On the road · Road words
What the Signs Say: 108 Road Words in 23 Countries
Verdict
The words that cost money are on the plate under a no-entry sign, on the toll lane and on the fuel pump.
A plate such as Anlieger frei lets in only people with business on that street. Gasolio is diesel in Italy. A red ZTL attiva panel means the zone is in force. Each word below is written as the sign writes it, with what it means for you and what to do.
The words stay in the local language, because that is what you will read on the road. If your browser translates this page, the words themselves are left as they are. Across the site, a word with a dotted underline links here.
United Kingdom
National speed limit applies “the national limit is in force”
Round white sign with a single black diagonal stripe, at the end of a lower limit or on rural roads
Means: The default limit for that road type and vehicle applies: for a car 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
Do: Not 'no limit'. Car: 60 single carriageway, 70 dual/motorway; towing: 50/60/60.
Source: DfT - Know Your Traffic Signs
Red X (red 'X' on a lane signal) “red cross”
Overhead gantry signals on motorways, especially smart motorways
Means: The lane below is closed: people, stopped vehicles or other hazards are ahead.
Do: Move out of that lane and do not drive in it.
Hard shoulder / emergency area “paved strip / refuge bay”
Motorway edge lane; blue signs with orange SOS symbol on all-lane-running motorways
Means: Hard shoulder: emergencies only unless signs open it as a lane. Emergency areas are refuges on motorways without a (permanent) hard shoulder.
Do: Drive on it only when signs say so; stop there or in an emergency area only in an emergency.
Dart Charge “Dartford crossing charge”
Signs on the A282 Dartford Crossing (Thames, east of London)
Means: Charge for using the Dartford Crossing east of London, paid afterwards: there is no booth. It applies from 6am to 10pm.
Do: Pay by midnight the day after you cross, or risk a penalty.
Source: GOV.UK - Pay the Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge)
ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) “ultra low emission zone”
Signs at the zone boundary across Greater London
Means: London emissions zone: petrol cars below Euro 4 and diesel cars below Euro 6 pay a daily charge; runs 24 hours. Cameras, no barriers.
Do: Check your car's Euro standard; if it does not meet it, pay the daily charge within the deadline.
Clearway (No stopping) “road kept clear”
Round blue sign with red border and red X
Means: No stopping on the main carriageway, not even to pick up or set down passengers (24-hour clearway). Urban clearways allow drop-offs during their hours.
Do: Do not stop; find a car park or side road.
Source: DfT - Know Your Traffic Signs
Ireland
Géill Slí “yield way”
Inverted-triangle Yield sign at junctions (bilingual: 'Yield' / 'Géill Slí')
Means: Yield right of way to traffic on the road you are joining.
Do: Slow down, stop if necessary, and give way.
Rural Speed Limit sign (black circle with diagonal black lines) “rural speed limit”
Round white sign with black diagonal stripes on rural local roads
Means: Since 7 February 2025, where default limits fell from 80 to 60 km/h, the sign means 60 km/h maximum.
Do: Treat it as 60 km/h maximum, and slower where the road requires.
Source: RSA - Rural speed limit
M50 barrier-free toll (eFlow) “toll without barriers”
Gantry on the M50 between Junction 6 (N3 Blanchardstown) and Junction 7 (N4 Lucan), Dublin
Means: Cameras on the gantry read your plate; there is no barrier or booth.
Do: Pay online at eflow.ie or at a Payzone outlet by 8pm the next day.
Source: eFlow (TII) - How it works
Bus Lána / Bus Lane “bus lane”
Lettering painted on bus lanes, with continuous white edge lines
Means: Road marking identifying a bus lane, in English, Irish or both.
Do: Keep out of it unless the accompanying sign allows your vehicle at that time.
Source: S.I. No. 113/1993 Road Traffic (Signs) (Bus Lane) (Amendment) Regulations
Go Mall / SLOW “slowly”
Plate under warning signs (e.g. loose chippings at roadworks)
Means: Slow down: a plate added to a warning sign to stress speed.
Do: Reduce speed for the hazard on the sign.
Source: Louth County Council - Temporary traffic management plan, R150 Marsh Road
France
Péage “toll”
Toll plazas and round blue regulatory sign on autoroutes
Means: Toll road / toll point ahead.
