Traffic signsUnited States
Traffic rules
United States
Priority signs
Warning signs
Prohibitory signs
Mandatory signs
Information signsTraffic signs
A traffic sign is a standardised visual symbol placed along roads to guide, warn, or regulate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. These signs provide essential information about road conditions, rules, directions, and potential hazards, helping to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. They come in various shapes and colours—such as triangular warning signs, circular prohibitory or mandatory signs, and rectangular information signs—each designed for quick recognition and clear understanding.
How are traffic signs grouped in the United States?
The MUTCD distinguishes regulatory, warning and guide signs. State traffic law supplies the corresponding driver obligations.
Is a temporary speed limit at roadworks binding in the United States?
Where an authorised temporary regulatory speed limit is in force, you must obey it. A roadworks warning alone should not be mistaken for a new numerical limit, but conditions may require driving more slowly.
51. Turning right prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that turning right is prohibited. A right turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • R3-1 • No right turn. Prohibits turning right at the indicated location.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
52. Turning around prohibited (U-turn)
This traffic sign indicates that turning around (making a U-turn) is prohibited. A U-turn may not be made where the prohibition applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.
English • R3-4 • No U-turn. Prohibits turning around in a U-turn at the indicated location.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
53. Start of a speed limit
This traffic sign indicates the start of a speed limit. The displayed value is the maximum permitted speed from this point. The limit remains in force until it ends or is replaced according to the applicable traffic signs and local rules.
English • R2-1 • Speed limit. Sets a maximum speed of 50 mph, as shown in the illustration. Drive more slowly when conditions require it.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page127
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2025-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.
54. End of the speed limit
This traffic sign indicates the end of the previously indicated speed limit. From this point, follow any newly posted limit or the applicable default speed rules for the road and vehicle category.
English • NYR2-11 • End of posted speed limit. Marks the end of the posted 35 mph limit. Follow the speed limit that applies beyond this point; it does not mean that no speed limit applies. New York design, documented as NYR2-11 in the state supplement.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Dot.ny.gov • NYSDOT: state supplement, SD-R1, page194
SVG source: No machine-readable author provided. Overpush~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2012-09-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
55. Parking prohibited
This traffic sign indicates that parking is prohibited. Vehicles may not be parked in the area covered by the sign unless an exception applies. Brief stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods may still be permitted where local rules allow it.
English • R8-3 • No parking. Prohibits parking in the indicated area. This sign alone is not a no-stopping instruction.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page165
SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2025-08-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.
56. 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 • R3-5L • Left turn only. Traffic in the indicated lane must turn left.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131
SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
57. 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 • R3-5R • Right turn only. Traffic in the indicated lane must turn right.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131
SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
58. 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 • R4-8b • Keep left. Pass to the left of the island or obstruction indicated by the sign.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page144
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2023-08-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
59. 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 • R4-7b • Keep right. Pass to the right of the island or obstruction indicated by the sign.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page144
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2023-08-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • official published diagram R4-7b.
60. 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 • R3-5a • Straight ahead only. Traffic in the indicated lane must continue straight ahead.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131
SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.
61. Mandatory lane for trucks
This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for trucks. Trucks 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 • R4-6 (legacy design) • Truck lane ahead. Indicates a truck lane beginning 500 feet ahead, as shown in the illustration. Follow the lane-use signs and markings at the lane. This is the legacy R4-6 design. It is documented in the earlier FHWA sign drawings and is not shown in the current MUTCD sign figures.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: earlier metric sign drawings, printed page1-66
SVG source: DelDot - State of Delaware • Public domain • Original revision 2012-09-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
62. Start of a minimum speed
This traffic sign indicates the start of a minimum speed. Road users covered by the sign must travel at or above the indicated speed when conditions allow. Driving more slowly may still be necessary because of traffic, weather, road conditions or another safety-related reason.
English • R2-4a • Minimum speed. Sets a minimum speed of 40 mph, as shown in the illustration, subject to safety requirements and applicable law.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page127
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD • Public domain • Source revision 2013-01-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.
63. Lane for cyclists
This traffic sign indicates a lane for cyclists. The lane is designated for bicycle traffic, subject to the applicable road markings, traffic signs and local rules.
English • R3-17 • Bike lane. Identifies a lane designated for bicycle traffic. Other road users must respect the lane's restrictions.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page1093
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2023-07-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
64. Advisory speed limit
This traffic sign indicates an advisory speed. The displayed value recommends an appropriate speed for the road or conditions ahead. Its legal effect depends on the applicable local rules.
English • W13-1P • Advisory speed. Indicates an advisory speed of 35 mph for the condition indicated by the accompanying warning sign. It is an advisory plaque, not a separate maximum-speed-limit sign.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page194
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration • Public domain • Original revision 2012-09-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.
65. Road with one-way traffic
This traffic sign indicates a road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the permitted direction.
English • R6-2 • One way to the right. Indicates that traffic on the road travels only in the direction of the arrow, here to the right.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page150
SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2024-06-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
66. Information about the next exit
This traffic sign gives information about the next exit. It may show the exit number, destination, direction or distance to the exit.
English • E5-1a + W13-1aP • Exit with advisory speed. Identifies Exit 23 B to the right. The yellow plaque gives an advisory exit speed of 30 mph.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page360
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD Revision1, section2C.59, confirmation advisory speed
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD • Public domain • Source revision 2022-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
67. Lane for buses
This traffic sign indicates a lane for buses. The lane is intended for buses and any other road users permitted by the applicable signs or local rules.
English • R3-11d • Right lane, buses only. Reserves the right lane for buses from 6 am to 9 am, Monday to Friday, as shown in the illustration. Follow other lane-use signs outside those hours.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page451
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
DelDot - State of Delaware • Public domain • Source revision 2023-07-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
68. The road is closed
This traffic sign indicates that the road is closed. Traffic covered by the closure may not continue beyond the indicated point. Follow any signs showing permitted access or an alternative route.
English • R11-2 • Road closed. Indicates that the road is closed to traffic at this point. Follow the signed alternative route.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page178
SVG source: Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • official published diagram R11-2.
69. Parking allowed
This traffic sign indicates that parking is allowed. Vehicles may be parked in the area covered by the sign subject to any indicated conditions, restrictions or local parking rules.
English • R7-23 (2009 design) • Parking permitted during stated hours. Permits parking from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in the area indicated by the arrows. Check other signs for conditions or restrictions outside those hours. This is the parking-permitted design documented as R7-23 in the 2009 MUTCD. It is not shown in the current manual; this caption identifies the older design.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: 2009 MUTCD, Figure2B-24, sheet1
SVG source: Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD • Public domain • Original revision 2012-09-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
