Road Markings

Road markings are intended to regulate traffic and to warn and guide road users, and may be supplemented by other means of signalling. Road markings may be made using paint, curbs, pavement rows, metal elements or other materials fixed to the pavement. Road markings are always white, with the exception of markings M12, M12a, M13, M13a, M14, M14a, M17b, M18 and M21. Outside built-up areas, road markings must be retroreflective. Longitudinal markings are lines placed on the roadway, separating directions or traffic lanes. In the vicinity of places that present a particular danger to traffic, namely speed bumps, intersections, junctions and places with reduced visibility, two adjacent continuous lines may exceptionally be used, which have the same meaning as marking M1. The transversal markings are placed in the direction of the width of the roadway and may be supplemented by symbols or inscriptions. Markings M12 to M14 may be used to regulate parking and stopping. Markings M17 to M21 may be used to provide certain instructions or repeat those already given by other means of signalling.

	M1 - Continuous line It means for the driver a prohibition to step on or cross it, as well as the duty to drive on his right when it separates traffic directions.
	M2 - Discontinuous line It means for the driver the duty to remain in the traffic lane that it demarcates, and can only be stepped on or crossed to perform maneuvers.
	M3 - Mixed line, consisting of a continuous line adjacent to a discontinuous line It has the meaning for the driver referred to in M1 or M2, depending on whether the line closest to him is continuous or discontinuous.
	M4 - Discontinuous Warning Line It consists of lines of normal width with short intervals, with the same meaning as the M2 mark, and indicates the approach of a continuous or narrow passing line.
	M5 - Reversible Direction Lines They are demarcation lines of traffic lanes with a reversible direction, consisting of two adjacent discontinuous lines, and are intended to delimit, on both sides, the traffic lanes in which the direction of traffic can be changed by means of other means of signaling.
	M6 - Discontinuous slowdown or acceleration line It consists of broad strokes, with the same meaning as the M2 mark, and demarcates a traffic lane in which a different speed is practised.
	M6a - Discontinuous slowdown or acceleration line It consists of broad strokes, with the same meaning as the M2 mark, and demarcates a traffic lane in which a different speed is practised.
	M6b - Discontinuous crisscross line It consists of broad strokes, with the same meaning as the M2 mark and delimits a traffic lane in which a different speed is practised.
	M7 - Continuous Lines It consists of wide, continuous lines, delimiting a traffic lane and with the same meaning as the M1 and M2 marks, respectively, this mark is intended to identify that traffic lane as a circulation corridor reserved for regular public passenger transport vehicles, A-shaped or metered square cars, priority and police vehicles, and must be complemented by the inscription 'BUS', affixed at the beginning of the corridor and repeated immediately after intersections or junctions.
	M7a - Discontinuous Line It consists of wide, discontinuous lines, delimiting a traffic lane and with the same meaning as the M1 and M2 marks, respectively, this mark is intended to identify that traffic lane as a circulation corridor reserved for regular public passenger transport vehicles, A-litre or taximeter cars, priority and police vehicles, and must be complemented by the inscription 'BUS', affixed at the beginning of the corridor and repeated immediately after intersections or junctions.
	M8 - Stop line It consists of a continuous transverse line and indicates the place of mandatory stop, imposed by another means of signage, this line may be reinforced by the inscription "STOP" on the pavement when the stop is imposed by vertical signage.
	M8a - STOP stop line It consists of a continuous transverse line and indicates the place of mandatory stop, imposed by another means of signage, this line may be reinforced by the inscription "STOP" on the pavement when the stop is imposed by vertical signage.
	M9 - Through-pass line It consists of a discontinuous transverse line and indicates the place of the possible stop, when the vertical signs require the driver to give way, this line can be reinforced by the mark on the pavement of the symbol consisting of a triangle with the base parallel to it.
	M9a - Giving way line with triangular symbol It consists of a discontinuous transverse line and indicates the place of any stop, when the vertical signs require the driver to give way, this line can be reinforced by the mark on the pavement of the symbol consisting of a triangle with the base parallel to it.
	M10 - Bicycle Passage It consists of a discontinuous transverse line, accompanied by the M1 line, with the same meaning as this one, and indicates a place specially intended for the passage of bicycles.
	M11 - Pedestrian crossing It consists of discontinuous transverse bands, indicating a place specially intended for the passage of pedestrians.
	M12 - Direction Arrows These are arrows marked on the ground indicating the directions permitted to drivers.
	M12a - Direction arrow to mandatory direction These are arrows marked on the ground indicating the directions permitted to drivers.
	M13 - Discontinuous line near the lane boundary It indicates that parking on that side of the carriageway and along the entire length of that line is prohibited, the prohibition imposed may also be limited in time or to a certain type of vehicle, in accordance with the indications contained in vertical signs.
	M13a - Discontinuous line over the edge of the sidewalk It indicates that parking on that side of the carriageway and along the entire length of that line is prohibited, the prohibition imposed may also be limited in time or to a certain type of vehicle, in accordance with the indications contained in vertical signs.
	M14a - Stopping and parking for loading and unloading It indicates the prohibition of stopping and parking in the area demarcated by the continuous lines, except for loading and unloading.
	M14b - Parking space demarcation lines They indicate that the vehicle must be parked within the area demarcated by continuous or discontinuous, parallel, perpendicular or oblique lines to the axis of the carriageway, defining areas in the shape of a rectangle or parallelogram.
	M15 - Selection arrows Used to indicate the direction of traffic near crossroads or junctions and, when placed in traffic lanes marked by continuous lines, signify the obligation to follow the direction or one of the directions indicated by the arrow. This arrow may be preceded by another arrow with the same configuration and with a warning function, which may contain the indication of a dead-end lane.
	M15a - Selection arrows They are used to guide the directions of traffic in the vicinity of intersections or junctions and mean, when placed on traffic lanes delimited by continuous lines, the obligation to follow the direction or one of the directions indicated by it; These arrows can be preceded by others with the same configuration and with a pre-warning function, which may contain the indication of a dead end.
	M15b - Selection arrows They are used to guide the directions of traffic in the vicinity of intersections or junctions and mean, when placed on traffic lanes delimited by continuous lines, the obligation to follow the direction or one of the directions indicated by it; These arrows can be preceded by others with the same configuration and with a pre-warning function, which may contain the indication of a dead end.
	M16 - Deviation arrows They are oblique to the axis of the road and repeated, indicating the convenience of moving to the traffic lane that it indicates, or even the obligation to do so as a result of other signaling.
	M16a - Deviation arrows They are oblique to the axis of the road and repeated, indicating the convenience of moving to the traffic lane that it indicates, or even the obligation to do so as a result of other signaling.
	M17 - Oblique lane bounded by a continuous line They mean a prohibition to enter the area covered by it. When delimited by a discontinuous line, they mean a prohibition to park and enter the area covered by it, except for the performance of maneuvers that manifestly do not present a danger.
	M18 - Alternating stripes of yellow and black colors They indicate the presence of obstacles or constructions that may constitute danger.
	M19 - Guides They are used to demarcate the lane more visibly and can be used near the edges of the lane.
	M20 - Color strips They warn of the need to practice lower speeds in certain places, consisting of a sequence of pairs of continuous transverse lines with degressive spacing.
	M21 - Security Marks They recommend the safety distance to be observed for the distance from the previous vehicle, they are equidistant yellow marks represented in the shape of a V with the vertex pointed in the direction of travel. Inscriptions on the pavement may be used to convey useful information to users, completing the vertical signage; The characters and symbols used in these inscriptions must be lengthened so that they are easily readable by the drivers for whom they are intended.