Symbol Board
The board indicates who or what the sign applies to
When You See This Sign
When you see a symbol plate under a traffic sign, first read what the symbol plate shows and determine whether you are included in the specified group or time period. If you are covered by the conditions of the symbol plate, you must follow the main sign's instruction; if you are not covered, the main sign's restriction does not apply to you, but you should still show consideration and follow other traffic rules.
Rules & Regulations
- The symbol plate (T8) is normally placed below the main sign and specifies who or what the main sign applies to.
- You must follow the main sign's instruction only if you belong to the group indicated on the symbol plate; if you do not belong to the group, the main sign's restriction or exemption does not apply to you.
- The symbol plate is part of the traffic sign and is legally binding together with the main sign.
- If the symbol plate indicates time, distance, vehicle type, or other restriction, the main sign must be interpreted in combination with that information.
Tips for Drivers
- Read the symbol plate carefully before you act — it can make a prohibited place permitted for certain vehicles (e.g., buses or taxis).
- If the symbol plate shows a vehicle type (e.g., truck, bus, bicycle), plan your lane choice or entry and exit in good time to avoid driving errors.
- Be especially alert in inner-city environments where symbol plates are often used for resident parking, goods deliveries, or bus lanes during certain times.
- If the symbol plate contains arrows or a distance specification, follow exactly the place or direction indicated — it may apply only to a portion of the road.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the main sign applies to all road users even when a symbol plate restricts it to a specific group.
- Failing to notice small time indications or exceptions on the symbol plate and therefore breaking the rules.
- Interpreting the symbol plate as a recommendation rather than a binding part of the sign.
Test Yourself
Road Sign: Symbol Board
What does this supplementary sign with a symbol under a main sign indicate?
- A The sign indicates who or what the main sign applies to, using a symbol.
- B The sign shows the exact distance to the next intersection.
- C The sign indicates the speed limit in the zone.
- D The sign shows which weather conditions apply.
Exam Tip
On the theory test, a question may test whether a rule applies to 'all road users' or only to the group shown on the symbol plate — answer that the sign applies only to the specified group or time period if the symbol plate indicates this.
Did You Know?
The symbol plate is called T8 in the sign system and is often used in urban environments to, for example, reserve lanes or spaces for buses, taxis, or resident parking during specific times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the main sign apply if I do not have the indicated symbol?
No, if the symbol plate indicates a specific group and you do not belong to that group, the main sign does not apply to you. However, you must still follow other relevant traffic rules.
Can a symbol plate indicate a time span?
Yes, symbol plates can indicate the times when the main sign is in force, for example weekdays or certain hours of the day. Outside the specified times, the main sign does not apply according to the symbol plate's conditions.
What does an arrow or distance indication on the symbol plate mean?
An arrow or distance indication specifies exactly which part of the road or which direction the main sign refers to. Follow the arrows carefully because the rule may apply only to a specific lane or road segment.
Is the symbol plate always placed under the main sign?
In practice the symbol plate is placed under the main sign so that they are read together. If multiple additional plates are present, read them in order below the main sign to understand the entire message.
Practice more in the app
Study Swedish road signs and driving theory in English. 314 signs with rules, tips and quizzes.