Do: Expect to pay a toll; if 'flux libre' is shown underneath, there is no booth.
Source: Ministère de la Transition écologique - Péage en flux libre (EN)
Flux libre (péage en flux libre) “free flow”
Under 'PÉAGE' on signs on the A79, A13/A14 Paris-Normandie and the A4 Boulay interchange
Means: Barrier-free toll: gantries read your plate; nothing to stop and pay at.
Do: Pay online within 72 hours or use a toll tag; late payment adds €90 (€10 within 15 days).
Source: Ministère de la Transition écologique - Péage en flux libre (EN)
Crit'Air (certificat qualité de l'air) “air-criteria”
Round coloured sticker on the windscreen; required in ZFE zones
Means: Official emissions sticker; its class (0-5) decides where and when you may drive in a low-emission zone.
Do: Order only from certificat-air.gouv.fr (€3.72 for delivery in France) before entering a ZFE.
Source: Ministère de la Transition écologique - Certificats qualité de l'air Crit'Air
ZFE / ZFE-m (zone à faibles émissions mobilité) “low-emissions (mobility) zone”
Zone entrance signs in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and other cities
Means: Area where certain vehicles may be restricted by Crit'Air class.
Do: Check the city's rules and carry the right Crit'Air sticker.
Source: Service-public.fr (Entreprendre) - ZFE (verified 18 July 2025)
Gazole “diesel”
Fuel pump nozzle / price board
Means: Diesel fuel (road diesel). Not 'gas'/petrol.
Do: Petrol drivers: use SP95, SP95-E10 or SP98 instead.
Vous n'avez pas la priorité “you do not have priority”
Panel under the give-way sign before roundabouts
Means: You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
Do: Yield to traffic already circulating on the roundabout.
Source: Assemblée nationale - Question écrite 73764, ministerial answer (11 April 2006)
Rappel “reminder”
Small panel under a speed-limit sign
Means: Repeats a speed limit already in force; it is not a new limit.
Do: Keep to that limit.
Source: Instruction interministérielle sur la signalisation routière, 4e partie (art. 63)
Belgium
LEZ / lage-emissiezone / zone de basses émissions “low emission zone”
Zone entrance signs in Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels
Means: The most polluting vehicles are banned; allowed vehicles with foreign plates must register (free) first. Dutch-registered cars need not register.
Do: Register online before driving in; a Ghent/Antwerp registration does not cover Brussels.
Zone 30 “30 zone”
Zone entrance sign; default across Brussels
Means: 30 km/h limit; in Brussels 30 is the norm, with 50 or 70 only on certain major roads.
Do: Keep to 30 km/h; in Brussels assume 30 unless 50/70 is posted.
Uitgezonderd plaatselijk verkeer “except local traffic”
Panel under a C3 no-entry sign
Means: Only traffic with business in that street may enter; it stops through traffic using it as a shortcut.
Do: Do not use it as a shortcut.
Source: Gemeente Putte - Aanvullend reglement Berthoutstraat (gemeenteraad, 20 June 2002)
Trajectcontrole “section control”
Signs before average-speed camera sections
Means: Average speed is measured over a longer distance using number-plate cameras.
Do: Keep under the limit for the whole section.
Source: Vlaanderen.be - Trajectcontrole
Voorrang van rechts / Priorité de droite “priority from the right”
Default rule at junctions
Means: Give way to drivers coming from your right, except on a roundabout or when they come from a no-entry direction.
Do: At junctions, yield to traffic from the right.
Source: Wallex - Arrêté royal du 30 septembre 2005 (infractions par degré), art. 12.3.1
Netherlands
06-19 h (on speed sign: 100 with '6-19h' sub-sign) “6 to 19 hours”
Speed sign at motorway entrances with time panel
Means: 100 km/h applies 06:00-19:00; outside those hours the other signed limit (100, 120 or 130) applies.
Do: Drive 100 by day even if 130 is also shown.
Source: Rijksoverheid - Maximumsnelheid voor auto's op de snelweg
Rood kruis (red cross on matrix board) “red cross”
Overhead lane signal above motorway lanes
Means: Lane closed; driving under it endangers road workers and emergency crews and is fined.
Do: Leave the lane before the cross.
