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. 86 ↗Rhode Island road signs
Rhode Island road signs and meanings.
Explore 69 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
69 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the Rhode Island course.
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. 85 ↗
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
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Left or straight lane
Traffic in this lane may go left or straight.
What to do: Use this lane only to turn left or continue straight.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Minimum speed limit
States the minimum legal speed, here 45 mph (maximum 55).
What to do: Do not drive slower than the posted minimum speed.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
No left turn
Left turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn left at this location.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
No parking
Parking is not allowed here.
What to do: Do not park in this area.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
No parking any time
Parking is never allowed here.
What to do: Do not park in this area at any time.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
No passing zone
Marks the start of a zone where passing is not allowed.
What to do: Do not pass other vehicles while in this zone.
Shape: pennant · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
No trucks
Trucks are prohibited on this roadway.
What to do: Do not drive a truck past this sign.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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
Handbook p. 85 ↗
No U-turn
U-turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not make a U-turn at this location.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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. 85 ↗
Reserved parking (accessible)
The accessible-parking symbol marks parking reserved for permit holders with disabilities.
What to do: Do not park here without a valid accessible parking permit.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 40 ↗
Restricted lane ahead
Warns of a restricted (HOV) lane ahead marked with a diamond.
What to do: Only enter the restricted lane if you meet its posted requirements.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Right or straight lane
Traffic in this lane may go straight or turn right.
What to do: Use this lane if you plan to go straight or turn right.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Right turn only
Traffic in this lane must turn right.
What to do: Turn right; do not go straight or left from this lane.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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. 85 ↗
Wrong way
Warns you are entering a road in the wrong direction.
What to do: Stop, do not proceed, and safely turn around.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red
Handbook p. 85 ↗
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. 85 ↗
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
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Chevron alignment
Marks a sharp curve; the road bends sharply left in the direction of the arrow.
What to do: Slow down and follow the curve in the direction the chevron points.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Curve right
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Emergency vehicle
Emergency vehicles may enter or cross the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to yield to emergency vehicles.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Farm equipment
Slow-moving farm machinery may be on the road.
What to do: Slow down and pass farm equipment carefully when safe.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
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
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Narrow bridge
Warns the bridge ahead is narrower than the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to share less width with oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Object marker
Yellow-and-black striped markers show the edge of an obstacle in or near the roadway.
What to do: Keep clear of the marked obstacle.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
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
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Slow moving vehicle
Warns of a slow-moving vehicle on the road ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to pass with care when safe.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Stop ahead
Warns of a stop sign at the intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to stop.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
T intersection
Warns of a T-shaped intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down; the road ahead ends and you must turn left or right.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Two-way traffic
Warns that the road ahead carries traffic in both directions.
What to do: Stay in your lane; do not pass into the oncoming lane.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Yield ahead
Warns of a yield sign at the intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be prepared to yield the right-of-way.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
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. 45 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Railroad crossing with gate and flashing lights
Shows a railroad crossing equipped with gates and flashing lights.
What to do: Stop when gates lower or lights flash; never drive around a lowered gate.
Shape: other · Color: other
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Detour
Marks an alternate route around a closed road.
What to do: Follow the detour route indicated by the arrow.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Road work ahead
Warns of road construction or maintenance work ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment ahead.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 86 ↗
Work zone speed limit
States the reduced speed limit (35 mph) in a work zone.
What to do: Slow to and obey the posted work-zone speed limit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange
Handbook p. 86 ↗
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. 86 ↗
Destination and distance
Shows distances in miles to nearby cities.
What to do: Use this sign to plan how far you are from each destination.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Exit sign
Marks Exit 11 ahead with a directional arrow.
What to do: Move toward the exit lane if taking Exit 11.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Mile marker
Small green sign marking mile 44 along the highway.
What to do: Use mile markers to note your location for reference or emergencies.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 85 ↗
State route marker
Identifies the road as Rhode Island Route 10.
What to do: Use this marker to confirm you are on the correct route.
Shape: shield · Color: white
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Food
Marks food/restaurant services nearby.
What to do: Follow signs to exit if you want food.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Hospital
Marks a hospital nearby.
What to do: Follow signs to exit if you need a hospital.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Lodging
Marks lodging (hotel/motel) available nearby.
What to do: Follow signs to exit if you need lodging.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Telephone
Marks the location of a telephone service.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to find a telephone.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Handbook p. 85 ↗
Pedestrian don't walk signal
Tells pedestrians not to start crossing.
What to do: Do not start crossing; if already in the street, finish crossing.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Pedestrian walk signal
Tells pedestrians they may start crossing.
What to do: Start crossing, but stay alert for turning vehicles.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Steady red light
Stop and wait; do not proceed.
What to do: Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the light turns green.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 42 ↗
Bike lane
Marks a lane reserved for bicycle travel.
What to do: Do not drive or park in a marked bike lane.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 55 ↗
HOV diamond
A white diamond painted in a lane marks it as a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.
What to do: Only use this lane if you meet the posted occupancy or vehicle requirements.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗
Two-way left turn lane markings
A shared center lane that traffic from both directions uses to turn left.
What to do: Use this lane only to turn left; do not drive through it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 39 ↗