July 9, 2025
The world’s 16 most unusual road signs
When traveling abroad by car, there’s a lot that’s different – from the laws of the road, to conditions like dirt or gravel or even icy roads. At DiscoverCars.com, we thought we would put together a guide to one thing that’s different in every country you go to – road signs. Many road signs in different countries in Europe will be reassuringly familiar, making it easy to know what the speed limit is and other safety warnings, but there are plenty of unusual ones you might not have seen before.
Road signs can warn us about weather conditions that could affect our safety on the road, inform us about local rules and laws, or even give us a heads up about the wildlife we might see nearby. Without further ado, let’s get started on some of these unique road signs from around Europe.
Road signs can warn us about weather conditions that could affect our safety on the road, inform us about local rules and laws, or even give us a heads up about the wildlife we might see nearby. Without further ado, let’s get started on some of these unique road signs from around Europe.
France
1 - Carpooling
If you are driving on the Paris Ring Road, you might see this road sign, which has only been introduced in France very recently, in March of this year. It’s designed to mark the carpooling lane, which has now been set aside exclusively for vehicles carrying two or more passengers (with the exception of emergency vehicles and drivers who have the European parking card for disabled people). Since May, from Monday to Friday, 7-10.30 am and 4-8 pm, people using this lane illegally can be fined €135 on the spot.
Greece
2 - Falling rocks
You can find variations of this road sign all around Europe and it means that drivers need to watch out for falling rocks. Greece’s beautiful landscape has plenty of dramatic mountains and cliffs, with 413 mountains above an altitude of 1000 meters. Unfortunately this means that rockfalls are a hazard across the mainland and the islands. Drivers should be careful when exploring mountainous parts of the country if they see these signs up ahead, but don’t let that put you off visiting places like the Pindus Mountains, the most extensive mountain range in Greece.
3 - Flammable materials
While this image looks like it might be a depiction of a scene from an action movie where someone is making a daring escape from an explosion, what it actually means is that entry is prohibited in vehicles carrying more than a certain quantity of explosive or flammable materials.
Iceland
4 - Points of interest
This Icelandic road sign is here to show drivers that there is an outdoor point of interest coming up. (The indoor variation has a little triangle like a roof above the shape.) These road signs will be of particular interest to tourists, as they show the way to attractions that have historical or cultural importance, like Þingvellir, the national park where the Icelandic general assembly used to meet over a thousand years ago. This symbol, the looped square, was first used for this purpose in Finland and has since spread to other places, especially Nordic countries.
Spain
5 -Post office
You might not guess what this road sign refers to! This symbol actually shows drivers that there is a post office nearby. Iceland’s road signs are famously characterful and nicely designed. In 2016, there were initiatives to reinforce the strength of the country’s road signs, particularly those that combine two signs – an exclamation mark above and another sign illustrating a hazard up ahead. These road signs were just too popular with tourists who kept stealing them because of their unique designs.
6 - No honking
Here is the ‘No honking’ sign that can be found on roads throughout Spain. While other European countries have signs that mean the same thing, the Spanish version has a very stylised and simplified image, unlike some other countries where the horn in question looks more like a trumpet! If you see this sign in Spain, it means that using a car horn in this area is strictly prohibited, with fines ranging from €80 to €200.
7 - Camel crossing
Not to be found in mainland Spain, but rather on the Canary Islands, these signs warn drivers to look out for camels! Dromedary camels (the ones with one hump not two!) can be found on the Canary Islands, as they were introduced there in the 1400s. The arid, desert conditions are perfect for these animals. They used to plough the land but now mostly live in safaris where they are visited by tourists.
8 - Wild boar
In recent years, these road signs have been gradually introduced on Spain’s secondary roads, warning drivers to watch out for wild boar. There are estimated to be over one million wild boar in Spain, and they are estimated to cause 40% of all the road accidents involving animals in the country. This sign, proposed in 2023 along with a number of others, is part of the first new batch of Spanish road signs in more than two decades.
Sweden
9 - Moose
You can find a variation of this road sign in Sweden, Estonia, Finland, and Norway – it means that drivers need to be mindful that elk might be crossing the road in this area. As well as the protection of these beautiful animals, these signs are here to protect us, as crashing your car into an almost two-meter-tall moose is a very serious accident that could put a driver’s life at risk as well. Road accidents involving moose peak in the autumn for several reasons – this is their mating season, the days are getting shorter, and more people venture out on day trips into the countryside to collect berries and mushrooms and enjoy the beauty of the woodlands.
10 - Bathing
This black and white sign means that you are near somewhere where you can swim. There are lots of places for an outdoor swim in Sweden, including plenty of lovely, clean freshwater lakes like Vänern, Europe’s third-largest lake. West Sweden is a particularly popular destination for wild swimming, and the tourist board encourages visitors to enjoy this region’s natural beauty and national parks. Why not combine a trip to Gothenburg with some outdoor adventures?
United Kingdom
11 - Migratory toad
This road sign can be found in some areas of the United Kingdom, to let drivers know they need to be careful because of the presence of these tiny creatures. In early spring, toads wake up from their hibernation and begin making their way back to the pond where they were born, where they will find a mate and lay their own eggs. Some small country roads even close entirely for a few weeks because there will be so many toads crossing!
