Illinois road signs and meanings.

Center lane left turn only (two-way left turn)

The center lane is for left turns from either direction.

What to do: Use the center lane only to turn left; do not drive straight in it.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Do not enter

You may not enter this roadway.

What to do: Do not enter; find another route.

Shape: circle · Color: red

Handbook p. 68 ↗

Keep right

Keep to the right of the obstruction, island, or median.

What to do: Stay right of the marked obstruction ahead.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

No bicycles

Bicycles are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not ride a bicycle on this roadway or path.

Shape: square · Color: white

No left turn

Left turns are prohibited here.

What to do: Do not turn left at this location.

Shape: square · Color: white

No passing zone

Marks the start of a no-passing zone on a two-lane road.

What to do: Do not pass other vehicles until past the end of this zone.

Shape: pennant · Color: yellow

No right turn

Right turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn right at this location; continue straight or choose another route.

Shape: square · Color: white

No turn on red

Turning on a red light is not allowed here.

What to do: Wait for a green light before turning; do not turn on red.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

No U-turn

U-turns are prohibited here.

What to do: Do not make a U-turn at this location.

Shape: square · Color: white

Reserved parking (accessible)

Parking reserved for vehicles with a disability permit.

What to do: Do not park here without a valid disability placard or plate.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Road closed

The road ahead is closed to travel.

What to do: Do not continue on this road; find an alternate route.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white

Slower traffic keep right

Slower vehicles must stay in the right lane.

What to do: Keep right if you are driving slower than the flow of traffic.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

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. 68 ↗

Stop here on red

Stop at this sign or line when the signal is red.

What to do: Stop at the marked point when facing a red light.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Wrong way

You are traveling the wrong way on a one-way roadway.

What to do: Stop safely, then turn around; do not continue forward.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red

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. 66 ↗

Accessible crossing (persons with disabilities)

Warns of a crossing used by persons with disabilities.

What to do: Watch for pedestrians using mobility devices crossing ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Advisory speed

Shows the recommended safe speed for the curve or condition ahead.

What to do: Slow to this speed for the curve ahead.

Shape: square · Color: yellow

Chevron alignment

Marks a sharp change in road direction.

What to do: Slow down and follow the direction of the arrow through the curve.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow

Crossroad

Warns of a four-way intersection ahead.

What to do: Slow down and watch for cross traffic.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Curve left

Road curves to the left ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the left curve.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Curve right

Road curves to the right ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Divided highway begins

Road ahead splits into a divided highway with a median.

What to do: Keep right of the median as the road divides ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Hill

A steep downhill grade is ahead.

What to do: Shift to a lower gear and control speed going downhill.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Lane ends

Warns that one lane ends and traffic must merge.

What to do: Merge into the continuing lane when safe; do not cut off other drivers.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Left lane ends

The left lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.

What to do: Merge right safely before your lane ends.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Merge

Warns that two lanes of traffic will merge into one.

What to do: Merge safely; be ready to allow other vehicles to merge.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Narrow bridge

Warns the bridge ahead is narrower than the road.

What to do: Slow down; oncoming traffic may need to share the narrow bridge.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Pedestrian crossing

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

Reduced speed ahead

Warns of a reduced speed limit ahead.

What to do: Prepare to slow to the posted speed limit ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Reverse curve

Road curves right then left ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Reverse turn

The road makes a sharp turn one way then the other.

What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both turns.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Road narrows

Warns the road ahead becomes narrower.

What to do: Slow down and merge if needed as the road narrows.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Sharp turn right

The road turns sharply to the right ahead.

What to do: Slow down well before the turn and steer right to follow the sharp bend.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Side road right

Warns of a side road joining from the right.

What to do: Watch for vehicles entering from the side road.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Slippery when wet

Warns the road may be slippery when wet.

What to do: Slow down and avoid sudden braking or turns.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Slow-moving vehicle emblem

Identifies a vehicle traveling 25 mph or less.

What to do: Slow down and pass only when it is safe to do so.

Shape: triangle · Color: orange

Snowmobile crossing

Warns of snowmobiles crossing or using the road.

What to do: Watch for snowmobiles crossing or along the roadway.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

T intersection

Warns the road ends ahead in a T intersection.

What to do: Prepare to turn left or right; the road does not continue straight.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Truck crossing

Warns of trucks entering or crossing the road.

What to do: Watch for trucks entering or crossing traffic.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Two-way traffic

Warns that you are entering a two-way traffic roadway.

What to do: Keep right; oncoming traffic may be present.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Winding road

Warns of a series of curves ahead.

What to do: Slow down and stay in your lane through the curves.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Y intersection

Warns of a Y-shaped intersection ahead.

What to do: Slow down and prepare for merging traffic at the Y.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

School speed limit when flashing

Reduced speed limit applies only when the beacon is flashing.

What to do: Slow to the posted speed when the lights are flashing in the school zone.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow

School zone speed limit (when children present)

Reduced speed limit applies on school days when children are present.

What to do: Slow to the posted speed on school days when children are present.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Railroad crossing ahead

Warns of a railroad crossing ahead.

What to do: Slow down, look, and listen for trains.

Shape: circle · Color: yellow

Handbook p. 84 ↗

Arrow panel

An electronic arrow board directs traffic to merge or move over.

What to do: Merge in the direction shown well before reaching the arrow.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black

Barricade (Type II)

Marks a closed lane, road, or hazard in a work zone.

What to do: Do not cross; go around as directed.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Channelizing drum

Channelizing drums guide traffic away from hazards in a work zone.

What to do: Stay within the lane marked by the drums.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Detour

Marks an alternate route around a closure.

What to do: Follow the detour route as directed.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange

One lane road ahead

Warns the road ahead narrows to one lane for construction.

What to do: Prepare to merge and take turns through the one-lane section.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Road work ahead

Warns of road construction ahead.

What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Traffic cone

Marks temporary lane closures or hazards in a work zone.

What to do: Do not drive over or between cones; stay in the open lane.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Type III barricade with arrow panel

Marks a closed lane or road with a directional arrow.

What to do: Follow the arrow to merge or detour around the closure.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange

Vertical panel (channelizing device)

Marks the edge of the travel lane in a work zone.

What to do: Do not cross; stay within the marked lane.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange

Work zone speed limit (photo enforced)

Shows the enforced speed limit within this work zone.

What to do: Obey the reduced speed limit; cameras may enforce it.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange

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

Destination and distance

Identifies the upcoming town along the route.

What to do: Use for navigation reference.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green

Exit sign

Marks a numbered highway exit ahead.

What to do: Move into the exit lane in time to take this exit.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green

Interstate route marker

Marks a numbered Interstate highway.

What to do: Use to confirm you are on the correct interstate route.

Shape: shield · Color: blue

Recreational area

Directs you to a state park or recreation area.

What to do: Follow the arrow to reach the park.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown

US route marker

Marks a numbered U.S. highway route.

What to do: Use to confirm you are following the correct numbered route.

Shape: shield · Color: black

Rest area

Indicates a rest area is ahead.

What to do: Use to plan a stop for rest or restroom facilities.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue