Road signs in Italy conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries, with the notable exception that the background of motorway (autostrada) signs is green and those for 'normal' roads is blue. They are regulated by the Codice della Strada (Road Code) and by the Regolamento di Attuazione del Codice della Strada (Rules for the Implementation of the Road Code) in conformity with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.
Italy signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals on November 8, 1968 and ratified it on February 7, 1997.
The modern traffic signs in Italy were first designed by Michele Arcangelo Iocca in 1959.
Design
Distances and other measurements are displayed in metric units.
Warning signs are usually placed 150 metres before the area they're referring to; if they're farther or nearer, an additional sign displays the actual distance in metres. Prohibition signs and mandatory instruction signs, instead, are placed exactly at the beginning of the area of validity.
Colours and shapes
Signs follow the general European conventions concerning the use of shape and colour to indicate function of signs:
| Type of sign | Shape | Border | Background colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warning | Triangular | Red | White |
| Prohibition | Circular | Red | White |
| Mandatory instructions | Circular | White | Blue |
| Supplementary | Rectangular | Black | White |
| Information | Rectangular | White | White (urban) Blue (other roads) Green (motorway) |
Colours of directional road signs
- On motorways, directional signs are green with white lettering.
- On main roads, directional signs with more than one destination are blue with white lettering.
- Within cities, directional signs with more than one destination are white with black lettering.
On main roads and within cities, the colour of a directional sign with a single destination depends on the type of destination:
- if the destination is a city that is reached by means of a motorway, the sign is green and carries the motorway name as well as the destination
- in the other cases when the destination is a city, the sign is blue
- if the destination is a city district, a hospital or an airport, the sign is white
- if the destination is a geographical feature or a tourist attraction, the sign is brown
Typeface
A version of the Transport typeface employed on road signs in the UK, called Alfabeto Normale, is used on Italian road signs. A condensed version, called Alfabeto Stretto, is also used for long names that wouldn't fit. Each name uses one font, but names in Alfabeto Normale and in Alfabeto Stretto can co-exist on one sign.
The font is officially regulated by the 1992 Codice della Strada, article 39 section 125. It defines both Alfabeto Normale and Alfabeto Stretto for uppercase letters, lowercase letters and digits, "positive" (dark on light background) and "negative" (light on dark background). However, there are regulations about the use of Alfabeto Normale dating back to 1969.
Uppercase is used in most cases. Lowercase is sometimes used for city districts and tourist attractions.
Language
The standard language is Italian. In some autonomous regions or provinces bilingual signs are used (mainly Italian/German in South Tyrol, Italian/French in Aosta Valley and Italian/Slovenian along the Slovenian border, but also Italian/Friulan in the Friuli historical region and Italian/Sardinian in Sardinia).
These are some examples of the italian sign "Passo carrabile" (No parking in front of vehicular access to the side properties) in the bilingual variants:
-
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian
-
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and French (used in Aosta Valley)
-
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and German (used in South Tyrol)
-
"Passo carrabile" sign in Italian and Slovenian (used in some municipalities of Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
Gallery
Warning signs
-
Uneven road
(formerly used
that meant "Humps or dip")
-
Bumps in the road (formerly used 
that meant "Humps or ramp")
-
Dip (formerly used 
that meant "dangerous for dip")
-
Bend, to right
(formerly used
)
-
Bend, to left
(formerly used
)
-
Double bend, first to right
(formerly used
)
-
Double bend, first to left
(formerly used
)
-
Level crossing with barrier or gate ahead
(formerly used
)
-
Level crossing without barrier or gate ahead
(formerly used
)
-
Single Level crossing
(formerly used
)
-
Multiple level crossing
(formerly used
)
-
Trams crossing ahead
-
Pedestrian crossing ahead
(formerly used
)
-
Bicycle crossing ahead
-
Steep hill downwards
(formerly used
)
-
Steep hill upwards
-
Road narrows
(formerly used
)
-
Road narrows on left
-
Road narrows on right
-
Opening or swing bridge ahead
(formerly used
)
-
Dangerous verges
-
Slippery road
(formerly used
)
-
Children
(formerly used
)
-
Cattle
(formerly used
)
-
Wild animals
(formerly used
)
-
Two-way traffic
(formerly used
)
-
Roundabout ahead
-
Quayside or river bank
-
Loose chippings
-
Falling rocks from left
-
Falling rocks from right
-
Traffic lights
(formerly used
)
-
Horizontal traffic lights
-
Low-flying aircraft
-
Side winds
-
Risk of fire
(formerly used
)
-
Other danger
(formerly used
)
-
Level crossing countdown marker (placed under the triangular warning sign, usually 150 m before crossing)
-
