A traffic sign recognition method analyzes and classifies image data of a sensor in an information processing unit. The image data is analyzed to select an image portion judged to contain a traffic sign of a particular sign class. A class-specific feature is identified in the image portion. A modified image portion is created, in which the class-specific feature has been shifted to a center of the modified image portion. Then the modified image portion is evaluated by a learning-based algorithm to recognize the traffic sign of the particular sign class.