California road signs
Explore 65 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.
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.
65 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the California course.
Indicates pedestrians may cross an intersection diagonally when the signal allows.
What to do: As a driver, watch for pedestrians crossing diagonally during their signal phase.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 41 ↗
You must not stop in the intersection even if your light is green.
What to do: Do not enter the intersection unless you can clear it before the light changes.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Entry is prohibited in this direction.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign; find another route.
Shape: circle · Color: red
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Passing other vehicles is not allowed here.
What to do: Stay behind the vehicle ahead; do not pass.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
This area is reserved for emergency parking only.
What to do: Do not park here except in an emergency.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Marks a lane reserved for carpools or vehicles meeting occupancy rules when metered.
What to do: Only use this lane if your vehicle meets the posted occupancy requirement.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 21 ↗
Traffic must keep to the right of a divider or island.
What to do: Stay to the right of the obstruction or divider ahead.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Traffic in this lane must turn left.
What to do: Move to another lane if you are not turning left.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Indicates a left turn or U-turn is permitted at this location.
What to do: You may turn left or make a U-turn here if it is safe.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
You may turn left on a green light but must yield to oncoming traffic.
What to do: Turn left only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
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. 42 ↗
Parking is never allowed at this location.
What to do: Do not park here at any time.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Right turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn right; continue straight or choose another lane.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Turning in any direction is not allowed here.
What to do: Continue straight; do not turn left or right at this intersection.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
U-turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn around; continue straight or use another route.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Traffic on this street moves in only one direction.
What to do: Travel only in the direction of the arrow.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Marks a parking space reserved for drivers with a disabled placard or plate.
What to do: Only park here if you have a valid disabled placard or plate.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 34 ↗
Slower vehicles must stay in the right lane.
What to do: Move to the right lane if you are driving slower than other traffic.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Slower vehicles should use turnouts to let faster traffic pass.
What to do: Pull into a turnout to let vehicles behind you pass on a narrow road.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 22 ↗
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. 41 ↗
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. 41 ↗
On a narrow mountain road, downhill traffic must yield to uphill traffic.
What to do: If driving downhill, pull over or yield to let uphill traffic pass.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
An additional lane begins ahead without merging.
What to do: Continue in your lane; no need to merge for the new lane.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Warns of an intersecting road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for cross traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Road curves to the left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the left curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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. 43 ↗
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. 43 ↗
Marks a sharp turn or curve in the road.
What to do: Slow down and steer in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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. 43 ↗
Pedestrians may be crossing the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and yield to any pedestrians in or near the crosswalk.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
The right lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Merge left safely before your lane ends.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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. 43 ↗
Warns of a traffic signal ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for the signal.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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. 43 ↗
Identifies a vehicle that travels 25 mph or slower.
What to do: Slow down and pass with care when you see this emblem on a vehicle ahead.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Warns of a stop sign ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to come to a complete stop.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Warns that the road ahead carries traffic in both directions.
What to do: Stay in your lane and watch for oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Warns of a series of curves ahead.
What to do: Slow down and follow the curves in the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
Warns of a yield sign ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to yield the right-of-way.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 43 ↗
You are approaching a school area or crossing.
What to do: Slow down, watch for children, and be ready to stop.
Shape: pentagon · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Warns how many railroad tracks are at the crossing.
What to do: Check for trains on every track before crossing.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Warns that a railroad crossing is ahead.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Gives a phone number and crossing ID to report railroad problems.
What to do: Call the posted number to report a stalled vehicle or hazard at the crossing.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Warns that a flagger is controlling traffic ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop or proceed as the flagger directs.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Warns that the road ahead is closed.
What to do: Prepare to stop or follow the marked detour route.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Warns of slow-moving road machinery working ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to pass machinery with care.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Warns of workers or equipment on the road shoulder ahead.
What to do: Slow down and move away from the shoulder if possible.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Indicates the direction of a nearby airport.
What to do: Follow the sign if you are heading to the airport.
Shape: square · Color: green
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Indicates a location with electric vehicle charging.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to charge an electric vehicle.
Shape: square · Color: purple
Handbook p. 35 ↗
Indicates a recreational area, such as a ski area, ahead.
What to do: Follow the sign if you plan to visit the recreational area.
Shape: square · Color: brown
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Indicates the distance to the next rest area.
What to do: Follow the sign if you want to stop and rest ahead.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Treat as a stop sign; stop, then go when safe.
What to do: Come to a complete stop, then proceed when it is safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
You may turn but must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it is safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 40 ↗
Warns you to slow down and proceed with caution.
What to do: Slow down and cross the intersection carefully, watching for other traffic.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 40 ↗
You may go in the direction of the arrow.
What to do: Proceed in the arrow's direction after yielding to traffic still in the intersection.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
Tells pedestrians not to begin crossing.
What to do: As a driver, still watch for pedestrians already in the crosswalk.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Tells pedestrians it is time to begin crossing.
What to do: As a driver, yield to pedestrians crossing on the WALK signal.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Vehicles must not make the movement shown by the arrow.
What to do: Stop and wait; do not turn in the arrow's direction until it changes.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
Vehicles may go if the way is clear.
What to do: Proceed through the intersection if it is clear and safe, yielding to traffic still in it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 40 ↗
Vehicles must stop and wait.
What to do: Come to a complete stop and wait until the light turns green.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
Warns that the signal is about to turn red.
What to do: Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise cross the intersection with caution.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
Shows the lane is shared by bicycles and motor vehicles.
What to do: Expect and safely share the lane with bicyclists riding in it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 23 ↗
Left arm held straight out signals a left turn.
What to do: Recognize this as a driver or cyclist signaling an upcoming left turn.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 16 ↗
Left arm out and bent upward at the elbow signals a right turn.
What to do: Recognize this as a driver or cyclist signaling an upcoming right turn.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 16 ↗
This hand-and-arm position signals slowing down or stopping.
What to do: Recognize this as a driver or cyclist signaling they are slowing or stopping.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 16 ↗