The C18 sign indicates a maximum permitted length for vehicles or vehicle combinations. This crucial restriction, often found on narrow roads, in tight urban areas, or before challenging structures like ferries, ensures that only vehicles within the specified length can proceed. If your vehicle, including any trailer, exceeds this limit, you must not pass the sign and should seek an alternative route to maintain safety and avoid getting stuck.
Learn the key details of the C18 - Maximum Vehicle Length road sign, including its function, what it communicates to drivers, and how it applies in real traffic situations in Sweden. Use this overview to understand the sign clearly and recognise it confidently during the Swedish driving theory exam.
This sign sets a maximum permitted length for vehicles or vehicle combinations (such as a car with trailer). It is used on roads with tight bends, narrow streets, ferries, or structures that cannot safely accommodate long vehicles. The numeric value on the sign indicates the longest allowed length. Vehicles exceeding the limit must not enter the restricted section and should follow an alternative route. The restriction applies from the sign location and continues as regulated for the road section.
Vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than the value shown are not allowed.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C18 - Maximum Vehicle Length road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the Swedish driving theory exam in Sweden.
The number displayed on the C18 sign shows the maximum total length, in metres, that your vehicle or vehicle combination is allowed to be. If your car, truck, or combination (e.g. car and caravan) is longer than this specified number, you are prohibited from proceeding past the sign.
The total length includes your entire vehicle setup from the very front to the very rear. For a car towing a trailer, this means measuring from the front of the car to the end of the trailer. It's vital to know these dimensions for your specific setup to correctly interpret signs like C18, especially as trailers can significantly increase overall length.
If your vehicle or combination exceeds the maximum length indicated by the C18 sign, you must not continue on that route. You should stop before the sign, if safe to do so, and look for signs directing you to an alternative route that is suitable for longer vehicles. Planning your route in advance can help avoid encountering such restrictions unexpectedly.
Generally, the C18 sign applies to all vehicles. There are typically no exceptions unless specifically indicated by accompanying signage, which is rare. The purpose is to prevent long vehicles from entering areas where they may cause obstruction, damage, or pose a safety risk due to tight turns or limited space.
Yes, even if your vehicle is within the maximum length limit, it's crucial to drive with extra caution. The sign is placed in areas with challenging geometry. Be mindful of your vehicle's turning radius, overhangs, and the space required, especially when navigating sharp bends or narrow passages, to ensure you don't hit kerbs or other obstacles.
A clear reference image of the C18 - Maximum Vehicle Length road sign used in Sweden.
The C18 - Maximum Vehicle Length road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C18 - Maximum Vehicle Length road sign is part of the Prohibitory Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.