# Road signs in Spain

Road signs in Spain are regulated in the Instrucción de Carreteras Norma 8.1-IC as well as the Catálogo de señales verticales de circulación. They conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries. Spain is an original signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention of Road Signs and Signals, having signed it on November 8, 1968, but has yet to fully ratify it.

## Typeface

Carretera Convencional [es], also known as CCRIGE, is the typeface used on Spanish road signs.$^{:86}$
From 1962 until approximately 1991, a French typeface predating Caractères was used on road signs. Additionally, an italic serif typeface was used to indicate certain destinations, such as railway stations and airports. Autopista, derived from Highway Gothic, was introduced later for use on motorway signs following the opening of Spain's first motorway. From 1991 to 2000, after the publication of a new standard which introduced the Carretera Convencional typeface, work was carried out replacing signs from the previous standard. However, there still remain a number of signs from the 1962 order, perhaps made in the late 1980s, likely not replaced due to their condition.
On April 5, 2014, an updated version of the standard was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado, which established Carretera Convencional as the only typeface to be used, regardless of the classification of the road, replacing the Autopista alphabet on new signs installed since then.
On certain stretches of roads within Catalonia, such as the AP-7 toll motorway, the Helvetica typeface has been used.

## Language

Bilingual signs appear in autonomous communities where languages in addition to Spanish are spoken, including the Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia and the Balearic Islands.
According to the standard, only the official names of towns and communities may appear on signs.$^{:21}$ In the event that there is no official place name, the place name is first written in the regional language followed by a slash and the place name in Spanish. Where there is a lack of space, the place names are placed on two lines, with the name in the local language shown first followed by that in Spanish, with a horizontal line between them. No distinction is made in typography between both languages.
In the event that the official place name differs greatly from its Spanish version and the latter appears on the Official Road Map, both are written.

## General danger signs

Below is a detailed and specific list of the signs adopted by regulations on public roads in Spain. The danger warning traffic signs approved and in common use in Spain since 1991 are the following:
* P-1 Intersection with priority
* P-1a Intersection with priority on the road on the right
* P-1b Intersection with priority on road on the left
* P-1c Intersection with priority over merging on the right
* P-1d Intersection with priority over merge from the left
* P-1e Section with shortcuts
* P-2 Intersection with right priority
* P-3 Traffic lights
* P-4 Roundabout
* P-5 Opening bridge
* P-6 Tram crossing
* P-7 Level crossing with barriers
* P-8 Level crossing without barriers
* P-9a Proximity of a level crossing or a moving bridge (right side)
* P-9b Approach of a level crossing or a moving bridge (right side)
* P-9c Proximity of a level crossing or a moving bridge (right side)
* P-10a Proximity of a level crossing or a moving bridge (left side)
* P-10b Approach of a level crossing or a moving bridge (left side)
* P-10c Proximity of a level crossing or a moving bridge (left side)
* P-11 Level crossing (single track)
* P-11a Level crossing (Two or more railroad tracks)
* P-12 Low-flying craft
* P-13a Dangerous curve to the right
* P-13b Dangerous curve to the left
* P-14a Dangerous curves, first to the right
* P-14b Dangerous curves, first to the left
* P-15 Uneven road
* P-15a Speed bump
* P-15b Dip
* P-16a Steep descent
* P-16b Steep ascent
* P-17 Road narrows on both sides
* P-17a Road narrows on the right
* P-17b Road narrows on the left
* P-18 Roadworks
* P-19 Slip road
* P-20 Pedestrians
* P-20a Pedestrian crossing
* P-21 Children
* P-22 Cyclists
* P-23 Cattle or livestock
* P-24 Deer or wild animals
* P-25 Two-way traffic
* P-26 Falling rocks
* P-27 Unprotected body of water
* P-28 Loose surface material
* P-29 Crosswind
* P-30 Soft or low verges
* P-31 Traffic queues
* P-32 Accident
* P-33 Reduced visibility
* P-34 Pavement slippery due to ice or snow
* P-50 Other dangers

## Regulatory signs
### Priority signs

Priority signs force other vehicles to give way in various situations. Due to their importance, these signs have different shapes than all the others. The Stop sign (R-2) is octagonal in shape and is red. The Yield sign (R-1) is shaped like an equilateral triangle with one vertex facing downwards and is white with a red border.
* R-1 Give way
* R-2 Stop
* R-3 Priority road
* R-4 End of priority road
* R-5 Give way to oncoming traffic
* R-6 Priority over oncoming traffic

