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Street-name sign
The sign has either white lettering on a dark background or black lettering on a light background. It may also be attached to structures.
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When you see the Zeichen
Use the street-name sign for orientation and check whether you have reached the street you are looking for. The sign does not prescribe a direction of travel or a speed; therefore, continue to observe the applicable Vorfahrt, speed and turning rules.
Rules
- Zeichen 437 identifies the name of a street.
- The sign may have white lettering on a dark background or black lettering on a light background.
- It may also be mounted directly on a structure, for example on the wall of a building.
- The street-name sign does not establish Vorfahrt, indicate a maximum permitted speed or require you to turn.
Tips
- Look for the sign in good time near the intersection, on a pole or on the façade of a corner building.
- Do not brake suddenly if you only notice the street name at the last moment; continue driving safely and, if necessary, choose another place to turn around.
- Never rely on the street name for Vorfahrt. Instead, follow traffic lights, traffic signs and—if no such rules apply—priority to the right.
Common misunderstandings
- The sign is confused with a direction sign. However, it identifies the street at the location and does not necessarily point in a particular direction.
- Learner drivers assume that a wider or better-known street has Vorfahrt because of its name. The street name has no influence whatsoever on Vorfahrt.
- A different colour scheme is mistaken for another traffic sign, even though Zeichen 437 may explicitly be displayed with either light lettering on a dark background or dark lettering on a light background.
Exam tip
A typical exam trap is the question of whether the street-name sign regulates Vorfahrt or requires you to turn. Both are false: Zeichen 437 is used solely for naming and orientation.
Did you know
Street-name signs do not have to stand on their own pole: under the StVO, Zeichen 437 may also be mounted on structures, which is why it is often found on the façades of corner buildings.
Frequently asked questions
Does Zeichen 437 regulate Vorfahrt?
No. Vorfahrt is determined by traffic lights, traffic signs regulating Vorfahrt or, if neither is present, priority to the right.
Do I have to turn into the street named on the sign?
No. The street-name sign does not require you to turn and does not contain a direction arrow; it merely identifies the street in question.
Why do street-name signs not look the same everywhere?
The StVO permits white lettering on a dark background as well as black lettering on a light background. As a result, the design and colours may vary from one municipality to another.
May the street-name sign be attached to a house wall?
Yes. Zeichen 437 may explicitly also be mounted on structures, for example on the façade of a building near an intersection.
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