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Interchanges of Autobahns
This is how interchanges of Autobahns (Autobahn exits, Autobahn interchanges and Autobahn junctions) are numbered.
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When you see the Zeichen
Compare the displayed junction number with your route plan and the destinations shown on the direction signs. If this is your exit or where you need to change Autobahn, move into the correct lane in good time using the lane arrows; Zeichen 406 alone neither requires you to exit nor to brake.
Rules
- Zeichen 406 identifies the number of an Autobahn junction, such as an interchange, Autobahnkreuz or Autobahndreieck.
- The number is for orientation only and does not indicate an instruction, prohibition or speed limit.
- The destinations and arrows on the advance direction signs and direction signs remain decisive for the direction of travel.
- The junction number must not be confused with the Autobahn number: the Autobahn number is shown by Zeichen 405.
- Junction numbers apply to the respective Autobahn; the same number can therefore occur again on another Autobahn.
Tips
- When planning your route, remember not only the name of the place but also the number of the required exit.
- Check early whether the displayed number matches your intended exit or the point where you need to change Autobahn.
- Also pay attention to lane arrows and destination information, especially at Autobahnkreuze with several branching carriageways.
- If you miss the junction, continue driving and use the next suitable connection; never stop or drive back on the Autobahn.
Common misunderstandings
- The junction number is mistaken for the Autobahn number. However, Zeichen 406 identifies a junction, while Zeichen 405 identifies the Autobahn itself.
- Learner drivers believe they must exit immediately at this sign. Whether and where to exit is determined by the route, destination information and arrows.
- The number is confused with Zeichen 332 or 332.1. These signs announce an exit, whereas Zeichen 406 gives the number of the Autobahn junction.
Exam tip
A typical exam trap is confusing Zeichen 406 with Zeichen 405: Zeichen 406 gives the number of the exit, interchange or triangle, not the number of the Autobahn and not the distance to the exit.
Did you know
Numbering generally follows the respective Autobahn. If new junctions are later added between existing ones, additional letters such as "a" may be used so that all subsequent numbers do not have to be changed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to leave the Autobahn at Zeichen 406?
No. The sign merely identifies the junction; you only exit if this matches your route and the direction signs show the appropriate route.
Does Zeichen 406 specify a speed?
No, the sign is not associated with any particular maximum speed. Any speed signs present and the specific traffic situation are decisive.
What is the difference between Zeichen 405 and Zeichen 406?
Zeichen 405 identifies an Autobahn by its route number, for example A 7. Zeichen 406, on the other hand, gives the number of a specific junction on an Autobahn.
Can the same junction number occur more than once in Germany?
Yes. The numbering applies to each Autobahn individually, so, for example, exit 10 can exist on several different Autobahnen.
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