Italian Road Signs — Complete Colour Guide for Patente B

Italian road signs follow a strict colour system defined by the Codice della Strada. Once you understand what each colour means, you can interpret any sign even if you have never seen it before.

The Colour System

Red (Warning and Prohibition)

Red-bordered triangles (segnali di pericolo): Warning signs — triangular, white background, red border. Alert you to hazards ahead (bend, junction, school, pedestrians, level crossing). No instruction — they inform, you decide how to react.

Red-bordered circles (segnali di divieto): Prohibition signs — circular, white or blue background, red border (often with a red diagonal bar). Tell you what you CANNOT do: no entry, speed limit, no overtaking, no parking.

Red octagon: STOP — the only octagonal sign on Italian roads. Mandatory complete stop.

Blue (Obligation and Motorway Information)

Blue circles (segnali di obbligo): Mandatory signs — blue circle, white symbol. Tell you what you MUST do: turn right, go straight, minimum speed, use winter tyres.

Blue rectangles/squares: Information and motorway signs — motorway route numbers, service areas, distances, exit signs on autostrade.

Blue with white arrow: Direction signs on motorways.

Green (National and Extra-Urban Roads)

Green backgrounds: Direction signs on state roads (strade statali), national routes, and ring roads. Destinations and distances on non-motorway roads outside urban areas.

White (Urban Direction Signs)

White backgrounds: Direction signs within urban areas — local destinations, street names, city centre directions within towns.

Yellow/Orange (Temporary Signs)

Yellow/orange background: Temporary signs — roadworks, diversions, temporary restrictions. These take precedence over all permanent signs.

Brown (Tourism)

Brown backgrounds: Tourist and cultural interest signs — museums, parks, monuments, beaches, camping.

Shape Summary

Shape	Category
Triangle (point up)	Warning (danger ahead)
Circle	Prohibition or obligation
Octagon	Stop
Inverted triangle	Give way
Rectangle/Square	Information

The Most Common Exam Mistakes

1. Confusing warning triangles with prohibition circles — both have red but different shapes
2. Missing the distinction between temporary (yellow) and permanent signs — yellow always wins
3. Misreading the no-overtaking sign (two solid circles, one red) vs. end of no-overtaking (same but crossed out)
4. Forgetting that blue circles are obligations (what you MUST do), not prohibitions

Practice Sign Recognition

Driving Freedom's question bank contains every sign in the official Italian highway code, tested in context — not just memorisation.

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