12 - Quayside or riverbank ahead
There are variations of this road sign across Europe, aiming to warn drivers that there is a quayside or riverbank ahead. Different countries’ versions of this sign have cars in various shapes and sizes, and one thing that’s interesting about the UK version is the dramatic angle the car is at, perhaps making it even more effective as a warning to drivers!
United States
13 - No hitchhiking
This sign means that hitchhiking is not allowed in this area – it’s an update of the old sign, which simply said “No hitchhiking,” but it was updated in 2009 to show a thumbs up, a very familiar symbol of hitchhiking. You can go hitchhiking in 44 states across the U.S., but this way of getting around is illegal in Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming.
14 - Bears
This road sign, which can be found in a number of states across the U.S., means you might see a bear up ahead! The most common species in the States are all types of black bears, which are far more numerous than the larger brown bears or grizzly bears. There's even a bear on the state flags of California and Missouri. In Alaska, you might even see polar bears. To see these amazing creatures in the wild, head to the remote Arctic Ocean coast of Alaska.
15 - Runaway vehicles only
If you haven’t seen one of these road signs before, you might be wondering why runaway vehicles are being encouraged to come this way. What it really means is that there is an area ahead with a truck escape ramp, intended to help drivers whose vehicles are experiencing brake failure slow down and safely stop.
16 - Gusty winds area
This sign warns drivers to beware of gusty winds, which can be common in some states, including New Mexico and Nevada. Drivers have even reported finding themselves blown off the road by high winds. The National Weather Service warns drivers who are on the road in these conditions to look for gaps in trees or buildings on either side of the road. This is because side winds could blow through, so drivers should keep room on either side of their vehicle in case a gust of wind pushes them sideways.
Conclusion
We hope our round-up of some of the world’s most unusual road signs has been entertaining and has also provided you with some interesting facts about these beautiful countries. If you are planning a vacation sometime soon, please do consider booking with us - our services are available in over 145 countries around the world.
Top Related Locations
Here are some destinations outside of Europe that are perfect for a meal with a lovely view (along with their nearest major airports).
- Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle Airport): Rural roads nearby feature wild boar crossings, bike-priority signs, and oversized roundabout diagrams.
- Marseille, France (Marseille Provence Airport): Look out for sharp cliff turns, “rafales de vent” wind warnings, and seaside hazard signs.
- Lyon, France (Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport): Roads into the Alps show snow chain zones, steep grades, and multi-lane roundabout chaos.
- Athens, Greece (Athens International Airport): Mountain roads nearby have goat and landslide warnings, often in faded Greek-only signs.
- Thessaloniki, Greece (Thessaloniki Airport): Expect wild animal warnings, road subsidence alerts, and signs near ruins — often with quirky translations.
- Barcelona, Spain (Barcelona–El Prat Airport): Hill roads show bilingual signs, scenic routes, and colorful tight-turn warnings.
- Madrid, Spain (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport): Heading north, find icy road warnings, ski zone signs, and dramatic “falling rocks.”
- Valencia, Spain (Valencia Airport): Look for orchard machinery signs, horse crossings, and rural ditches marked with vivid icons.
- Tenerife, Spain (Tenerife North Airport): Look for signs warning of falling rocks, steep grades, and volcanic zones, often with quirky translations.
- Oslo, Norway (Oslo Gardermoen Airport): Just outside town, find moose crossing signs, tunnel warnings, and snow hazard alerts.
- Tromsø, Norway (Tromsø Airport): Arctic roads feature reindeer and moose crossing signs, ice and snow hazard warnings, and occasional snowmobile route markers on remote stretches.
- London, UK (London Heathrow Airport): Suburban roads include “Red Route,” “Congestion Zone,” and polite “No Through Road” signs.
- Manchester, UK (Manchester Airport): Peak District routes show “Weak Bridge,” livestock warnings, and single-track etiquette signs.
- Bristol, UK (Bristol Airport): Expect “Hidden Dip,” horse rider signs, and “No Road Markings” across hilly moorland roads.
- San Francisco, California (San Francisco International Airport): Coastal roads include “Steep Grade,” “Earthquake Zone,” and landslide signs.
- Los Angeles, California (LAX): Canyons nearby post signs like “Next Gas 50 Miles,” wildfire escape routes, and falling rocks.
- Las Vegas, Nevada (Harry Reid International Airport): Desert highways flash “Extreme Heat,” “Open Range,” and “Flash Flood Area.”
- Denver, Colorado (Denver International Airport): Mountain roads show “Chains Required,” “Runaway Truck Ramp,” and elk crossing signs.
- Orlando, Florida (Orlando International Airport): Roads near wetlands often feature “Alligator Crossing,” “Flooding Likely During Rain,” and wildlife silhouettes along scenic byways.
- Miami, Florida (Miami International Airport): South Florida signage includes “Panther Zone,” storm surge markers, and “Watch for Low-Flying Birds” near Everglades-adjacent highways.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
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