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
Handbook p. 38 ↗Ohio road signs
Ohio 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 Ohio course.
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
Handbook p. 17 ↗
Do not enter
You may not enter the roadway from this direction.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.
Shape: square · Color: red
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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. 14 ↗
No U-turn
U-turns are prohibited at this location.
What to do: Do not make a U-turn here.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 14 ↗
One way
Traffic on this road moves in one direction only.
What to do: Travel only in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 17 ↗
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. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Yield
Slow down and let other traffic or pedestrians go first.
What to do: Slow or stop if needed and yield the right-of-way before proceeding.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 14 ↗
Yield to pedestrians
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at this marked crosswalk.
What to do: Stop and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 37 ↗
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
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. 14 ↗
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
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. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
One lane bridge
Warns the bridge ahead has only one lane.
What to do: Slow down and yield to oncoming traffic already on the bridge.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 14 ↗
Pedestrian crossing
Warns that pedestrians may be crossing the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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. 14 ↗
Sharp turn right
The road turns sharply to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down well before the turn and steer right to follow the sharp bend.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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
Handbook p. 33 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Marks a vehicle that travels 25 mph or less.
What to do: Slow down early and pass only when safe.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 41 ↗
T intersection
Warns the road ahead ends at a T-shaped junction.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to turn right or left.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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. 14 ↗
Uneven lanes
Warns of an uneven surface or drop-off between lanes.
What to do: Slow down and hold the wheel firmly crossing the uneven surface.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 42 ↗
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
Handbook p. 33 ↗
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
School zone speed limit
Shows the maximum speed in a school zone during restricted hours.
What to do: Slow to the posted speed during the restricted hours.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 14 ↗
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. 24 ↗
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
Handbook p. 14 ↗
End road work
Marks the end of a road work zone.
What to do: Resume normal speed once past this sign.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 32 ↗
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
Handbook p. 15 ↗
Road work ahead
Warns of construction or maintenance work on the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 15 ↗
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
Handbook p. 15 ↗
Destination and distance
Shows the direction and distance to nearby cities.
What to do: Use the sign to plan your route and lane position.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 15 ↗
National Forest route marker
Identifies a numbered route within a National Forest.
What to do: Use the marker to confirm which forest route you are on.
Shape: shield · Color: brown
Handbook p. 15 ↗
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
Camping
Directs drivers to a nearby camping area.
What to do: Follow the arrow if you want to camp.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue
Handbook p. 15 ↗
Gas
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. 15 ↗
Park and ride
Directs drivers to a park-and-ride lot.
What to do: Follow the arrow to park and use transit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Non-working traffic signal
A completely dark, non-working traffic signal at an intersection.
What to do: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
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
Crosswalk
Marks where pedestrians cross the roadway.
What to do: Stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 17 ↗
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