Understanding International Road Signs

Warning signs are usually triangular, prohibition signs are circular with a red border, and mandatory instruction signs are circular with a blue background — a pattern used across much of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Speed limits and distances are typically posted in kilometers outside the US, UK, and a handful of other countries.

Pay close attention to priority signs at unmarked intersections, since right-of-way rules differ from place to place. In much of continental Europe, for example, traffic coming from the right may have priority unless signage says otherwise.

When in doubt, slow down and observe how local drivers behave at an intersection before proceeding — it's often the fastest way to understand an unfamiliar sign or rule in the moment.