Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Convention on Road Signs and Signals
A map showing all the countries of the world, and their signatory status to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals
Signatories and ratifications as of September 2024
  Signed
  Ratified
  Accession / succession
  Uses the SADC Convention
  Uses the SICA Convention
Signed8 November 1968
LocationVienna
Effective6 June 1978
ConditionRatification by 15 states
Signatories35
Parties71
DepositaryUN Secretary-General
LanguagesChinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
The title page of the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

The Convention on Road Signs and Signals, commonly known as the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, is a multilateral treaty that establishes an international standard for signing systems for road traffic, such as road signs, traffic lights and road markings.

The Convention was agreed upon by the United Nations Economic and Social Council at its Conference on Road Traffic in Vienna, Austria from 7 October to 8 November 1968. Thirty-one countries signed the Convention on the final day of the conference, and it entered into force on 6 June 1978. This conference also produced the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which provides complementary standardising of international traffic laws.

History

The origins of the Convention may be traced back to the International Convention on Motor Traffic concluded in Paris on 11 October 1909, which concerned motor vehicle construction, admission of international motor traffic, and road signs and signals.[1] Commensurate with growing motor vehicle traffic, the 1909 convention was amended and expanded by two more treaties that were concluded in Paris on 24 April 1926: The International Convention relating to Road Traffic and the International Convention relating to Motor Traffic. As neither convention dealt exhaustively with road signs and signals, a Convention concerning the Unification of Road Signs was concluded in Geneva on 30 March 1931, which was expanded upon by the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic and a Protocol on Road Signs and Signals, likewise agreed upon in Geneva.[1]

Amid calls for greater international uniformity in road signing systems, the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals was called to revise and substantially extend the earlier 1949 Geneva Protocol,[2]. Amendments, including new provisions regarding the legibility of signs, priority at roundabouts, and new signs to improve safety in tunnels were adopted in 2003.

Both the Vienna Convention and the Geneva Protocol were formed according to consensus on road traffic signs that evolved primarily in 20th century continental Western Europe. In order to make it as universal as possible, the convention allows some variations, for example danger warning signs can be triangular or square diamond in shape and road markings can be white or yellow. Though most UN members have not ratified the full treaty, the signs and legal principles enshrined in it form the basis of traffic law in a majority of places.

An alternative convention called the SADC-RTSM, provided by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is used by ten countries in southern Africa. Many of the rules and principles of the SADC-RTSM are similar to those of the Vienna Convention.

In the United States, signs are based on the U.S. Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Signs in the MUTCD are often more text-oriented, though some signs do use pictograms as well. Canada and Australia have road signs based substantially on the MUTCD. In South America, several Asian countries (Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) and New Zealand, road signage is influenced by both the Vienna Convention and MUTCD. Road signs in Central America are heavily influenced by MUTCD and based on the Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito, a Central American Integration System (SICA) equivalent to the US MUTCD.[3]

In 2025, the Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) adopted an amendment proposal,[4][5] which will replace the entire text of the Convention.[6][7] The proposal will also affect the European Supplement Agreement[8][9] and the Protocol on Road Markings.[10][11]

Some major changes in the amendment are:[12]

  • a new numbering scheme for the road signs
  • the abolishment of the variant B, 2b for stop signs
  • the abolishment of the variant for mandatory signs with red rim and black symbols
  • the inclusion of the signs from the European Supplement Agreement into the convention
  • some new signs (e.g. G-25.0)
  • updated example images for all road signs

The amendment will enter into force on 12 November 2026, except for Chile and the Netherlands, which rejected it.[13]

Rules

Road signs

In article 2 the convention classes all road signs into a number of categories (A–H):

The convention then lays out precise colours, sizes, and shapes for each of these classes of sign:

