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
Handbook p. 28 ↗Wisconsin road signs
Wisconsin road signs and meanings.
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.
Look, recognize, act
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.
Your handbook sign library
62 entries. Sign images and page references belong to the handbook edition used for the Wisconsin course.
Keep right
Keep right of the island, median or obstruction ahead.
What to do: Stay to the right of the marked obstruction as you pass it.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 28 ↗
Lane-use arrows (left turn only; straight or right)
Shows which movements are allowed from each lane.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you intend to make.
Shape: square · Color: white
Lane-use arrows (straight or right turn only)
Shows which movements are allowed from each lane.
What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you intend to make.
Shape: square · Color: white
Lane-use control sign (left, straight, right only)
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
Lane-use control sign (left turn only, through lanes)
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
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 drinking and driving
Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.
What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
No passing zone
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
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
Handbook p. 28 ↗
Reserved parking (accessible)
Parking reserved for vehicles with a valid disabled plate or permit.
What to do: Do not park here without a valid disabled plate or permit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: blue
Handbook p. 29 ↗
Speed limit
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. 28 ↗
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
Handbook p. 29 ↗
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
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
Crossroad
An intersecting road crosses ahead.
What to do: Slow down and watch for crossing traffic.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Curve right
Road curves to the right ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 27 ↗
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Exit speed advisory
Shows the recommended safe speed for the exit ramp.
What to do: Slow to the posted advisory speed before taking the exit.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow
Flood area (Turn Around Don't Drown)
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
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
Hill
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. 27 ↗
Left lane ends
The left lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.
What to do: Merge right safely before your lane ends.
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
Handbook p. 27 ↗
Playground
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
Reduced speed ahead
Speed limit drops ahead to the value shown.
What to do: Slow to the new limit before reaching the zone.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 28 ↗
Reverse curve
Road curves right then left ahead.
What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Reverse turn
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
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Roundabout ahead
A roundabout is ahead.
What to do: Slow down and be ready to yield entering the roundabout.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 27 ↗
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Signal ahead
A traffic signal is ahead.
What to do: Be prepared to slow or stop for the signal.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 26 ↗
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
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
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. 29 ↗
Stop ahead
A stop sign is ahead.
What to do: Begin slowing now and prepare to stop.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 27 ↗
Two-way traffic
You are entering a two-way traffic section.
What to do: Stay in your lane; expect oncoming vehicles.
Shape: diamond · Color: yellow
Handbook p. 27 ↗
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
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
School speed limit when flashing
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
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
School zone speed limit
Lower speed limit applies when children are present.
What to do: Slow to the posted limit whenever children are present.
Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white
Handbook p. 28 ↗
Flagger ahead
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
Road work ahead
Construction or maintenance work is ahead on the road.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Workers ahead
Road workers are working near or in the roadway.
What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.
Shape: diamond · Color: orange
Destination and distance
Shows the route and direction toward a named destination.
What to do: Follow the indicated direction to reach that destination.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 31 ↗
Exit sign
Marks an upcoming highway exit and its direction.
What to do: Move toward the exit lane if you plan to leave the highway there.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 31 ↗
Interstate route marker
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. 33 ↗
Street name sign
Identifies the name of the street at an intersection.
What to do: Use it to confirm your location or turn.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green
Handbook p. 31 ↗
Accessible facility
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
Boat launch (boat ramp)
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
Gas
Indicates fuel services are available.
What to do: Follow the sign if you need to refuel.
Shape: square · Color: blue
Historical marker
Marks a site of historical interest.
What to do: Follow the sign if you want to visit the historical site; no action required otherwise.
Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: brown
Flashing red arrow
A red arrow that flashes for a specific turn movement.
What to do: Stop, then you may turn when the way is clear, like a stop sign.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 36 ↗
Flashing yellow arrow
Permits a turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
What to do: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when clear.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 37 ↗
Green arrow
Protected green arrow allowing the indicated turn.
What to do: Proceed in the arrow's direction; oncoming traffic is stopped.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 37 ↗
Broken white line
Separates lanes going the same direction; passing is permitted.
What to do: You may change lanes when it is safe to do so.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Bus lane marking
Diamond symbol with text marks a lane reserved for buses.
What to do: Do not drive in this lane unless permitted (e.g., turning).
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Solid white line
A solid white line separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction; lane changes are discouraged.
What to do: Stay in your lane; avoid crossing a solid white line except when necessary and safe.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Handbook p. 38 ↗
Two-way left turn lane markings
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
Hand signal left turn
A cyclist's straight, extended arm signals a left turn.
What to do: Expect the cyclist to turn or move left; give them room.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a
Hand signal stop or slow
Arm bent downward at the elbow signals stopping or slowing.
What to do: Bend your arm downward at the elbow to signal you are stopping or slowing.
Shape: n/a · Color: n/a