Support us

Mandatory directionUnited States

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United States. 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
United States

24. Mandatory direction

A mandatory-direction sign requires drivers to travel only in the direction or one of the directions indicated by its arrow or arrows. It may require traffic to continue straight ahead, turn, or pass an obstacle on a specified side.

The sign does not itself determine priority or speed. Drivers must still use the appropriate lane, signal when required and give way according to local traffic signs and regulations.

Mandatory direction
Mandatory pass on the right, keep right (Maryland, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Andrew Bossi • CC BY-SA
What does a mandatory-direction or ONLY lane sign mean in the United States?

US regulatory signs such as the mandatory movement lane-control signs direct drivers in the indicated lane to make the movement shown. These can be rectangular signs with an arrow and the word ONLY; they are not necessarily European blue circles.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

Can I choose another turn if the mandatory-direction arrow is inconvenient in United States?

No, unless another applicable sign, lane instruction or authorised traffic direction lawfully permits it. Plan a permitted alternative route; do not make an abrupt or prohibited turn to reach your destination.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

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

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.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

Are lane arrows and compulsory-direction signs always identical in United States?

Not necessarily. A lane-use arrow can govern a particular lane, while a regulatory turn or direction sign can govern the approach or indicated manoeuvre. Read both together and comply with the active control.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

1 United States 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Pedestrian crossing 23 Railway crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Roadworks 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic lights 40 Traffic lights warning 41 Pedestrian lights 42 Road markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driving licence 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Reversing 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled crossroad 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horse riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 Licence plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Cyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median strip 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Filling station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...