In Italy, what does a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing right require?

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In Italy, a blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing right requires drivers to pass on the right.

This is a mandatory-direction sign, not simply a recommendation to turn right at the next junction. It is used to direct traffic around an island, obstruction, refuge, or other feature in the roadway. The instruction applies at the location of the sign and normally means that the vehicle must keep to the indicated side.

The distinction matters because a right-turn instruction and a pass-on-the-right instruction control different movements. A driver may be required to pass an obstruction on the right without turning into a separate road. Blue circular signs generally communicate mandatory actions in European sign systems, while blue rectangular signs more often provide information.

Road layouts and supplementary panels can add context, so drivers should follow the arrow while also watching lane markings, pedestrians, and other traffic. Similar mandatory-direction signs are used across many countries, although designs and exact legal effects can differ.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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