Mandatory signsPeru

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Peru. 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 Peru?

Regulatory signs also impose obligations. Read the particular command, not just the broad category label.

🔗 sat.gob.pe • Peru National Traffic Regulations — Articles 33–38, 82–90, 160–167 and 176–215, actual controls, safe speed, priority and parking

🔗 cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC — Manual de Dispositivos de Control de Tránsito Automotor, approved by RD 26-2024-MTC/18, relevant signs and chapters

What does a mandatory-direction sign require in Peru?

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

🔗 sat.gob.pe • Peru National Traffic Regulations — Articles 33–38, 82–90, 160–167 and 176–215, actual controls, safe speed, priority and parking

🔗 cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC — Manual de Dispositivos de Control de Tránsito Automotor, approved by RD 26-2024-MTC/18, relevant signs and chapters

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

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.

🔗 sat.gob.pe • Peru National Traffic Regulations — Articles 33–38, 82–90, 160–167 and 176–215, actual controls, safe speed, priority and parking

🔗 cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC — Manual de Dispositivos de Control de Tránsito Automotor, approved by RD 26-2024-MTC/18, relevant signs and chapters

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 R-5 • Left turn only. Turning left is the only permitted movement in the indicated lane or lanes.

Español • R-5 • Giro solamente a la izquierda. Indica que el único movimiento permitido en el carril o los carriles señalizados es girar a la izquierda.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 78 (impresa 74)

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Cdn.www.gob.pe • official published diagram R-5.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Source 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 R-7 • Right turn only. Turning right is the only permitted movement in the indicated lane or lanes.

Español • R-7 • Giro solamente a la derecha. Indica que el único movimiento permitido en el carril o los carriles señalizados es girar a la derecha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 79 (impresa 75)

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Cdn.www.gob.pe • official published diagram R-7.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. 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 • Traffic sign R-14 • Compulsory direction. Follow the arrow, to the right in this drawing.

Español • R-14 • Circulación obligatoria. Obliga a circular en el sentido indicado por la flecha, hacia la derecha en este dibujo.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 81 (impresa 77)

SVG source: Amateria1121 • Public domain • Original revision 2025-02-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. 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 R-3 • Compulsory direction — straight ahead. Continue straight ahead as shown by the arrow.

Español • R-3 • Dirección obligada: siga de frente. Obliga a continuar de frente, en la dirección indicada por la flecha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 77 (impresa 73)

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Original revision 2017-08-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Road with two-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates the start of two-way traffic. From this point, traffic may travel in both directions on the road. Be prepared for oncoming vehicles.

English • Traffic sign R-11 • Two-way traffic. The next section carries traffic in both directions without a central divider.

Español • R-11 • Circulación en ambos sentidos. Indica que el tramo siguiente tiene circulación en ambos sentidos y no dispone de separador central.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 80 (impresa 76)

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Cdn.www.gob.pe • official published diagram R-11.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Turning around mandatory (U-turn)

This traffic sign indicates that a U-turn is mandatory. Traffic must turn around in the direction indicated at the location to which the sign applies.

English • Traffic sign R-9 • U-turn. A U-turn is permitted at the indicated place or lane.

Español • R-9 • Giro en U. Indica que está permitido efectuar un giro en U en el lugar o carril señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 79 (impresa 75)

Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Republic of Panama • Public domain • Source revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. 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 R-42 • Cycleway. Marks a road exclusively for cycle traffic.

Español • R-42 • Ciclovía. Indica una vía exclusiva para el tránsito de ciclos: ciclovía.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 89 (impresa 85)

SVG source: Government of the Republic of Peru – Ministry of Transport and Communications • Public domain • Original revision 2026-10-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Mandatory lane for buses

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for buses. Buses must use the designated lane where the sign applies. Other road users may use the lane only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • Traffic sign R-34 • Buses only. Reserves the lane or road exclusively for buses.

Español • R-34 • Circulación solo de buses. Reserva el carril o la vía para la circulación exclusiva de buses.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 88 (impresa 84)

SVG source: Government of the Republic of Peru – Ministry of Transport and Communications • Public domain • Original revision 2024-03-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. Parking permitted

This traffic sign indicates that parking is permitted. Vehicles may park in the area covered by the sign, subject to any conditions shown on supplementary signs or road markings.

English • Traffic sign R-26 • Parking permitted. Observe the conditions. In this example parking is limited to one hour between 9:00 and 19:00.

Español • R-26 • Permitido estacionar. Permite estacionar bajo las condiciones indicadas. En este ejemplo, el estacionamiento se limita a una hora entre las 9:00 y las 19:00.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Cdn.www.gob.pe • MTC: Manual 2024, página PDF 84 (impresa 80)

SVG source: Government of the Republic of Peru – Ministry of Transport and Communications • Public domain • Original revision 2025-02-11. Wikimedia original unmodified.