The design of road signs in Poland is regulated by Regulation of the Ministers of Infrastructure and Interior Affairs and Administration on road signs and signals.[1] The Annex 1 to the regulation describes conditions related to usage of the road signs – size, visibility, colors and light reflections, typeface and text, criteria of choosing the type of foil to signs faces, colorful specimens and schematics.
Road signs are divided into two categories – "vertical" (znaki pionowe) and "horizontal" (znaki poziome). The "vertical" signs (triangular, circular or rectangular) are placed on the side of the road or over the road. The "horizontal" ones are simply road markings painted on the carriageway, usually with white paint. Yellow paint is used in temporary situations, mostly during road work. It has higher priority than white paint.
Polish road signs depict people with stylized (as opposed to naturalistic) silhouettes.
Meaning of the traffic signals and their usage is described in another regulation. Traffic signals are placed on the right side of the road, on the left side or over the carriageway. There are three types of traffic signals:
signals made by traffic lights
signals made by authorised personnel
sound signals or vibrative
Poland signed the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals on November 8, 1968 and ratified it on August 23, 1984.[2]
Vertical signs
There are seven types of "vertical signs":
Warning signs (znaki ostrzegawcze; type A) – triangular with the tip pointed upwards (with exception of sign A-7, where its tip is pointed downwards – it provides clear meaning of the sign even during the reduced readability or when looking on it from behind), with red border. The symbols are black on yellow background, with exception of sign A-29 which presents a three-colored traffic signals
Prohibition signs (znaki zakazu; type B) – circular with red border. Black (in some cases colorful) symbol on white background (exceptions: sign B-20 "STOP", which has an octagonal shape – it also provides clear meaning even during reduced readability or when looking on it from behind; signs B-39, B-40 and B-44 are rectangular). In case of the signs that cancel specific restrictions the symbol is grey and crossed out by thick black diagonal line.
Mandatory signs (znaki nakazu; type C) – circular, with a white symbol on blue background. The exception is C-17 sign (mandatory direction for vehicles carrying dangerous materials) which is placed on white rectangular board.
Information signs (znaki informacyjne; type D) – rectangular, blue (or with a white square on blue background) with a white, black or colorful symbol. There are few exceptions: D-1 and D-2 signs which are yellow on white background; additionally one of tips is pointed upwards to give the clear meaning like with A-7 and B-20 signs. D-42 to D-47 signs are big white rectangles.
Directional signs (znaki kierunku i miejscowości; type E) – these signs have different shapes and colors, depending on the situation and placement.
Complementary signs (znaki uzupełniające; type F) – big rectangular or square signs with blue or yellow background. These signs mostly inform about traffic order or approaching restrictions and dangers.
Complementary plates (tabliczki do znaków drogowych; type T) – small rectangular signs, mostly with white or yellow background, with black text or symbol. These are placed under main sign, extending its meaning.
Depending on road type there are five groups of size:
big (duże; D) – used on expressways, dual carriageway roads outside the built-up area and on roads inside the built-up area with maximum speed higher than 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph)
small (małe; M) – used on gmina roads and as directional signs on powiat roads
mini (MI) – used on traffic bollards, directional signs and inside the built-up areas when it's impossible to use larger signs or it would reduce visibility of pedestrians and on narrow streets.
The most used size of road signs in Poland, defined in Regulation as medium, is in case of circular with diameter of 80 centimetres (31 in); in case of triangular the length of one of edges has 90 centimetres (35 in); in case of square or rectangular one of square edges or shorter edge of rectangle has 60 centimetres (24 in).
Dimensions of directional signs are depending on size of letters, type and size of symbols and also by length and number of locality names.
To provide proper visibility and readability of road signs, the faces are made with reflective materials. Type of used material is dependent on road category.
