Road Signs and Meanings (US Traffic Signs List) (2024)

Road signs and pavement markings are placed on roadways and highways to regulate, warn and inform drivers. They tell road users about traffic rules and possible hazards, give information about directions and distances, and tell drivers where certain services are located. Road signs are divided into three main categories: regulatory signs, warning signs, and guide signs. Most traffic signs within each category have a special shape and color. The shape and color of a sign help drivers know what the intention of the sign is, and communicate important information about the sign's message.

Traffic signs must be obeyed. A thorough knowledge of road signs is necessary for all drivers, and you must be able to recognize these signs without hesitation. Use the traffic signs list below to learn more about road signs and their meanings. When you are ready, take our road signs test and see how you do.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must do, or must not do, according to the law. They give information about rules for traffic direction, speed, lane use, stopping, yielding, turning, parking, and other special situations. Drivers must obey the instructions on regulatory signs. If they don’t, they are breaking the law, and could be fined and receive points on their driving record. Drivers who disobey the messages on regulatory signs also risk their safety and the safety of others.
Regulatory signs are typically white, red, or black with black, white or red letters or symbols. They are usually square or rectangular, but some have a special shape. Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol. These signs prohibit certain actions, and the symbol inside the circle tells drivers what is prohibited.

Center Turn Lane SignDivided Highway SignDo Not Enter SignDo Not Pass SignFour Way Stop SignKeep Right SignLane Use Control SignsLeft Turn Only SignMinimum Speed Limit SignNo Left Turn On Red SignNo Left Turn SignNo Parking SignNo Pedestrian Crossing SignNo Right Turn On Red SignNo Right Turn SignNo Turn On Red SignNo Turns SignNo U-Turn SignOne Way SignPass With Care SignRestricted Lane Ahead SignRight Turn Only SignRight Turn Signal SignRoad Closed SignSlower Traffic Keep Right SignSpeed Limit SignStop SignTurn Left or Right SignWrong Way SignYield Sign

Warning Signs

Warning signs alert road users to changes in roadway conditions or possible hazards ahead. These signs are posted before the condition, so drivers have time to slow down, see what is ahead and decide how they should respond. Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped, with black symbols or words on a yellow background.

Bicycle Crossing SignBump SignChevron SignCross Road SignDeer Crossing SignDIP SignDivided Highway Ahead SignDivided Highway Ends SignDouble Curve SignHill / Downgrade SignLane Ends SignLeft Curve SignLoose Gravel SignLow Clearance SignMerging Traffic SignNarrow Bridge SignNo Passing Zone SignPavement Ends SignPedestrian Crossing SignRailroad Crossing SignRight Curve SignRoundabout SignSchool Crossing SignSchool Zone SignSharp Left Turn SignSharp Right Turn SignSharp Turns (Left-Right) SignSharp Turns (Right-Left) SignSide Road SignSlippery Road SignSoft Shoulder SignT Intersection SignTraffic Signal Ahead SignTwo-Way Traffic SignWinding Road SignY Intersection Sign

Construction Signs / Work Zone Signs

Work zone signs are normally diamond-shaped, with black letters or symbols on an orange background.
These signs identify construction, maintenance, utility or emergency operations areas, and warn drivers that workers or equipment may be on or near the roadway. These warnings include workers ahead, reduced speed, suddenly changing road surfaces, lane closures, detours and slow moving construction equipment. In work zones, traffic may be controlled by a person with a flag or stop/slow paddles. Flaggers have the same authority as a regulatory sign, and drivers must obey their directions.

Flagger Ahead SignRoad Work Ahead SignWorkers Sign

Guide Signs

Most guide signs are horizontal rectangles, with white letters and numbers on a green background. Guide signs direct motorists to cities and towns by telling them where they are, what road they are on and how to get where they want to go. These signs give information about directions, distances, proper exits etc. On highways and expressways, one advance guide sign is usually followed by another advance sign, with the third sign posted at the exit.

Airport SignCounty Route MarkerExit Only Highway SignHighway Guide SignInterstate Route MarkerMile Markers

Service Signs

Service signs are square or rectangular, with white letters or symbols on a blue background. These signs direct drivers towards service facilities such as hospitals, rest areas, gas stations, restaurants and motels.

Diesel SignFood SignGas Station SignHospital Sign

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Road Signs and Meanings (US Traffic Signs List) (2024)

FAQs

What are the road signs and their meaning? ›

Road Sign Color Meanings

Red: Red generally means stop. The use of red on signs is limited to stop, yield, and prohibition signs. White: A white background indicates a regulatory sign. Yellow: Yellow conveys a general caution message. Green: Green shows permitted traffic movements or directional guidance.

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How to memorize street signs? ›

Learn the road sign “code”

Another good way to remember what street signs mean is to learn the “universal language” of these signs. This way, if you encounter a specific sign you don't remember, you can piece together what it means based on its color and shape (two factors that distinguish road signs from one another).

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What do the traffic signs and signals mean? ›

A white background indicates a regulatory sign; yellow conveys a general warning message; green shows permitted traffic movements or directional guidance; fluo- rescent yellow/green indicates pedestrian crossings and school zones; orange is used for warning and guidance in roadway work zones; coral is used for incident ...

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What do the different traffic signals mean? ›

Red – Stop, do not proceed. Red and Amber – Get ready to proceed, but do not proceed yet. Green – Proceed if the intersection or crossing is clear; vehicles are not allowed to block the intersection or crossing. Amber – Stop, unless it is unsafe to do so.

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What Colour road signs mean what? ›

Red signs offer a warning of some kind, similar to the warning a triangular sign gives. Blue signs give you some kind of instruction, whether it's to do with changing your speed or making you choose a junction on a motorway. Green signs are to give directions and are there purely for information.