U.S. Road Signs and Their Meanings — Complete Guide
Learn the 74 most common US road signs and exactly what each one means — grouped by type (regulatory, warning, school and guide). Signs follow the national MUTCD standard, so they're the same in every state. Study them here, then practice handbook-based questions for your state's DMV test, free.
Regulatory signs (26)
Practice these →Tell you what you must or must not do — they have the force of law (stop, yield, speed limit, no turns, no parking).
Stop(R1-1)
Come to a complete stop; proceed only when it is safe.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Yield(R1-2)
Slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians; stop if necessary.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Yield Here to Pedestrians(R1-5L)
Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk at the marked location.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Yield to Pedestrians (In-Street)(R1-6)
State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Speed Limit(R2-1)
Do not drive faster than the posted speed limit.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Left Turn(R3-2)
Left turns are prohibited at this location.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No U-Turn(R3-4)
U-turns are prohibited at this location.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Right Turn Only(R3-5R)
Traffic in this lane must turn right.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Do Not Pass(R4-1)
Passing other vehicles is prohibited along this stretch of road.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Pass With Care(R4-2)
You may pass other vehicles here when it is safe — this marks the end of a no-passing zone.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Slower Traffic Keep Right(R4-3)
Slower-moving vehicles must keep to the right lane so that faster traffic can pass on the left.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Begin Right Turn Lane / Yield to Bikes(R4-4)
Motorists turning right must yield to bicyclists in the bike lane.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Keep Right(R4-7)
Keep to the right of the median or obstruction ahead.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Do Not Enter(R5-1)
Do not enter the roadway in this direction.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Wrong Way(R5-1a)
You are traveling against traffic; turn around immediately.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Trucks(R5-2)
Trucks are prohibited from using this roadway.Meaning & when you'll see it →
One Way(R6-1)
Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Parking Any Time(R7-1)
Parking is prohibited here at all times.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Standing Any Time(R7-4)
You may not stop here to wait or to pick up or drop off passengers at any time; both standing and parking are prohibited.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Reserved Parking (Disabled)(R7-8)
This parking space is reserved for vehicles displaying a disability permit.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Stopping Any Time(R7-4a)
You may not stop here for any reason at any time — not even briefly to load, unload, or wait. It is the strictest stopping restriction.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Emergency Stopping Only(R8-7)
You may stop along this stretch of road only in an emergency; ordinary stopping, standing, or parking is not allowed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Stop Here on Red(R10-6)
Stop at this point when the traffic signal is red.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Turn on Red(R10-11)
Turning is prohibited while the traffic signal is red.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Road Closed(R11-2)
The road is closed to all traffic; do not proceed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Railroad Crossing (Crossbuck)(R15-1)
Yield at the railroad crossing; stop if a train is approaching.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Warning signs (43)
Practice these →Yellow diamonds that alert you to hazards or changes ahead so you can slow down and prepare.
Turn(W1-1)
A sharp turn in the road is ahead; slow down.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Curve(W1-2)
The road curves ahead; reduce speed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Reverse Turn(W1-3R)
A sharp turn one way then the other is ahead; slow down.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Winding Road(W1-5)
A series of curves is ahead; reduce speed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Cross Road(W2-1)
A four-way intersection is ahead; watch for cross traffic.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Side Road(W2-2)
A side road enters from the side ahead; watch for entering traffic.Meaning & when you'll see it →
T Intersection(W2-4)
The road ends ahead at a T intersection; prepare to turn.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Y Intersection(W2-5)
The road splits into a Y intersection ahead; choose your direction.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Stop Ahead(W3-1)
A stop sign is ahead; prepare to stop.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Yield Ahead(W3-2)
A yield sign is ahead; prepare to yield.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Signal Ahead(W3-3)
A traffic signal is ahead; be prepared to stop.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Ramp Meter Ahead(W3-7)
A ramp meter — a signal that releases vehicles onto the freeway one at a time — is ahead; be ready to stop and go on the entrance ramp.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Merge(W4-1)
Traffic merges from the side ahead; adjust speed and position.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Lane Ends (Merge)(W4-2)
A lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Added Lane(W4-3)
A lane is added ahead; merging is not required.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Road Narrows(W5-1)
The road ahead becomes narrower on both sides, leaving less room; slow down and watch for oncoming traffic.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Narrow Bridge(W5-2)
The bridge ahead is narrower than the road; proceed with caution.Meaning & when you'll see it →
One Lane Bridge(W5-3)
The bridge ahead is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so only one direction can cross at once.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Divided Highway Begins(W6-1)
The highway ahead is divided by a median; keep right.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Divided Highway Ends(W6-2)
The divided highway ends ahead and becomes a two-way road; keep right.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Two-Way Traffic(W6-3)
You are entering a two-way roadway; watch for oncoming traffic.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Hill(W7-1)
A steep downgrade is ahead; control your speed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Bump(W8-1)
There is a bump in the road ahead; slow down.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Dip(W8-2)
There is a dip in the road ahead; slow down.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Pavement Ends(W8-3)
The paved surface ends ahead and becomes a gravel or dirt road.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Soft Shoulder(W8-4)
The road shoulder is soft; stay on the pavement.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Slippery When Wet(W8-5)
The road is slippery when wet; slow down and drive carefully.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Loose Gravel(W8-7)
Loose gravel is on the road ahead; slow down.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Low Shoulder(W8-9)
The shoulder is lower than the pavement; stay on the roadway.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Rough Road(W8-8)
The road surface ahead is uneven or broken; slow down to keep control and avoid vehicle damage.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Grooved Pavement(W8-15)
The pavement ahead has been grooved or textured (often before resurfacing); the ride can be rougher, and motorcyclists should use extra caution.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Lane Ends(W9-1)
The right lane ends ahead; merge left.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Railroad Advance Warning(W10-1)
A railroad crossing is ahead; slow down and be prepared to stop.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Bicycle Crossing(W11-1)
Watch for bicyclists crossing or sharing the road ahead.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Pedestrian Crossing(W11-2)
Watch for pedestrians crossing the road ahead.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Deer Crossing(W11-3)
Watch for deer crossing the road ahead.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Cattle Crossing(W11-4)
Cattle or other livestock may be crossing or on the road ahead, often near farms or open range; slow down and be ready to stop.Meaning & when you'll see it →
People With Disabilities(W11-9)
Warns of an area where people who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility may be crossing or in the roadway; slow down and be ready to yield.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Truck Crossing(W11-10)
Watch for trucks crossing the roadway ahead.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Low Clearance(W12-2)
The overhead clearance ahead is limited; tall vehicles must not proceed.Meaning & when you'll see it →
No Passing Zone(W14-3)
Passing is prohibited beginning at this point.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Advisory Speed(W13-1P)
The safe speed for the condition ahead is the speed shown.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Exit/Ramp Advisory Speed(W13-2)
The safe speed for the exit ramp ahead is the speed shown.Meaning & when you'll see it →
School signs (3)
Practice these →Fluorescent yellow-green signs marking school zones and crossings — slow down and watch for children.
School Zone / Crossing(S1-1)
A school zone or crossing is ahead; slow down and watch for children.Meaning & when you'll see it →
School Bus Stop Ahead(S3-1)
A school bus stop is ahead; be prepared to stop for loading children.Meaning & when you'll see it →
School Speed Limit(S5-1)
Obey the reduced speed limit during the posted school hours.Meaning & when you'll see it →
Guide signs (1)
Practice these →Green or blue signs that give directions, distances, and services.
Other markers (1)
Practice these →Other standard markers you'll meet on the road.
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