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
North Carolina road signs
North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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
Keep right (divided highway) symbol sign
Directs traffic to keep right of a median or obstruction.
What to do: Stay to the right of the obstruction or divider ahead.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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
Prohibits turning right at this location.
What to do: Do not turn right; continue straight or choose another direction.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 43 ↗
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
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. 43 ↗
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 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. 43 ↗
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
Bicycle crossing
Warns that bicyclists may be crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for bicyclists crossing the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Warns that the road ahead splits into a divided highway.
What to do: Keep right of the divider as the road splits ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Hill
Warns of a steep downhill grade ahead.
What to do: Check your brakes and use a lower gear on the downgrade.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Warns that a lane from the side merges into your roadway ahead.
What to do: Be ready to let merging traffic in; adjust speed or change lanes if needed.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Pedestrian crossing
Warns that pedestrians may be crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for pedestrians crossing the road.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Warns that a traffic signal is ahead.
What to do: Be prepared to stop for the upcoming traffic light.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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. 44 ↗
Stop ahead
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. 44 ↗
Two-way traffic
Warns that the road ahead carries traffic in both directions.
What to do: Stay in your lane and watch for oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Marks the beginning of a school zone with reduced speed.
What to do: Slow down and watch for children in this area.
Shape: pentagon · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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. 44 ↗
Railroad crossing ahead
Warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.
Shape: circle · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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. 33 ↗
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
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
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
Road workers are working near or in the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
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
Hospital
Indicates a hospital is nearby.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to reach the hospital.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 44 ↗
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
Steady yellow light
A steady yellow light warns the signal is about to turn red.
What to do: Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise clear the intersection.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 42 ↗
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
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