Many regulatory signs control which lane you use, when you may turn and which way traffic flows. Obeying them keeps you from turning into oncoming traffic or driving the wrong way on a ramp or one-way street.
Know the rule
Lane use control signs are black and white, often with arrows, and may be beside the road or hung over the lane. Arrows painted on the road may supplement them.
Handbook p. 40 ↗
Turn and intersection signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Center Lane Left Turn Only | Left turns from either direction; no through or passing |
| No Turn on Red | No right or left turn on red; wait for green |
| Stop Here on Red | Where to stop on red; right on red if not prohibited |
| Do Not Block Intersection | Never stop, stand or park in the intersection |
| Left Turn Yield on Green | Left turn allowed, but yield to oncoming traffic |
Know the rule
Don't enter an intersection unless traffic lets you clear it completely, and don't block traffic entering from any other direction.
Handbook p. 41 ↗Direction and passing signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| One Way | Traffic flows only in the arrow's direction |
| Do Not Pass | You may not pass another vehicle here |
| Pass With Care | End of a no-passing zone; pass only when safe |
| Keep Right | Stay right of a median, island or divider |
| Slower Traffic Keep Right | On multilane highways, slower drivers use the right lane |
| Do Not Enter | Square sign, white bar in a red circle: you can't enter |
| Wrong Way | You're moving in the wrong direction |
Know the rule
Never drive the wrong way on a one-way street, and never turn opposite the arrow.
Handbook p. 41 ↗Know the rule
No-passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead, accounting for hills, curves, intersections, driveways and other places vehicles or pedestrians may enter.
Handbook p. 41 ↗Know the rule
Do Not Enter signs are posted at openings you may not enter, such as exit ramps, crossovers on divided roads and one-way streets. Wrong Way signs are a short distance past them on expressway ramps.
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Put it into practice
You turn onto what you think is an entrance ramp and pass a Do Not Enter sign, then a red Wrong Way sign. Together they mean you're on an exit ramp moving against traffic. Never continue the wrong way.