Road signs in Italy
Road signs in Italy conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries, with the notable exception that the background of motorway (autostrada) signs is green and those for 'normal' roads is blue. They are regulated by the Codice della Strada (Road Code) and by the Regolamento di Attuazione del Codice della Strada (Rules for the Implementation of the Road Code) in conformity with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.
Italy signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals on November 8, 1968 and ratified it on February 7, 1997.[1]
Design
Distances and other measurements are displayed in metric units.
Warning signs are usually placed 150 metres before the area they're referring to; if they're farther or nearer, an additional sign displays the actual distance in metres. Prohibition signs and mandatory instruction signs, instead, are placed exactly at the beginning of the area of validity.
Colours and shapes
Signs follow the general European conventions concerning the use of shape and colour to indicate function of signs:
| Type of sign | Shape | Border | Background colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warning | Triangular | Red | White |
| Prohibition | Circular | Red | White |
| Mandatory instructions | Circular | White | Blue |
| Supplementary | Rectangular | Black | White |
| Information | Rectangular | White | White (urban) Blue (other roads) Green (motorway) |
Colours of directional road signs
- On motorways, directional signs are green with white lettering.
- On main roads, directional signs with more than one destination are blue with white lettering.
- Within cities, directional signs with more than one destination are white with black lettering.
On main roads and within cities, the colour of a directional sign with a single destination depends on the type of destination:
- if the destination is a city that is reached by means of a motorway, the sign is green and carries the motorway name as well as the destination
- in the other cases when the destination is a city, the sign is blue
- if the destination is a city district, a hospital or an airport, the sign is white
- if the destination is a geographical feature or a tourist attraction, the sign is brown
Typeface
A version of the Transport typeface employed on road signs in the UK, called Alfabeto Normale, is used on Italian road signs. A condensed version, called Alfabeto Stretto, is also used for long names that wouldn't fit. Each name uses one font, but names in Alfabeto Normale and in Alfabeto Stretto can co-exist on one sign.
The font is officially regulated by the 1992 Codice della Strada, article 39 section 125.[2] It defines both Alfabeto Normale and Alfabeto Stretto for uppercase letters, lowercase letters and digits, "positive" (dark on light background) and "negative" (light on dark background). However, there are regulations about the use of Alfabeto Normale dating back to 1969.[3]
Uppercase is used in most cases. Lowercase is sometimes used for city districts and tourist attractions.
Language
The standard language is Italian. In some autonomous regions or provinces bilingual signs are used (mainly Italian/German in South Tyrol, Italian/French in Aosta Valley and Italian/Slovenian along the Slovenian border, but also Italian/Friulan in the Friuli historical region and Italian/Sardinian in Sardinia).
These are some examples of the italian sign "Passo carrabile" (No parking in front of vehicular access to the side properties) in the bilingual variants:
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and French (used in Aosta Valley)
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and German (used in South Tyrol)
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and Slovenian (used in some municipalities of Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Gallery
Warning signs
Uneven road
(formerly used
that meant "Humps or dip")
Bumps in the road (formerly used
that meant "Humps or ramp")
Dip (formerly used
that meant "dangerous for dip")
Bend, to right
(formerly used
)
Bend, to left
(formerly used
)
Double bend, first to right
(formerly used
)
Double bend, first to left
(formerly used
)
Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
(formerly used
)
Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead
(formerly used
)
Single Level crossing
(formerly used
)
Multiple level crossing
(formerly used
)
Trams crossing ahead
Pedestrian crossing ahead
(formerly used
)
Bicycle crossing ahead
Steep hill downwards
(formerly used
)
Steep hill upwards
Road narrows
(formerly used
)
Road narrows on right
Road narrows on left
Opening or swing bridge ahead
(formerly used
)
Dangerous verges
Slippery road
(formerly used
)
Children
(formerly used
)
Cattle
(formerly used
)
Wild animals
(formerly used
)
Two-way traffic
(formerly used
)
Roundabout ahead
Loose chippings
Falling rocks from right
Falling rocks from left
Traffic lights
(formerly used
)
Horizontal traffic lights
Low-flying aircraft
Risk of fire
(formerly used
)
Other danger
(formerly used
)
Level crossing countdown marker (placed under the triangular warning sign, usually 150 m before crossing)
Level crossing countdown marker (placed at two-thirds of the distance from the crossing, usually 100 m)
Level crossing countdown marker (placed at one-third of the distance from the crossing, usually 50 m)
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Temporary signs
Road works
(formerly used
)
Uneven road
Road narrows
Road narrows on right
