If you see a Christian cross, that means that the restrictions apply only to public holidays or Sundays. The crossed hammers mean that the restrictions apply only during the workweek (Monday-Friday). They sometimes come with specific restrictions: PARKING AREA: Parking areas are indicated by a blue square with a white P in the middle. This sign is creatively interpreted by Italians, be very careful. This sign means that you have to give other cars the right of way. YIELD: an inverted white triangle with a red border. When you later see this same sign with a black slash through the middle it means that now you’ll have to do the waiting. When you’re driving along a big highway with minor intersecting roads and you see this sign, it means that any cars turning onto your street from any intersecting side streets would have to yield to you – you have the right of way. RIGHT OF WAY/ END OF RIGHT OF WAY: Yellow diamonds (a square on one corner, really) with a white border. Remember that you may find circular blue signs with white arrows that indicate that you have to drive in the direction the arrow is pointing to. ONE WAY: One-way signs are blue rectangles or squares with a white arrow telling you which way you are supposed to go. This means that cars can pass, but trucks can’t. You may also see other signs that have a car and a big truck in red. The one on the right is black, the one on the left is red. NO PASSING: White circles with a red border and two cars in the center of the circle. NO STOPPING: (which also means no parking) blue with a red border and two red slashes through the middle like a red X. NO PARKING: Blue circles with a red border and a red slash through the middle. If you find this sign with the image of a vehicle (car, motorcycle, bus) inside the circle it indicates it cannot enter the ZTL. This sign is usually placed in city centers, and it means that you cannot enter that area unless you have a special authorization.

LIMITED TRAFFIC ZONE (Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL): a simple white circle with a red border. This sign means that no vehicles are allowed past it. Keep also in mind that there are cameras which register a car’s speed, automatically issuing a ticket, especially on highways.ĭO NOT ENTER: a red circle with an horizontal white bar in the middle. Remember that the number refers to KILOMETRES per hour, not miles. MAXIMUM SPEED: A white circle with a red border, and the speed limit is written in black. Bear in mind that not every Italian will completely stop: in most cases, when no one is coming their way, they will just slow down. When you find this sign, you must stop to yield. It’s a red octagon and with a giant “STOP” written in the middle of it. STOP: This is one of the most straightforward road signs you will find.

Blue traffic signs