F-12 "sign leading to the transit route, placed before the intersection" (e.g. to route for truck over 3.5 tonnes to right)
F-13 "transit route" (e.g. for truck)
F-14a "indicator sign on the motorway, placed in a distance of 300 m before the beginning of exit lane"
F-14b "indicator sign on the motorway, placed in a distance of 200 m before the beginning of exit lane"
F-14c "indicator sign on the motorway, placed in a distance of 100 m before the beginning of exit lane"
F-14d "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 300 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]
F-14e "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 200 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]
F-14f "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 100 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]
F-15a "asymmetrical divide of carriageway for opposite directions"
F-16 "end of lane on bidirectional carriageway" (traffic in centre lane must move to right)
F-17 "end of lane on one-way carriageway" (e.g. middle lane closed)
F-18 "opposite direction for designated vehicles" (e.g. opposite lane on the left only for emergency vehicles)
F-19 "lane for designated vehicles" (e.g. for bicycles, on the right)
F-20 "part of road (lane) for designated vehicles" (placed above the carriageway; here is an example for passenger cars)
F-21 "traffic redirected on adjacent carriageway" (temporary sign, usually placed during the roadworks)
F-22 "lane restrictions" (usually temporary sign; here is an example with let lane reduced in width)
Complementary plates
Complementary plates
T-1 "plate indicating a distance of warning sign from hazard"
T-1a "plate indicating a distance of information sign from the beginning (end) of road or lane"
T-1b "plate indicating tunnel length or road stretch to an end of the tunnel"
T-2 "plate indicating a distance on which a hazard is repeated or occurs"
T-3 "plate indicating an end of a distance on which a hazard is repeated or occurs"
T-3a "plate indicating an end of parking place"
T-4 "plate indicating a number of bends"
T-5 "plate indicating a beginning of winding road"
T-6a "plate indicating an actual course of priority road through the intersection (applied on priority road)"
T-6b "plate indicating arrangement of roads without right of way (applied on priority road)"
T-6c "plate indicating an actual course of priority road through the intersection (applied on road without right of way)"
T-6d "plate indicating perpendicular course of priority road through the intersection and an arrangement of roads without right of way (applied on road without right of way)"
T-7 "plate indicating arrangement of rail track and road on the level crossing"
T-8 "plate indicating a place, where road traffic has been redirected on tram tracks"
'T-9 "plate indicating actual amount of road incline gradient"
T-10 "plate indicating railway siding a track with a similar characteristics"
T-11 "plate indicating a ferry crossing"
T-12 "plate indicating a lengthwise fault of road surface" (usually placed during the roadworks)
T-13 "plate indicating a road stretch that has ruts as deformations of road surface"
T-14 "plate indicating a place of frequent accidents of nature portrayed by the plate" (here: risk of accident with pedestrian)
(variant – risk of rear-end accident with another vehicle)
(variant – risk of head-on accident with another vehicle)
(variant – risk of accident with a tram)
(variant – risk of accident with a train)
T-15 "plate indicating a place of frequent accidents caused by slippery road surface due to rain"
T-16 "plate indicating a place of privileged vehicles exit, indicated by the plate" (e.g. fire department vehicle exit)
(variant – ambulance exit)
T-17 "plate indicating state border"
T-18 "plate indicating unexpected change of road direction"
T-18a "plate indicating unexpected change of road direction – to the right and then to the left"
T-18b "plate indicating unexpected change of road direction – to the left"
T-18c "plate indicating unexpected change of road direction – to the right"
T-19 "plate indicating road markings being painted"
T-20 "plate indicating distance of a road stretch on which restriction applies"
T-21 "plate indicating distance to a place or begin of a road stretch where restriction applies"
T-22 "plate indicating one-track bicycle exempt"
T-23a "plate indicating motorcycles"
T-23b "plate indicating trucks, special vehicles, vehicles used for special purposes, with a total mass over 3.5 tonnes, and tractor units"
T-23c "plate indicating tractors and slow-running vehicles"
T-23d "plate indicating motor vehicles towing a trailer, except of vehicles drawing a one-axled trailer or semi-trailer"
T-23e "plate indicating vehicles towing a caravan"
S-1 "traffic light with signals to direct the traffic"
S-1a "traffic light with signals for cyclists"
S-2 "traffic light with a signal permitting turning in the direction indicated by arrow" (when displayed with red light, you have to stop before the traffic light!)
