Road signs in Italy
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Road signs in Italy conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries. 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]
The modern traffic signs in Italy were first designed by Michele Arcangelo Iocca in 1959.[2][3][4]
Design
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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 (urban) and pointed (other roads) | 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
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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.[5] 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.[6]
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
.svg.png)
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
)
Trams crossing ahead
Pedestrian crossing ahead (with fluoro board)
Bicycle crossing ahead
Bicycle crossing ahead (with fluoro board)
Steep hill downwards
(formerly used
)
Steep hill upwards
Road narrows
(formerly used
)
Road narrows on the left
Road narrows on the right
Dangerous verges
Slippery road
(formerly used
)
Children
(formerly used
)
Children (with fluoro board)
.svg.png)
Roundabout ahead
Loose chippings
Falling rocks from left
Falling rocks from right
Horizontal traffic lights
Low-flying aircraft
Other dangers
(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)
Temporary signs
Road narrows
Road narrows on left
Road narrows on right
Other danger
Uneven road
Loose chippings
Regulatory signs
Priority signs
Give way (with fluoro board)
Stop and give way (with fluoro board)
Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction
(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
No entry
Minimum distance
.svg.png)
No motor vehicles with four or more wheels, motorized tricycles and motorised quadricycles
(formerly used
)
.svg.png)
No vehicles with trailer
No tractors
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
No vehicles carrying goods which could pollute water.svg.png)
.svg.png)
No vehicles over length shown.svg.png)
.svg.png)
Derestriction
End of no overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
No stopping on the side where sign is placed
(formerly used
; the additional inscription "DIVIETO DI FERMATA" means "NO STOPPING" [7]).svg.png)
Parking space reserved for vehicles used by people with disabilities
(formerly used.svg.png)
). For personal parking, it can be used 
with the badge's number.svg.png)
.svg.png)
- No parking at all times in front of vehicular access to the side properties (also used
) .svg.png)
Parking prohibited at certain times and allowed in others
.svg.png){kind=small}
Mandatory signs
Drive straight
Turn left
Turn right
(formerly used
)
Right turn only ahead
Left turn only ahead
Drive straight or turn left
(formerly used
)
Drive straight or turn right
(formerly used
or 
)
Right or left turn only ahead
Keep left
Keep right
Pass either side
.svg.png)
End of minimum speed
.svg.png)
EU Country border
Stop, pay toll
Pedestrian path
.svg.png)
Combined pedestrian and bicycle path
Separated pedestrian and bicycle path
Indication signs
Motorway direction.svg.png)
Primary or secondary road direction.svg.png)
Urban area direction
Direction to a geographical feature or a tourist attraction.svg.png)
Directions in urban areas.svg.png)
Directions on a main highway with lane canalization.svg.png)
Directions on a motorway.svg.png)
Overhead directional sign.svg.png)
Motorway number sign
Motorway spur number sign
(not an official road sign but it is used)
International tunnel number sign.svg.png)
Regional road number sign.svg.png)
.svg.png)
.svg.png)
.svg.png)
Highway location marker.svg.png)
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).svg.png)
Motorway location marker and distance from the exit shown (horizontal version)
Motorway location marker and distance from the service area (vertical version).svg.png)
Main highway location marker and distances from next destinations
Number of overpass along a motorway[8].svg.png)
Destination that can be reached from next exit on a motorway or an expressway.svg.png)
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 e-scooters)[9].svg.png)
.svg.png)
End of urban area, with distances to other towns (end of 50 km/h speed limit and of the prohibition of using horn).svg.png)
Provincial boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
Provincial boundary sign (motorway).svg.png)
Regional boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
Regional boundary sign (motorway).svg.png)
Direction to motorway.svg.png)
Motorway distance sign.svg.png)
Direction to service shown in urban areas (in the example municipal police)
Street name sign.svg.png)
Street name sign with one way
Municipality boundary name sign
River sign.svg.png)
.svg.png)
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
Tram stop
Pedestrian crossing (with fluoro board).svg.png)
School bus stop. If the sign is mounted on a bus it means that bus is used as a school bus
(formerly used
).svg.png)
Emergency telephone
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.svg.png)
Pedestrian zone.svg.png)
End of pedestrian zone.svg.png)
Restricted vehicular traffic zone.svg.png)
End of restricted vehicular traffic zone.svg.png)
Start of a 30 km/h zone.svg.png)
End of a 30 km/h zone
Bicycle crossing
Bicycle crossing (with fluoro board)
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 with emergency telephone. The background is blue in roads other than motorway.svg.png)
Use of lanes on extra-urban roads (example).svg.png)
Bus lane on urban road (example).svg.png)
Bus lane on urban road (example).svg.png)
Use of lanes on motorways.svg.png)
End of lane. The background is green on motorway.svg.png)
