Louisiana road signs and meanings.

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

This center lane is only for left turns from both directions.

What to do: Use this lane only to turn left or wait to turn; do not drive straight through it.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Do not block intersection

You must not stop in the intersection and block cross traffic.

What to do: Do not enter the intersection unless you can clear it before the light changes.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Do not enter

Entry is prohibited on this roadway.

What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.

Shape: circle · Color: red

Do not pass

Passing other vehicles is not allowed here.

What to do: Stay behind slower traffic and do not attempt to pass.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

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

Left turn only

Traffic in this lane must turn left.

What to do: Get into this lane only if you intend to turn left.

Shape: square · Color: white

Left turn yield on green

You may turn left on a green light only after yielding to oncoming traffic.

What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic before turning left on green.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Minimum speed limit

Sets the slowest legal speed on this roadway.

What to do: Drive at least this fast unless conditions require otherwise.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Move over law (state law)

Requires drivers to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles.

What to do: Move to a non-adjacent lane or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white

Handbook p. 103 ↗

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 parking any time

Parking is never allowed here.

What to do: Do not park at any time in this area.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: red

Handbook p. 75 ↗

No right turn

Right turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn right; continue straight or choose another lane.

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: square · Color: white

No U-turn

U-turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn around; continue straight or use another route.

Shape: square · Color: white

One way

Traffic travels in one direction only, as shown by the arrow.

What to do: Enter and travel only in the direction of the arrow.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Pass with care

Passing is allowed here, but only with caution.

What to do: Pass only when the way is clear and it's safe to do so.

Shape: rectangle vertical · 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. 104 ↗

Right or straight lane

This lane may go straight or turn right only.

What to do: Use this lane only to go straight or turn right as marked.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Right turn only

Only a right turn is allowed from this lane.

What to do: Turn right only; do not go straight or turn left from this lane.

Shape: square · 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

Speed limit

Shows the maximum legal speed under good conditions.

What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted speed limit.

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

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

Straight only

Traffic in this lane may only go straight.

What to do: Continue straight; do not turn from this lane.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Wrong way

You are driving the wrong way on a one-way road.

What to do: Stop and safely 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

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

Shows the recommended safe speed for this exit.

What to do: Slow to this speed before taking the exit.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow

Be prepared to stop

Warns you must be ready to stop ahead due to an incident.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for traffic or an incident.

Shape: diamond · Color: other

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

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

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

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

Emergency vehicle

Warns of emergency vehicles entering or crossing the road.

What to do: Watch for emergency vehicles and yield if needed.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Equestrian crossing

Horseback riders may cross or use the road ahead.

What to do: Slow down and pass horseback riders carefully and widely.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Handbook p. 113 ↗

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. 112 ↗

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. 112 ↗

Low clearance

Warns of a low overhead clearance ahead.

What to do: Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown.

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

No passing zone

Marks the start of a section where passing is not allowed.

What to do: Do not pass other vehicles until you are past the no-passing zone.

Shape: pennant · 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

Reverse curve

Road curves right then left ahead.

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

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Road narrows

The road becomes narrower ahead.

What to do: Slow down and stay centered in your lane as the road narrows.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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. 96 ↗

Share the road (bicycle)

Bicyclists may be sharing the road ahead.

What to do: Watch for bicyclists and give them room when passing.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Sharp turn right

A sharp right turn is ahead in the road.

What to do: Slow down significantly before making the sharp right turn.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Signal ahead

A traffic signal is ahead at the intersection.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for the signal.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

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. 113 ↗

Stop ahead

Warns that a stop sign is ahead.

What to do: Begin slowing down and prepare to stop at the upcoming stop sign.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Turn around don't drown (flood warning sign)

Warns that the road ahead is flooded; do not attempt to cross.

What to do: Turn around; do not drive into flooded roadways.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: other

Handbook p. 126 ↗

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

Yield ahead

Warns a yield sign is ahead.

What to do: Slow down and prepare to yield.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

School crossing

Warns of a school crossing ahead.

What to do: Slow down and watch for children crossing.

Shape: pentagon · Color: yellow

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

Uneven grade crossing

Warns of an uneven or rough railroad crossing surface.

What to do: Slow down; the crossing surface may be rough or uneven.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Detour

Marks an alternate route around a closure.

What to do: Follow the detour route as directed.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: other

End detour

Marks the end of a detour route.

What to do: Resume normal travel on the regular route.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: other

Exit closed

Warns that the exit ahead is closed.

What to do: Do not use this exit; continue to the next one.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: other

Road work ahead

Warns of road construction ahead.

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

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Canoe access / portage

Indicates a canoe launch or portage area nearby.

What to do: Use for recreational route planning.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: brown

Hurricane evacuation route

Marks a designated hurricane evacuation route.

What to do: Follow these markers when evacuating for a hurricane.

Shape: circle · Color: blue

Interstate route marker

Identifies the interstate highway you are on.

What to do: Use the marker to confirm your route and navigate.

Shape: shield · Color: blue

US route marker

Marks a numbered U.S. highway route.

What to do: Use this marker to confirm you are on or to find the numbered US route.

Shape: shield · Color: white

Food

Indicates food services are available nearby.

What to do: Use to find a restaurant.

Shape: square · Color: blue

Gas

Marks a gas station near the road or exit.

What to do: Follow the sign if you need to refuel.

Shape: square · Color: blue

Historical marker

Marks a site of historical interest.

What to do: Follow the sign if you want to visit the historical site; no action required otherwise.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown

Hospital

Indicates hospital services are available nearby.

What to do: Follow signs to reach the hospital in an emergency.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue

Lodging

Indicates lodging is available nearby.

What to do: Use to find a hotel or motel.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue

Telephone

Indicates a public telephone is available nearby.

What to do: Use to find emergency or public phone access.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue