Mandatory signsColombia
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Mandatory signs
Information signsMandatory signs
A mandatory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what they must do. Instead of prohibiting actions, these signs impose obligations such as following a specific direction, using a particular lane, or keeping a minimum speed. Their purpose is to guide traffic safely and efficiently by ensuring that all road users follow the same required behaviour in places where it is necessary for order and safety.
How are compulsory instructions shown in Colombia?
Regulatory signs also communicate obligations and authorised movements; required directions are not optional route suggestions.
What does a mandatory-direction sign require in Colombia?
Where a compulsory-direction sign is installed in Colombia, follow only the arrow direction or permitted combination of directions. The restriction applies at the location or movement it regulates; it is not an instruction to ignore other traffic controls.
Does a mandatory-direction sign give me priority over pedestrians in Colombia?
No. It tells you which way to move, not who goes first. Check traffic lights, other priority signs, pedestrians and cyclists, and give way when required before completing the manoeuvre.
1. Turning left mandatory
This traffic sign indicates that turning left is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn left and may not continue straight ahead or turn right.
English • Traffic sign SR-05 • Left turn only. Turning left is the only permitted movement in the indicated lane or lanes.
Español • SR-05 • Giro a la izquierda solamente. Indica que el único movimiento permitido en el carril o los carriles señalizados es girar a la izquierda.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 88
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
2. Turning right mandatory
This traffic sign indicates that turning right is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn right and may not continue straight ahead or turn left.
English • Traffic sign SR-07 • Right turn only. Turning right is the only permitted movement in the indicated lane or lanes.
Español • SR-07 • Giro a la derecha solamente. Indica que el único movimiento permitido en el carril o los carriles señalizados es girar a la derecha.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 89
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
3. Pass obstacle on the left
This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the left. Keep to the left of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.
English • Traffic sign SR-45 • Pass the traffic divider on the left. Continue to the left of the divider, island or other channelising feature.
Español • SR-45 • Indicación de separador de tránsito a la izquierda. Obliga a continuar por el lado izquierdo del separador, isla u otro elemento que canaliza el tránsito.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 93
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
4. Pass obstacle on the right
This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the right. Keep to the right of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.
English • Traffic sign SR-46 • Pass the traffic divider on the right. Continue to the right of the divider, island or other channelising feature.
Español • SR-46 • Indicación de separador de tránsito a la derecha. Obliga a continuar por el lado derecho del separador, isla u otro elemento que canaliza el tránsito.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 93
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-09-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
5. Driving straight ahead mandatory
This traffic sign indicates that driving straight ahead is mandatory. Traffic must continue straight ahead and may not turn left or right at the location to which the sign applies.
English • Traffic sign SR-03 • Compulsory direction — straight ahead. Continue straight ahead as shown by the arrow.
Español • SR-03 • Dirección obligada o siga de frente. Obliga a continuar de frente, en la dirección indicada por la flecha.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 88
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.
6. Mandatory path for cyclists
This traffic sign indicates a mandatory path for cyclists. Cyclists must use the designated path where the sign applies. Other road users may use the path only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.
English • Traffic sign SRC-06 • Cycle infrastructure. The facility is exclusively for cyclists.
Español • SRC-06 • Ciclo-infraestructura. Indica que la infraestructura es de uso exclusivo para la circulación de ciclistas.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 547
SVG source: Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-28. Wikimedia original unmodified.
