Challenge
You count five signs and think: five categories. But further on there is yet another round sign with a red border — the overtaking ban. Your first reflex: 'another prohibition sign, so category C, same as before.' The CBR exam designer knows that shape and category diverge here.
Read this section on its own page: Challenge: The seven categories of traffic signs (appendix 1)
The model
A speed, B priority (yellow diamond), C closure, D direction (blue), F other commands/prohibitions, J warning (triangle), L information (blue rectangle). The overtaking ban looks like C, but is listed in chapter F.
Read this section on its own page: The model: The seven categories of traffic signs (appendix 1)
Core
Road users are legally required to comply with traffic signs that contain a command or prohibition — that applies to categories B, C, D and F. Category B (priority) has its own shape: the yellow diamond, not a triangle. B1 is the priority road, B6/B7 regulate priority at an intersection. Category C (closure) and category F (other commands/prohibitions) both look round and red-and-white — same appearance, different chapters. The overtaking ban (F1) belongs to F, not C, however prohibition-like it looks. Category D (direction) is also round, but blue: a command, not a prohibition — for example D1 roundabout. Category J (warning) is the triangle with a red border, and category L (information) the blue rectangle — neither carries the the law command/prohibition duty, purely warning or informing.
Read this section on its own page: Core: The seven categories of traffic signs (appendix 1)
Why it matters
The category determines not only how this atom explains a sign, but also whether the sign is binding. A J-warning sign (poor road surface) asks for alertness, not obedience; violating a C- or F-prohibition sign is a real offence. Someone who goes by shape alone and confuses the overtaking ban with an ordinary C-prohibition category doesn't miss the meaning — everyone gets that — but does miss the system behind exam questions that test the appendix-1 classification itself.
Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: The seven categories of traffic signs (appendix 1)
Source: RVV 1990 art. 62 · checked 2026-10-22
Test yourself
On your way to work in Enschede, within two minutes you pass five different signs: a speed limit, a yellow diamond, a round prohibition sign, a blue roundabout arrow, and a blue rectangular sign with a bus-stop icon. How many different categories are you actually looking at there?
Show the answer
A speed, B priority (yellow diamond), C closure, D direction (blue), F other commands/prohibitions, J warning (triangle), L information (blue rectangle). The overtaking ban looks like C, but is listed in chapter F.
Frequently asked questions
‘The overtaking-ban sign (F1) belongs to category C, because it is a round sign with a red border like the other prohibition signs’ – is that true?
No. F1 is listed literally under 'Other commands and prohibitions', not under chapter C 'Closure'. Appearance does not determine the classification
‘Every round traffic sign is a prohibition sign’ – is that true?
No. Command signs (round, blue) are a separate category from category C (round, red border). Round only tells you 'command or prohibition', not which of the two
‘The priority-road sign (B1) is a triangle, just like a warning sign’ – is that true?
No. B1 (priority road) has its own yellow diamond shape, not a triangle. The triangle with a red border is the appearance of category J (warning)
‘A traffic sign with a command or prohibition is a strong recommendation, not a hard requirement’ – is that true?
No. Road users are required to comply with traffic signs that contain a command or prohibition. That is a statutory duty, not advice
‘A yellow diamond-shaped sign belongs to category A (speed)’ – is that true?
No. Category A (speed) consists of round signs (A1, A2...); the yellow diamond shape is unique to category B (priority, sign B1)
