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Turning arrow
The supplementary plate indicates that the main sign applies after turning at a road junction.
When you see the sign
Read the sign together with the main sign above it. The arrow shows that the information or regulation on the main sign applies in the direction that turns 135 degrees to the left, so orient yourself towards the relevant side road or exit before proceeding.
Rules
- The supplementary plate has no independent meaning and must always be interpreted together with the main sign.
- The arrow indicates the direction to the left in which the information or regulation on the main sign applies.
- An angle of 135 degrees indicates a sharper turn to the left than a normal 90-degree left turn.
- The arrow itself does not require the driver to turn left; any mandatory instruction or prohibition follows from the main sign.
Tips
- First look at the main sign to determine whether it warns, prohibits, requires an action or provides other information.
- Follow the curve and angle of the arrow, not just the fact that the arrowhead points to the left.
- Look for a side road or exit that branches sharply to the left, and consider whether the main sign applies there.
- Do not confuse this arrow with supplementary plates showing the distance or the length of the road section for which a regulation applies.
Common misconceptions
- Thinking that the arrow alone means that all vehicles must turn left.
- Interpreting the arrow as a normal 90-degree left turn and consequently associating the main sign with the wrong road.
- Thinking that the arrow indicates the distance to the point where the main sign starts to apply.
Test yourself
Easy
What does the supplementary plate in the picture mean?
- AIt indicates the distance to the place where the main sign begins to apply.
- BIt indicates the length of the road section where the main sign continues to apply.
- CIt requires all vehicles to turn sharply to the left at the sign.
- DIt shows the direction to the left in which the information or regulation of the main sign applies.
Medium
At an intersection there is a main sign warning of roadworks, with the supplementary plate shown in the picture below it. You are going straight ahead, and no other signs or circumstances require you to turn. What do you do?
- AYou turn sharply to the left because the arrow independently requires this.
- BYou turn 90 degrees to the left because all left-pointing arrows show the same direction.
- CYou stop at the sign because the arrow shows where the warning begins to apply.
- DYou continue straight ahead and understand that the warning applies in the indicated left-hand direction.
Hard
An intersection has one side road 90 degrees to the left and one side road 135 degrees to the left. A main sign is installed with the supplementary plate shown in the picture. Which interpretation is correct?
- AThe main sign applies over a 135-metre-long section, regardless of which road you choose.
- BThe main sign applies to the side road that goes 90 degrees to the left and begins at the first exit.
- CThe main sign begins to apply 135 metres farther ahead, regardless of which road you choose.
- DThe main sign applies to the side road that goes 135 degrees to the left, without the supplementary plate indicating a distance.
Theory test tip
A typical trap is to answer that the arrow is an independent mandatory instruction to turn. In the theory test, you must always read the supplementary plate together with the main sign and note that the angle is 135 degrees to the left.
Did you know
Turn arrows are available with different angles and directions, allowing the supplementary plate to point towards the specific arm of the road to which the main sign applies, including at junctions that do not have right angles.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to turn left when I see this supplementary plate?
No, not because of the supplementary plate alone. It shows the direction in which the message on the main sign applies.
What does the 135-degree angle mean?
It shows that the direction turns sharply to the left, rather than being a normal 90-degree left turn. This helps you identify the correct road arm at an angled or irregular junction.
Does the main sign apply to the road I am already driving on?
Normally, the arrow shows that the message is linked to the direction indicated by the arrow. You must use the sign's position, the road layout and the main sign to identify the relevant road or exit.
Does the supplementary plate show how far it is to where the regulation begins?
No. Distance is indicated by supplementary plate 802, whereas this supplementary plate shows direction with a turn arrow.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
