Regulatory[edit]
R1 Series: Stop and Yield[edit]
- Stop and Yield Signs
Yield here to pedestrians
Yield here to pedestrians
Yield here to pedestrians
Yield here to pedestrians
Stop here for pedestrians
Stop here for pedestrians
Yield to pedestrians,
New York City.
State law Yield for pedestrians in crosswalk.
State law stop for pedestrians in crosswalk.
DC law stop for pedestrians in crosswalk, Washington, DC.
State law stop for pedestrians in crosswalk, Maryland.
State law yield here to pedestrians
State law stop here for pedestrians
R2 Series: Speed Limit[edit]
- Speed Limit Signs
Metric truck speed limit sign
Metric night speed limit sign
Metric minimum speed limit sign
Combined Speed Limit sign
Unless Otherwise Posted sign
New York state speed limit sign
End speed limit: New York
Bridge speed limit: Minnesota
Begin higher/double fines
End work zone speed limit sign
R3 Series: Lane Usage and Turns[edit]
- Lane Usage and Turns Signs
No U-turns - left turn on green arrow (California)
Option sign for Left turn or Straight
Option sign for Right turn or Straight
Advanced Intersection control sign
Center lane control (Time)
Right lane must turn right sign
Left lane must turn left sign
No Left Turn Across Tracks
Bike lane, bikes only, New York City
Inherently low emission vehicles allowed
HOV 2+ only 2 or more persons per vehicle
Concurrent (Center) Left Turn Lane (ground)
Concurrent (Center) Left Turn Lane (overhead)
Advanced Intersection Lane control sign
Begin reverse lane 500 feet sign
End reverse lane 400 feet sign
R4 Series: Regulation of Movement[edit]
- Regulation of Movement Signs
Slower traffic keep right
Begin right turn lane yield to bikes
Keep right (narrow version)
Keep left (narrow version)
Cyclists may use full lane
Slow vehicles with 5 or more following vehicles must use turn-out
Slow vehicles must turn out ahead
Slow vehicles must turn out
Keep right except to pass
Keep right except to pass, Indiana
No passing on shoulder, Delaware
Trucks keep right except left turns sign
No trucks left lane except left turns sign
R5 Series: Exclusionary[edit]
- Exclusionary Signs
Bike Path, No Automobiles, New York City
No Pedestrian Crossing, Bicycles, or Motorcycles
No Pedestrians or Bicycles
R6 Series: One Way and Divided Highway[edit]
- One Way and Divided Highway
Transito (one way), Puerto Rico.
R7 Series: Parking[edit]
Permissive Parking[edit]
- Permissive Parking
Parking with time restrictions.
Parking with time restrictions, California.
Parking with time restrictions, New York City.
Parking with time and permit restrictions, Seattle.
Parking with time and permit restrictions, San Francisco.
2 hour parking all roads Town of Hempstead, New York State.
Parking with time restrictions, Maryland.
No Parking[edit]
No parking signs indicate that loading or unloading there while temporarily stopped is permitted, but parking is not.[1] Some no parking signs display time restrictions, while others are permanent restrictions. There are also temporary versions of the signs, often of similar design to the permanent ones. These signs are specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, although local variations do occur.
- No Parking
No parking with restrictions and localized, New York City
Don't even think of parking here, New York City
No parking tow zone, Chicago
No Standing[edit]
No standing signs indicate that stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers is allowed, while parking is not allowed.[1] As with no parking signs, some restrictions displayed on the signs are permanent and some are time based. The signs are also specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, but local variations exist.
- No Standing
No standing any time, New York State.
No standing any time, New York City.
No standing cars towed away, Baltimore.
No standing bus stop, Philadelphia.
No standing, bus stop with bus route, New York City.
No standing with time restrictions, Washington, DC.
No standing with time restrictions, New York City.
No Stopping[edit]
No stopping signs are typically red on white.
- No Stopping
No stopping any time, New York State.
No stopping any time, New York City.
No stopping any time, Philadelphia.
No stopping any time, California.
No stopping anytime tow away, San Francisco.
No stops tow away zone, Seattle.
No stopping with time restrictions, New York State.
No standing except delivery trucks time restricted, New York City.
R8 Series: Parking and Emergency Restrictions[edit]
The MUTCD's R8 series of signs is for parking restriction and emergency restriction signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Parking and Emergency Restrictions
No stopping except on shoulder.
R9 Series: Bicycles and Pedestrians[edit]
The MUTCD's R9 series of signs is for bicycle and pedestrian signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Signs
Walk on left facing traffic.