Spitsstrook “rush-hour lane”
Extra lane (left, or the hard shoulder on the right) opened depending on traffic
Means: Open only when green arrows show above it; a red cross means closed. On the right it is otherwise the hard shoulder.
Do: Use it only when open; limit there is 100, sometimes 80.
Source: Rijkswaterstaat - Spitsstroken
Trajectcontrole “section control”
Signs before average-speed camera sections
Means: Average speed between two camera points decides whether you are fined; in principle 24/7.
Do: Keep under the limit along the whole section.
Uitgezonderd bestemmingsverkeer “except destination traffic”
Sub-panel under a closed-road sign
Means: Only drivers going to a property on or right next to that road, reachable only via it, plus service buses.
Do: Do not use it as a through road.
Source: RVV 1990, art. 1 (wetten.overheid.nl, consolidation 2018-07-01)
Milieuzone “environmental zone”
Zone entrance sign (new C22e sign from 1 Jan 2026) with sub-panels showing banned emission classes
Means: Certain vehicles with harmful emissions may not enter; sub-panels show which emission classes are banned (e.g. classes 0-3 in green zones).
Do: Check your car's emission class against the sub-panel before entering.
Germany
Richtgeschwindigkeit “guideline speed”
Blue rectangular sign '130' / general Autobahn rule
Means: Recommended, not mandatory, speed of 130 km/h on Autobahns without a posted limit.
Do: You may legally go faster where no limit is posted, but 130 is the official advice.
Source: deutschland.de - Germany and the autobahn (5 Feb 2025)
Rettungsgasse “rescue lane”
Autobahns and rural roads with two or more lanes per direction, when traffic is at walking pace or stopped
Means: Drivers must open a corridor for emergency vehicles between the far-left lane and the lane next to it.
Do: Far-left lane moves left, others right. Not forming or misusing it: €200-320, one-month ban, two points.
Umweltzone “environmental zone”
Zone entrance sign with sub-panel showing permitted sticker colours
Means: Driving bans for certain vehicle groups; vehicles are marked with coloured stickers (Plaketten).
Do: Have the right-coloured Umweltplakette on the windscreen before entering.
Umweltplakette / Feinstaubplakette “environment sticker / fine-dust sticker”
Coloured windscreen sticker (green/yellow/red)
Means: Shows the vehicle's pollutant group for Umweltzonen.
Do: Get it before travel; required where the zone sign is posted.
Anlieger frei “residents/frontagers free”
Sub-panel under a 'Verbot für Fahrzeuge aller Art' or 'Verbot für Kraftfahrzeuge' sign
Means: Only people going to a property or facility on that street, or to see someone there, may enter. Through traffic may not.
Do: Do not use it as a through route.
Source: Landeshauptstadt Potsdam - Mitteilungsvorlage 10/SVV/0741 (16 Sep 2010)
Austria
IG-L “Immissionsschutzgesetz-Luft (Air Pollution Control Act)”
Plate under a speed-limit sign or on overhead motorway displays
Means: Speed limit set for air quality; permanent or switched on motorways. Tirol: permanent 100 km/h on parts of the A12 and A13.
Do: Obey it like any limit.
Vignette / digitale Vignette “vignette / digital vignette”
Motorway entrances, sale points, online
Means: Time-based toll for vehicles up to 3.5 t on Autobahnen and Schnellstraßen.
Do: Buy before joining. Online digital annual or 2-month vignettes bought by consumers are valid only 18 days after purchase.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at - Vignette für Fahrzeuge bis 3,5 t
Klebevignette “sticker vignette”
Windscreen sticker
Means: The stick-on vignette; from vignette year 2027 only the digital one is sold.
Do: For 2027 buy the digital vignette.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at - Vignette für Fahrzeuge bis 3,5 t
Streckenmaut “section toll”
Toll plazas on Alpine sections (e.g. Brenner, Tauern, Arlberg)
Means: Toll on certain costly alpine sections, charged instead of the vignette there.
Do: Pay at the plaza or buy the digital section toll.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at - Vignette für Fahrzeuge bis 3,5 t
Ersatzmaut “substitute toll”
Demand from ASFINAG after driving without a valid vignette/toll
Means: A fixed payment that lets you avoid a fine procedure of EUR 300 to 3,000.
