an independent Vorfahrt gewähren sign. However, they only highlight an existing duty to wait.
- Some learner drivers confuse the row of triangles with a stop line. Zeichen 342 does not generally require you to come to a complete stop; you only have to stop if the traffic situation or Zeichen 206 requires it.
- The marking is sometimes interpreted as a general sign for a cycle path. In fact, here it indicates the Vorfahrt or duty to wait at an intersection or junction.
Exam tip
The typical trap in exam questions is to regard Zeichen 342 itself as regulating Vorfahrt. What matters is the underlying rule: right before left, or Vorfahrt for bicycle traffic ordered by Zeichen 205 or 206.
Did you know
The marking commonly known as shark teeth was added to the German traffic sign catalogue as Zeichen 342 with the 2020 amendment to the StVO.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to stop at shark teeth?
No. The marking alone does not require a complete stop; it highlights a duty to wait. You must stop if traffic with Vorfahrt is approaching or if Zeichen 206 requires it.
Who has Vorfahrt at shark teeth?
This is not determined by the marking alone. What matters is the existing right-before-left rule or Verkehrszeichen 205 or 206, which can order Vorfahrt for bicycle traffic at a high-speed cycle route.
What does the direction of the triangles mean?
The points face the traffic required to wait. If they point towards your vehicle or your access road, you must give way to traffic with Vorfahrt.
Are shark teeth the same as a stop line?
No. A stop line under Zeichen 294 indicates where you must stop because of a stop requirement. Shark teeth, on the other hand, clarify an existing duty to wait and do not themselves require you to stop.
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