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 real 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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