Texas road signs and meanings.

Center lane left turn only (two-way left turn)

The center lane is only for left turns from either direction.

What to do: Use the center lane only to prepare for or complete a left turn.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Do not cross double white line

Crossing the double white line is prohibited.

What to do: Stay within your lane; do not cross the double white line.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

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

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

Emergency stopping only

This area may be used only for emergency stops.

What to do: Do not stop here unless it is a true emergency.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

HOV lane

Marks a lane restricted to carpools and buses with 2+ occupants during posted hours.

What to do: Only use this lane if you meet the occupancy requirement during the posted hours.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Keep right

Directs traffic to keep right of a median, island, or obstruction.

What to do: Stay to the right of the divider ahead.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Left lane for passing only

The left lane may be used only for passing.

What to do: Do not drive continuously in the left lane; use it to pass, then return right.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Left lane must turn left

Shows the left lane must turn left (marked ONLY); the adjacent lane continues straight.

What to do: Position your vehicle in the left lane only if you intend to turn left.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Left turn signal

Indicates a separate signal controls left turns at this intersection.

What to do: Watch for and obey the dedicated left-turn signal.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Left turn yield on green

You may turn left on a green light but must yield to oncoming traffic.

What to do: Turn left only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Handbook p. 31 ↗

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 trucks

Trucks are not allowed on this roadway.

What to do: Do not drive a truck past this sign; use an alternate route.

Shape: square · Color: white

No U-turn

U-turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn around; continue straight or use another route.

Shape: square · Color: white

Protected left on green arrow

Left turns are protected (no oncoming traffic) only during the green arrow.

What to do: Turn left only when the green arrow is shown; oncoming traffic is stopped then.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Right lane must turn right

Vehicles in the right lane are required to turn right at the intersection.

What to do: Move out of the right lane if you do not intend to turn right.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Seat belt law

Reminds drivers and passengers that seat belt use is required by law.

What to do: Buckle your seat belt before driving; ensure passengers do too.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Handbook p. 70 ↗

Slower traffic keep right

Tells slower-moving traffic to stay in the right lane(s).

What to do: If driving slower than the flow of traffic, keep to the right.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Speed limit

States the maximum legal speed, here 55 mph.

What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted limit.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

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. 30 ↗

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

Wrong way

Warns you are driving against traffic on a one-way roadway.

What to do: Stop safely, then carefully turn around; you are going the wrong way.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red

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

Yield here to pedestrians

Tells drivers to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk ahead of this sign.

What to do: Stop or yield before the crosswalk to let pedestrians cross.

Shape: square · Color: white

Handbook p. 29 ↗

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

Bump

A bump is in the road ahead.

What to do: Slow down before reaching the bump.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Chevron alignment

Marks a sharp curve; points in the direction the road turns.

What to do: Slow down and follow the direction the chevron points.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow

Crossroad

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

Curve left

Road curves left ahead; advisory speed is posted.

What to do: Slow to the advisory speed and steer left through the curve.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Dip

There is a low place (dip) in the road ahead.

What to do: Slow down and be prepared for a sudden dip in the road surface.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Disabled pedestrian crossing

Warns that disabled individuals, including wheelchair users, may be crossing.

What to do: Slow down and watch for people who may be disabled or in a wheelchair crossing the road.

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

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

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

Grooved pavement

Warns the pavement is grooved, which can affect motorcycles especially.

What to do: Slow down and use extra caution, especially on a motorcycle.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Highway intersection ahead

Warns that the road you are on intersects a highway ahead.

What to do: Slow down and look both ways before crossing or turning.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Hill

A steep downhill grade is ahead.

What to do: Shift to a lower gear and control speed going downhill.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Loose gravel

Warns the road surface has loose gravel.

What to do: Slow down to keep full control of your vehicle.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Low clearance

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

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

Narrow bridge

Warns the bridge ahead is narrower than the road.

What to do: Slow down and use caution; oncoming traffic has less room to pass.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Obstruction warning lights

A group of lights mounted in front of an obstruction or a sharp change in road alignment.

What to do: Slow down and steer around the marked obstruction or alignment change.

Shape: other · Color: yellow

Pass on either side (divided object marker)

Shows traffic may pass on either side of a traffic island or obstruction.

What to do: You may go around the obstruction on either the left or right side.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Pavement ends

Warns that the paved road surface ends ahead and becomes an unpaved road.

What to do: Slow down before the pavement ends.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Ramp metered when flashing

Warns that a freeway ramp ahead is metered when the beacon flashes.