S-3a - directional traffic light with signals for driving straight ahead and turning left
S-3b - directional traffic light with signals for driving straight ahead and turning right
S-3c "directional traffic light with signals for driving straight ahead"
S-3d "directional traffic light with signals for turning right"
S-3e "directional traffic light with signals for turning left"
S-3f - directional traffic light with signals for turning left, permitting for U-turn
S-3g - directional traffic light with signals for U-turn
S-3h - directional traffic light with signals for turning left and right
S-3 - directional traffic light with signals for cyclists
S-4 "traffic light with signals for lanes" (green arrow – you can drive on the lane, red cross – do not use the lane)
S-5 "traffic light with signals for pedestrians" (blinking green light means a pedestrian has to leave the crossing as fast as it's possible)
S-6 "traffic light with signals for cyclists" (blinking green light means acyclist has to leave the crossing as soonfast as it's possible)
S-7 "traffic light with a signal ordering to leave the lane"
Traffic signals for drivers of public transport vehicles on regular routes
SB "traffic light with signals for bus drivers"
ST "traffic light with signals for trams"
STK "directional traffic light with signals for trams"
STT-1 "tram signal meaning no entry past the traffic light"
STT-2 "tram signal allowing tram to go on the specific direction" (here: to turn left)
Traffic safety devices
Traffic safety devices
Road edge marker (left)
Road edge marker (right)
Marking for sharp bends, bridge parapets, abutment, walls, tunnel mouths, etc. Single arrow marker (to right)
Marking for sharp bends, bridge parapets, abutment, walls, tunnel mouths, etc. Single arrow marker (to left)
Marking for sharp bends, bridge parapets, abutment, walls, tunnel mouths, etc. Arrow marker (to right)
Marking for sharp bends, bridge parapets, abutment, walls, tunnel mouths, etc. Arrow marker (to left)
![A-6a "intersection with side roads on both sides of the road" Drivers on the side roads have to yield [3]](File:PL_road_sign_A-6a.svg)
![A-6b "intersection with a side road from the right" Drivers on the side road have to yield [3]](File:PL_road_sign_A-6b.svg)
![A-6c "intersection with a side road from the left" Drivers on the side road have to yield [3]](File:PL_road_sign_A-6c.svg)
![A-6d "entry of the one-way road from the right" Drivers on the side road have to yield [3]](File:PL_road_sign_A-6d.svg)
![A-6e "entry of the one-way road from the left" Drivers on the side road have to yield [3]](File:PL_road_sign_A-6e.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
![B-5 "no entry for trucks" (variant – having a gross weight exceeding [...] tonnes)](File:PL_road_sign_B-5-6t.svg)
![B-7 "no entry for motor vehicles with trailer" (variant – having a gross weight exceeding [...] tonnes)](File:PL_road_sign_B-7-5t.svg)
![B-15 "no entry for vehicles having an overall width exceeding [...] meters"](File:PL_road_sign_B-15-2.0m.svg)
![B-16 "no entry for vehicles having an overall height exceeding [...] meters"](File:PL_road_sign_B-16-3.5m.svg)
![B-17 "no entry for vehicles having a length exceeding [...] meters"](File:PL_road_sign_B-17-6m.svg)
![B-18 "no entry for vehicles having a gross weight exceeding [...] tonnes"](File:PL_road_sign_B-18-7t.svg)
![B-19 "no entry for vehicles with a single axle load exceeding [...] tonnes"[4]](File:PL_road_sign_B-19-10t.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
![B-31 "priority for oncoming drivers" (one has to yield to oncoming drivers[3])](File:PL_road_sign_B-31.svg)
_(1975).svg){kind=small}
_(1975).svg){kind=small}
_(1975).svg){kind=small}
![(variant of B-35 sign — no parking between the hours of [...] and [...])](File:PL_road_sign_B-35a.svg)
![(variant of B-35 sign — no parking for more than [...] minutes](File:PL_road_sign_B-35b.svg)
![(variant of B-35 sign — no parking for more than [...] minutes between the hours of [...] and [...])](File:PL_road_sign_B-35c.svg)
![B-39 "limited parking zone" (with details — for example during weekdays between the hours of [...] and [...])](File:PL_road_sign_B-39.svg)
![D-1 "priority road" (You have priority at all following crossroads until the end of the priority road.[3])](File:PL_road_sign_D-1.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
!["petrol station with charging station for electric vehicles"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_D-23b.svg)
![D-23c "charging station for electric vehicles"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_D-23c.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
![D-34b "collective information board"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_D-34b.svg)
.svg)
.svg){kind=small}
![D-44 "paid parking zone or innercity paid parking zone"[5] (with details – e.g. between the hours of [...] and [...])](File:PL_road_sign_D-44.svg)
![D-45 "end of paid parking zone or innercity paid parking zone"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_D-45.svg)
![D-51 "automatic speed control"[6]](File:PL_road_sign_D-51.svg)
![D-51a "automatic average speed control"[6]](File:PL_road_sign_D-51aa.svg)
![D-51b "end of automatic average speed control"[6]](File:PL_road_sign_D-51b.svg)
![D-54 "clean transport zone"[7]](File:PL_road_sign_D-54.svg)
![D-55 "end of clean transport zone"[7]](File:PL_road_sign_D-55.svg)
![E-15a "national road number"[4]](File:Znak_E-15a.svg)
![E-15b "voivodeship road number"[4]](File:Znak_E-15b.svg)
![F-14d "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 300 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_F-14d.svg){kind=small}
![F-14e "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 200 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_F-14e.svg){kind=small}
![F-14f "indicator sign on the expressway, placed in a distance of 100 m before the beginning of exit lane"[5]](File:PL_road_sign_F-14f.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
