Suitable Road for Certain Vehicle Type or Road User Group
The sign indicates a suitable road for a specific type of vehicle.
When You See This Sign
When you see F31 you should, if you belong to the specified group, follow the recommended route for increased safety and traffic flow. If you do not belong to the group you can continue as usual but must still comply with other road signs and traffic rules in place.
Rules & Regulations
- F31 is an information sign indicating a suitable or recommended route for a particular vehicle type or road user group and is essentially advisory, not a prohibition or a mandatory instruction.
- You must still obey other traffic rules and road signs; prohibition and mandatory signs take precedence over a recommendation from F31.
- If you belong to the indicated road user group (e.g. cyclists, heavy vehicles, or pedestrians) you should, as far as possible, use the suggested route for increased safety and traffic flow.
- F31 can be supplemented by additional plates with arrows, time indications, or conditions - these should be interpreted together with the sign to understand exactly when and how the recommendation applies.
Tips for Drivers
- If you are one of the road users the sign is aimed at, follow the recommendation to avoid unnecessary detours, dangerous intersections, or turns that are unsuitable for you.
- Look for and read any supplementary plates under F31 - they may show arrows indicating the exact direction or times when the recommendation applies.
- Observe other traffic signs nearby: if a prohibition or mandatory sign says something different you must follow that instead of F31.
- As a heavy vehicle driver you can use the sign to plan safe routes and avoid low bridges or narrow urban streets that are unsuitable.
Common Mistakes
- Believing that F31 is mandatory. Many students mistake the recommendation for a legally binding instruction, but it is generally advisory.
- Ignoring supplementary plates. The student sees F31 but misses that an underlying plate limits when the recommendation applies.
- Confusing F31 with arrows that show mandatory driving direction - F31 recommends a route for a group, while mandatory arrows are often regulatory signs.
Test Yourself
Road Sign: Suitable Road for Certain Vehicle Type or Road User Group
What does this direction sign mean for certain vehicles?
- A It indicates a suitable route for a specific type of vehicle or road user group
- B It prohibits the specified vehicle type from continuing
- C It indicates that you must change to a particular lane immediately
- D It indicates parking rules for the specified vehicle type
Exam Tip
On the theory test you may get a question testing whether the sign is mandatory or advisory - the correct answer is that F31 is generally advisory, so it is not as binding as a prohibition or a mandatory instruction.
Did You Know?
Sign F31 is often used in urban areas and industrial zones to direct heavy traffic or cyclists to roads that are better suited to them, and the sign is sometimes called a "suitable route" sign in Swedish signage tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to follow F31 if I drive a truck?
F31 is generally advisory, but as a truck driver it is strongly recommended to follow the sign because it points to a route that is safer and more suitable for heavy vehicles. However, if there is a conflicting prohibition or mandatory sign you must follow that prohibition or mandate.
Can F31 show different times when the recommendation applies?
Yes, F31 can be supplemented with a supplementary plate that indicates times or days when the recommendation applies. Always interpret such supplementary plates together with the main sign to know when the advice is relevant.
What is the difference between F31 and a mandatory arrow sign?
F31 shows a suitable route for a certain road user group and is advisory, whereas a mandatory arrow sign (a regulatory sign) requires traffic to follow the indicated direction. Mandatory arrows are binding and have legal effect; F31 normally does not.
Can F31 be used to direct cyclists to a safer route?
Yes, a common use of F31 is to guide cyclists to dedicated cycle paths or passages that are safer than the main road. The sign helps separate bicycle traffic from fast motor traffic and improves safety.
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