Bicycle signal actuation sign
Tells cyclists where to position their bike to trigger the traffic signal.
What to do: Cyclists should wait on the marked detector to request a green light.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 17 ↗Iowa road signs
Iowa road signs and meanings.
Explore 62 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
62 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the Iowa course.
Do not enter
Entry into this roadway or lane is prohibited.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.
Shape: circle · Color: red
Handbook p. 8 ↗
Do not pass
Passing other vehicles is not allowed here.
What to do: Stay in your lane and do not pass other vehicles.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 8 ↗
HOV lane
Marks a lane reserved for high-occupancy vehicles ahead.
What to do: Only enter the lane if your vehicle meets the posted occupancy requirement.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: black
Handbook p. 16 ↗
Lane-use control sign (left, straight, right only)
Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 8 ↗
Lane-use control sign (left turn only, through lanes)
Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
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
No drinking and driving
Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.
What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
No passing zone
Passing other vehicles is not allowed in this zone.
What to do: Stay behind slower traffic; do not pass until the zone ends.
Shape: pennant · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 7 ↗
Speed limit
Sets the maximum legal speed on this road.
What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted speed, adjusted for conditions.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 7 ↗
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. 7 ↗
Wrong way
You are traveling against traffic on a one-way roadway.
What to do: Stop safely, then carefully back out or turn around to correct direction.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red
Handbook p. 8 ↗
Yield
Slow down and let other traffic or pedestrians go first.
What to do: Slow or stop if needed and let crossing traffic or pedestrians clear before proceeding.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 7 ↗
Added lane
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
Advisory speed
Recommends a safe speed for an exit ramp ahead.
What to do: Slow to the advisory speed before entering the ramp.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Chevron alignment
Marks a sharp change in the road's direction.
What to do: Slow down and steer in the direction the chevron points.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Crossroad
Warns of an intersecting road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for crossing traffic at the intersection.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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. 9 ↗
Curve right
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Deer crossing
Deer may cross the road in this area.
What to do: Slow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn or dusk.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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. 9 ↗
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. 9 ↗
Exit speed advisory
Shows the recommended safe speed for the exit ramp.
What to do: Slow to the posted advisory speed before taking the exit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Farm equipment
Slow-moving farm machinery may be on the road.
What to do: Slow down and pass farm equipment carefully when safe.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Flood area (Turn Around Don't Drown)
Warns that the road ahead may flood; do not drive into flood water.
What to do: Turn around and take another route if the road is flooded.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange
Golf cart crossing
Warns that golf carts may cross or use the roadway ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for slow-moving golf carts entering or crossing the road.
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
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Horse-drawn vehicle
Slow, horse-drawn vehicles may be on the road.
What to do: Slow down and pass horse-drawn vehicles carefully and widely.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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
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. 9 ↗
Narrow bridge
Warns the bridge ahead is narrower than the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to share the bridge carefully with oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 7 ↗
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
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Playground
A playground area is near the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for children playing near the road.
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
Right lane ends
Warns that the right lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Prepare to merge left before the lane ends; yield to traffic already in that lane.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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
Signal ahead
Warns of a traffic signal ahead, often on higher-speed roads.
What to do: Be ready to slow down and stop for the signal ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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. 9 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Marks a vehicle that travels much slower than normal traffic.
What to do: Slow down early and pass only when it is safe to do so.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 11 ↗
T intersection
Warns 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. 9 ↗
Two-way traffic
Warns you are entering a two-way road after a one-way section.
What to do: Keep to the right and watch for oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 9 ↗
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
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
School bus stop ahead
A school bus stop is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for a bus loading or unloading children.
Shape: diamond · Color: fluorescent_yellow_green
Handbook p. 9 ↗
School speed limit when flashing
Shows the reduced school-zone speed limit when the beacon flashes.
What to do: Slow to the posted speed only while the beacon is flashing.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
School zone
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. 7 ↗
Railroad crossbuck
Marks a railroad crossing; number plate shows how many tracks.
What to do: Slow down, look both ways, and yield to any approaching train.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 7 ↗
Railroad crossing ahead
Warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains before crossing the tracks.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 7 ↗
Railroad emergency notification sign
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. 12 ↗
Channelizing drum
Orange and white drum used to guide traffic around a work zone.
What to do: Drive around the drums; do not strike or drive between them.
Shape: other · Color: orange
Handbook p. 14 ↗
Flagger ahead
A worker will direct traffic ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop or follow the flagger's directions.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Road closed
The road ahead is closed to all traffic.
What to do: Do not proceed; turn around or follow the detour.
Shape: other · Color: orange
Handbook p. 14 ↗
Road work ahead
Construction or maintenance work is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes.
Shape: diamond · 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
State route marker
Marks a numbered state highway route.
What to do: Follow the sign's number to stay on the correct state route.
Shape: circle · Color: white
Handbook p. 11 ↗
Accessible facility
Marks a facility or space accessible to people with disabilities.
What to do: Use as directed; reserve marked accessible spaces for permit holders.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Boat launch (boat ramp)
Indicates a boat launching ramp is available.
What to do: Follow signage if you need to launch a boat; otherwise no action needed.
Shape: square · Color: brown
Gas
Indicates fuel services are available.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to refuel.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Lane use control signals
Overhead signals show which lanes are open or closed to travel.
What to do: Do not drive in a lane marked with a red X; you may use a lane marked with a green arrow.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 15 ↗
Broken white line
Separates lanes going the same direction; passing is permitted.
What to do: You may change lanes when it is safe to do so.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Two-way left turn lane markings
Center lane usable by traffic from either direction to turn left.
What to do: Enter the center lane only to complete a left turn, then exit it promptly.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 16 ↗