Increase in the number of lanes. The background is green on motorway.svg.png)
Motorway. If the symbol of motorway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (.svg.png)
).svg.png)
Motorway ends.svg.png)
Expressway. If the symbol of expressway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (.svg.png)
).svg.png)
Expressway ahead with a summary of transit restrictions
Expressway ends.svg.png)
.svg.png)
Advised direction for trucks ahead
Advised direction for trucks.svg.png)
General speed limit (installed at national borders)
(formerly used
).svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road open.svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road open and mandatory snow chains.svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road open and advised snow chains.svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road closed.svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and mandatory snow chains.svg.png)
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and advised snow chains
.svg.png)
Workshop
.svg.png)
Information centre
Picnic site
Local radio information. The background is blue in roads other than motorway
Coffee
Park and ride (bus station)
Park and ride (tramway)
Park and ride (train or underground)
Park and ride (hiking trail).svg.png)
Motorail services.svg.png)
Sewage discharge
Car ferries
Services in motorway service area (plus distance from the next area)
.svg.png){kind=small}
Additional panels
.svg.png)
Distance (in metres).svg.png)
Distance (in kilometres).svg.png)
Length of a danger or a prescription (in meters).svg.png)
Length of a danger or a prescription (in kilometres).svg.png)
Timetable: the sign applies all day.svg.png)
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown.svg.png)
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in holidays (represented by the cross).svg.png)
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in working days[10] (represented by the two hammers crossed).svg.png)
The sign applies only to the category shown (in the example semi-trailer trucks).svg.png)
The sign doesn't apply to the category shown (in the example buses).svg.png)
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (vertical).svg.png)
Continual of a danger or a prescription (vertical).svg.png)
End of a danger or a prescription (vertical).svg.png)
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (horizontal).svg.png)
Continual of a danger or a prescription (horizontal).svg.png)
End of a danger or a prescription (horizontal).svg.png)
No road markings or road markings work in progress.svg.png)
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.svg.png)
Slow-moving vehicle ahead
Tow-away zone
Lane sign: an overhead sign applies only to the lane pointed out by this arrow..svg.png)
Hairpin turn ahead.svg.png)
Number of hairpin turn
Road cleaning.svg.png)
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.svg.png)
No parking during road cleaning operations.svg.png)
Mandatory direction for vehicles carrying dangerous goods
Mandatory direction ahead for trucks
No trucks
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).svg.png)
T-intersection marker
Chevron marker (singular).svg.png)
Chevron marker (red singular)
Traffic lights
Normal vehicle traffic light
Vehicle lane traffic light
Traffic light for public transport
Pedestrian light
Traffic light for bicycles
Traffic lights and flashing yellow lights
Flashing yellow traffic light
Onda Verde traffic light
Traffic lights for railway crossings
Obsolete signs
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)
- Motor vehicle lane
- Motorcycle lane
Two lane traffics
1932 road signs
.svg.png)
Uneven road.svg.png)
Series of bends.svg.png)
Crossroad.svg.png)
Level crossing with barriers.svg.png)
Level crossing without barriers.svg.png)
Danger
Speed limit
Weight limit
Similar systems
- Albania largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, with the main exception being that the language used is Albanian. European route numbers are not displayed on road signs in Albania.
- Burundi largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is French.
- Malta's road signage system is a mixture of that of Italy's as well as the United Kingdom's (with certain Italian signs being mirrored due to Malta driving on the left).
- San Marino and the Vatican City—both microstates located within Italy—almost wholly share the same road signage system used in Italy.
- Sierra Leone largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is English.
- Lebanon largely shares the same road signage designs used in Italy — except those languages used are bilingual (Arabic and English) and have different symbols (e.g. camels, mosques, sand dunes, date palms, crescents).
- Both Libya and Eritrea, which were formerly under Italian rule, largely share the same road signage system used in Italy, with the main exception being the language.
See also
References
- ↑ "United Nations Treaty Collection". treaties.un.org. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ↑ "Michele Arcangelo Iocca" (in Italian).
- ↑ "Michele Iocca è il fumettista più visto dagli italiani" [Michele Iocca is the cartoonist most seen by Italians] (in Italian).
- ↑ "MICHELE IOCCA, L'ABRUZZESE CHE HA DISEGNATO I SEGNALI STRADALI" [MICHELE IOCCA, THE MAN FROM ABRUZZO WHO DESIGNED THE TRAFFIC SIGNS] (in Italian).
- ↑ Art. 125 - Iscrizioni, lettere e simboli relativi ai segnali di indicazione
- ↑ Nuovi segnali "nome-strada"
- 1 2 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
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Road signs in Italy.
- Traffic rules in Italian motorways Archived 2018-04-10 at the Wayback Machine
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