West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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. 45 ↗
Entry is prohibited on this roadway.
What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.
Shape: square · Color: red
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
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. 45 ↗
Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.
What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Parking is prohibited at all times in this zone.
What to do: Do not park anywhere within the marked zone.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 55 ↗
Passing other vehicles is not allowed in this zone.
What to do: Stay behind slower traffic; do not pass until the zone ends.
Shape: pennant · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 44 ↗
Right turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn right; continue straight or choose another lane.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
U-turns are not allowed here.
What to do: Do not turn around; continue straight or use another route.
Shape: square · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Traffic on this street moves only in the arrow's direction.
What to do: Only enter or travel in the direction the arrow points.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
Sets the maximum legal speed on this road.
What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted limit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 45 ↗
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. 44 ↗
You are driving the wrong way on a one-way road.
What to do: Stop and safely turn around; do not continue forward.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red
Handbook p. 45 ↗
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. 44 ↗
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. 46 ↗
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
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
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 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. 46 ↗
Warns that the road ahead may flood; do not drive into flood water.
What to do: Turn around and take another route if the road is flooded.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange
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. 46 ↗
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. 46 ↗
Shows the maximum vehicle height that can safely pass under a structure.
What to do: Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 46 ↗
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. 46 ↗
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. 46 ↗
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
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
The road makes a sharp turn one way then the other.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both turns.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
A roundabout is ahead where traffic circles counterclockwise.
What to do: Slow down and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
A traffic signal is ahead.
What to do: Be prepared to slow or stop for the signal.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 46 ↗
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. 46 ↗
Marks a vehicle that travels 25 mph or less.
What to do: Slow down early and pass with care when safe.
Shape: triangle · Color: orange
Handbook p. 44 ↗
You are entering a two-way traffic section.
What to do: Stay in your lane; expect oncoming vehicles.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 46 ↗
The road has several curves ahead.
What to do: Slow down and drive carefully through the series of curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
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
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
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. 44 ↗
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. 44 ↗
Warns of a railroad crossing where road and track meet at an angle.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains from both directions.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
Warns of a railroad crossing near a T intersection.
What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains before crossing.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 49 ↗
Directs traffic around a closed section of road.
What to do: Follow the arrow to take the detour route.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 47 ↗
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. 47 ↗
The road ahead is closed to all traffic.
What to do: Find an alternate route; do not proceed past the barricade.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Construction work is ahead on the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Warns of construction work over the next several miles.
What to do: Stay alert for workers and equipment for the stated distance.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: orange
Handbook p. 47 ↗
Road workers are working near or in the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Shows an upcoming exit, route, and destination with distance.
What to do: Move toward the exit lane if heading to that destination.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: green
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Identifies the interstate highway you are on.
What to do: Use it to confirm you are on the correct route.
Shape: shield · Color: blue
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Identifies a nearby state park or recreation site.
What to do: Follow the road toward the named park.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown
Handbook p. 48 ↗
Marks a facility or space accessible to people with disabilities.
What to do: Use as directed; reserve marked accessible spaces for permit holders.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Indicates a boat launching ramp is available.
What to do: Follow signage if you need to launch a boat; otherwise no action needed.
Shape: square · Color: brown
Shows gas, food, and lodging services available at the next right.
What to do: Take the next right if you need these services.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 48 ↗
A rest area is ahead in the direction shown.
What to do: Follow the arrow if you want to stop and rest.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue
Handbook p. 48 ↗
A yellow X means the lane is about to close.
What to do: Move out of that lane; do not enter it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Tells pedestrians not to start crossing.
What to do: Do not start crossing; if already crossing, continue to the other side.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Tells pedestrians it is safe to begin crossing.
What to do: Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing on this signal.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 50 ↗
Separates two-way traffic; passing allowed on the broken side.
What to do: You may pass when the yellow line on your side is broken.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Marks the center of a multi-lane road; passing prohibited both directions.
What to do: Do not cross the double yellow line to pass.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 51 ↗
One side may pass, the other side may not.
What to do: Pass only if the line on your side is broken, not solid.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 51 ↗
Separates lanes moving in the same direction; discourages lane changes.
What to do: Avoid crossing a solid white line except when necessary.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 51 ↗
A shared center lane for left turns from either direction.
What to do: Use this lane only to turn left or wait to turn; do not drive through it.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a