The handbook shows many more signs and says you're responsible for knowing all of them, including city and county signs. Most warning signs are yellow diamonds whose symbol tells the story. Learn to read the symbol at a glance.
Know the rule
Some, but not all, Washington signs appear in the guide. You are responsible for knowing all signs, including city and county signs.
Handbook p. 119 ↗Yellow warning signs, part 1
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Black cross (plus sign) | Cross road |
| Curving arrow | Curve |
| Leaping deer | Deer crossing |
| Truck on a steep slope | Hill |
| Height numbers with up and down arrows | Low clearance |
| Walking person | Pedestrian crossing |
| Adult and child walking (five-sided sign) | School crossing |
| Black "T" shape | Side road |
Yellow warning signs, part 2
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red, yellow, and green light | Signal ahead |
| Car with curving skid marks | Slippery when wet |
| Red octagon under an arrow | Stop ahead |
| One arrow up, one arrow down | Two-way traffic |
| Bicycle | Advance warning: bicyclist |
| Three arrows in a circle | Circular intersection |
| Road outline narrowing | Narrow road or bridge ahead |
| Wavy arrow | Winding road |
More signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow "EXIT 25 MPH" | Advisory speed |
| Curve arrow with 35 MPH plate | Curve left, 35 mph recommended |
| Electronic "TIRE CHAINS REQUIRED" | Chain advisory |
| Green MILE sign with a number | Mile marker |
| Round yellow sign with X and two R's | Railroad crossing |
| White X "RAILROAD CROSSING" | Railroad intersection |
| Yellow train on a black square | Light rail |
| Blue "VOLCANO EVACUATION ROUTE" | Volcano evacuation route |
Other signs shown in the guide:
- No turn on red (white sign with red circle)
- Lane use control (lane arrows that change by time of day)
- School zone speed limit and Reduced speed limit ahead
- Merge, Merging traffic, and Added lane (from right, no merging required)
- Divided highway (road) begins and Divided highway (road) ends
- Reversing curves, Sharp turn, Soft shoulder, Sharp curve ahead, and Traffic direction
- No passing zone (yellow pennant) and Slow moving vehicle
- Tsunami hazard zone (in case of earthquake, go to high ground or inland) and National forest
Put it into practice
On a mountain pass, an electronic sign ahead reads TIRE CHAINS REQUIRED. That's a chain advisory: put chains on where required before continuing.