Maine road signs
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.
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.
62 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the Maine course.
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
Handbook p. 54 ↗
Indicates traffic in this lane must turn left.
What to do: Turn left only when in a lane marked with this sign.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 53 ↗
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. 53 ↗
Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.
What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 33 ↗
Parking is not allowed here.
What to do: Do not park a vehicle in this area.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 71 ↗
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. 53 ↗
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. 53 ↗
Traffic on this road moves in one direction only.
What to do: Travel only in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 54 ↗
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
Handbook p. 53 ↗
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
Handbook p. 53 ↗
State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
What to do: Stop and let pedestrians in the crosswalk cross before proceeding.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: fluorescent_yellow_green
Handbook p. 101 ↗
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. 53 ↗
Traffic in this lane may only go straight.
What to do: Continue straight; do not turn from this lane.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 53 ↗
Slow down and give the right-of-way to other traffic or pedestrians.
What to do: Slow or stop if needed and let crossing traffic or pedestrians go first.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 53 ↗
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. 51 ↗
Marks the direction of a sharp curve or turn ahead.
What to do: Follow the direction of the chevron and slow down for the curve.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 121 ↗
Warns of an intersecting road crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for crossing traffic at the intersection.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Road curves to the left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the left curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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
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. 51 ↗
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. 51 ↗
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. 111 ↗
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. 111 ↗
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
Handbook p. 81 ↗
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. 111 ↗
Marks a sharp curve or turn to direct traffic through it.
What to do: Follow the direction of the arrow and slow down for the turn.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
The left lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Merge right safely before your lane ends.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
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. 51 ↗
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
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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. 51 ↗
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
Handbook p. 101 ↗
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
The road becomes narrower ahead.
What to do: Slow down and stay centered in your lane as the road narrows.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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. 63 ↗
Bicyclists may be sharing the road ahead.
What to do: Watch for bicyclists and give them room when passing.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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. 51 ↗
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
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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. 80 ↗
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. 110 ↗
Warns that a stop sign is ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop at the upcoming intersection.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 51 ↗
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. 51 ↗
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. 51 ↗
Marks a railroad crossing; a train may be near.
What to do: Slow down, look both ways, and stop if a train approaches.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 52 ↗
A railroad crossing is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Flashing arrow display directs traffic to merge into an open lane.
What to do: Slow down and merge into the lane indicated by the arrow.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 113 ↗
Cones guide traffic away from a work area or hazard.
What to do: Stay within the lane marked by the cones and slow down.
Shape: other · Color: orange
Handbook p. 113 ↗
Directs traffic around a closed road section.
What to do: Follow the detour route in the direction of the arrow.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Warns that a detour is ahead due to road closure.
What to do: Be ready to follow the marked detour route.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 113 ↗
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
Handbook p. 52 ↗
The road narrows to one lane in 1000 feet.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to take turns with oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Warns of road construction activity ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 113 ↗
Road workers are working near or in the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 52 ↗
Identifies the interstate highway you are on.
What to do: Use the marker to confirm your route and navigate.
Shape: shield · Color: blue
Handbook p. 54 ↗
Identifies a numbered U.S. highway route.
What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct numbered route.
Shape: shield · Color: white
Handbook p. 54 ↗
Marks a gas station near the road or exit.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to refuel.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 54 ↗
Points the way to a state park or recreation area.
What to do: Follow the arrow if you want to reach the park.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown
Handbook p. 54 ↗
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
Handbook p. 55 ↗
A dashed yellow line separates two-way traffic and allows passing.
What to do: Pass on your side only when the dashed yellow line is clear and safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 55 ↗
A shared center lane for left turns from either direction.
What to do: Use this lane only to turn left or wait to turn; do not drive through it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 59 ↗
A cyclist's straight, extended arm signals a left turn.
What to do: Expect the cyclist to turn or move left; give them room.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 103 ↗
A cyclist's bent, downward arm signals stopping or slowing.
What to do: Treat this signal like brake lights; slow down and give room to stop.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 103 ↗