Level crossing countdown marker (placed at two-thirds of the distance from the crossing, usually 100 m)
-
Level crossing countdown marker (placed at one-third of the distance from the crossing, usually 50 m)
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Temporary signs
-
Road works
(formerly used
)
-
Road narrows
-
Road narrows on left
-
Road narrows on right
-
Two-way traffic
-
Other danger
-
Uneven road
-
Loose chippings
-
Traffic lights
Regulatory signs
Priority signs
-
Give Way
(formerly used
)
-
Stop and give way
(formerly used
)
-
Crossroads with right-of-way from the right
(formerly used
)
-
Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction
(formerly used
)
-
Priority road
(formerly used
)
-
End of priority road
(formerly used
)
-
Crossroads
(formerly used
)
-
Junction with a minor side-road from right
-
Junction with a minor side-road from left
-
Merging traffic from right
(formerly used
)
-
Merging traffic from left
(formerly used
)
-
Traffic has priority over oncoming vehicles
(formerly used
)
Prohibition signs
-
Restricted vehicular access
(formerly used
)
-
No entry for vehicular traffic
(formerly used
)
-
No overtaking
(formerly used
)
-
Minimum distance
-
Maximum speed 50 km/h
(formerly used
)
-
No use of horns
(formerly used
)
-
No overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
-
No animal-drawn vehicles
(formerly used
)
-
No pedestrians
(formerly used
)
-
No bicycles
(formerly used
)
-
No motorcycles
(formerly used
)
-
No handcarts
(formerly used
)
-
No motor vehicles with four or more wheels, motorized tricycles and motorised quadricycles
(formerly used
)
-
No buses
(formerly used
)
-
No large goods vehicles
(formerly used
)
-
No large goods vehicles over weight shown
(formerly used
)
-
No vehicles with trailer
-
No tractors
-
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
-
No vehicles carrying explosives or flammable goods
-
No vehicles carrying goods which could pollute water
-
No vehicles over width shown
(formerly used
)
-
No vehicles over height shown
(formerly used
)
-
No vehicles over length shown
-
Maximum weight in tonnes
(formerly used
)
-
Axle weight limit in tonnes
(formerly used
)
-
Derestriction
-
End of maximum speed
(formerly used
)
-
End of no overtaking
(formerly used
)
-
End of no overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
-
No parking on side where sign is placed. Without additional inscriptions, it is valid from 8 am to 8 pm on urban roads while on extra-urban roads it is valid at all times.
(formerly used
)
-
No stopping on the side where sign is placed
(formerly used with the additional inscription "DIVIETO DI FERMATA" that means "NO STOPPING" )
-
Parking space reserved for vehicles used by people with disabilities
(formerly used
). For personal parking, it can be used 
with the badge's number
-
Parking place
(formerly used
)
-
Parking ahead in the direction of the arrow
(formerly used
)
-
No parking at all times in front of vehicular access to the side properties (also used 
)
-
Parking prohibited at certain times and allowed in others
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Mandatory signs
-
Drive straight
-
Turn left
-
Turn right
(formerly used
)
-
Right turn only ahead
-
Left turn only ahead
-
Right or left turn only ahead
-
Drive straight or turn right
(formerly used
or 
)
-
Drive straight or turn left
(formerly used
)
-
Keep left
-
Keep right
-
Pass either side
-
Roundabout
(formerly used
)
-
Minimum speed
(formerly used
)
-
End of minimum speed
-
Snow chains compulsory
(formerly used
)
-
Customs
(formerly used
)
-
EU Country border
-
Stop, Police roadblock
(formerly used
)
-
Stop, pay toll
-
Pedestrian lane
(formerly used
)
-
End of pedestrian lane
-
Cycle lane
(formerly used
)
-
End of cycle lane
-
Shared path
-
End of shared path
-
Segregated pedestrian and cycle path
-
End of segregated pedestrian and cycle path
-
Bridleway
(formerly used
)
-
End of bridleway
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Indication signs
-
Motorway direction
-
Primary or secondary road direction
-
Urban area direction
-
Detour
-
Direction to a geographical feature or a tourist attraction
-
Directions in urban areas
-
Directions at a roundabout in urban areas. The green panel indicates a motorway
-
Directions on a main highway
(formerly used
)
-
Directions on a main highway with lane canalization
-
Directions on a motorway
-
Overhead directional sign
-
Motorway number sign
-
Motorway spur number sign
(not an official road sign but it is used) -
International tunnel number sign
-
State highway number sign
(formerly used
)
-
Regional road number sign
-
Provincial road number sign
(formerly used
)
-
Municipal road number sign
(formerly used
)
-
European road number sign
(formerly used
)
-
Highway location marker
-
Intermediate highway location marker with hectometre shown in roman numerals (in the example the sign is placed at the kilometre 24.8 of the road)
-
Motorway location marker and distance from the exit shown (horizontal version)
-
Motorway location marker and distance from the service area (vertical version)
-
Main highway location marker and distances from next destinations
-
Number of overpass along a motorway
-
Destination that can be reached from next exit on a motorway or an expressway
-
Town sign: start of urban area (50 km/h speed limit and no use of horn)
-
