What do these road signs show?

Explanation

When the road surface is wet, a speed of 40 km/h is recommended.

This combination brings two things together: a recommended speed and a conditional plate limiting the recommendation's validity to a wet road surface. That is, when the asphalt is wet, 40 km/h is the speed the road suggests for that condition, not a ceiling whose breach carries a penalty. The difference between the two is created in the exam by a single word: if "maximum" is added to the sentence, the nature of the sign changes from a recommendation to a prohibition and the answer turns out wrong. A recommendation sign sets no legal ceiling and does not raise one either; the permitted ceiling for that stretch of road stands independently of this sign. Memorise the figure 40 together with the condition "wet surface".

A practical note: that same 40, if it appeared on a round sign with a red border, would be a compulsory ceiling. So before reading the figure, look at the shape of the sign.

• Adding the word "maximum" turns a recommendation sign into a binding restriction; such a sign does not set a legal ceiling.

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