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 17 most common Swedish road signs

– What they mean

– How to identify special categories of road signs

Priority Road Sign

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:

end of priority road sign

Yield/Give Way sign

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

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

crosswalk sign
crosswalk sign

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 to oncoming traffic sign

Priority over oncoming vehicles

give priority to oncoming traffic sign

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

uneven road surface sign

This sign warns you of an uneven road surface ahead.

Slippery road ahead

slippery road ahead sign

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

10% decline sign

Steep decline sign

10% incline 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

no motor vehicles sign

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

no parking sign

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

no class 2 moped

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).

Not sure what the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 mopeds is? and Read the 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

keep left sign

This sign means that you must keep left.

Cycle path

cycle path sign

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

pedestrian zone sign

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:

Results

#1. (Australia) What kind of transport does this sign warn you of

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.

#2. (Australia) What does this sign warn you of?

This sign warns you of loose stone chippings on the road. 

#3. (Brazil) What does this sign warn you of?

This sign warns you of a movable bridge.

#4. (South Africa) What does this sign warn you of?

This sign warns you of an unpaved road surface ahead. 

#5. (Malaysia) What can you expect to reach if you ride past this sign?

If you ride past this sign, you’ll have to go back the same way you came – this sign indicates a dead-end street.

#6. (South Africa) What does this sign warn you of?

This sign warns you of a railway crossing without barriers.

#7. (Japan) What are you not allowed to do on a road with this sign?

This sign prohibits you from overtaking other vehicles.

#8. (United States) What does this sign mean?

This sign tells you that you may park during the hours on the sign – which in this case is between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

 

#9. (Universal) You're approaching an intersection with a Stop sign. However, if the intersection is completely free from traffic - are you allowed to proceed WITHOUT coming to a complete stop?

Even if the road is completely free from traffic, you must always come to a complete stop at a stop sign. 

#10. (Argentina) What does this sign mean?

This is an Argentinian yield sign. “Ceda el paso” translates to “give way.”

#11. (Serbia) Which sign prohibits mopeds?

The sign for Option A is the sign that prohibits mopeds. Option B prohibits motorcycles.

#12. (United Kingdom) This road indicates a slippery road ahead. Can you ignore this sign in the summertime?

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.

#13. (Sweden) What's the maximum speed limit in a built-up area with this sign?

Even though the sign says “30 km/h,” it’s only advisory. The maximum speed limit is 50 km/h (since you’re in a built-up area).

#14. (Sweden) You're riding a Class 2 moped. Select the sign that you're allowed to ride past.

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.

#15. (Finland) What does this sign prohibit?

This sign means that vehicles with an axle weight of more than 8 metric tonnes are prohibited.

Finish