Bicycle may use full lane
Cyclists are permitted to use the entire traffic lane.
What to do: Expect bicycles to occupy the full lane; do not try to squeeze past within the same lane.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 52 ↗Alabama road signs
Alabama road signs and meanings.
Explore 64 signs and driving illustrations from this course’s handbook edition. Each entry pairs the image with its meaning and a practical action. Use your browser’s Find command to look up a name or a word from a meaning.
Look, recognize, act
Notice the shape and color before reading a sign’s words or symbol. Then connect its meaning with what you should do: stop, yield, adjust your speed, choose a lane, or prepare for a hazard. Signals, markings, and diagrams are included where the handbook uses them to explain a driving rule.
Use the source page link for the surrounding rule. Some illustrations show a complete road situation rather than a standalone roadside sign.
Your handbook sign library
64 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the Alabama course.
Divided highway crossing
Marks a place where a road crosses a divided highway with a median.
What to do: Watch for crossing traffic and do not treat the two directions as one wide road.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Do not enter
Prohibits vehicles from entering the roadway from this direction.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign; find another route.
Shape: circle · Color: red
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Do not pass
Passing other vehicles is not allowed here.
What to do: Do not pass; stay behind the vehicle ahead until passing is permitted again.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Emergency stopping only
Stopping here is allowed only in a true emergency.
What to do: Do not stop in this area unless you have a genuine emergency.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Keep right
Keep right of the island, median or obstruction ahead.
What to do: Stay to the right of the marked obstruction as you pass it.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Left lane must turn left
Traffic in the left lane must turn left at the intersection.
What to do: Move out of the left lane before the intersection unless you intend to turn left.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
No bicycles
Bicycles are not allowed on this roadway.
What to do: Do not ride a bicycle here; use an alternate route.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 44 ↗
No parking
Parking is not allowed in this area.
What to do: Do not park a vehicle here; keep moving or find another location.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
No parking any time
Parking is prohibited at all times in this area.
What to do: Never park along the roadway between the points marked by the arrows.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
No turn on red
Turning at this red light is not permitted.
What to do: Wait for a green light or arrow before turning; do not turn on red here.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
No turns
No turns are allowed at this intersection.
What to do: Continue straight through; do not turn left or right here.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Reserved parking (accessible)
Parking here is reserved for vehicles with a disability plate or permit.
What to do: Do not park here unless your vehicle displays a valid accessible parking plate or permit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Right or straight lane
Vehicles in this lane may go straight or turn right only.
What to do: Choose this lane only if you plan to continue straight or turn right at the intersection.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: black
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Speed limit
Maximum legal speed on this road is 70 mph.
What to do: Do not drive faster than 70 mph under normal conditions.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Speed limit and minimum speed limit
Sets maximum speed (55) and minimum speed (45) allowed on this road.
What to do: Drive between the posted minimum and maximum speeds when conditions allow.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
State law: 3 feet minimum passing distance
State law requires drivers to leave at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist.
What to do: When passing a bicyclist, move over and leave at least 3 feet of space.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Stop
Come to a complete stop.
What to do: Stop fully at the line, crosswalk, or intersection edge; go only when safe.
Shape: octagon · Color: red
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Wrong way
Warns that you are heading against traffic on a one-way road.
What to do: Stop safely and turn around; you are driving the wrong direction.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Yield
Slow down and let other traffic or pedestrians go first.
What to do: Slow or stop if needed and yield the right-of-way before proceeding.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Bump
A bump is in the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down before reaching the bump.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Cattle crossing
Warns that livestock may cross or be on the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for cattle or other livestock crossing the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Chevron alignment
Marks a sharp curve; the road bends sharply in the arrow's direction.
What to do: Slow down and follow the curve in the direction the chevron points.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
Crossroad
Warns of a four-way intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to stop or yield to cross traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Curve left
Road curves to the left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the left curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Curve right
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Dip
Warns of a sudden low spot (dip) in the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down to maintain control and avoid bottoming out.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Divided highway begins
Road ahead splits into a divided highway with a median.
What to do: Keep right of the median and stay alert for the lane split ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Divided highway ends
Divided highway ahead merges back into a two-way road.
What to do: Move back toward the right and be ready to meet oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Double arrow
Warns of a divided roadway or median where traffic may pass on either side.
What to do: You may pass on either side of the obstruction or median.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Hill
A steep downhill grade is ahead.