### Entry prohibition signs

Prohibition signs prohibit behavior that may cause danger. These signs have a circular shape and their pictogram is black on a white background, edges and band (descending transversal from left to right crossing the pictogram at 45° with respect to the horizontal) red (the red must cover, at least, 35 percent of the sign surface).
No entry signs are those that restrict access to a road. These signs are circular and white with a red border. Due to its importance, the "no entry" sign (R-101) has a red background with a white stripe.
* R-100 No vehicles
* R-101 No entry
* R-102 No motor vehicles
* R-103 No motor vehicles, except two-wheeled motorcycles
* R-104 No motorcycles
* R-105 No mopeds (and vehicles for people with reduced mobility)
* R-106 No vehicles intended for the transport of goods
* R-107 No heavy goods vehicles with a mass greater than indicated in the sign
* R-108 No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
* R-109 No vehicles transporting explosive or flammable goods
* R-110 No vehicles transporting water polluting products (more than 1,000 liters)
* R-111 No agricultural motor vehicles
* R-112 No motor vehicles with a trailer, other than a semi-trailer or a single-axle trailer
* R-113 No animal-drawn vehicles
* R-114 No cycles
* R-115 No handcarts
* R-116 No pedestrians
* R-117 No mounted animals

### Restriction signs

* R-200 Passing without stopping prohibited
* R-200 Toll
* R-201 Mass limitation
* R-202 Mass limitation per axle
* R-203 Length limitation
* R-204 Width limitation
* R-205 Height limitation

### Other prohibition or restriction signs

* R-300 Minimum separation
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (10 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (20 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (30 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (40 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (50 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (60 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (70 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (80 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (90 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (100 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (110 km/h)
* R-301 Maximum speed limit (120 km/h)
* R-302 No right turn
* R-303 No left turn
* R-304 No U-turn
* R-305 No overtaking
* R-306 No overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
* R-307 No stopping and parking
* R-308 Parking prohibited
* R-308a No parking on odd days
* R-308b No parking on even days
* R-308c Alternate parking
* R-308d Alternate parking
* R-308e No parking in crossing
* R-309 Restricted parking zone
* R-310 No honking

### Mandatory signs

* R-400a Turn right
* R-400b Turn left
* R-400c Go straight
* R-400d Turn right
* R-400e Turn left
* R-401a Keep right
* R-401b Keep left
* R-401c May pass on either side
* R-402 Roundabout
* R-403a Go straight or turn right
* R-403b Go straight or turn left
* R-403c Turn right or left
* R-404 Car mandatory
* R-405 Motorcycles without sidecar mandatory
* R-406 Trucks and vans mandatory
* R-407 Cycle path
* R-408 Road for animal traction vehicles
* R-409 Road for mounted animals
* R-410 Road reserved for pedestrians
* R-411 Minimum speed limit
* R-412 Snow chains mandatory
* R-413 Headlamps
* R-414 Road for vehicles transporting dangerous goods
* R-415 Road for vehicles transporting water polluting products.
* R-416 Lane for vehicles transporting explosive or flammable materials.
* R-417 Mandatory use of seat belts
* R-418 Exclusive lane for vehicles equipped with operational electronic tolling equipment. Mandatory electronic toll

### De-restriction signs

De-restriction signs inform that the prohibition or limitation section has ended. These signs are round and white with one or more diagonal black lines (one in France, three in the Netherlands, five in Spain and Germany).
* R-500 End of all previously signed restrictions
* R-501 End of speed limit
* R-502 End of no overtaking
* R-503 End of no overtaking for trucks
* R-504 End of limited parking zone
* R-505b End of cycle road
* R-505 End of no honking
* R-506 End of minimum speed limit

## Indication signs

Indication signs inform the driver about something of interest. These signs are square or rectangular, blue with white elements and border. The signs are listed below along with their reference and corresponding legend as described in the General Traffic Regulations (Reglamento General de la Circulación).