Do: Pay it promptly if asked.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at - Vignette für Fahrzeuge bis 3,5 t
Switzerland
Autobahn / Autostrasse (autoroute / semi-autoroute; autostrada / semiautostrada) “motorway / motor road”
Green signs 4.01 (Autobahn) and 4.03 (Autostrasse)
Means: Roads reserved for motor vehicles; Autobahn 120 km/h, Autostrasse 100 km/h.
Do: Check which sign you passed; on an Autostrasse keep to 100.
Source: Signalisationsverordnung SSV, Art. 45 (Kantonspolizei Bern copy, Stand 15 Jan 2017)
Vignette / E-Vignette “vignette / e-vignette”
Required on national roads; bought online or at sale points
Means: Charge for using Swiss national roads (motorways and motor roads).
Do: Buy before joining; the e-vignette is sold at e-vignette.ch.
Zubringerdienst gestattet “feeder service permitted”
Plate under a no-entry / no-vehicles sign
Means: Allows trips to deliver/collect goods for residents, residents' own trips, visits to residents or work nearby. Through traffic is not allowed.
Do: Enter only to deliver, collect, visit or work there.
Source: Signalisationsverordnung SSV, Art. 17 Abs. 3 (Kantonspolizei Bern copy)
Allgemeines Fahrverbot “general driving ban”
White circle with red border (sign 2.01)
Means: No vehicles in either direction.
Do: Do not enter unless a plate allows your case.
Source: Signalisationsverordnung SSV, Art. 18 (Kantonspolizei Bern copy)
Radarwarngerät “radar warning device”
Customs and police checks
Means: Banned to import, sell, fit, carry or use; customs can seize it.
Do: Leave it at home; switching it off is not enough.
Source: BAZG - Radarwarngeräte verboten
Italy
ZTL attiva / ZTL non attiva “limited traffic zone active / not active”
ZTL gate variable-message panels (red / green)
Means: ATTIVA (red): the ZTL restriction is in force. NON ATTIVA (green): it is not in force.
Do: If 'ZTL attiva', do not enter unless your plate is authorised.
Source: Comune di Sondrio - Capitolato, Allegato M (Nov 2025)
Centro abitato “inhabited centre”
Built-up areas
Means: Built-up area; 50 km/h unless signs raise it (up to 70).
Do: Slow to 50 on entering a built-up area.
Gasolio / Benzina “diesel oil / petrol”
Fuel pumps
Means: Gasolio = diesel; benzina = petrol. Mixing them up is a classic hire-car mistake.
Do: Diesel cars: gasolio. Petrol cars: benzina.
Source: AGCM / Garante prezzi - Decreto carburanti, indicazioni operative (D.L. 33/2026)
Self / Servito “self-service / served”
Fuel pump signs
Means: Self = you fill up yourself; servito = attendant service. Prices are reported separately for each mode.
Do: Use 'self' to fill up yourself.
Source: AGCM / Garante prezzi - Decreto carburanti, indicazioni operative (D.L. 33/2026)
Slovenia
e-vinjeta “e-vignette”
Required on motorways and expressways (avtoceste, hitre ceste); bought online
Means: Electronic vignette: the toll payment method for motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg on motorways and expressways.
Do: Buy it before joining an avtocesta or hitra cesta.
Source: GOV.SI - Cestnina
DarsGo “brand name”
Toll system for vehicles over 3.5 t
Means: DARS's electronic free-flow toll system for vehicles whose maximum permitted mass exceeds 3,500 kg (includes heavy motorhomes).
Do: Over 3.5 t: use DarsGo, not the e-vinjeta.
Source: GOV.SI - Cestnina
verige za sneg “snow chains”
Winter signs / chain requirement
Means: Vehicles with snow chains fitted are limited to 50 km/h.
Do: Max 50 km/h with chains.
Source: Uradni list RS - Zakon o spremembah in dopolnitvah Zakona o pravilih cestnega prometa (ZPrCP-F)
Croatia
naplata cestarine (Stop&Go) “toll collection”
Toll plazas (current system)
Means: Current traditional toll system with barriers and cashiers at toll plazas.
Do: Stop at the plaza and pay at the booth.
