Advance Information on Roadside Services
The sign provides advance information about upcoming services.
When You See This Sign
When you see H23 you should understand that a roadside service is available ahead and that you should prepare if you intend to turn off. Read any symbols or additional plates for the type of service and distance, check your mirrors and signal well before changing lanes or exiting.
Rules & Regulations
- H23 is a preparatory information sign that provides advance notice that roadside service is available further ahead; it is informative and not a regulatory sign.
- Sign H23 can be supplemented with symbols or an additional plate indicating the type of service (e.g., fuel, food, accommodation) and/or the distance to the exit.
- You must follow the usual traffic rules when exiting or changing lanes: signal well in advance, check mirrors and the blind spot, and perform the maneuver safely.
- H23 does not grant the right to stop or park along the roadside; any parking rules at the service area are governed by specific parking signs.
Tips for Drivers
- Read the symbols and any additional plate carefully to know what type of service is offered and how far away it is.
- If you plan to turn off: reduce speed gradually, check your mirrors early, and signal well in advance to avoid sudden braking.
- If you do not need the service, stay in your lane and maintain your speed to avoid disrupting traffic; many drivers behind may brake when they see signs.
- Be aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles crossing or entering the service area as you approach the exit.
Common Mistakes
- Believing that the service is located right at the sign instead of further ahead or at a specific exit.
- Assuming the sign gives the right to stop or park along the road.
- Always expecting a large facility — sometimes the sign refers to a small petrol station or a simple rest area.
Test Yourself
Road Sign: Advance Information on Roadside Services
What does this sign mean for you as a driver?
- A It gives advance information that road-related services are available ahead.
- B It prohibits parking along the road.
- C It marks the start of a pedestrian and bicycle path.
- D It indicates that you are approaching a tourist attraction without services.
Exam Tip
On the theory test you may encounter a question designed to make you believe that H23 gives the right to stop or that the service is immediately at the sign. Remember that H23 is preparatory information — look for additional plates and symbols and choose the answer that indicates the sign only warns of services ahead.
Did You Know?
The sign is often used along national roads and motorways as an early warning several hundred meters before an exit, and is frequently combined with symbols for fuel, food, or accommodation to quickly inform travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the sign mean I have to turn off?
No. H23 only provides information that services are available further ahead. You are not obliged to turn off; do so only if you need the service and can perform the maneuver safely.
Does the sign show exactly how far the service is?
Not always. The sign itself only indicates that services are ahead; an additional plate with a distance in meters or kilometers often provides more precise information.
Can the sign show several different services at the same time?
Yes. H23 can be combined with symbols showing which services are offered, such as fuel, food, or accommodation. Multiple symbols mean several types of service are available at the same location or exit.
Should I change lanes immediately when I see the sign?
No. Change lanes only when it is safe and after you have signaled. The sign is a warning that gives you time to plan your maneuver well in advance.
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