Town sign: start of urban area where electric micromobility is being experimented (50 km/h speed limit, no use of horn and particular caution to cyclists and motorized scooters)
-
Town sign (frazione): start of urban area (50 km/h speed limit and no use of horn)
-
End of urban area, with distances to other towns (end of 50 km/h speed limit and of the prohibition of using horn)
-
Provincial boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
-
Provincial boundary sign (motorway)
-
Regional boundary sign (roads other than motorways)
-
Regional boundary sign (motorway)
-
Direction to motorway
-
Motorway distance sign
-
Direction to service shown in urban areas (in the example municipal police)
-
Street name sign
-
Street name sign with one way
-
Municipality boundary name sign
-
River sign
-
Directions to campsite and beach
-
Directions to tourist destinations
-
Direction to an industrial zone
-
Directions in an industrial area
-
Hotel information centre ahead
-
information about hotels
-
Direction to hotels ahead
-
Directions to hotels
-
Hospital
(formerly used
)
-
Pedestrian crossing
-
School bus stop. If the sign is mounted on a bus it means that bus is used as a school bus
(formerly used
)
-
Emergency telephone
(formerly used ) -
Pedestrian underpass
-
Pedestrian overpass
-
Pedestrian ramp
-
No through road
-
No through road (side road)
-
Advisory speed limit
-
End of advisory speed limit
-
Fast-traffic highway, only motor vehicles allowed
(formerly used
and 
)
-
End of road reserved for motor vehicles
-
Tunnel (roads other than motorways)
-
Tunnel (motorways)
-
Bridge (roads other than motorways)
-
Bridge (motorways)
-
Home Zone Entry
-
End of Home Zone
-
Pedestrian zone
-
End of pedestrian zone
-
Restricted vehicular traffic zone
-
End of restricted vehicular traffic zone
-
Start of a 30 km/h zone
-
End of a 30 km/h zone
-
Bicycle crossing
-
Semi-direct left turn
-
Indirect left turn
-
Possibility of reversing the direction of travel (roads other than motorways)
-
Possibility of reversing the direction of travel (motorways)
-
Breakdown bay. The background is green on motorway
(formerly used
)
-
Breakdown bay with emergency telephone. The background is blue in roads other than motorway
-
Use of lanes on extra-urban roads (example)
-
Bus lane on urban road (example)
-
Bus lane on urban road (example)
-
Use of lanes on motorways
-
End of lane. The background is green on motorway
-
Increase in the number of lanes. The background is green on motorway
-
Motorway. If the symbol of motorway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (
)
-
Motorway ahead with a summary of transit restrictions
(Formerly used
)
-
Motorway ends
-
Expressway. If the symbol of expressway is used inside other information signs it has a squared shape (
)
-
Expressway ahead with a summary of transit restrictions
-
Expressway ends
-
One-way traffic (right)
(formerly used
)
-
One-way traffic (left)
(formerly used
)
-
One-way traffic
-
Advised direction for trucks ahead
-
Advised direction for trucks
-
General speed limit (installed at national borders)
(formerly used
)
-
Information about road condition of passes: road open
-
Information about road condition of passes: road open and mandatory snow chains
-
Information about road condition of passes: road open and advised snow chains
-
Information about road condition of passes: road closed
-
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and mandatory snow chains
-
Information about road condition of passes: road closed after the town shown and advised snow chains
-
First aid
-
Repairs
-
Telephone
(formerly used
)
-
Petrol station
-
Petrol station with LPG
-
Bus stop
-
Tram stop
-
Information centre
-
Youth hostel
-
Picnic site
-
Camping site
-
Local radio information. The background is blue in roads other than motorway
-
Hotel
-
Refreshments
-
Restaurant
-
Park and ride (bus station)
-
Park and ride (tramway)
-
Park and ride (train or underground)
-
Park and ride (hiking trail)
-
Motorail services
-
Motorail services with sleeper
-
Taxi stop
(formerly used
)
-
Sewage discharge
-
Car ferries
-
Services in motorway service area (plus distance from the next area)
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Additional panels
-
Distance (in meters)
-
Distance (in kilometers)
-
Length of a danger or a prescription (in meters)
-
Length of a danger or a prescription (in kilometers)
-
Timetable: the sign applies all day
-
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown
-
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in holidays (represented by the cross)
-
Timetable: the sign between the hours shown but only in working days (represented by the two hammers crossed)
-
The sign applies only to the category shown (in the example semi-trailer trucks)
-
The sign doesn't apply to the category shown (in the example buses)
-
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
-
Continual of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
-
End of a danger or a prescription (vertical)
-
Beginning of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
-
Continual of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
-
End of a danger or a prescription (horizontal)
-
No road markings or road markings work in progress
-
Road accident
-
Crossing of railway linking tracks: the trains move very slowly and usually with the presence of a flagger (this crossing is not considered a level crossing).