Cross only at cross walks.
Crosswalk signal instructions.
Bicycles left pedestrians right.
State law stop for stopped school bus, New York.
R10 Series: Traffic Signal[edit]
The MUTCD's R10 series of signs is for traffic signal related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Traffic Signal Signs
Turning vehicles yield to pedestrians.
Traffic signal photo enforced, Delaware.
Traffic signal photo enforced, California.
Red light photo violation fine sign, California
Stop here on red, Pennsylvania.
No turn on red arrow, Maryland.
Bicycles to request green wait on line.
R11 Series: Road Closed[edit]
R12 Series: Weight Limits[edit]
The MUTCD's R12 series of signs is for weight limit related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Weight Limits Signs
Weight Limit, Puerto Rico
Weight Limit with per axle and gross
Weight Limit with truck symbols
Weight Limit with truck symbols, Puerto Rico
R13 Series: Weight Stations[edit]
The MUTCD's R13 series of signs is for weight station related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
R14 Series: Truck Routes[edit]
Hazardous Material Route sign
Hazardous Material Prohibited sign
National Network Route sign
National Network Prohibited sign
R15 Series: Rail and Light Rail[edit]
The MUTCD's R15 series of signs is for rail and light rail related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Rail and Light Rail Signs
R16 Series: Seat Belts[edit]
The MUTCD's R16 series of signs is for seat belt related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
Fender bender crash area.
Other Local and State Series[edit]
The MUTCD does not cover all situations, so states and local governments have developed their own regulatory signs. In these, the sign categories are assigned series either using the MUTCD style, but higher than 16 (as done in Texas), or use a unique series nomenclature system (as done in California).
- Other Local and State Series Signs
Obey warning signs state law, Texas.
Don't block the box, New York City.
State law stop for stopped school bus, New York.
Speed enforced by aircraft sign, California.
Schools[edit]
The S series of signs is specially designated by the MUTCD for use around schools. Some states have additional school warning related signs in the S series, as well as in the W series of warning signs and/or the R series of regulatory signs of the state supplement or state MUTCD. The MUTCD as of 2009 requires school warning signs to have fluorescent yellow-green background color.
- Schools
School (also used for pedestrian crosswalk near schools) since 1998
Stop when children in crosswalk (Arizona)
When Children are present (plaque)
School Speed zone ahead (word legend)
School zone speed limit sign, Arizona
Day(s) of the week (plaque)
School speed limit when flashing
End school zone (usually under an R2 speed limit sign)
School bus stop ahead (since 2009)
School bus turn ahead, Ohio
Warning[edit]
Warning signs are found in the W series of the national MUTCD. They highlight existing conditions, such as a curve, school, dead end street, or traffic signal. They can also warn possible danger such as bumps, bicycles, low flying aircraft or emergency vehicles. These signs are either yellow or fluorescent yellow in color and with the exception of a few signs are usually diamond shaped and sometimes have square or rectangular smaller signs or plaques associated with them. Most W series signs can also be found in with orange backgrounds, for temporary use in situations such as construction zones. Some of the temporary use signs are only for use in temporary situations.
W1/2 Series: Turns, Curves, Intersections[edit]
The MUTCD's W1/2 series of signs is for warning signs relating to curves, turns and intersections. As not all situations are covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Turns, Curves and Intersection
Reverse turns, first to the left
Reverse turns, first to the right
Reverse curves, first to the left
Reverse curves, first to the right
Winding road to the right
Winding levee road, California
Side road junction on a curve to the left
Side road junction on a curve to the right
Horizontal alignment/intersection on a curve to the left
Horizontal alignment/intersection on a curve to the right
Hairpin curve to the left
Hairpin curve to the right
Truck rollover warning to the left
Truck rollover warning to the right
Trucks rollover warning with speed advisory, Maryland
270 degree loop to the left
270 degree loop to the right
One direction large arrow to the left.
One direction large arrow to the right
Two direction large arrow
Chevron alignment to the left
Chevron alignment to the right
Side road at a perpendicular angle to the left
Side road at a perpendicular angle to the right
Side road at an acute angle to the left
Side road at an acute angle to the right
Offset roads first to the left
Offset roads first to the right
Offset roads, New York and Maryland
Double side roads to the left
Double side roads to the right
Circular intersection warning (traffic circle or roundabout)
Traffic circle, alternate
W3 Series: Advance Traffic Control[edit]
The MUTCD's W3 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.
