Traffic controller instructions

During exams you may be asked how to react to manual signals from a police officer or authorised road worker. This gallery shows every permissible gesture, the required driver response and common pitfalls to avoid.

Image	Meaning	Explanation
	Attention	The gesture of raising the hand upwards by the police officer means that in a moment there will be a change of the signal given so far. For vehicles for which traffic was closed, this is the equivalent of a yellow light given together with red.
	Attention-2	The gesture of raising the hand upwards by the police officer means that in a moment there will be a change of the signal given so far. For vehicles for which traffic was open, this is the equivalent of a yellow light.
	Direction of travel	A police officer's gesture indicating the direction of travel informs drivers of vehicles in which direction they may proceed.
	Passing behind the police officer	Gestures for vehicles passing behind the police officer permit maintaining the direction of travel and order quickly leaving the intersection.
	Passing in front of the police officer	Gestures concerning vehicles travelling in front of the police officer ensure maintaining the direction of travel and speeding up the passage through the intersection.
	Stop	The stance of a police officer facing towards or away from approaching vehicles means a prohibition of entry into the intersection or section of road behind the person directing traffic. For pedestrians, it means a prohibition of entering the carriageway. This is the equivalent of a red light of traffic signals.
	Stop-2	The stance of a police officer with the arm extended horizontally across the path of approaching vehicles means a prohibition of entry into the intersection or section of road behind the police officer.
	Traffic open	The traffic open stance, when the police officer is standing sideways to approaching vehicles, means permission to enter the intersection or section of road and permission for pedestrians to enter the crossing. This is the equivalent of a green light of traffic signals.
	Traffic opened	The gesture of extending the arms horizontally at shoulder height means traffic opened for vehicles approaching from the right and left sides of the police officer.
	Turn right or left	The gesture directing vehicles to the right or to the left informs which vehicles may turn in accordance with the direction indicated by the police officer.
	Vehicle stop	The police officer's gesture indicates stopping the vehicle approaching from the right or left side.
	Vehicle summoned	The gesture of summoning a vehicle directs the vehicle to the centre line of the intersection or indicates a place for a temporary stop.