Class of signShapeGroundBorderSizeSymbolExamples
Danger warning signEquilateral triangleWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Varies; Black or dark blue
DiamondYellowBlack0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Varies; Black or dark blue
Priority signs
Give way signInverted equilateral triangleWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)None
Stop signOctagonRedWhite0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Stop[a] written in white
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.9 m (large), 0.6 m (small)Stop[a] written in black or dark blue inside red inverted triangle
Priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square
End of priority roadDiamondWhiteBlack0.5 m (large), 0.35 m (small)Yellow or orange square with black or grey diagonal lines crossing the sign
Priority for oncoming trafficCircularWhite or yellowRedUnspecifiedBlack arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without
Priority over oncoming trafficRectangleBlueNoneUnspecifiedWhite arrow indicating direction with priority, red arrow indicating direction without
Prohibitory signs
Standard prohibitoryCircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Varies; black or dark blue
Parking prohibitedCircularBlueRed0.6 m (large), 0.2 m (small)None
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.2 m (small)Initial letter or ideogram to denote parking; black or dark blue
Stopping prohibitedCircularBlueRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)None
End of prohibitionCircularWhite or yellowNone0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small)Black or grey diagonal line
Mandatory signs
Standard mandatoryCircularBlueNone, white0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small), 0.3 m (very small)Varies, white
CircularWhite or yellowRed0.6 m (large), 0.4 m (small), 0.3 m (very small)Varies, black or dark blue
Special regulation signs
All signsRectangularBlueUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, white
LightUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, Black
Information, facilities or service signs
All signsUnspecifiedBlue or greenUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, on white or yellow rectangle
Direction, position or indication signs
Informative signsRectangular, sometimes with arrowheadLightUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, dark
DarkUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, light
MotorwaysRectangularBlue or greenUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, white
TemporaryRectangularYellow or orangeUnspecifiedUnspecifiedVaries, black
Additional panels
All panelsUnspecifiedWhite, blue or yellowBlack, blue or redUnspecifiedVaries, black or dark blue
Black, red or dark blueWhite, blue or yellowUnspecifiedVaries, white, blue or yellow
Class of signShapeGroundBorderSizeSymbolExamples
  1. 1 2 May be written in English or the national language

It also specifies the symbols and pictograms which may be used, and the orientations in which they may be used. When more than one is available, the same one must be used nationally. All signs, except for those that do not apply at night, must be reflective enough to be seen in darkness with headlights from a distance.

Road markings

The convention also specifies road markings. All such markings must be less than 6 mm high, with cat's eye reflectors no more than 15 mm above the road surface. The road markings shall be white or yellow.[14]

The length and width of markings varies according to purpose, although no exact figures for size are stated; roads in built up areas should use a broken line for lane division, while continuous lines must only be used in special cases, such as reduced visibility or narrowed carriageways.

All words painted on the road surface should be either of place names, or of words recognisable in most languages, such as "Stop" or "Taxi".

Traffic lights

The Convention specifies the colours for traffic lights and their meanings, and places and purposes lights may be used for, like so:

TypeShapeColourPositionMeaning
Non-flashingPlain GreenAt intersection, entrance to tunnel or bridgeProceed
AmberAt intersection, level crossing, swing bridge, airport, fire station or ferry terminalStop if safe to do so
RedAt intersectionStop
Red and amberAt intersectionSignal is about to change (usually to green)
Arrow pointing leftGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic turning left may proceed
Arrow pointing rightGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic turning right may proceed
Arrow pointing upwardsGreenAt intersectionOnly traffic travelling straight ahead may proceed
Arrow pointing downwardsGreenAbove laneTraffic may continue in lane
Cross (×)RedAbove laneTraffic may not enter lane (lane closed)
Arrow pointing diagonally downwardsAmber or whiteAbove laneLane closes shortly ahead, change lane in the direction of the arrow
FlashingPlain Double Red (alternating)At level crossing, swing bridge, airport, fire station or ferry terminalStop
Lunar whiteAt crossingProceed
Amber (flashing)Anywhere except intersectionProceed with caution
Amber (flashing)At intersectionThe priority is determined by Priority Route or Yield signs or if none of the above regular right of way rule.

Red flashing lights may only be used at the locations specified above; any other use of the lights is in breach of the convention. Red lights must be placed on top when lights are stacked vertically, or on the side closest to oncoming traffic if stacked horizontally.

