Teorio
Clear hard shoulder
Mandatory or prohibitory sign The sign orders the hard shoulder to be cleared.
Download Teorio and practise for the theory exam.
When you see the Zeichen
If you are driving on the hard shoulder while it is open for use, you must clear it and move safely onto a regular lane. Signal in good time, watch the traffic to your left and do not force the lane change.
Rules
- Zeichen 223.3 explicitly requires you to clear the hard shoulder.
- After this sign, the hard shoulder may no longer be used as a regular lane.
- When moving from the hard shoulder to a regular lane, you must not endanger anyone; you must take account of traffic already travelling in that lane.
- After that, the hard shoulder may generally only be used in the exceptions provided for by law, especially in the event of a breakdown or on instruction.
Tips
- Move into the regular lane early as soon as you recognise the sign instead of continuing on the hard shoulder until the last moment.
- Signal left, check your interior and left-hand exterior mirrors, and also look over your shoulder.
- Adjust your speed to a suitable gap and expect that other vehicles may not let you merge immediately.
- Do not stop on the hard shoulder to wait for a gap if this can be avoided; reduce your speed in a controlled manner and change lanes safely.
Common misunderstandings
- The sign is confused with Zeichen 223.1. Zeichen 223.1 opens the hard shoulder for use, whereas Zeichen 223.3 requires it to be cleared.
- Some learner drivers believe they automatically have priority when moving over from the hard shoulder. However, the lane change is only permitted if it does not endanger others.
- Zeichen 223.3 is understood as merely a recommendation. It contains a binding instruction.
Exam tip
Pay attention to the exact designation in exam questions: With Zeichen 223.3, you must clear the hard shoulder. The answer that the hard shoulder may continue to be used like a right-hand lane belongs to Zeichen 223.1 and is incorrect here.
Did you know
Zeichen 223.3 is used particularly on heavily congested sections of the Autobahn where the hard shoulder is temporarily opened as an additional lane. It often appears as a Wechselverkehrszeichen, allowing the hard shoulder to be cleared again at short notice for breakdowns and emergency operations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to leave the hard shoulder immediately?
You must clear it promptly, but you must not force the change. Move to the regular lane at the next safe opportunity.
Do I have priority when moving over from the hard shoulder?
No. When changing lanes, you must take account of traffic in the regular lane and rule out any danger to others.
Can I continue driving on the hard shoulder after the sign?
Not as part of normal traffic. Further use is only permitted in legally authorised exceptional situations or on the basis of a specific instruction.
What is the difference between this and Zeichen 223.2?
Zeichen 223.2 ends the opening of the hard shoulder as a lane. Zeichen 223.3 additionally contains the explicit instruction to clear the hard shoulder.
Study for the Theorieprüfung
Teorio has all the theory material in your own language. Download the app and study whenever it suits you.