-
Snow removal vehicle at work
-
Road subject to flooding
-
Queue
-
Construction vehicles at work
-
In case of snow or ice
-
In case of rain
-
Slow moving vehicle ahead
-
Tow-away zone
-
Lane sign: an overhead sign applies only to te lane pointed out by this arrow.
-
Hairpin turn ahead
-
Number of hairpin turn
-
Road cleaning
-
Road cleaning during times shown
-
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign 
(formerly used
)
-
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign 
-
Direction of main road (example). It is used with priority sign 
-
No parking during road cleaning operations
-
Mandatory direction for vehicle carrying dangerous goods
-
Mandatory direction ahead for trucks
-
No trucks
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Complementary signage
-
Reflexion posts (left and right) on two-way roads
-
Reflexion posts (left and right) on one-way roads
-
Chevron marker (turn right)
-
Chevron marker (turn left)
-
T-intersection marker
-
Chevron marker (singular)
-
Chevron marker (red singular)
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Obsolete signs (No longer used)
-
Dangerous bends
-
Give way to the line coaches
-
No U-turns
-
No right turn
-
No left turn
-
No overtaking for trucks
-
End of no overtaking for trucks
-
Alternative parking (No parking on the side of the number I on odd days and on the side of the number II on even days)
-
Alternative parking (No parking on the side of the number I on odd days and on the side of the number II on even days)
-
Regulated parking
(Parking allowed using disc parking) -
Motor vehicle lane
-
Motorcycle lane
-
Two lanes traffic
Similar systems
- Albania largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is Albanian instead of Italian. European route numbers are unsigned in Albania, only national route designations.
- Burundi largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is French.
- Malta's road signage system is a mixture of that of Italy's as well as the United Kingdom's.
- San Marino and the Vatican City, as microstates located within Italy, almost wholly share the same road signage system used in Italy.
- Sierra Leone largely shares the same road signage system used in Italy, except that the language used is English.
- Lebanon largely shares the same road signage designs used in Italy—except those languages used are bilingual (Arabic and English) and have different symbols (e.g. camels, mosques, sand dunes, date palms, crescents).
See also
References
- "United Nations Treaty Collection". treaties.un.org. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- "Michele Arcangelo Iocca" (in Italian).
- "Michele Iocca è il fumettista più visto dagli italiani" [Michele Iocca is the cartoonist most seen by Italians] (in Italian).
- "MICHELE IOCCA, L'ABRUZZESE CHE HA DISEGNATO I SEGNALI STRADALI" [MICHELE IOCCA, THE MAN FROM ABRUZZO WHO DESIGNED THE TRAFFIC SIGNS] (in Italian).
- Art. 125 - Iscrizioni, lettere e simboli relativi ai segnali di indicazione
- Nuovi segnali "nome-strada"
- ^ See the article 59 of "Decreto Del Presidente Della Repubblica 30 giugno 1959, n. 420". Gazzetta ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (in Italian).
- This road sign is not regulated by the Highway Code: it had been designed by the Ministry of Public Works in order to prevent the launch of objects from bridges
- This sign has been introduced in 2019
- Saturday is considered a working day if it isn't an official holiday
- See the article 61 of "Decreto Del Presidente Della Repubblica 30 giugno 1959, n. 420". Gazzetta ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana (in Italian).
External links
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| Road signs in Europe | |
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