Road narrows on left
Loose chippings
Other danger
Regulatory signs
Priority signs
Give Way
(formerly used
)
Stop and give way
(formerly used
)
Crossroads with right-of-way from the right
(formerly used
)
Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction
(formerly used
)
Priority road
(formerly used
)
End of priority road
(formerly used
)
Crossroads
(formerly used
)
Junction with a minor side-road from right
Junction with a minor side-road from left
Merging traffic from right
(formerly used
)
Merging traffic from left
(formerly used
)
Traffic has priority over oncoming vehicles
(formerly used
)
Prohibition signs
Restricted vehicular access
(formerly used
)
No entry for vehicular traffic
(formerly used
)
No overtaking
(formerly used
)
Minimum distance
Maximum speed 50 km/h
(formerly used
)
No use of horns
(formerly used
)
No animal-drawn vehicles
(formerly used
)
No pedestrians
(formerly used
)
No bicycles
(formerly used
)
No motorcycles
(formerly used
)
No handcarts
(formerly used
)
No motor vehicles with four or more wheels, motorized tricycles and motorised quadricycles
(formerly used
)
No buses
(formerly used
)
No large goods vehicles
(formerly used
)
No large goods vehicles over weight shown
(formerly used
)
No vehicles with trailer
No tractors
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
No vehicles carrying explosives or flammable goods
No vehicles carrying goods which could pollute water
No vehicles over width shown
(formerly used
)
No vehicles over height shown
(formerly used
)
No vehicles over length shown
Maximum weight in tonnes
(formerly used
)
Derestriction
End of maximum speed
(formerly used
)
End of no overtaking
(formerly used
)
End of no overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
![No stopping on the side where sign is placed (formerly used with the additional inscription "DIVIETO DI FERMATA" that means "NO STOPPING" [4])](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Italian_traffic_signs_-_divieto_di_fermata.svg)
No stopping on the side where sign is placed
(formerly used
with the additional inscription "DIVIETO DI FERMATA" that means "NO STOPPING" [4])
Parking space reserved for vehicles used by people with disabilities
(formerly used
). For personal parking, it can be used 
with the badge's number
Parking place
(formerly used
)
Parking ahead in the direction of the arrow
(formerly used
)
No parking at all times in front of vehicular access to the side properties (also used
)
Parking prohibited at certain times and allowed in others
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![No parking on side where sign is placed. Without additional inscriptions, it is valid from 8 am to 8 pm on urban roads while on extra-urban roads it is valid at all times. (formerly used [4])](/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_divieto_di_sosta.svg)
![No stopping on the side where sign is placed (formerly used with the additional inscription "DIVIETO DI FERMATA" that means "NO STOPPING" [4])](/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_divieto_di_fermata.svg)
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Mandatory signs
Drive straight
Turn right
(formerly used
)
Turn left
Right turn only ahead
Left turn only ahead
Right or left turn only ahead
Drive straight or turn right
(formerly used
or 
)
Drive straight or turn left
(formerly used
)
Keep right
Keep left
Pass either side
Roundabout
(formerly used
)
Minimum speed
(formerly used
)
End of minimum speed
Snow chains compulsory
(formerly used
)
Customs
(formerly used
)
EU Country border
Stop, pay toll
Pedestrian lane
(formerly used
)
Cycle lane
(formerly used
)
End of cycle lane
End of shared path
Bridleway
(formerly used
)
End of bridleway
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Indication signs
Motorway direction
Primary or secondary road direction
Urban area direction
Direction to a geographical feature or a tourist attraction
Directions in urban areas
Directions at a roundabout in urban areas. The green panel indicates a motorway
Directions on a main highway
(formerly used
)
Directions on a main highway with lane canalization
Directions on a motorway
Overhead directional sign
Motorway number sign
Motorway spur number sign
(not an official road sign but it is used)
International tunnel number sign
State highway number sign
(formerly used
)
Regional road number sign
Provincial road number sign
(formerly used
)
Municipal road number sign
(formerly used
)
European road number sign
(formerly used
)
Highway location marker
Intermediate highway location marker with hectometre shown in roman numerals (in the example the sign is placed at the kilometre 24.8 of the road)
Motorway location marker and distance from the exit shown (horizontal version)
Motorway location marker and distance from the service area (vertical version)
Main highway location marker and distances from next destinations
![Number of overpass along a motorway[5]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Italian_traffic_signs_-_numerazione_cavalcavia_autostrada.svg)
Number of overpass along a motorway[5]
Destination that can be reached from next exit on a motorway or an expressway
Town sign: start of urban area (50 km/h speed limit and no use of horn)
![Town sign: start of urban area where electric micromobility is being experimented (50 km/h speed limit, no use of horn and particular caution to cyclists and motorized scooters)[6]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Italian_traffic_signs_-_segnale_sperimentale_micromobilita_elettrica.svg)