Contracting parties

As of 2026, 75 states are party to the Vienna Convention. This includes 35 of the original 37 signatories, 8 states which succeeded to the treaty following the dissolution of two of the signatories, and 44 states which acceded to the treaty after it was signed.[15]

Signatory parties

These states negotiated and signed the Convention between 1968 and 1969:

  • Austria (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 11 August 1981)
  • Belarus (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 18 June 1974)
  • Belgium (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 16 November 1988)
  • Brazil (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Bulgaria (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 28 December 1978)
  • Chile (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 27 December 1974)
  • Costa Rica (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Denmark (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 3 November 1986)
  • Ecuador (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Finland (signed 16 December 1969, ratified 1 April 1985)
  • France (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 9 December 1971)
  • Germany (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 3 August 1978)
  • Ghana (signed 22 August 1969, never ratified)
  • Holy See (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Hungary (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 16 March 1976)
  • Indonesia (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Iran (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 21 May 1976)
  • Italy (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 7 February 1997)
  • Luxembourg (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 25 November 1975)
  • Mexico (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Norway (signed 23 December 1969, ratified 1 April 1985)
  • Philippines (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 27 December 1973)
  • Poland (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 23 August 1984)
  • Portugal (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 27 October 2009)
  • South Korea (signed 29 December 1969, never ratified)
  • Romania (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 9 December 1980)
  • Russia (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 7 June 1974)
  • San Marino (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 20 July 1970)
  • Spain (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Sweden (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 25 July 1985)
  •  Switzerland (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 11 December 1991)
  • Thailand (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Ukraine (signed 8 November 1968, ratified 12 July 1974)
  • United Kingdom (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)
  • Venezuela (signed 8 November 1968, never ratified)

Succeeding parties

In addition to the signatory parties listed above, the 1968 Convention was also signed by Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Following the dissolutions of those countries through the 1990s, the following states succeeded them as parties to the convention:

State Date of succession State succeeded
Czech Republic 2 June 1993 Czechoslovakia
Slovakia 28 May 1993
Bosnia and Herzegovina 12 January 1994 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Croatia 2 November 1993
Montenegro 23rd October 2006
North Macedonia 20 December 1999
Serbia 12 March 2001
Slovenia 14 April 2011

Acceding parties

These states were not involved in the original negotiation and signing of the Convention in 1968, but later acceded to it:

Global influence

Some states which are not formally party to the Convention nonetheless use road signage based on its designs. For example, although Hong Kong is not a signatory, its Highways Department prepared the Transport Planning and Design Manual with reference to the UK Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions of 1975 and 1981, which are themselves based on the Convention on Road Traffic and Road Signs and Signals (Vienna, 1968), as well as the European Agreement (Geneva, 1971) and the Protocol on Road Markings (Geneva, 1973).[16] The Southern African Development Community has developed a single system of road signs for use by its members, which are also based on the signs in the Vienna Convention.[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 CONVENTION ON ROAD SIGNS AND SIGNALS DONE AT VIENNA ON 8 NOVEMBER 1968 (consolidated version) United Nations Publication, Sales No. E.07.VIII.7, ISBN 978-92-1-116973-7, p. vii.
  2. ↑ Protocol on Road Signs and Signals (PDF). United Nations Conference on Road and Motor Transport. United Nations Treaty Series (in English and French). Vol. 182. Geneva, Switzerland. 19 September 1949 – via United Nations Treaty Collection.
  3. ↑ "Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito 2014" (PDF) (in Spanish). SIECA. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "(WP.1) Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (89th session)". Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "ECE/TRANS/WP.1/191" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "C.N.172.2025.TREATIES-XI.B.20" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2023/2/Rev.2" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "C.N.173.2025.TREATIES-XI.B.24" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2023/3/Rev.1" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "C.N.174.2025.TREATIES-XI.B.25" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  11. ↑ "ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2023/4/Rev.1" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  12. ↑ "ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2023/2/Rev.1" (PDF). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "C.N.170.2026.TREATIES-XI.B.20" (PDF). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "Article 29". Convention on Road Signs and Signals (PDF). United Nations Treaty Series (in English, French, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish). Vol. 1091. Vienna. 8 November 1968. p. 27 – via United Nations Treaty Collection.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  15. ↑ "Chapter XI.B.20: Convention on Road Signs and Signals". United Nations Treaty Collection. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Transport Planning and Design Manual (PDF). Highways Department. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  17. ↑ Bain, D. "1.1.15". Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual (in ENG) (3rd ed.). Pretoria: National Department of Transport, South Africa. p. 17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
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