ENC “Elektronička naplata cestarine (electronic toll collection)”
Toll lane signs
Means: Fast lanes at HAC toll plazas reserved for ENC users.
Do: Without an ENC device, do not use ENC-only lanes.
slobodni protok “free flow”
New free-flow toll system (being introduced)
Means: Barrier-free tolling across several lanes, by ENC device or number-plate recognition.
Do: Once live, pay by ENC or registered plate; no booth.
Eurodizel / Eurosuper 95 “Eurodiesel / Eurosuper 95”
Fuel pumps
Means: Eurodizel is diesel (dizelsko gorivo); Eurosuper 95 is unleaded petrol (motorni benzin). 'Plavi' (blue) diesel is a separate, restricted product.
Do: Diesel car: Eurodizel. Petrol car: Eurosuper.
Source: Vlada RH - Uredba o utvrđivanju najviših maloprodajnih cijena naftnih derivata (2022)
Spain
Autopista / Autovía “motorway / dual carriageway highway”
Blue motorway signs and route plates
Means: Both are motorway-class roads with the same 120 km/h car limit; some autopista sections are tolled.
Do: Cars: 120 km/h max; motorhomes over 3,500 kg: 90.
Source: BOE - Real Decreto 1514/2018
Plataforma única “single platform”
Town streets where road and pavement are on one level
Means: Shared-surface street; limit 20 km/h.
Do: Drive at 20 km/h max; expect pedestrians everywhere.
Source: INAP La Administración al Día - Real Decreto 970/2020 (art. 50 RGC)
Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE) “low emissions zone”
Signs at the entrance to city low-emission zones
Means: Area where vehicle access, driving and parking are restricted to improve air quality; each city sets the rules, often by DGT badge.
Do: Check the city's ZBE rules and your car's badge before entering.
Source: Ayuntamiento de Motril - Ordenanza ZBE, aprobación definitiva (2025)
Distintivo ambiental (etiqueta 0, ECO, C, B) “environmental badge (label)”
Windscreen sticker; ZBE signs list which badges may enter
Means: DGT environmental classification (Cero, ECO, C, B); cities use it to decide ZBE access.
Do: Know which category your car would have before entering a ZBE.
Source: DGT press release (4 Apr 2018), hosted by Ajuntament de Llucmajor
Gasóleo A / Gasolina 95 E5 “diesel / petrol”
Fuel pumps
Means: Gasóleo (A) is diesel; gasolina (95 E5, 98) is petrol.
Do: Diesel cars: gasóleo. Petrol cars: gasolina.
Peaje “toll”
Toll plazas on autopistas
Means: Toll point on certain autopista sections; Spain has no vignette.
Do: Pay cash or card at the booth, or use a Vía-T lane if you have the device.
Portugal
Portagem “toll”
Toll signs on motorways
Means: Toll. On some motorways, including main land entries, toll collection is exclusively electronic, with no booths.
Do: Have a way to pay; on electronic-only motorways set up Easytoll or Tollcard.
Via Verde “green lane”
Lane signs at toll plazas (green 'V') and the electronic toll system
Means: Electronic toll system; the fee is debited directly from the bank account.
Do: Use Via Verde lanes only with a Via Verde device; otherwise use manual/card lanes.
Portagem eletrónica / Electronic toll only “electronic toll”
Signs at the start of electronic-only toll motorways
Means: Fully automated tolling with no stopping: plates are read electronically and charged.
Do: Foreign plate: register with Easytoll (bank card linked to plate) or buy a Tollcard before driving.
Estações de Correio - CTT “post offices - CTT”
Where to pay electronic tolls afterwards
Means: Post offices where electronic tolls are usually paid afterwards (also Payshop shops), mainly for Portuguese-registered vehicles.
Do: Pay within the deadline; Visit Portugal states 15 working days.
ZER (Zona de Emissões Reduzidas) “low-emission zone”
Lisbon low-emission zone signs (Zone 1 Av. Liberdade/Baixa; Zone 2 wider centre)
Means: Zone 1 (Av. Liberdade/Baixa): only post-2000 (Euro 3) vehicles; Zone 2: post-1996 (Euro 2). Working days 07:00-21:00.
Do: Check your car's year/Euro standard before entering on a working day.
