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No overtaking by motor vehicles over 3.5 t
Regulatory or prohibitory sign No overtaking by motor vehicles with a permissible maximum mass over 3.5 t, including their trailers, and by tractors. Cars and buses are exempt.
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When you see the Zeichen
If you are driving a motor vehicle with a permissible maximum mass of over 3.5 t or an agricultural tractor, you may not overtake any motor vehicles with more than two wheels or motorcycles with sidecars from the point indicated by the sign. You are exempt from this prohibition when driving a passenger car or a bus.
Rules
- The prohibition applies to motor vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of over 3.5 t, including their trailers, as well as to agricultural tractors.
- The vehicles affected may not overtake motor vehicles with more than two wheels or motorcycles with sidecars.
- Passenger cars and buses are expressly exempt, even if their permissible maximum mass is over 3.5 t.
- A permissible maximum mass of exactly 3.5 t is not sufficient for the weight-based prohibition; it applies to vehicles over 3.5 t. Agricultural tractors are expressly listed independently of this.
- The prohibition ends in particular with Zeichen 281, Zeichen 282 or another clear instruction.
Tips
- Do not begin overtaking shortly before the sign if you cannot safely complete the manoeuvre before reaching it.
- Check the permissible maximum mass in the vehicle documents; the current load is not the deciding factor.
- Do not confuse this sign with Zeichen 253: at Zeichen 277, you may continue driving, but as an affected vehicle you may not overtake.
- A bicycle or motorcycle without a sidecar does not fall under the vehicles listed here as vehicles being overtaken; nevertheless, only overtake when the traffic situation allows it and there is sufficient lateral clearance.
Common misunderstandings
- The sign is understood as a general no-entry prohibition for lorries. In fact, it prohibits only certain overtaking manoeuvres.
- Learner drivers believe that every vehicle over 3.5 t is affected. However, passenger cars and buses are expressly exempt.
- The actual weight is often considered. In principle, the decisive factor is the permissible maximum mass, not the current load.
Exam tip
In exam questions, pay attention to the difference between Zeichen 277 and Zeichen 253: the lorry symbol means no overtaking at Zeichen 277, whereas at Zeichen 253 it means a traffic prohibition. Another typical trap is the exemption for passenger cars and buses.
Did you know
Zeichen 277 is frequently used on motorway sections with uphill gradients or heavy traffic to prevent so-called elephant races and the resulting traffic obstructions.
Frequently asked questions
May I overtake in a normal passenger car after this sign?
Yes, passenger cars are expressly exempt from Zeichen 277. Other overtaking prohibitions and the general requirements for safe overtaking continue to apply.
May an affected lorry overtake a bicycle?
The specific prohibition of Zeichen 277 covers motor vehicles with more than two wheels and motorcycles with sidecars as the vehicles being overtaken, but not bicycles. A bicycle may therefore generally be overtaken, provided this is otherwise permitted and the prescribed lateral clearance can be maintained.
Does the sign apply to a lorry with a permissible maximum mass of exactly 3.5 t?
No, the weight limit is over 3.5 t. At exactly 3.5 t, the weight-based prohibition does not apply unless the vehicle is an expressly covered agricultural tractor.
What is the difference from Zeichen 253?
Zeichen 253 prohibits the affected motor vehicles from entering or continuing on the marked road. Zeichen 277 allows them to continue driving but prohibits them from overtaking motor vehicles with more than two wheels and motorcycles with sidecars.
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Other Zeichen in the same category
Prohibition for vehicles of all kinds
Prohibition for motor vehicles
Prohibition for motor vehicles over 3.5 t
Prohibition for bicycle traffic
Prohibition for motorcycles
Prohibition for pedestrians
Prohibition for motor vehicles
Prohibition for motor vehicles carrying dangerous goods and subject to marking