Minnesota 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 enter

Entry is prohibited on this roadway.

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

Shape: square · Color: red

Do not pass

You may not pass other vehicles here.

What to do: Remain in your lane and wait for a passing zone.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Keep right

Keep right of the island, median or obstruction ahead.

What to do: Stay to the right of the marked obstruction as you pass it.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

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

Lane-use control sign (turn only)

Shows the only turning movements allowed from each lane.

What to do: Stay in the lane matching the turn you intend to make.

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 parking

Prohibits parking in this area.

What to do: Do not park your vehicle here.

Shape: square · Color: white

No passing zone

Marks the start of a no-passing zone.

What to do: Do not pass other vehicles until past the end of the zone.

Shape: pennant · Color: yellow

Handbook p. 63 ↗

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

You may not turn on a red light at this intersection.

What to do: Wait for a green light before turning; do not turn on red.

Shape: rectangle vertical · 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 car per green light (ramp meter) sign

Indicates only one vehicle may proceed on each green ramp-meter light.

What to do: Wait your turn and proceed only when the ramp meter light turns green.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white

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

Reduced speed ahead

Warns that the speed limit is reduced ahead.

What to do: Begin slowing down to the new speed limit ahead.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Reserved parking (accessible)

Reserves this parking space for vehicles with a disability permit.

What to do: Only park here if you have a valid disability parking permit or plate.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue

Restricted (HOV) lane ends

Indicates a restricted or HOV lane is ending ahead.

What to do: Merge out of the restricted lane before it ends.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Roundabout lane-use sign (left lane / right lane)

Shows which movements are allowed from the left and right lanes at a roundabout.

What to do: Choose the lane matching the exit or direction you need before entering.

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

Speed limit with minimum speed

States the maximum and minimum legal speeds on this road.

What to do: Drive between the minimum and maximum speeds shown.

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

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 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

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

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

Curve right

Road curves to the right ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.

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

Hill

A steep downhill grade is ahead.

What to do: Shift to a lower gear and control speed going downhill.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Large arrow

Marks the direction of a sharp turn in the road ahead.

What to do: Slow down and follow the direction of the arrow.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: yellow

Low clearance

Shows the maximum vehicle height that can safely pass under a structure.

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

Narrow bridge

Warns that the bridge ahead is narrower than the road.

What to do: Slow down and be prepared to share the narrow bridge with oncoming traffic.

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

Warns that a traffic signal is ahead.

What to do: Be prepared to stop for the upcoming traffic light.

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

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

T intersection

Warns that the road ends ahead in a T-shaped intersection.

What to do: Slow down and prepare to turn left or right; yield to cross traffic.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

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

Warns that the road ahead splits into a Y-shaped intersection.

What to do: Slow down and choose the correct branch of the road.

Shape: diamond · 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

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

Railroad crossing ahead

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

Railroad crossing emergency notification sign

Provides a phone number and ID to report railroad crossing problems.

What to do: Call the number shown to report a malfunction or emergency at this crossing.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Detour ahead

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

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 a work zone ahead on the road.

What to do: Slow down, watch for workers and be ready to change lanes or stop.

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

Bike route

Marks a route designated for bicycle travel.

What to do: Watch for and share the road with bicyclists along this route.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green

County route marker

Identifies a numbered county road route.

What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct county route.

Shape: pentagon · Color: blue

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

Interstate route marker

Identifies a numbered interstate freeway route.

What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct interstate route.

Shape: shield · Color: blue

Mile marker

Shows your location in miles along the highway.

What to do: No action required; use it to track location or report it in an emergency.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green

State route marker

Identifies a numbered state highway route.

What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct state route.

Shape: other · Color: blue

US route marker

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

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

Canoe portage (recreational area)

Marks a canoe portage or recreational access point.

What to do: No specific action; informational recreational sign.

Shape: square · Color: brown

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

Recreational area

Directs drivers to a state park or recreational site.

What to do: Follow the arrow toward the recreational area if that is your destination.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown

Rest area

A rest area is ahead in the direction shown.

What to do: Follow the arrow if you want to stop and rest.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue

Road/weather information call sign

Provides a phone number for road and weather conditions.

What to do: Call the number for current road and weather information if needed.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue

Flashing yellow arrow

A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn after yielding.

What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it is safe.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Lane control signal - flashing yellow down arrow (lane closing soon)

A flashing yellow downward arrow warns the lane will close very soon.

What to do: Move out of this lane promptly before it closes.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Lane control signal - flashing yellow X (prepare to turn left)

A flashing yellow X means the lane is for making a left turn only.

What to do: Use this lane only to make a left turn when it flashes yellow X.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Lane control signal - steady yellow X (lane closing)

A steady yellow X warns that this lane is about to close.

What to do: Prepare to move out of this lane; a red X will follow.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Lane control signal - yellow down arrow (lane closing)

A steady yellow downward arrow warns that this lane is about to close.

What to do: Prepare to move out of this lane before it closes.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Pedestrian don't walk signal

A steady raised hand means pedestrians should not start crossing.

What to do: Do not start crossing; finish crossing quickly if already in the street.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Pedestrian don't walk signal (text)

A steady DON'T WALK sign means pedestrians should not start crossing.

What to do: Do not start crossing; finish crossing quickly if already in the street.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Pedestrian walk signal

A steady WALK signal means pedestrians may begin crossing.

What to do: Pedestrians may cross; drivers must yield to them.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Steady green light

A steady green light means you may proceed if the way is clear.

What to do: Go if the intersection is clear, yielding to any traffic still in it.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a