- Advance Traffic Control
Yield ahead (since 1971).
Traffic signal ahead (since 1961).
HAWK beacon ahead, Delaware.
New signal ahead, Michigan.
Ramp metered when flashing
W4 Series: Lanes and Merges[edit]
The MUTCD's W4 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Lanes and Merges
Left lane ends or road narrows.
Right lane ends or road narrows.
Entering merge to the left.
Entering merge to the right.
Entering added lane to the left.
Entering added lane to the right.
Thru traffic merge left, California.
One lane road or road narrows, New York State.
Single lane, New York State.
Lane drop ahead, Massachusetts
W5 Series: Road Width Restrictions[edit]
- Road Width Restrictions
Road Narrows, current MUTCD version
Narrow Bridge, current MUTCD version
Narrow Bridge, superseded, but still used in some states
Ramp Narrows, current MUTCD version
Path Narrows, current MUTCD version
Narrow winding road, Forest Service USDA
W6/7 Series: Divided Highways and Hills[edit]
The MUTCD's W6/7 series of signs is for warning signs relating to divided highways, hills, and grades. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.
- Divided Highways and Hills
Divided highway begins (symbol)
Divided highway ends (symbol)
Divided highway ends (word legend)
Divided road ends (word legend)
Steep grade/hill percentage
Trucks use lower gear (plaque)
Next (distance) miles (plaque)
9% grade (distance) miles (plaque)
Runaway truck ramp (advance)
Runaway truck ramp (exit)
Steep grade percentage sign, Idaho
Watch downhill speed, California
W8 Series: Pavement and Roadway Conditions[edit]
The MUTCD's W8 series of signs is for warning signs relating to pavement and roadway conditions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Pavement and Roadway Conditions
Bumps, Minnesota and North Dakota.
Rumble strips, New York State.
Bicycle slippery when wet.
Bridge may be slippery, Pennsylvania.
- Rocks and Mud
Falling rocks, California.
Fallen rock, New York State
Falling rocks, Pennsylvania and Hawaii.
Falling rock, North Carolina.
Rock slide area, California.
- Wind, Fog, and Storms
Crosswinds, New York State.
Dangerous crosswinds, New Mexico.
High cross winds, Pennsylvania.
Frequent high winds, Idaho.
Occasional blinding dust storms sign, Idaho.
Severe storm area, Idaho.
- Ice and Frost
Bridge may be icy, Michigan.
Watch for ice on bridges, Indiana and Texas (as Watch for ice on bridge).
Watch for ice, Pennsylvania.
- Flooding and Water Conditions
Subject to flooding, California.
Roadway subject to flooding, Pennsylvania.
Road floods during high tide, Hawaii.
W9/10 Series: Lane Transitions[edit]
The MUTCD's W9/10 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane transitions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Lane Transitions
Merging traffic (through street)
Railroad intersection warning
Light rail crossing, California
Light rail crossing, Look both ways, California
Low ground clearance railroad crossing
Cyclists Dismount To Cross Railroad Tracks, Hemet, California
W11 Series: Advance Warnings and Crossings[edit]
The MUTCD's W11 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance warnings and crossings. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
Emergency Vehicles[edit]
The MUTCD only provides for a warning of fire stations in the W11 series. Most states have their own signs for other emergency vehicle types which may enter the road.
- Emergency Vehicles
Fire trucks entering when signal flashes sign, Wisconsin.
Emergency Vehicles sign, Delaware.
Texas Emergency Vehicles sign, Texas.
Children[edit]
The MUTCD specifies no children related signs in the W11 series. Several states have signs for situations as children at play as well as deaf and blind children. Some of these signs vary from state to state as there is no federal standard.
- Children
Children at play, New York State.
Deaf child area, New York State.
Hearing impaired child, Pennsylvania.
Deaf children near, California.
Blind child area sign, New York State.
Autistic child, Ocean County, New Jersey
Bicycles[edit]
The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series warning of bicycles and for signing bicycle facilities. Several states and localities have their own specific bicycle related signs as well.
- Bicycles
Share the road, New York City.
Share the road, Pennsylvania.
Watch for bikes, Maryland.
Bike Lane, San Francisco.
Vehicles[edit]
The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with vehicles. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.
- Vehicles
Tractor/farm vehicle crossing.
Motorcycle crossing, New York State.
ATV crossing, New York State.
Golf cart crossing, Ohio and other U.S. states.
Horse drawn vehicle ahead, Ohio and other U.S. states.
Tank crossing, Pennsylvania.
