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Conventional direction sign
When you see the sign
Read the destination and arrow direction early, and take the road indicated by the sign if you are heading to the stated place or business. Choose your lane position before the junction, while also following lane markings, give-way rules and other regulatory signs.
Rules
- Sign 713 shows which road to take to reach a specified place or business.
- The arrow direction or the shape of the sign's arrow shows the direction from the junction, not necessarily the road's subsequent direction after you have turned.
- The sign does not give you priority and does not cancel give-way rules, stop requirements, mandatory directions or prohibitions.
- Any road numbers and symbols on the sign provide additional information about the route or destination.
Tips
- Look towards the sign early enough to read the destination, road number and arrow without making a sudden manoeuvre.
- Use your direction indicator well in advance if the direction sign shows that you need to turn.
- Check the lane markings before positioning yourself; an ordinary direction sign indicates the direction, but normally does not assign destinations to specific lanes.
Common misconceptions
- Assuming that the arrow is an instruction to drive in that direction. The sign provides direction to the destination; it is not a mandatory-direction sign.
- Confusing an ordinary direction sign with a direction signboard. An ordinary direction sign indicates a specific direction, while a direction signboard groups several directions or destinations together on one board.
- Assuming that the sign gives you the right to turn without considering oncoming traffic, pedestrians or give-way rules.
Test yourself
Easy
What does the sign mean?
- AIt shows which lane you should use to reach the indicated destination.
- BIt shows which road you should take to reach the indicated destination.
- CIt requires you to drive in the direction of the arrow at the indicated junction.
- DIt warns how several roads and destinations are arranged at the junction ahead.
Medium
The sign points left toward your destination. You are going to turn left, but have vikeplikt (a duty to give way) to oncoming traffic. What do you do?
- AI wait for oncoming traffic and turn when this can be done safely.
- BI continue straight ahead because the arrow applies only to traffic in the left lane.
- CI turn before the oncoming traffic because the arrow gives me forkjørsrett (priority right of way) at the junction.
- DI stop at the sign because the arrow implies stop duty before the left turn.
Hard
The sign points toward a road on the right and shows your destination. What can you determine about lane positioning before the junction?
- AI can determine only which road from the junction leads toward the destination.
- BI can determine that the lanes change direction in accordance with the shape of the arrow.
- CI can determine that all lanes lead to the same road toward the destination.
- DI can determine that the right lane is intended for traffic toward the destination.
Theory test tip
In the theory test, the trap may be to interpret Sign 713 as a lane direction sign. Check whether the sign merely points towards a road at the junction, or explicitly shows which destination each lane is intended for.
Did you know
Ordinary direction signs can have different background colours and may include road numbers or symbols to distinguish between destinations and route types, but the arrow direction is always the key factor when choosing the road.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to follow the direction shown on an ordinary direction sign?
Only if you want to travel towards the stated destination. The sign is informative and does not make the direction mandatory.
Does the sign give me priority at the junction?
No, a direction sign does not regulate the give-way rules. You must follow give-way signs, traffic lights, road markings and the general give-way rules.
What is the difference between an ordinary direction sign and a direction signboard?
An ordinary direction sign points directly towards the road leading to a particular destination or business. A direction signboard presents several destinations and directions together in a table format.
Does an ordinary direction sign show which lane I should use?
Normally, it shows the road direction at or near the junction, not how traffic is distributed between lanes. Lane direction signs or overhead direction signs are used when destinations are assigned to specific lanes.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