Town sign: start of urban area where electric micromobility is being experimented (50 km/h speed limit, no use of horn and particular caution to cyclists and motorized scooters)[6]
End of urban area, with distances to other towns (end of 50 km/h speed limit and of the prohibition of using horn)
Provincial boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
Provincial boundary sign (motorway)
Regional boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
Regional boundary sign (motorway)
Direction to motorway
Motorway distance sign
Direction to service shown in urban areas (in the example municipal police)
Street name sign
Street name sign with one way
Municipality boundary name sign
River sign
Directions to tourist destinations
Direction to an industrial zone
Directions in an industrial area
Hotel information centre ahead
information about hotels
Direction to hotels ahead
Directions to hotels
Hospital
(formerly used
)
School bus stop. If the sign is mounted on a bus it means that bus is used as a school bus
(formerly used
)
Emergency telephone
(formerly used )
Pedestrian ramp
No through road (side road)
Advisory speed limit
End of advisory speed limit
Fast-traffic highway, only motor vehicles allowed
(formerly used
and 
)
End of road reserved for motor vehicles
Tunnel (roads other than motorways)
Tunnel (motorways)
Bridge (roads other than motorways)
Bridge (motorways)
Home Zone Entry
End of Home Zone
Pedestrian zone
End of pedestrian zone
Restricted vehicular traffic zone
End of restricted vehicular traffic zone
Start of a 30 km/h zone
End of a 30 km/h zone
Bicycle crossing
Semi-direct left turn
Indirect left turn
Possibility of reversing the direction of travel (roads other than motorways)
Possibility of reversing the direction of travel (motorways)
Breakdown bay. The background is green on motorway
(formerly used
)
Breakdown bay with emergency telephone. The background is blue in roads other than motorway
Use of lanes on extra-urban roads (example)
Bus lane on urban road (example)
Bus lane on urban road (example)
Use of lanes on motorways
End of lane. The background is green on motorway
Increase in the number of lanes. The background is green on motorway
Motorway. If the symbol of motorway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (
)
Motorway ahead with a summary of transit restrictions
(Formerly used
)
Motorway ends
Expressway. If the symbol of expressway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (
)
Expressway ahead with a summary of transit restrictions
Expressway ends
One-way traffic (right)
(formerly used
)
One-way traffic (left)
(formerly used
)
Advised direction for trucks ahead
Advised direction for trucks
General speed limit (installed at national borders)
(formerly used
)
Information about road condition of passes: road open
Information about road condition of passes: road open and mandatory snow chains
Information about road condition of passes: road open and advised snow chains
Information about road condition of passes: road closed
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and mandatory snow chains
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and advised snow chains
Repairs
Telephone
(formerly used
)
Petrol station with LPG
Tram stop
Information centre
Picnic site
Local radio information. The background is blue in roads other than motorway
Refreshments
Park and ride (bus station)
Park and ride (tramway)
Park and ride (train or underground)
Park and ride (hiking trail)
Motorail services
Taxi stop
(formerly used
)
Sewage discharge
Car ferries
Services in motorway service area (plus distance from the next area)
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![Number of overpass along a motorway[5]](/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_numerazione_cavalcavia_autostrada.svg)
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![Town sign: start of urban area where electric micromobility is being experimented (50 km/h speed limit, no use of horn and particular caution to cyclists and motorized scooters)[6]](/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_segnale_sperimentale_micromobilita_elettrica.svg)
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Additional panels
Distance (in meters)
Distance (in kilometers)
Length of a danger or a prescription (in meters)
Length of a danger or a prescription (in kilometers)
Timetable: the sign applies all day
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in holidays (represented by the cross)
![Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in working days[7] (represented by the two hammers crossed)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Italian_traffic_signs_-_validit%C3%A0_%28modello_II_3-d%29.svg)
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in working days[7] (represented by the two hammers crossed)
The sign applies only to the category shown (in the example semi-trailer trucks)
The sign doesn't apply to the category shown (in the example buses)
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
Continual of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
End of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
Continual of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
End of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
No road markings or road markings work in progress
Road accident
Crossing of railway linking tracks: the trains move very slowly and usually with the presence of a flagger (this crossing is not considered a level crossing).
