3-foot passing law (bicycles)
Drivers must leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
What to do: Give at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
New York road signs
New York 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 New York course.
3-foot passing law for bicycles
Drivers must leave at least 3 feet of space when passing a cyclist.
What to do: Leave at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: yellow
4-foot passing law for bicycles
Drivers must leave at least 4 feet of space when passing a cyclist.
What to do: Leave at least 4 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
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
Lane-use arrows (straight or right turn only)
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
Lane-use control sign (left, straight, right only)
Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · 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
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 drinking and driving
Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.
What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.
Shape: rectangle vertical · 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
No right turn
Right turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn right at this location; continue straight or choose another route.
Shape: square · Color: white
Reserved parking (accessible)
Marks a parking space reserved for people with disabilities.
What to do: Only park here with a valid accessible plate or permit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Seat belt law
Reminds drivers and passengers that seat belt use is required by law.
What to do: Buckle your seat belt every time you drive or ride, day or night.
Shape: circle · Color: red
Speed limit
Shows the maximum legal speed on that roadway.
What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted speed.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 29 ↗
State law yield to pedestrians in crosswalk
State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
What to do: Stop and let pedestrians in or entering the crosswalk cross safely.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: yellow
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. 29 ↗
Timed pay parking
Paid parking is allowed here for a limited time.
What to do: Pay the posted fee and do not exceed the posted time limit when parking.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Yield
Slow down or stop if necessary and let others go first.
What to do: Slow down, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when clear.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 29 ↗
Accessible crossing (persons with disabilities)
Warns of a crossing used by persons with disabilities.
What to do: Watch for pedestrians using mobility devices crossing ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
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 recommended safe speed for the road condition ahead.
What to do: Slow to the advisory speed shown.
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
Exit speed advisory
Shows the recommended safe speed for the exit ramp.
What to do: Slow to the posted advisory speed before taking the exit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Flood area (Turn Around Don't Drown)
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
Golf cart crossing
Warns that golf carts may cross or use the roadway ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for slow-moving golf carts entering or crossing the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Left lane ends
The left lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Merge right safely before your lane ends.
Shape: diamond · 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
Playground
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
Reverse curve
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Reverse turn
The road makes a sharp turn one way then the other.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both turns.
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
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
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
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
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
Advance intersection railroad
Warns the intersecting road ahead has a railroad crossing.
What to do: Watch for trains at the side-road crossing as you approach the intersection.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Railroad crossbuck with multiple tracks plaque
Marks a railroad crossing with more than one track.
What to do: Check for a second train before crossing after the first passes.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 61 ↗
Railroad crossing emergency notification sign
Gives a phone number and ID to report emergencies at this crossing.
What to do: Note the crossing ID number to report a problem quickly.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 61 ↗
Active work zone when flashing (increased penalties)
Warns that increased penalties apply when the work zone beacon is flashing.
What to do: Slow down and obey work zone rules when the beacon is flashing.
Shape: square · Color: orange
Flagger ahead
Warns that a flagger is directing traffic ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to follow the flagger's signal.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Road work ahead
Construction or maintenance work is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Workers ahead
Warns that workers are present ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers on or near the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Airport
Directs you toward the airport.
What to do: Follow signs to reach the airport.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Destination and distance
Shows the direction and distance to nearby towns.
What to do: Use the sign to plan your route and lane position.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 30 ↗
State route marker
Identifies a numbered state highway route.
What to do: Use the marker to confirm which route you are on.
Shape: circle · Color: white
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Accessible facility
Marks a facility or space accessible to people with disabilities.
What to do: Use as directed; reserve marked accessible spaces for permit holders.
Shape: square · Color: blue
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
Gas
Indicates fuel services are available.
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
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
Railroad flashing lights
A railroad crossing gate and lights warn a train may be coming.
What to do: Stop and wait; never drive around a lowered gate or flashing lights.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Broken white line
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
HOV diamond
A white diamond in a lane marks it for high-occupancy vehicles.
What to do: Only use this lane if your vehicle meets the occupancy requirement.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 33 ↗
Two-way left turn lane markings
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
Hand signal left turn
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
Hand signal stop or slow
Arm bent downward at the elbow signals stopping or slowing.
What to do: Bend your arm downward at the elbow to signal you are stopping or slowing.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a