Advisory speed
Recommended safe speed for the exit ramp ahead.
What to do: Slow to the posted advisory speed before taking the exit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗Michigan road signs
Michigan 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 Michigan course.
Authorized vehicles only
Restricts this area or lane to authorized vehicles only.
What to do: Do not enter unless your vehicle is authorized.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Do not enter
Entry is prohibited on this roadway.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.
Shape: square · Color: red
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Do not pass
Prohibits passing other vehicles at this location.
What to do: Do not pass other vehicles here.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 46 ↗
Lane movement sign (turn only)
Shows the only turning movements allowed from this lane.
What to do: Follow only the turn directions shown for your lane.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Lane-use arrows (left turn only; straight or right)
Shows which movements are allowed from each lane.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you intend to make.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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 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. 57 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
No trucks
Trucks are not allowed on this roadway.
What to do: Do not drive a truck past this sign; use an alternate route.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗
No turn on red
Prohibits turning at this signal while the light is red.
What to do: Wait for a green light before turning; do not turn on red here.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 56 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
One hour parking sign
Allows parking in this area for a maximum of one hour.
What to do: Do not park longer than one hour where this sign is posted.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 51 ↗
One way
Indicates traffic on this street moves in one direction only.
What to do: Travel only in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Pass with care
Indicates passing is allowed here if it can be done safely.
What to do: Check for oncoming traffic and pass only when clearly safe.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Reserved parking (accessible)
Parking here is reserved for people with disabilities.
What to do: Do not park here without a valid accessible parking permit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 1 ↗
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
Handbook p. 40 ↗
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. 57 ↗
Two hour parking sign
Allows parking in this area for a maximum of two hours.
What to do: Do not park longer than the posted time limit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Yield
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. 57 ↗
Bicycle and pedestrian crossing
Warns that bicyclists and pedestrians may cross ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Bridge ices before road
Warns that the bridge surface can freeze before the road does.
What to do: Slow down and watch for ice on bridges in cold weather.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Crossroad
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. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Double arrow
Warns of a divided roadway or median where traffic may pass on either side.
What to do: You may pass on either side of the obstruction or median.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
Keep left
Pass the obstruction or island on its left side.
What to do: Move left of the island or divider; do not pass on its right.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 1 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
Reverse curve
Warns the road curves one way then immediately the opposite way ahead.
What to do: Slow down and stay in your lane through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Right lane ends
The right lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Merge left safely before your lane ends.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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. 49 ↗
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
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Identifies a vehicle that travels 25 mph or slower.
What to do: Slow down and pass with care when you see this emblem.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 68 ↗
Stop ahead
A stop sign is ahead on the road.
What to do: Begin slowing now and be ready to stop at the sign.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Two-way traffic
The road ahead carries traffic in both directions.
What to do: Stay in your lane and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Winding road (advisory speed)
Warns of a series of curves ahead with an advisory speed.
What to do: Slow to the advisory speed and stay in your lane through the curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Yield ahead
Warns that a yield sign is ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to yield at the upcoming intersection.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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. 57 ↗
Railroad crossbuck
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. 57 ↗
Railroad crossbuck (number of tracks)
Marks a railroad crossing and the number of tracks present.
What to do: Yield to trains and cross only when the tracks are clear.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Railroad crossing ahead
Warns that a railroad crossing is ahead.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
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 work ahead
Warns of road construction ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 57 ↗
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
Shows directions and distance to nearby towns.
What to do: Use it to choose your direction toward the listed destinations.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Destination and distance (recreational)
Shows the distance to a recreational destination.
What to do: Use it to gauge distance remaining to the destination.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Exit sign
Marks an upcoming highway exit.
What to do: Move into the proper lane to take the exit if needed.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 1 ↗
State route marker
Identifies a numbered state highway route.
What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct state route.
Shape: diamond · Color: black
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Gas
Indicates fuel services are available.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to refuel.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Rest area
Indicates a rest area is ahead.
What to do: Follow the arrow if you want to stop and rest.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Green arrow
A green arrow signal permits movement only in the direction shown.
What to do: Proceed in the direction of the arrow when it is safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 64 ↗
Shared lane marking (sharrow)
Marks a traffic lane that is shared by bicycles and vehicles.
What to do: Expect and safely share the lane with bicyclists.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 61 ↗
Hand signal right turn
Arm extended out and bent upward at the elbow signals a right turn.
What to do: Extend your left arm out and up to signal a right turn.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Hand signal stop or slow
Arm extended out and bent downward at the elbow signals stopping or slowing.
What to do: Extend your left arm out and down to signal you are stopping or slowing.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 47 ↗