Mandatory signsIndia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of India. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Mandatory 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 India?

Mandatory/regulatory signs also prescribe required actions. Follow a compulsory direction rather than treating it as route advice.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

What does a mandatory-direction sign require in India?

Where a compulsory-direction sign is installed in India, 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.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

Does a mandatory-direction sign give me priority over pedestrians in India?

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.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

1. Mandatory roundabout direction

This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.47a — family • Mini-roundabout. Follow the clockwise arrows and give priority to vehicles approaching from the right. The current mini-roundabout example includes a supplementary MINI ROUNDABOUT plate absent from this drawing. Meaning identified at sign-family or illustration level; this complete drawing is not confirmed as an exact current standard design.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nepali Department of Roads • Public domain • Source revision 2021-12-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.49 • Turn left ahead. You must turn left at the junction ahead.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page98

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.48 • Turn right ahead. You must turn right at the junction ahead.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page98

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.50 • Keep left. Pass to the left of the island or obstruction indicated.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page98

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Pass obstacle on either side

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on either the left or the right. Use either permitted side while following the road layout and any accompanying signs or markings.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.52 • Pass either side. You may pass to either side of the indicated island or obstruction.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page98

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.51 • Keep right. Pass to the right of the island or obstruction indicated.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page98

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. Mandatory left

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the left. Traffic must proceed to the left at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the right.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.47 • Compulsory turn left. Follow the leftward direction indicated.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against My.folderit.com • official published diagram 14.47.

8. Mandatory right

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the right. Traffic must proceed to the right at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the left.

English • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.46 • Compulsory turn right. Follow the rightward direction indicated.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against My.folderit.com • official published diagram 14.46.

9. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.43 • Ahead only. Continue straight ahead.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India
🔗 Morth.nic.in • Source • GODL-India)
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page97

SVG source: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India • GODL-India • Original revision 2023-06-29. Wikimedia original unmodified. Government data; Government Open Data License - India. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India, 2023, Compulsory ahead (ahead only), Wikimedia Commons, original SVG revision 2023-06-29, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Road_Sign_I-VI-1.svg. Source: Book on Road Safety Signage & Signs, https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/road_safety_books.pdf. Published under Government Open Data License - India: https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf. No government endorsement is implied.

Artwork verified against My.folderit.com • official published diagram 14.43.

10. 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 • IRC:67-2022 • Fig. 14.54 • Compulsory cycle track. Cyclists must use the indicated cycle track; other vehicles may not use it.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 My.folderit.com • IRC:67-2022 • primary-text mirror • PDF page99

SVG source: Indian Roads Congress • Public domain • Original revision 2025-03-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.