Poland
Obszar zabudowany “built-up area”
Built-up area entry sign (white town silhouette); end sign marks exit
Means: Built-up area: 50 km/h at all hours.
Do: Drop to 50 at the sign regardless of the time of day.
Source: Policja (KMP Gorzów Wlkp.) - Zmiany w ustawie Prawo o ruchu drogowym od 1 czerwca 2021
e-TOLL “electronic toll”
State-run sections of A2 (Konin–Stryków) and A4 (Wrocław–Sośnica)
Means: No barriers on these sections; light vehicles pay only via e-TOLL.
Do: Buy the e-ticket before entering (up to 60 days ahead; valid 48 h).
Source: Ministerstwo Finansów - Jedziesz na urlop autostradą A2 lub A4? Pamiętaj o e-TOLL
Strefa zamieszkania “residence zone”
Residential-zone entry sign (house and figures)
Means: Residential zone: 20 km/h limit.
Do: Drive at walking pace, max 20 km/h.
Source: Your Europe (European Commission) - Road rules, Poland
Strefa Czystego Transportu (SCT) “clean transport zone”
Entry signs to the Warsaw clean-transport zone
Means: Only vehicles meeting emission standards may enter. Warsaw: petrol/LPG Euro 2 or first registered 1997+; diesel Euro 4 or 2006+.
Do: Check the car's Euro norm or first-registration year before entering Warsaw's SCT.
Olej napędowy “driving oil”
Fuel pump
Means: Diesel. 'Benzyna' (95/98) is petrol.
Do: Match the fuel to the car.
Source: Ministerstwo Energii - Maksymalna cena detaliczna paliw obowiązująca 29 kwietnia 2026 r.
Czechia
Elektronická dálniční známka “electronic motorway sticker”
Motorway entry; bought online, at post offices, Čepro stations, kiosks
Means: E-vignette required on toll roads for vehicles up to 3.5 t; over 3.5 t pay electronic toll (mýtné) instead.
Do: Buy at edalnice.gov.cz (only official e-shop) before using a toll road; fine up to CZK 20,000.
Zpoplatněná pozemní komunikace “tolled road”
Signs marking the start of a tolled motorway/expressway section
Means: Road section on which the e-vignette (vehicles up to 3.5 t) is required.
Do: Have a valid e-vignette before passing the sign.
Mimo dopravní obsluhy “except service traffic”
Supplementary plate (E 13) under a no-entry sign
Means: Only service traffic may enter: deliveries, medical/repair/municipal services, taxis, disabled transport, and drivers or passengers living, staying or based beyond the sign.
Do: Do not use the street as a through route.
Source: Městská část Praha 1 - Čtvrtá dopravně bezpečnostní akce v ulicích Perlová a Rytířská (2023)
Motorová nafta (nafta) “motor diesel”
Fuel pump
Means: Diesel. 'Natural 95' (benzín) is petrol.
Do: Match the fuel to the car.
Slovakia
Diaľničná známka / elektronická diaľničná známka “motorway sticker / electronic motorway sticker”
Required on tolled motorway/expressway sections; sold at eznamka.sk
Means: Electronic vignette for using charged motorway and expressway sections.
Do: Buy only at eznamka.sk, the single official sales site.
Source: eznamka.sk (NDS) - FAQ
Spoplatnený úsek “charged section”
Start of a vignette-liable section; light blue on the official map
Means: Section where a vignette is required; not every motorway stretch is charged.
Do: Check the eznamka.sk map; have a vignette before the charging sign.
Source: eznamka.sk (NDS) - FAQ
Okrem dopravnej obsluhy “except service traffic”
Supplementary plate under a no-entry sign
Means: Only service traffic may enter: deliveries, parking-card holders, buses carrying children, residents/businesses beyond the sign, vehicles going for repair or inspection.
Do: Do not use as a through route.
Source: Slov-Lex - Vyhláška 30/2020 Z. z., príloha: Dodatkové tabuľky
Nafta “diesel”
Fuel pump (EU label 'B7')
Means: Diesel; 'Benzín' (E10/E5) is petrol.
Do: Match the fuel to the car.
Source: Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR - Porovnanie cien palív
Hungary
e-matrica “e-sticker”
Hungarian e-vignette (online, NÚSZ/NMZRT)
Means: Electronic road-use right for motorways/expressways; D1 category for cars.
