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Hatched area
Requirement or prohibition Whoever is driving a vehicle must not use hatched areas.
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When you see the Zeichen
Keep completely clear of the hatched area and pass it on the permitted part of the carriageway. You may neither drive over the hatched area nor use it to stop, park or avoid an obstacle.
Rules
- Anyone driving a vehicle must not use a hatched area.
- The prohibition also applies when the hatched area is clear and driving over it would apparently not obstruct traffic.
- You must neither stop nor park on the hatched area.
- Motorcycles and other narrow vehicles must not drive through the hatching either.
- Mandatory instructions from police officers take precedence over road markings.
Tips
- Recognise a hatched area by the white diagonal stripes within a defined area, and pay attention early to the course of the permitted carriageway.
- If the course is unclear, reduce your speed in good time instead of briefly swerving onto the hatched area.
- Pay particular attention to the start of the marking before traffic islands, carriageway divisions and turning areas.
- When turning, plan a sufficiently wide arc so that the vehicle's wheels do not drive over the hatched area either.
Common misunderstandings
- The hatched area is confused with a broken centre line. A broken centre line may be crossed under certain conditions, whereas a hatched area must not be used.
- Some learner drivers believe that only parking is prohibited. In fact, driving on and stopping there are also prohibited.
- The hatching is understood merely as a visual indication. However, Zeichen 298 contains a binding prohibition.
Exam tip
A typical exam trap shows a clear hatched area that could be used to take a shortcut around a traffic jam or while turning. Even if no one is visibly put at risk, you must not drive on it.
Did you know
In Germany, hatched areas are often used to guide traffic safely past traffic islands, obstacles or carriageway divisions without requiring a physical barrier there.
Frequently asked questions
May I briefly drive over a hatched area if no other vehicle is coming?
No. The prohibition on using it applies regardless of whether there is currently any other traffic or a specific danger is created.
May I briefly stop on a hatched area to let someone get out?
No. Even voluntarily stopping briefly is prohibited use of the hatched area.
What is the difference between a hatched area and a lane boundary?
A hatched area is a striped section closed to vehicles. A lane boundary, on the other hand, is a solid line that generally must not be crossed and separates lanes, carriageways or special routes from one another.
May motorcycles drive through the clear spaces between the diagonal stripes?
No. The entire marked area is closed to traffic, not just the colour of the individual diagonal stripes.
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