What to do: Shift to a lower gear and control speed going downhill.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Low clearance
Warns of a low overhead clearance (13 feet 6 inches) ahead.
What to do: Do not proceed if your vehicle or load is taller than the posted clearance.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Merge
A lane from the side joins your road ahead.
What to do: Adjust speed and merge safely; yield to traffic already in your lane.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Mowers ahead
Warns that mowing equipment may be working near or on the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and give mowing equipment extra room when passing.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Narrow bridge
Warns that the bridge ahead is narrower than the road.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to share the narrow bridge carefully with oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Pavement ends
Warns that the paved road surface ends ahead.
What to do: Slow down; the road surface changes to gravel or dirt ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
Pavement narrows
Warns that the paved portion of the road becomes narrower ahead.
What to do: Slow down and stay centered in your lane as the pavement narrows.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Reverse curve
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Roundabout ahead
A roundabout is ahead where traffic circles counterclockwise.
What to do: Slow down and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Side road right
A side road joins the highway from the right ahead.
What to do: Watch for vehicles entering from the side road on the right.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Slippery when wet
Road may be slick from rain, ice or oil.
What to do: Slow down, avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and increase following distance.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Soft shoulder
Warns that the road shoulder is soft and may not support vehicle weight.
What to do: Avoid driving onto the shoulder; if you must, do so slowly and carefully.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
T intersection
The road ahead ends in a T-shaped intersection.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to turn left or right.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Truck crossing
Warns that trucks may be entering or crossing the road ahead.
What to do: Watch for trucks entering the roadway and be ready to slow down.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
Two-way traffic
The road ahead carries traffic in both directions.
What to do: Stay in your lane and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Winding road
The road has several curves ahead.
What to do: Slow down and drive carefully through the series of curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Y intersection
The road ahead forks into a Y-shaped intersection.
What to do: Slow down and choose the correct branch of the fork.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 47 ↗
School bus stop ahead
Warns that a school bus may be stopping ahead to load or unload children.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to stop for a stopped school bus with flashing lights.
Shape: pentagon · Color: fluorescent_yellow_green
Handbook p. 51 ↗
School zone speed limit
Sets a 25 mph speed limit in the school zone during the posted times.
What to do: Slow to 25 mph during the times shown when children are present.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Railroad crossbuck
Marks a railroad crossing; treat it like a yield sign.
What to do: Slow down, look both ways for trains, and yield before crossing the tracks.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Railroad crossing ahead
A railroad crossing is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 40 ↗
Arrow panel
A flashing arrow panel directs traffic to merge in the arrow's direction.
What to do: Merge in the direction the arrow points well before reaching the work zone.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Workers ahead
Road workers are working near or in the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 52 ↗
County route marker
Marks a county highway route number (Route 33).
What to do: Use this marker to confirm you're following County Route 33.
Shape: shield · Color: blue
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Destination and distance
Shows directions to three destinations: Selma, Dothan, and Mobile.
What to do: Choose the lane or direction matching your destination as shown by the arrows.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Interstate route marker
Marks Interstate Highway 65.
What to do: Use this shield to confirm you are on or near Interstate 65.
Shape: shield · Color: blue
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Recreational area
Directs drivers to DeSoto State Park, a recreational area.
What to do: Follow the arrow's direction to reach the state park.
Shape: other · Color: brown
Handbook p. 53 ↗
State route marker
Marks Alabama State Route 21.
What to do: Use this marker to confirm you are on State Route 21.
Shape: shield · Color: black
Handbook p. 54 ↗
US route marker
Marks U.S. Highway 80.
What to do: Use this shield to confirm you are on or near US Route 80.
Shape: shield · Color: white
Handbook p. 54 ↗
Hospital
Indicates a hospital is located nearby.
What to do: Follow this sign to find hospital services if needed.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Lodging
Indicates lodging (a hotel or motel) is available nearby.
What to do: Follow this sign to find lodging services.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Double solid yellow lines
Two solid yellow lines mean passing is prohibited in both directions.
What to do: Do not cross double solid yellow lines to pass; stay in your lane.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 55 ↗
Solid yellow center line
A solid yellow line next to your lane means you may not pass.
What to do: Do not cross a solid yellow line on your side to pass another vehicle.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 56 ↗
Two-way left turn lane markings
Marks a center lane shared by both directions for left turns only.
What to do: Enter this lane only to prepare for or complete a left turn.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 56 ↗