South Dakota road signs
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.
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.
62 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the South Dakota course.
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. 34 ↗
Entry is prohibited in this direction.
What to do: Do not enter; find another way to your destination.
Shape: circle · Color: red
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Passing other vehicles is prohibited here.
What to do: Do not pass; stay behind slower traffic until the zone ends.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Traffic fines are doubled in this work zone.
What to do: Slow down and obey posted limits; fines for violations are doubled here.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Vehicles in this lane may only turn left.
What to do: Turn left; do not go straight or right from this lane.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Left turns are permitted on a green light but must yield to oncoming traffic.
What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic before turning left on green.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
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. 32 ↗
Parking is not allowed here.
What to do: Do not park your vehicle at this location.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 40 ↗
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. 32 ↗
Right turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn right at this location.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
U-turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not make a U-turn at this location.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Traffic on this road moves in one direction only.
What to do: Travel only in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 32 ↗
This lane may go straight or turn right only.
What to do: Use this lane only to go straight or turn right as marked.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
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. 32 ↗
Vehicles in this lane may only go straight.
What to do: Continue straight; do not turn from this lane.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 32 ↗
Slow down and yield to oncoming or crossing traffic.
What to do: Slow or stop and give the right-of-way to traffic as needed.
Shape: triangle · Color: red
Handbook p. 32 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Shows the recommended safe speed for a curve or condition ahead.
What to do: Slow to the advisory speed shown for the upcoming curve or hazard.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Warns of a four-way intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for cross traffic entering from both sides.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Road curves to the left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the left curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Warns deer may cross the road here.
What to do: Watch for deer, especially at dawn/dusk, and be ready to slow down.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Marks a sharp curve or turn to direct traffic through it.
What to do: Follow the direction of the arrow and slow down for the turn.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Shows the maximum vehicle height that can safely pass under a bridge or structure ahead.
What to do: Do not proceed if your vehicle or load is taller than the height shown.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
The road becomes narrower ahead.
What to do: Slow down and stay centered in your lane as the road narrows.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Warns of a roundabout ahead.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Warns drivers to share the lane with bicyclists.
What to do: Watch for and give room to bicyclists sharing the roadway.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Warns of a traffic signal at the intersection ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for the upcoming signal.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Warns that the vehicle ahead travels 25 mph or less.
What to do: Slow down early and pass with care when it is safe.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 33 ↗
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. 30 ↗
The road ahead ends in a T-shaped intersection.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to turn left or right.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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
Handbook p. 30 ↗
Marks a school crossing area.
What to do: Slow down and watch for children crossing.
Shape: pentagon · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 30 ↗
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
Handbook p. 58 ↗
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
Marks a railroad crossing with flashing lights; acts like a yield sign.
What to do: Yield to trains; stop if lights are flashing or a train is approaching.
Shape: crossbuck · Color: white
Handbook p. 31 ↗
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. 30 ↗
Gives a phone number and crossing ID to report railroad problems.
What to do: Call the posted number to report a stalled vehicle or hazard at the crossing.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 31 ↗
A striped drum used to channel traffic away from a hazard in a work zone.
What to do: Do not drive over or between the drums; follow the path they mark.
Shape: other · Color: orange
Handbook p. 31 ↗
Marks an alternate route around a closed road.
What to do: Follow the detour route indicated by the arrow.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black
Handbook p. 31 ↗
The road narrows to one lane in 1000 feet.
What to do: Slow down and prepare to take turns with oncoming traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 31 ↗
A barricade marking that the road ahead is closed.
What to do: Do not proceed past the barricade; find another route.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 31 ↗
A cone used to channel traffic in a work zone.
What to do: Do not drive over or between the cones; follow the path they mark.
Shape: other · Color: orange
Handbook p. 31 ↗
A short reflective post used to channel traffic in a work zone.
What to do: Do not cross the line of posts; follow the path they mark.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange
Handbook p. 31 ↗
Has the same meaning as a stop sign.
What to do: Stop completely, then proceed when the way is clear.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 29 ↗
You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn with caution.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 29 ↗
You must not turn in the arrow's direction; stop and wait.
What to do: Stop and remain stopped until a green light or green arrow appears.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 29 ↗
You may proceed if the way is clear.
What to do: Go straight or turn if clear, yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic when turning.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 29 ↗
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. 29 ↗
Warns the light is about to turn red.
What to do: Stop if you can do so safely; if too close to stop, clear the intersection with caution.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 29 ↗
A dashed white line separates lanes moving in the same direction and may be crossed to change lanes.
What to do: You may cross a dashed white line to change lanes when safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 33 ↗
A dashed yellow center line means passing is allowed when safe.
What to do: You may cross to pass when the way is clear.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 33 ↗
Two solid yellow lines mean passing is not allowed from either side.
What to do: Do not cross to pass in either direction.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 33 ↗
A solid line paired with a broken line lets traffic on the broken-line side pass.
What to do: You may pass only if the broken (dashed) line is on your side.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 33 ↗