Traffic signsUnited 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

51. What does this traffic sign mean?

Turning left mandatory.

✓ Turning right prohibited.

Turning left prohibited.

Warning for a curve to the right.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

✓ Turning around prohibited (U-turn).

Turning around mandatory (U-turn).

Entry prohibited.

Turning left prohibited.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Start of a minimum speed.

Start of an advisory speed limit.

✓ Start of a speed limit.

Start of a residential area.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

✓ End of the speed limit.

Cars prohibited.

End of the built-up area.

End of the residential area.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Parking and stopping prohibited.

Parking allowed.

Road with one-way traffic.

✓ 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Passing left mandatory.

Turning right mandatory.

✓ Turning left mandatory.

Turning left prohibited.

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is mandatory at the intersection 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

✓ Turning right mandatory.

Turning right prohibited.

Turning left mandatory.

Passing right mandatory.

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is mandatory at the intersection 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Passing left prohibited.

Turning left mandatory.

Turning left prohibited.

✓ 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 pavement 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

✓ Pass obstacle on the right.

Turning right mandatory.

Passing left mandatory.

Passing right prohibited.

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 pavement 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Entry prohibited.

Start of a priority road.

Passing prohibited.

✓ 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Trucks prohibited.

✓ Mandatory lane for trucks.

End of mandatory truck lane.

Start of a freeway.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Start of a speed limit.

Vehicles longer than indicated prohibited.

✓ Start of a minimum speed.

Start of an advisory speed limit.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Crossing for bicyclists.

Bicyclists prohibited.

✓ Lane for bicyclists.

Mandatory path for bicyclists.

This traffic sign indicates a lane for bicyclists. The lane is designated for bicycle traffic, subject to the applicable pavement 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

End of the advisory speed limit.

Mandatory minimum speed.

✓ Advisory speed limit.

National speed limits.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Warning for a curve to the right.

✓ Road with one-way traffic.

Turning right mandatory.

No entry.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Intersection layout, directions and destinations.

Information about the directions of the roundabout.

✓ Information about the next exit.

Ramp destination.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Crossing bus lane.

Buses prohibited.

Bus stop.

✓ 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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Road open (with restrictions).

Access prohibited.

✓ The road is closed.

Detour.

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. What does this traffic sign mean?

Parking and stopping prohibited.

Start of a parking zone.

Parking only allowed if you pay.

✓ 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.