What to do: Watch for the ramp meter signal when the beacon is flashing.

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

Right lane ends

The right lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.

What to do: Merge left safely before your lane ends.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Roadway alignment warning light

A single steady/flashing light used to show road alignment at night.

What to do: Use this light as a guide to the road's path in the dark.

Shape: other · Color: yellow

Rough road

Warns that the road surface ahead is in poor condition.

What to do: Slow down for the rough pavement ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Sharp turn right

A sharp right turn is ahead in the road.

What to do: Slow down significantly before making the sharp right turn.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Shoulder drop-off

Warns of a significant drop from the pavement edge to the shoulder.

What to do: If you must leave the pavement, slow down and ease onto the shoulder gradually.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Side road right

Warns that a side road joins from the right ahead.

What to do: Watch for traffic entering from the side road on the right.

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

Soft shoulder

Warns the road shoulder is soft and may not support a vehicle's weight.

What to do: Avoid driving onto the shoulder; slow down if you must use it.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

T intersection

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

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

Watch for ice on bridge

Warns that the bridge surface may be icy even when the road is not.

What to do: Slow down and be alert for ice on the bridge, especially in cold weather.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

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

Warns of a Y-shaped intersection ahead.

What to do: Slow down and choose your path early; watch for crossing traffic.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

School speed limit when flashing

20 mph school-zone limit applies when the beacon flashes.

What to do: Slow to 20 mph when the flashing beacon is active near a school.

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

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

Railroad crossing ahead

Warns that a railroad crossing is ahead.

What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains, be ready to stop.

Shape: circle · Color: yellow

Railroad emergency notification sign

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

Arrow panel

A lighted board directs traffic to merge in the arrow's direction.

What to do: Merge in the direction the arrow points.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: black

Channelizing drum

A drum marks the edge of a travel lane in a work zone.

What to do: Stay within the lane marked by the drums; do not strike them.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Detour

A detour route begins 1000 feet ahead.

What to do: Prepare to follow the marked detour route.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

End road work

Marks the end of the construction or work zone.

What to do: Resume normal speed once past this sign, watching for others.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange

Flagger ahead

A flagger controlling traffic is 500 feet ahead.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop or follow the flagger's directions.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Form one line left

Traffic must merge into a single lane on the left.

What to do: Merge left in turn, one vehicle at a time, before the lane ends.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Fresh oil

Freshly applied oil or tar makes the road slippery.

What to do: Slow down; the road surface may be slick.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Narrow lanes ahead

Lanes ahead are narrower than normal due to a work zone.

What to do: Slow down and stay centered in your lane.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

One lane road ahead

The road narrows to a single lane 1000 feet ahead.

What to do: Prepare to merge and yield to traffic in the open lane.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Road closed

The road is closed 1000 feet ahead due to construction.

What to do: Prepare to stop or follow the detour; do not continue past the closure.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Road closed barricade

A physical barricade marks a closed road with a detour direction.

What to do: Do not pass the barricade; follow the detour arrow.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Road construction ahead

A construction zone is ahead on the roadway.

What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, equipment, and lane shifts.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Road work ahead

A work zone begins 1 mile ahead.

What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Shoulder work

Workers or equipment are on the shoulder ahead.

What to do: Slow down and move away from the shoulder if possible.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Slow traffic ahead

Traffic ahead is moving slowly, likely due to work or congestion.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange

Traffic barricade

A striped barricade closes off part of the roadway.

What to do: Do not drive past or around the barricade.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Business route marker

Marks a business route alternate of a numbered highway.

What to do: Follow this route through the business district if desired.

Shape: shield · Color: white

Crossover

Marks a place where authorized vehicles may cross to the other side of a divided highway.

What to do: Only cross over where permitted; follow the direction shown.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green

Destination and distance

Shows directions and distances in miles to nearby cities.

What to do: Choose the correct lane or turn for your destination.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green

Interstate route marker

Marks a numbered Interstate highway.

What to do: Use the number to confirm your route on the interstate system.

Shape: shield · Color: blue

Litter barrel

A litter barrel for trash disposal is 1 mile ahead.

What to do: Use the litter barrel to dispose of trash properly; never litter.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue

Loop route marker

Marks a numbered business loop route.

What to do: Follow this marker to stay on the loop route.

Shape: square · Color: white

State route marker

Marks a numbered Texas state highway route.

What to do: Use the number to confirm you are on the correct state route.

Shape: square · Color: white