Stop
STOP
Stop completely before the stop line, crosswalk or junction.
What to do: Stop fully, then go only when the way is clear.
Priority and junctions
All-way stop
ALL WAY
Every road at this junction has a STOP sign.
What to do: Stop. Go in the order the cars stopped. If two stop together, the driver on the right goes first.
Give way
YIELD
Give way to traffic and pedestrians.
What to do: Slow down and stop if needed to let others pass.
No entry
DO NOT ENTER
No entry for vehicles from this direction.
What to do: Don't enter. Often found at freeway exit ramps and where a street becomes one-way.
One-way street
ONE WAY
Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow.
What to do: Turn only in the direction of the arrow.
No turn on red
NO TURN ON RED
You may not turn while the light is red.
What to do: Wait for a green light or green arrow.
Speed and cameras
Speed limit
SPEED LIMIT
Maximum speed in miles per hour.
What to do: Keep to the limit, in mph.
School speed limit
SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT
A lower speed limit in a school zone, during the times shown.
What to do: Keep to the school limit when it applies. Fines are often higher.
Red light camera
PHOTO ENFORCED
A camera at the traffic lights ahead photographs cars that run the red light.
What to do: Stop on red and don't enter the junction on red.
Camera enforcement
PHOTO ENFORCED
The limit or rule above is enforced by camera.
What to do: Keep to the limit.
Advisory speed
35 MPH
Recommended safe speed for the hazard, such as a bend or exit ramp.
What to do: Slow to the speed shown.
Motorways and overtaking
No overtaking
NO PASSING ZONE
Overtaking is banned from here.
What to do: Don't overtake until the no-passing zone ends.
Lane ends
A lane ends ahead.
What to do: Merge into the continuing lane in good time.
Warnings
School zone
School
School area or school crossing.
What to do: Slow down and watch for children. Obey crossing guards.
Railway crossing ahead
RR
A railway crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains.
Railway crossing
RAILROAD CROSSING
The railway crossing itself.
What to do: Look both ways and give way to trains. Stop at flashing red lights and never go around lowered gates.
Bend ahead
Curve warning
A bend or turn ahead.
What to do: Slow down. If a speed is shown below, take the bend at that speed.
Road works ahead
ROAD WORK AHEAD
Road works ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, cones and lane changes. Fines are often doubled in work zones.
Give way to pedestrians
STATE LAW YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALK
State law requires you to give way to, or stop for, pedestrians in the crosswalk.
What to do: Stop for anyone crossing or about to cross.
Deer
Deer crossing
Deer often cross here.
What to do: Slow down and watch the verges.
Zones and parking
No parking
NO PARKING ANY TIME
No parking. NO STANDING and NO STOPPING signs in the same colours are stricter.
What to do: Read the times on the sign. Expect towing.
Other signs
Wrong way
WRONG WAY
You are driving against the traffic.
What to do: Stop safely, then turn around or back out. At night, red road reflectors also mean you are going the wrong way.
School bus stop ahead
A school bus may be stopped ahead where you can't see it.
What to do: Slow down. Be ready to stop if the bus shows flashing red lights.
Left turns give way on green
LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN
On a green light, left turns are not protected.
What to do: Turn left only when there is a gap in oncoming traffic and no pedestrians.
Move over law
STATE LAW MOVE OVER OR REDUCE SPEED
You must change lanes away from, or slow down for, vehicles stopped on the shoulder.
What to do: Move over a lane, or slow down if you can't.
Carpool lane
HOV 2+ ONLY
This lane is for vehicles carrying at least the number of people shown, during the hours shown.
What to do: Use it only if you have enough people in the car, or outside the hours shown.
Toll tag account only
Toll tag ONLY
This toll road or lane accepts only cars with a registered electronic toll account.
What to do: Without a tag, use another lane where one exists. In a hire car, expect the toll to be billed through the hire company.
Keep right
KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS
Drive in the right lane unless you are overtaking.
What to do: Move back to the right after passing.
Words on the signs
| On the sign | Means |
|---|---|
| Yield | Give way |
| Limit line | Stop line California's term. |
| Railroad crossing | Level crossing |
Drawings follow the official designs described by the United States's road authorities. Real signs vary a little in size and lettering. The full guide to driving in the United States