### General indication signs

* S-1 Motorway
* S-1a Dual carriageway
* S-2 End of motorway
* S-2a End of dual carriageway
* S-3 Limited-access highway
* S-4 End of limited-access highway
* S-5 Tunnel
* S-6 End of tunnel
* S-7 Recommended maximum speed
* S-8 End of recommended maximum speed
* S-9 Recommended speed range
* S-10 End of recommended speed range
* S-11 One-way road
* S-11a One-way road (two lanes)
* S-11b One-way road (three lanes)
* S-12 Section of one-way road
* S-13 Pedestrian crossing
* S-14a Pedestrian overpass
* S-14b Pedestrian underpass
* S-15a Dead end
* S-15b Dead end
* S-15c Dead end
* S-15d Dead end
* S-16 Emergency braking zone
* S-17 Parking
* S-18 Reserved place for taxis
* S-19 Bus stop
* S-20 Tram stop
* S-21 Name
* S-22 Distance to a place which permits U-turns
* S-23 Hospital
* S-24 End of short-range headlamps obligation
* S-25 Change of direction at different level
* S-26a Countdown beacon (300 m)
* S-26b Countdown beacon (200 m)
* S-26c Countdown beacon (100 m)
* S-27 Roadside assistance
* S-28 Residential area
* S-29 End of residential area
* S-30 Speed limit zone
* S-31 End of speed limit zone
* S-32 Electronic toll
* S-33 Cycle path
* S-34 Siding in tunnels
* S-34a Siding in tunnels (SOS)
* Sign indicating the beginning of a section of concentration of accidents
* Sign indicating the end of a section of concentration of accidents

### Lane signs

Lane signs indicate the purpose of the lanes or the passage from one to several, etc.
* S-50a Lanes reserved for traffic based on the minimum speed
* S-50b Lanes reserved for traffic based on the minimum speed
* S-50c Lanes reserved for traffic based on the minimum speed
* S-50d Lanes reserved for traffic based on the minimum speed
* S-50e Lanes reserved for traffic based on the minimum speed
* S-51 Reserved lane for buses
* S-52 End of lane intended for circulation
* S-52a End of lane intended for circulation
* S-52b End of lane intended for circulation
* S-53 Transition from one to two traffic lanes
* S-53b Transition from two to three traffic lanes
* S-60a Fork to the left on a two-lane road
* S-60b Fork to the right on a two-lane road
* S-61a Fork to the left on a three-lane road
* S-61b Fork to the right on a three-lane road
* S-61c Double fork on a three-lane road
* S-62a Fork to the left on a four-lane road
* S-62b Fork to the right on a four-lane road
* S-62с Double fork to the right on a four-lane road
* S-63 Double fork to the left and right on a four-lane road
* S-64a Bike lane or cycle path attached to the road
* S-64b Bike lane or cycle path attached to the road

### Service signs

Service signs indicate the location of a roadside service.
* S-100 Hospital
* S-103 Workshop
* S-104 Telephone
* S-105 Gas station
* S-110 Hotel
* S-111 Restaurant
* S-112 Coffee
* S-107 Camping site (tent)
* S-113 Camping site (caravan)
* S-114 Picnic area
* S-115 Starting point for walking tours
* S-116 Camping and land for trailers-housing
* S-117 Youth hostel
* S-118 Tourist information
* S-119 Fishing preserve
* S-120 National park
* S-121 Monument
* S-122 Other services
* S-123 Rest area
* S-124 Parking for railway users
* S-125 Parking for lower rail users
* S-126 Parking for bus users
* S-127 Service area

### Orientation signs
#### Pre-signaling signs

The signs indicate the location of an intersection at an adequate distance for it to be effective, being a minimum of 500 m on highways and highways, and can be reduced to 50 m in towns and repeated several times at another distance. Sometimes they can be seen in different colors to differentiate them.
* S-200 Roundabout pre-signaling
* S-220 Pre-signaling of directions to a conventional road
* S-222 Pre-signaling of directions to a highway or highway
* S-222a Pre-signaling of directions to a highway or dual carriageway and own direction
* S-225 Pre-signaling of directions on a highway or dual carriageway to any road
* S-230 Pre-signaling with signs on the carriageway on a conventional road towards a conventional road
* S-230a Pre-signaling with signs on the carriageway on a conventional road towards a conventional road and its own direction
* S-232 Pre-signaling with signs on the carriageway on a conventional road towards a highway or dual carriageway
* S-232a Pre-signaling with signs on the carriageway on a conventional road towards a highway or dual carriageway and its own direction
* S-235 Pre-signaling with signs on the highway or dual carriageway to any road
* S-235a Pre-signaling with signs on the highway or dual carriageway road towards any road and its own direction
* S-242 Pre-signaling on the highway or dual carriageway of two exits very close to any road.
* S-242a Pre-signaling on the highway or dual carriageway of two exits very close to any road and its own direction
* S-250 Route pre-signaling
* S-260 Lane pre-signaling
* S-261 Pre-signaling on conventional roads of service zone or area
* S-261 Pre-signaling on conventional roads of service zone or area
* S-263 Pre-signaling on the highway or dual carriageway of an area or service area with shared exit
* S-263 Pre-signaling on the highway or dual carriageway of an area or service area with exclusive exit
* S-264 Pre-signaling on a conventional road for a service road
* S-264 Pre-signaling on a conventional road for a service road
* S-266 Pre-signaling on a highway or dual carriageway of a service road, with a shared exit
* S-266 Pre-signaling on a highway or dual carriageway of a service road, with a shared exit
* S-266a Pre-signaling on a highway or dual carriageway of a service road, with an exclusive exit
* S-270 Pre-signaling of two very close exits
* S-271 Service area pre-signaling

