Warning sign and hazard triangle

What is a warning sign?

Warning signs have a red triangular frame with a white background and a black symbol. They alert you to a danger or change in the road ahead. You should always reduce your speed and increase your attention when you see a warning sign.

The most tested warning signs

Important rules to remember

• Warning signs are normally placed 150–250 m before the danger outside built-up areas and 50–100 m in built-up areas.
• Supplementary signs can indicate exact distance or stretch, read more about supplementary signs and additional information .
• In roadworks, yellow warning signs are used, which take precedence over permanent signs.
• Warning signs do not impose specific action, but you are obliged to adjust your driving.

Typical traps on the theory test

• Confusing warning signs with prohibition signs and thinking the sign gives a mandate.
• Overlooking that animal warning signs mean you should always reduce speed, not just watch for animals.
• Forgetting that warning signs can be combined with road markings which reinforce the message.

Further reading

• See the complete overview of prohibition signs you must know .
• Learn about temporary signs and sign hierarchy .
• Read about yielding and intersections to understand the interaction between signs and yielding rules.