Spanish End-of-Restriction Signs (R-500 Series)

Spanish end-of-restriction signs tell you that a rule you were following no longer applies. They belong to the R-500 series, and they cancel an earlier prohibition such as a speed limit or a no-overtaking rule. Instead of a red border, these signs are grey with the old symbol crossed out, which is your visual clue that the restriction is over. This guide covers the four safe-to-know signs: R-500, R-501, R-502 and R-503.

What do end-of-restriction signs do?

An end-of-restriction sign lifts a prohibition that a previous sign imposed. On Spanish roads, prohibition signs (the R series with red circles) often apply only along a stretch of road, not forever. The R-500 series marks the point where that stretch ends, so you know the rule has stopped and normal conditions return.

Think of them as the "off switch" for an earlier "on switch". If you passed a no-overtaking sign, an end-of-no-overtaking sign later tells you overtaking is allowed again, traffic and road conditions permitting. Without these signs you would not know how far a restriction reaches.

How do you know a restriction has ended?

There are three ways a Spanish restriction can end, and only one of them is a dedicated end sign. Knowing all three helps you avoid guessing on the exam and on the road.

• An end-of-restriction sign. A grey R-500 series sign cancels the rule directly. This is the clearest signal.
• The next junction. Many prohibitions apply until the next intersection. Once you cross it, the rule generally no longer applies unless it is repeated.
• A distance or length panel. A white rectangular panel under the original sign can state how long the restriction lasts, for example "500 m". When that distance is covered, the rule ends.

So a restriction can end with a sign, a junction, or a stated distance. If none of these has happened, assume the rule still applies. For the signs that start these rules, see our guide to Spanish prohibition signs explained.

Why do these signs look grey and crossed out?

The grey crossed-out look is the whole point. A prohibition sign uses a bright red ring to grab your attention and impose a rule. When the rule ends, the sign drops the red, turns grey or muted, and draws a diagonal band across the old symbol. The crossed-out symbol means "this rule no longer applies".

This design is consistent across the series, so once you recognise the pattern you can read any end-of-restriction sign at a glance. If you see the familiar shape of a limit or a no-overtaking symbol but it is grey and struck through, you are looking at the end of that rule, not the start of it. That single detail, grey with a diagonal line, is the most common thing English speakers miss.

The four end-of-restriction signs (R-500 to R-503)

These four signs are the ones you should know for the R-500 series. Each cancels a specific earlier prohibition.

R-500 is the broadest: it clears all restrictions at once, which is handy at the end of a roadworks zone. The other three are targeted, each cancelling just one type of rule. R-501 pairs with a speed limit sign, and you can read more about those in our Spanish speed limit signs guide.

How are these tested on the DGT exam?

End-of-restriction signs show up regularly in DGT theory questions, often to test whether you can tell a "start" sign from an "end" sign. A common trap shows a grey crossed-out symbol and asks what you may now do. The answer is usually that the earlier rule has ended.

Another frequent question checks whether R-500 cancels every restriction or only one. Remember: R-500 ends all prohibitions, while R-501, R-502 and R-503 each end just one. Practise these alongside the wider sign families in our Spanish road signs in English guide, or drill signs by topic on the practice topics page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between R-500 and R-501?

R-500 ends all prohibitions at once, so every restriction up to that point is lifted. R-501 ends only the speed limit and leaves any other rules in place. Read the symbol carefully: one clears everything, the other clears just the speed.

Does a no-overtaking ban end at the next town automatically?

Not automatically. A no-overtaking ban ends when you reach an R-502 sign, cross the junction it applies to, or pass the distance shown on a panel below the sign. If none of those has happened, assume the ban still applies.

Why is the sign grey instead of red?

Red signals an active prohibition. Grey with a diagonal band across the symbol signals that the prohibition has ended. The colour change is deliberate, so you can tell instantly whether a rule is starting or stopping.

Does R-503 apply to my car?

No. R-503 ends the no-overtaking rule that applied specifically to trucks and heavy goods vehicles. If you drive a car, the truck overtaking ban did not apply to you in the first place, so this sign mainly matters to lorry drivers.

Sources

• DGT, catalogo oficial de senales.
• Reglamento General de Circulacion (Real Decreto 1428/2003).

Last updated: August 2026.