#### Direction signs

* S-300 Towns on a conventional road route
* S-301 Towns on a highway or dual carriageway route
* S-310 Towns on various routes
* S-320 Places of interest by conventional road
* S-321 Places of interest by highway or dual carriageway
* S-322 Destination sign towards a cycle route or cycle path
* S-341 Immediate exit destination signs towards conventional highway
* S-342 Destination signs for immediate exit to the highway or dual carriageway
* S-344 Destination signs for immediate exit to a zone, area or service road
* S-347 Destination signs for immediate exit to a zone, area or service road, with shared exit to a highway or dual carriageway
* S-348 Detour destination sign
* S-348b Variable destination signal
* S-350 Sign on the road, in conventional road. Immediate departure to conventional road
* S-351 Sign on the highway and highway road. Immediate departure to conventional road
* S-354 Sign on the road, in conventional road. Immediate exit to the highway or dual carriageway
* S-355 Sign on the road, on the highway, highway and expressway. Immediate exit to highway or dual carriageway
* S-360 Signs on the road on conventional roads. Immediate exit to conventional road and own direction
* S-362 Signs on the road on conventional roads. Immediate exit to the highway or dual carriageway and own direction
* S-366 Signs on the highway or dual carriageway road. Immediate exit to conventional road and own direction
* S-368 Signs on the highway or dual carriageway road. Exit to the highway or highway and own direction
* S-373 Signs on the highway or dual carriageway road. Two immediate exits very close to a conventional highway and its own direction
* S-375 Signs on the highway or dual carriageway road. Two immediate exits very close to the highway or highway and own direction

#### Route number signs

Route number signs are intended to identify the roads by their number, made up of figures, letters or a combination of both, or by their name. They are made up of this number or this name framed in a rectangle or a shield.
* S-400 European route
* S-410 Highway or dual carriageway route
* S-410 Highway or dual carriageway route
* S-410 Highway or dual carriageway route
* S-410a Toll road
* S-420 State general network road
* S-430 First level autonomous highway
* S-440 Second level autonomous highway
* S-450 Third level autonomous highway

#### Location signs

Location signs are used to indicate:
* The border between two regions;
* The limit between two administrative divisions of the same region;
* The name of a town, a river, a port, a place or other circumstance of an analogous nature.
* S-500 Entrance to town
* S-510 Exit from town
* S-520 Location of characteristic point of the road
* S-540 Entrance to province
* S-550 Entrance to autonomous community
* S-560 Entrance to autonomous community
* S-570 Kilometer marker on highway and dual carriageway
* S-570a Kilometer marker on toll highway
* S-571 Kilometer marker on the highway and dual carriageway that is also part of a European route
* S-572 Kilometer marker on conventional road
* S-573 Kilometer marker on the European route
* S-574 Miriametric marker on a highway or dual carriageway
* S-574a Miriametric marker on a conventional road
* S-574b Miriametric marker on toll highway
* S-575 Miriametric marker

#### Confirmation signs

* S-600 Confirmation of towns on a conventional road route
* S-602 Confirmation of towns on a highway or dual carriageway

#### Signs for specific use in the town

* S-700 Places on the urban road network
* S-710 Places of interest for travelers
* S-720 Places of sporting or recreational interest
* S-730 Places of geographical or ecological nature
* S-740 Places of monumental or cultural interest
* S-750 Industrial use areas
* S-760 Highways and dual carriageways
* S-770 Other places and routes

### Additional panels

* S-800 Distance to the beginning of the danger or prescription
* S-810 Length of the dangerous section or subject to prescription
* S-820 Extension of the ban, to the right
* S-821 Extension of the ban, to the left
* S-830 Extension of the ban, on both sides
* S-840 STOP presignaling
* S-850 Direction of priority road
* S-851 Direction of priority road
* S-852 Direction of priority road
* S-853 Direction of priority road
* S-860 Generic
* S-870 Signage application
* S-880 Signaling application to certain vehicles
* S-890 Complementary panel of a vertical sign