Watch for stopped trucks, Illinois.
Pedestrians, Transit, and Aviation[edit]
The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with pedestrians, transit, and aviation. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.
- Pedestrians, Rail and Aviation
Pedestrians or pedestrian crossing.
Blind pedestrian crossing, Pennsylvania.
Ferry crossing, Missouri.
Balloon launch area, Pennsylvania.
Low flying planes, New York.
Low flying aircraft, Delaware.
Low flying airplanes cross here sign, Wisconsin.
Animals[edit]
The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with animals. Several states have additional signs for other types of animals not covered by the MUTCD.
- Animals
Migrating bears, California
Duck crossing (Pennsylvania style)
Driveways and Entrances[edit]
The MUTCD does not provide signs in the W11 series dealing with driveways and entrances. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations that they place in their own W11 series.
- Driveways and Entrances
Hidden driveway, Pennsylvania.
Truck entrance, Delaware.
Plant entrance, Delaware.
Theatre exit sign, Wisconsin.
Hidden intersection, Delaware.
W12 Series: Low Clearances[edit]
The MUTCD's W12 series of signs is for warning signs relating to low clearances. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
W13 Series: Advisory Speeds[edit]
The MUTCD's W13 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advisory speeds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Advisory Speeds
Speed advisory warning sign, metric
Exit speed advisory warning sign
Exit speed advisory warning sign, metric
Turn curve exit speed advisory sign, Maryland
Ramp speed advisory warning sign
Ramp speed advisory warning sign, metric
Curve speed advisory warning sign
Curve speed advisory warning sign, metric
Loop exit speed advisory warning sign
Ramp exit speed advisory warning sign
W14 Series: Dead End Streets and No Passing Zones[edit]
The MUTCD's W14 series of signs is for warning signs relating to dead end streets and no passing zones. As all situations are not covered, several states and local governments have additional signs for other types of situations not covered by the MUTCD.
- Dead End and Limited Access Streets
Not a through street, California
Loop street, Pennsylvania
No thru street, Pennsylvania
Dead End sign, New York City
No passing zone, Puerto Rico
W15 Series: Playgrounds[edit]
The MUTCD's W15 series of signs is for warning signs relating to playgrounds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
W16 Series: Supplemental Plaques[edit]
The MUTCD's W16 series of signs is for supplemental plaques for warning signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Supplemental Plaques
Steep hill plaque, Delaware.
Fire house (used in conjunction with graphic fire station sign), New York State
Traffic enforcement camera plaque
W17 Series: Speed Humps[edit]
The MUTCD's W17 series of signs is for warning signs relating to speed humps. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
W18 Series: No Traffic Signs[edit]
The MUTCD's W18 series of signs is for warning signs relating to the lack of traffic signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
W19 Series: End of Controlled Access Highway[edit]
The MUTCD's W19 series of signs is for warning signs relating to the end of a controlled access highway. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
W20 Series: Road Ends[edit]
- Road Ends signs
Road Closed to Thru Traffic
W21 Series: Work Zones[edit]
- Work Zones
Work Zone for Speed limit
Road is closed 1000 ft. ahead
End(If a road work blocked road)
W22 Series: Blasting Zones[edit]
- Blasting Zone Signs
Turn off 2-way radios and cell phones
W23 Series: Slow Traffic[edit]
- Slow Traffic Signs
New traffic pattern ahead
W24 Series: Double Reverse Curves[edit]
- Double Reverse Curve Signs
W25 Series: Oncoming Traffic Has Extended Green[edit]
The MUTCD's W25 series of signs is for warning signs oncoming traffic having an extended green signal at a traffic light. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.
- Oncoming Traffic Has Extended Green
Oncoming traffic has extended green
Oncoming traffic may have extended green
Miscellaneous[edit]
The MUTCD does not provide signs dealing with some other road and highway situations. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations.
- Miscellaneous
Restricted weight bridge, New York State
Underpass, New York State
Guide signs include highway route markers (shields), street signs, mile markers, and exit signs.
Interchange signs[edit]
- Interchange Advance Guide Signs
- Interchange Exit Direction Signs
Interchange exit direction
Interchange exit direction, Maryland
Interchange exit direction, Virginia
Interchange exit direction, New York State
Exit number sign with speed advisory
Mileage signs for highway routes, Colorado
Toll Road Signs[edit]
Chapter 2F of the MUTCD deals with signs for toll roads.
