How many Swedish road signs do you know? Well, you’re about to learn 17 of them – just by reading this blog post.
If you’re already familiar with British road signs, you’re in good hands – many of the Swedish road signs are similar to those you would see on British roads.
With that in mind, there are a few that are exclusive to Sweden.
In this blog post, you’ll learn:
– The 18 most common Swedish road signs
– What they mean
– How to identify special categories of road signs
Priority Road Sign
If the road you’re traveling on has this road sign, it means that you are on what’s known as a “priority road” – any traffic joining this road must yield to you.
In other words, you have the right of way.
You are also not allowed to park on a priority road unless there’s a parking sign above it. In that case, you may park for no more than 24 hours.
This sign indicates the end of a priority road:
Yield/Give Way sign
Similar in shape to the British and American yield sign (apart from the yellow colour and red border), this sign means that you have to give way to traffic approaching from, e.g. another direction at an intersection.
Stop sign
Again, very similar to its British or American counterpart, the stop sign means that you must come to a complete stop behind the painted stop line.
Even if the road is clear from all directions, you must ALWAYS come to a complete stop at this sign.
In the winter, snow might cover up the stop line or even the stop sign itself. In those cases, stop slightly before the stop sign.
Crosswalk
This one is pretty self-explanatory; it’s the sign indicating a crosswalk. If you see this sign, you have to be ready to give way to pedestrians who are:
– On the crosswalk
– Getting ready to cross
It’s also a good idea to get ready to give way to pedestrians who are about to approach the crosswalk.
Priority over oncoming vehicles & priority to oncoming traffic sign
Priority over oncoming vehicles
Priority to oncoming traffic
These two signs look pretty similar but have different meanings depending on which one you arrive at.
In either case, these signs will appear on narrow roads that can only fit one four-wheeled vehicle. In these conditions, one vehicle must give priority to the other one.
The priority over oncoming vehicles sign means that other vehicles must give way to you.
By contrast, the priority to oncoming traffic sign means that you have to give way to other vehicles.
Warning signs
Swedish road signs that warn you of something have a triangle shape, with a yellow background colour and a red border, similar to a give way sign.
However, unlike the give way sign, the warning sign’s pointy edge is aimed upwards. Think of it as a yield sign turned upside down.
The warning sign warns you of either an upcoming or a potential hazard. Some examples of warning signs include:
Uneven road sign
This sign warns you of an uneven road surface ahead.
Slippery road ahead
This sign warns you that the road ahead is slippery.
IMPORTANT: Don’t ignore this sign in the summer; the road can still be slippery, even in hot weather.
Steep hill upwards/steep hill downwards sign
Steep decline sign
Steep incline sign
Depending on the sign, it warns you of a steep downward or upward hill.
In either case, you can see the gradient percentage on the sign (10% in the examples above).
Prohibitory signs
Prohibitory signs are usually red and yellow (except for a few, such as the “no parking” sign). A prohibitory sign applies to the next intersection unless otherwise stated.
Some examples of prohibitory signs include:
No motor vehicles
If you see this sign on the road, it means that you are not allowed to drive a car or ride a motorcycle or a Class 1 moped here.
This sign does NOT apply to the following road users:
– Pedestrians
– Cyclists
– Class 2 mopeds
No parking
Unlike the other prohibitory signs, the sign for “No parking” is red and blue.
Simply put – you cannot park on the side of the road where this sign is present.
No Class 2 mopeds
In Sweden, mopeds and scooters are divided into Class 1 and Class 2.
If you see this sign, it means that Class 2 mopeds and scooters are prohibited.
However, the sign does NOT apply for motorcycles or even Class 1 mopeds (unless there’s an additional sign underneath).
For more information about the differences between Class 1 and Class 2 mopeds and scooters, please read my blog post about it here.
Instructional signs
These signs are blue and give you instructions of what you MUST do or what kind of vehicle the road is reserved for.
Some examples of instructional signs are:
Keep left
This sign means that you must keep left.
Cycle path
This sign means that only cyclists and Class 2 mopeds are allowed to use the lane or road. If you are in any other vehicle, you may NOT use this lane or road.
Pedestrian zone
If you enter an area with this sign, you must reduce your speed to match a pedestrian’s walking pace (roughly 5-7 km/h). In addition, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.
There you have it – some of the most common Swedish road signs. But there’s plenty more.
Perhaps you feel like you know it all by now? In that case, there’s something you should know.
Many road signs around the world look similar – some look almost identical to the signs you just read about in this blog post.
Care to test your knowledge of road signs?
If you do, take the International Road Sign Quiz here:
This sign warns of a steep uphill ascent. REMEMBER: The incline or decline is shown from left to right – if the include is higher on the right side of the sign, it indicates an ascent. If you ride past this sign, you’ll have to go back the same way you came – this sign indicates a dead-end street. A: Prohibits Class 2 mopeds – you’re not allowed to ride past this sign if you’re riding a Class 2 moped. B: Prohibits motorcycles and Class 1 mopeds, but NOT Class 2 mopeds – you may ride past this sign. C: Prohibits all motor vehicles, except Class 2 mopeds – you may ride past this sign. D: Primarily prohibits bicycles, as well as Class 2 mopeds – you’re not allowed to ride past this sign. This sign means that vehicles with an axle weight of more than 8 tonnes are prohibited. This sign alerts you to a railroad crossing with a barrier. HINT: If you can see an image of a barrier on the sign, the railroad crossing will have barriers. This sign warns you of a railway crossing without barriers. This sign warns you of an unpaved road surface ahead. This sign means that the minimum speed limit is 50 kilometers per hour (indicated by the line under the number “50”). In other words, you must ride at a speed of at least 50 km/h. Remember that Japan uses the metric system – all speed limits (minimum or maximum) are indicated in kilometers. This sign indicates a steep hill downwards. HINT: Remember that the gradient is always shown from left to right. In other words, if the gradient on the sign is a lot higher on the left than it is on the right, the hill goes downwards. This sign warns you of trams – a common sight in a city like Melbourne. Be aware that trams can swerve or steer to avoid you. This sign means “pedestrian zone.” If you ride past this sign, you’ll arrive at a quayside or riverbank, where you’ll most certainly fall into the water. It would be best if you always took note of this warning, even during the summer. On a hot summer day, the asphalt can get soft, which causes a loss of traction. Signs that warn of a railway crossing without barriers will display an image of a railway locomotive on them. HINT: If the railway crossing has barriers, you’ll see the sign listed as Option B for this quiz.
#1. (The Netherlands) What does this sign warn you of?
#2. (Malaysia) What can you expect to reach if you ride past this sign?
#3. (Sweden) You're riding a Class 2 moped. Select the sign that you're allowed to ride past.
#4. (Finland) What does this sign prohibit?
#5. (Poland) What does this sign alert you to?
#6. (United Kingdom) What does this sign indicate?
#7. (South Africa) What does this sign warn you of?
#8. (South Africa) What does this sign warn you of?
#9. (Japan) What does this sign mean?
#10. (United Kingdom) This sign indicates a steep 10% gradient. Is this gradient upwards or downwards?
#11. (Australia) What kind of transport does this sign warn you of
#12. (Serbia) What does this sign mean?
#13. (Greece) Why must you avoid riding past this sign?
#14. (United Kingdom) This road indicates a slippery road ahead. Can you ignore this sign in the summertime?
#15. (United Kingdom) Click on the sign that warns of a railway crossing WITHOUT barriers up ahead.