### Other signs

* S-900 Fire danger
* S-910 Extinguisher
* S-920 Entry to Spain
* S-930 Country confirmation
* S-940 General speed limit in Spain
* S-950 Radio frequency of specific road information stations
* S-960 Emergency phone
* S-970 Fire extinguisher location and emergency phone
* S-980 Emergency exit
* S-990 Indicative arrow sign emergency sign in tunnels

## Construction signs

The construction traffic signs in Spain are signs, generally similar to the rest, with a yellow background used to signal detours or temporary changes due to works on the road.
The different works signs are listed below, accompanied by their reference and a legend. Temporary signs shown below differ from permanent ones in that they have a yellow background instead of white.

### Warning signs

* TP-1 Intersection with priority
* TP-1a Intersection with priority on the road on the right
* TP-1b Intersection with priority on the road on the left
* TP-1c Intersection with priority over incorporation from the right
* TP-1d Intersection with priority over incorporation from the left
* TP-2 Intersection with right priority
* TP-3 Traffic lights
* TP-4 Intersection with rotary circulation
* TP-13a Dangerous curve to the right
* TP-13b Dangerous curve to the left
* TP-14a Dangerous curves to the right
* TP-14b Dangerous curves to the left
* TP-15 Uneven road
* TP-15a Bump
* TP-15b Dip
* TP-17 Road narrows on both sides
* TP-17a Road narrows on the right
* TP-17b Road narrows on the left
* TP-18 Works
* TP-19 Slip pavement
* TP-25 Traffic in both directions
* TP-26 Detachment
* TP-28 Gravel projection
* TP-30 Side step
* TP-31 Congestion
* TP-50 Other dangers

### Regulation and priority signs

* TR-1 Yield
* TR-5 Give way to oncoming traffic
* TR-6 Priority over oncoming traffic
* TR-101 No entry
* TR-106 No goods transport vehicles
* TR-201 Weight limitation
* TR-204 Width limitation
* TR-205 Height limitation
* TR-302 No right turn
* TR-303 No left turn
* TR-305 No overtaking
* TR-306 No overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
* TR-308 No parking
* TR-400a Turn right
* TR-400b Turn left
* TR-401a Keep right
* TR-401b Keep left

### Speed limit signs

* TR-301-20 Speed limit (20 km/h)
* TR-301-30 Speed limit (30 km/h)
* TR-301-40 Speed limit (40 km/h)
* TR-301-50 Speed limit (50 km/h)
* TR-301-60 Speed limit (60 km/h)
* TR-301-70 Speed limit (70 km/h)
* TR-301-80 Speed limit (80 km/h)
* TR-301-90 Speed limit (90 km/h)
* TR-301-100 Speed limit (100 km/h)

### De-restriction signs

* TR-500 End of all previously signed restrictions

### Indication signs

* TS-52 Convergence of a lane on the right (from 3 to 2)
* TS-53 Convergence of one lane on the left (from 3 to 2)
* TS-54 Convergence of one lane on the right (from 2 to 1)
* TS-55 Convergence of one lane on the left (from 2 to 1)
* TS-60 Detour of one lane onto the opposite road
* TS-61 Detour of one lane onto the opposite road, keeping another on the construction road
* TS-62 Detour of two lanes on the opposite road
* TS-210 Sketch of detour at work
* TS-210 Sketch of detour at work
* TS-220 Address pre-signaling
* TS-800 Distance to the beginning of the danger or prescription
* TS-810 Length of dangerous section or subject to prescription

### Reflective marking signs

* TB-1 Wide directional panel
* TB-2 Narrow directional panel
* TB-3 Wide directional double panel
* TB-4 Narrow double directional panel
* TB-5 Excluded traffic zone panel
* TB-6 Traffic cone
* TB-7 Picket
* TB-8 Right edge beacon
* TB-9 Left edge beacon
* TB-10 Captafaro
* TB-11 Luminous and reflective beacon
* TB-12 Provisional road marking
* TB-13 Garland
* TB-14 Mobile frame

## Derived systems

* Andorra makes use of the same designs used in Spain for its road signs, though the Catalan language is used instead of Spanish. However, the system of Andorran direction signs differs significantly, with all such signs making use of the Swiss 721 Black Condensed typeface and being white in colour (and important destinations highlighted with a red background).
* Equatorial Guinea largely shares the same road signage system used in Spain.