- Toll Road Signs
Toll costs at intersections or HOV
MUTCD Conventional Toll Plaza advance sign
MUTCD Conventional Toll Plaza advance sign
- Service and Rest Area signs
Specific service signs for food
Shield markers[edit]
- Guide Signs and Route Markers (Shields)
Single-digit interstate route shield
Two-digit interstate route shield
Three-digit interstate route shield
Single-digit interstate route shield, California
Three-digit interstate route shield, California
Four-digit interstate route shield, Hawaii
Off-Interstate Business Loop Route shield
Off-Interstate Business Spur route shield
Single-digit U.S. route shield
Two-digit U.S. route shield
Three-digit U.S. route shield (square variant)
Three-digit U.S. route shield
Single-digit state route shield
Two-digit state route shield
Three-digit state route shield (square variant)
Three-digit state route shield
Four-digit state route shield
Michigan State Trunkline single-digit shield
Michigan State Trunkline double-digit shield
Michigan State Trunkline triple-digit shield
Two-digit state highway shield, Oklahoma
Three-digit state highway shield, Oklahoma
Two-digit state route shield, South Carolina
Three-digit state highway shield, South Carolina
Single-digit U.S. route shield, cutout variant
Two-digit U.S. route shield, cutout variant
Three-digit U.S. route shield, cutout variant
Historic Route, U.S. Highway shield, California
Two-digit state route shield, Alabama
Three-digit state route shield, Alabama
Two-digit state highway shield uses a sunflower, Kansas
Three-digit state highway shield uses a sunflower, Kansas
Single-digit state highway shield, Arkansas
Two-digit state highway shield, Arkansas
Three-digit state highway shield, Arkansas
Four-digit state highway shield, Arkansas
Primary route sign, Tennessee
Secondary route sign, Tennessee
Two-digit state highway shield uses a keystone, Pennsylvania
Three-digit state highway shield uses a keystone, Pennsylvania
Single-digit state route shield, New York
Two-digit state route shield, New York
Three-digit state route shield, New York
Four-digit state route shield, New York
Reference route marker, New York
Two-digit state route shield, Ohio
Three-digit state route shield, Ohio
Two-digit state route shield, California
Three-digit state route shield, California
Single-digit state route shield, Georgia
Two-digit state route shield, Georgia
Three-digit state route shield, Georgia
Three-digit state route with toll shield, Florida
Single-digit state highway shield, Florida
Two-digit state highway shield, Florida
Three-digit state highway shield, Florida
Four-digit state route shield, Florida
Two-digit county route shield
Three-digit county route shield, New Jersey
Farm-to-market road shield, Texas
Missouri supplemental route shield
Brooklyn Battery Tunnel shield
Queens-Midtown Tunnel shield
New Jersey Turnpike shield
Garden State Parkway Shield
Dallas North Tollway shield
Eisenhower Interstate System sign
Palisades Interstate Parkway shield
New York State Thruway shield
Note: State markers are illustrative examples; all states may select their own marker shapes or use the default circle
For more route shields go to [1] archive copy.
Street Signs[edit]
- Street Signs
NYC Broadway street sign.
NYC Midtown Manhattan street sign.
NYC Historic district street sign.
Washington, DC street sign.
Philadelphia street sign.
For more information about highway shields by Kendrick archive copy and AARoads Shield Gallery.
Hospital[edit]
Library[edit]
Airport[edit]
General information[edit]
Recycling Collection Center
Motorist services[edit]
Electric vehicle charging
Bumps sign used in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Non Compliant to MUTCD Signs[edit]
There are many signs that are non-compliant to MUTCD and/or state MUTCD standards seen in actual use on public roads and more often on semi-public roads such as shopping centers and parking lots.
- Non Compliant vs Compliant Signs
Non-standard US 20 West sign, Waltham Center, MA.
Standard US 20 West signs.
No parking sign with permissive parking green color, Glenside PA.
Standard no parking sign.
Greene County Route 16 sign in Catskill / Adirondack colors, Hunter, NY.
Standard Greene County Route 16 sign
Superseded signs[edit]
These signs have been superseded, but can still be seen in some places.
School crossing (1961-1971)
School bus stop ahead (1971-2009)
School bus stop ahead (1998-2009)
Merging traffic (1961-1971)
Slippery when wet (1948-1971)
No right turn (1948-1971)
Narrow bridge (1978-2003)
Divided highway (1948-2009)
Divided highway ends (1948-2009)
Pavement ends (1978-2000)
Slippery when wet, as of 1978
Distances to towns and cities ahead (1948-1971)
References[edit]