Do: Buy before entering a tolled section: daily, weekly (10 days), monthly, annual or county.
Vármegyei matrica “county sticker”
County e-vignette type
Means: Annual e-vignette valid only on toll sections in the chosen county.
Do: Make sure your route stays inside the counties you paid for; otherwise buy a national one.
Leállósáv “stopping lane”
Hard shoulder on motorways
Means: Hard shoulder, for stopping after a breakdown.
Do: If forced to stop there, leave the car, wear a hi-vis vest, wait behind the barrier.
Gázolaj “gas oil”
Fuel pump
Means: Diesel; 'benzin' is petrol.
Do: Match the fuel to the car.
Romania
Rovinietă “road vignette”
Required on all national roads; checked by fixed and mobile cameras
Means: Road-use charge (tarif de utilizare) for Romania's national road network, enforced by fixed and mobile cameras.
Do: Buy before driving on any national road, not only motorways (erovinieta.ro).
Source: CNAIR / Ministerul Transporturilor - Vignette System presentation (hosted by ETSC)
Peaj “toll”
Fetești–Cernavodă Danube bridges (A2)
Means: Crossing toll (tarif de trecere) for the Danube bridges at Fetești–Cernavodă, separate from the rovinietă.
Do: Pay the bridge toll as well as the rovinietă.
Source: CNAIR / Ministerul Transporturilor - Vignette System presentation (hosted by ETSC)
Bulgaria
Електронна винетка (е-винетка) “electronic vignette”
Paid sections of the national road network; bought at bgtoll.bg, app or partners
Means: Electronic proof of the paid vignette fee for vehicles up to 3.5 t; it follows the vehicle and cannot be transferred.
Do: Buy it for your plate before driving on paid roads; check the plate spelling.
Тол такса “toll charge”
Toll system for heavy vehicles
Means: Distance-based toll for vehicles over 3.5 t on paid roads; replaces the vignette for them. Relevant for heavy motorhomes.
Do: Over 3.5 t: pay the toll (e.g. route ticket), not the vignette.
Компенсаторна такса “compensatory charge”
Roadside checks / camera enforcement
Means: Charge paid instead of a fine when caught without a valid vignette or toll.
Do: Pay on the spot by card, or via bank/Easy Pay; then you may drive until midnight.
Source: BG Toll - Как мога да платя компенсаторна такса или глоба?
Бензин / Дизел “petrol / diesel”
Fuel pumps
Means: Petrol / diesel.
Do: Match the fuel to the car.
Source: Комисия за защита на конкуренцията - изявление за цените на горивата
Greece
Διόδια “tolls / passage fees”
Toll plazas on motorways
Means: Toll station: pay cash or card in staffed lanes; e-PASS tags use electronic toll lanes.
Do: Without a tag, use a lane with a toll collector.
Source: Attiki Odos - Διόδια/e-PASS
Δακτύλιος “ring”
Central Athens (Μικρός Δακτύλιος) signs
Means: The traffic ring in central Athens: in its season, on weekdays, cars may enter on odd or even dates according to the last digit of the plate.
Do: Check the Hellenic Police's dates and hours for the current season before driving into central Athens.
Source: Ελληνική Αστυνομία - Έναρξη εφαρμογής του Μικρού Δακτυλίου 2025-2026
Αμόλυβδη “unleaded”
Fuel pumps
Means: Unleaded petrol, 95 or 100 octane.
Do: Petrol cars only.
Diesel Κίνησης “motion diesel”
Fuel pumps
Means: Road diesel, as opposed to heating diesel (Diesel Θέρμανσης).
Do: Diesel cars only.
Denmark
Hajtænder (vigelinje) “shark's teeth (yield line)”
Row of white triangles across your lane, with sign B 11
Means: Yield line marking ubetinget vigepligt: give way to traffic on the crossing road.
Do: Slow down and give way; stop if needed.
Source: Retsinformation - Bekendtgørelse om anvendelse af vejafmærkning
Ubetinget vigepligt “unconditional duty to yield”
Sign B 11 (inverted triangle)
Means: Give way to traffic on the road you are entering.
Do: Yield.