Snow removal vehicle at work
Road subject to flooding
Queue
Construction vehicles at work
In case of snow or ice
In case of rain
Slow moving vehicle ahead
Tow-away zone
Lane sign: an overhead sign applies only to te lane pointed out by this arrow.
Hairpin turn ahead
Number of hairpin turn
Road cleaning
Road cleaning during times shown
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign
(formerly used
)
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign
No parking during road cleaning operations
Mandatory direction for vehicle carrying dangerous goods
Mandatory direction ahead for trucks
No trucks
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![Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in working days[7] (represented by the two hammers crossed)](/wiki/File:Italian_traffic_signs_-_validit%C3%A0_(modello_II_3-d).svg)
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Complementary signage
Reflexion posts (left and right) on two-way roads
Reflexion posts (left and right) on one-way roads
Chevron marker (turn right)
Chevron marker (turn left)
T-intersection marker
Chevron marker (singular)
Chevron maker (red singular)
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Obsolete signs (No longer used)
Dangerous bends
Give way to the line coaches
No U-turns
No right turn
No left turn
No overtaking for trucks
End of no overtaking for trucks
Alternative parking (No parking on the side of the number I on odd days and on the side of the number II on even days)
Alternative parking (No parking on the side of the number I on odd days and on the side of the number II on even days)
![Regulated parking (Parking allowed using disc parking) [8]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Fig._47_-_Sosta_regolamentata-_1959.svg)
Regulated parking
(Parking allowed using disc parking) [8]Motor vehicle lane
Motorcycle lane
Two lanes traffic
![Regulated parking (Parking allowed using disc parking) [8]](/wiki/File:Fig._47_-_Sosta_regolamentata-_1959.svg)
Similar systems
- Albania largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is Albanian instead of Italian.
- Burundi largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is French. The European road network does not serve Burundi.
- Malta largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the languages used are English and Maltese instead of Italian. Also in Malta, road signs are adapted for left-hand traffic.
- San Marino almost wholly shares the same road signage system used in Italy, since this microstate is surrounded on all sides by Italy.
- Sierra Leone largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is English. The European road network does not serve Sierra Leone.
- Vatican City almost wholly shares the same road signage system used in Italy, since this microstate is surrounded on all sides by Italy.
See also
References
- ^ "United Nations Treaty Collection". treaties.un.org. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ Art. 125 - Iscrizioni, lettere e simboli relativi ai segnali di indicazione
- ^ Nuovi segnali "nome-strada"
- ^ a b See the article 59 of "Decreto Del Presidente Della Repubblica 30 giugno 1959, n. 420". Gazzetta ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (in Italian).
- ^ This road sign is not regulated by the Highway Code: it had been designed by the Ministry of Public Works in order to prevent the launch of objects from bridges
- ^ This sign has been introduced in 2019
- ^ Saturday is considered a working day if it isn't an official holiday
- ^ See the article 61 of "Decreto Del Presidente Della Repubblica 30 giugno 1959, n. 420". Gazzetta ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (in Italian).
External links
