Which road signs remain in effect after intersections: how the rules in Poland and Ukraine differ

The rules governing road signs can vary significantly from country to country. Find out which signs remain in effect after intersections in Poland and Ukraine, what the key differences are, and how to avoid fines

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Many Ukrainian drivers are accustomed to a simple rule: most prohibitory signs end at the nearest intersection. This is how Ukrainian traffic rules work in most standard situations. However, abroad — particularly in Poland — this habit can be costly. There, intersections do not always cancel restrictions, and a new sign has much greater legal weight than the change in direction itself.

As written by auto.24tv.ua, journalists from the Polish publication moto.pl have examined these nuances in detail, drawing attention to the typical mistakes made by foreign drivers. The main one is the automatic assumption that restrictions no longer apply after an intersection.

Why Ukrainian logic does not work in Poland

Polish traffic rules are generally similar to Ukrainian ones and are based on European standards. However, the approach to the meaning of signs is less intuitive. In Poland, drivers should focus not on intersections, but on the presence or absence of a sign indicating the cancellation or change of road status.

In other words, if a restriction is in place, it remains in effect until it is officially canceled. This is why many drivers only learn about the actual rules after receiving a fine.

When an intersection does not cancel the effect of signs in Poland

According to moto.pl, in most cases, such restrictions continue to apply even after an intersection:

● Speed limit (sign B-33) — applies until a cancellation sign or a new restriction appears. An intersection itself is not a reason for its termination.

● No overtaking — remains in effect until a corresponding cancellation sign appears.

● No stopping or parking — remains in effect until the clear end of the zone, sign, or mark.

● Zone restrictions — for example, Tempo 30, residential zone, or traffic zone. Such restrictions remain in effect throughout the entire zone, regardless of the number of intersections.

Key principle: if a sign is installed for a specific section of road, an intersection does not automatically cancel it.

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When an intersection does cancel the effect of signs

There are exceptions, and they are also important. In Poland, an intersection can cancel the effect of signs in the following cases:

● Signs relating to a specific maneuver, such as a no-turn sign or a mandatory direction of travel.

● Change of road category — for example, entering a different type of road automatically changes the set of restrictions.

That is why drivers are advised to always pay attention to whether the status of the road changes and whether a new regulatory sign appears after the intersection.

How it works in Ukraine

In Ukraine, the approach is indeed simpler. As a general rule, the effect of prohibition signs ends at the nearest intersection. However, there are important exceptions that are often overlooked.

Signs that are not canceled by intersections include, in particular:

● 3.31 — Speed limit zone.

● 3.38 — No parking zone.

Their effect is only terminated by special cancellation signs, for example:

● 3.32 — End of maximum speed limit zone

The effect of certain prohibitions may also extend to the zone in the presence of signs (for example, 7.2.2), and in such cases, the intersection is irrelevant.

For Ukrainian drivers traveling in Poland and other EU countries, misinterpretation of signs can easily result in fines. This is especially true for speed limits and zone restrictions.

When planning a trip abroad in your own car, it is worth not only refreshing your knowledge of local traffic rules, but also taking care of all the necessary documents in advance. In particular, for trips in Europe, you need a Green Card — an international motor insurance policy. You can apply for it online on the Visit Ukraine platform: it's quick, convenient, and allows you to travel abroad without unnecessary risks.

Knowing these nuances is not only about avoiding fines, but also about road safety and confidence behind the wheel in any country.

We remind you! In most European countries, the penalty point system helps to reduce the number of accidents and make drivers more disciplined. Read how penalty points work in France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, which violations lead to the loss of driving privileges, and how this affects insurance.

Photo: Robert Kowalewski / Agencja Wyborcza.pl

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