Source: Retsinformation - Bekendtgørelse om anvendelse af vejafmærkning
Miljøzone “environmental zone”
Signs at entries to København/Frederiksberg, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg
Means: Diesel cars must have a particle filter; Euro 5 or newer counts as compliant. Some foreign vehicles must register online.
Do: Older foreign diesel: register at miljoezoner.dk no later than the day you enter.
Source: Retsinformation - Bekendtgørelse om krav til dieseldrevne … i kommunalt fastlagte miljøzoner (2023)
Motortrafikvej “motor-traffic road”
Motortrafikvej signs
Means: Expressway: 80 km/h by default; a higher limit up to 100 km/h may be signed.
Do: Do not assume motorway speeds.
Source: Retsinformation - Færdselsloven, LBK nr 1710 af 13/08/2021 (historic consolidation)
Tempo 100 “-”
Sticker on approved motorhomes (campingbiler)
Means: Approval allowing a motorhome up to 100 km/h on motorways; must carry a Tempo 100 sticker visible from behind.
Do: Without approval and sticker, keep to the lower limit.
Source: Retsinformation - Bekendtgørelse om betingelser for Tempo 100-kørsel med campingbil
Sweden
Motortrafikled “motor-traffic route”
Sign for motortrafikled
Means: Expressway-type road; no separate car limit, follow signed limits. Heavy trucks max 90 km/h.
Do: Follow the posted limit.
Trängselskatt “congestion tax”
Signs and camera gantries in Stockholm and Göteborg
Means: Congestion tax in Stockholm and Göteborg; passing a betalstation, the plate is photographed automatically.
Do: Do not look for a booth; keep driving.
Source: Trafikverket - Trängselskatt och infrastrukturavgifter
Infrastrukturavgift “infrastructure fee”
Signs before Motalabron, Sundsvallsbron, Skurubron
Means: Fee charged to finance a new bridge or tunnel (e.g. Motala, Sundsvall, Skuru bridges).
Do: Drive through; the plate is photographed at the betalstation.
Source: Trafikverket - Trängselskatt och infrastrukturavgifter
Betalstation “payment station”
Camera point for trängselskatt/infrastrukturavgift
Means: Camera control point, not a booth.
Do: Keep driving; there is nothing to pay on the spot.
Source: Trafikverket - Trängselskatt och infrastrukturavgifter
Miljözon klass 2 / klass 3 “environmental zone class 2/3”
Low-emission zone sign with class plate
Means: Class 2 covers cars: petrol Euro 5/6, diesel Euro 6. Class 3: only electric, fuel-cell and gas vehicles. Class 1 affects heavy vehicles.
Do: Check the class plate; in a class 3 zone do not enter in petrol/diesel.
Source: Transportstyrelsen - Miljözoner
Norway
Bomstasjon “toll station”
Toll points on roads and city rings
Means: Toll station (charging point) where passages are registered for road tolls.
Do: Register at Epass24 or get an AutoPASS tag; tolls are charged per passage.
Source: Statens vegvesen - AP-1.0 AutoPASS definisjoner, standarder og direktiver (2024)
AutoPASS / AutoPASS-brikke “AutoPASS tag”
Toll gantry signs
Means: Norway's electronic toll tag; with a user agreement you get 20% off tolls.
Do: Foreign drivers can sign an agreement and get a tag by post.
Source: AutoPASS - Foreign vehicles
Epass24 “-”
Invoices and autopass.no
Means: Collector for foreign vehicles; register to drive without a tag.
Do: Register the car at Epass24 before driving.
Source: AutoPASS - Foreign vehicles
Piggdekkoblat / piggdekkgebyr “stud-tyre sticker / stud-tyre fee”
Oslo city limits (winter season)
Means: Oslo studded-tyre fee, 1 Nov 2026 - 4 Apr 2027: day 35 kr, month 450, season 1400 (up to 3,500 kg). Even when driving through.
Do: With studded tyres, buy a pass before entering Oslo; 750 kr surcharge without.
Source: Oslo kommune - Piggdekkgebyr
Tempo 100 “-”
Marking on approved trailers/caravans
Means: Trailer technically approved for up to 100 km/h; carries its own mark and approval document.
Do: Without this approval, max 80 km/h with a trailer.
Source: Statens vegvesen - Nye fartsgrenser for tilhengere (2022)