Regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do. You must obey them just like traffic laws. Most are white rectangles with black or red; stop, yield, do not enter and wrong way signs use red.
Know the rule
Stop sign (red with white letters, or yellow with black letters): come to a complete stop before the crosswalk, intersection or sign, yield to pedestrians and vehicles, then proceed carefully. It applies to every vehicle that comes to it; slowing down is not enough.
Handbook p. 36 ↗Know the rule
All-way stop plaques mean every approach must stop; go in the order you arrived. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
Handbook p. 37 ↗Lane and turn control
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| One way (arrow) | Turn only in the direction of the arrow |
| Double left-turn lanes | Left lane must turn left; other lane may choose |
| No left turn / No U-turn | That turn is prohibited at this intersection |
| Right lane must turn right | Right lane turns right at the next intersection |
| Center lane left turn only | Only for left turns; never passing or through travel |
| Left lane for passing only | Slower traffic may not use the far-left lane |
| Slower traffic keep right | Stay right if slower than other traffic |
| Keep right (island) | Drive to the right; used before islands and medians |
Restrictions
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HOV 2+ (6–9 a.m. Mon–Fri) | Buses and carpools only during those hours |
| Do not pass / Do not cross yellow lines | Sight distance too short; you may not pass |
| Reserved (disabled) parking | Only vehicles with disabled plate or placard |
| No trucks | Trucks may not use or enter this roadway |
| Do not cross double white line | Don't change lanes or turn across the lines |
| Cell phone use prohibited (school) | No wireless device use in the school zone |
| Emergency stopping only | Shoulder only for breakdowns, flats, fuel, emergencies |
Speed signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Speed limit | Maximum speed; may list day and night limits |
| School zone (yellow light) | Limit applies when the yellow light is flashing |
| Advisory speed (curve/turn) | Highest safe speed around the curve or turn |
| Exit advisory speed | Safe speed for the highway exit ramp |
Danger and direction
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Do not enter | One-way traffic comes at you; don't go that way |
| Wrong way | You're driving against traffic on a one-way road |
| Yield | Slow or stop to yield to vehicles, pedestrians, bikes |
| Road closed | Closed to all traffic; find a detour |
| Form one line left | All traffic must merge into one lane |
| Crossover | Place to cross to the other side of a divided highway |
| Protected left on green arrow | Oncoming traffic stops while you turn; use caution |
| Red light photo enforced | Red-light violations are camera-enforced |
Put it into practice
You turn onto a street and see a red WRONG WAY sign facing you. You're heading against one-way traffic. Stop safely, turn around, and leave the way you came.