Road signs of the United States

Regulatory edit

R1 Series: Stop and Yield edit

R2 Series: Speed Limit edit

R3 Series: Lane Usage and Turns edit

R4 Series: Regulation of Movement edit

R5 Series: Exclusionary edit

R6 Series: One Way and Divided Highway edit

R7 Series: Parking edit

Permissive Parking edit

No Parking edit

No parking signs indicate that loading or unloading there while temporarily stopped is permitted, but parking is not.[1] Some no parking signs display time restrictions, while others are permanent restrictions. There are also temporary versions of the signs, often of similar design to the permanent ones. These signs are specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, although local variations do occur.

No Standing edit

No standing signs indicate that stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers is allowed, while parking is not allowed.[1] As with no parking signs, some restrictions displayed on the signs are permanent and some are time based. The signs are also specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, but local variations exist.

No Stopping edit

No stopping signs are typically red on white.

R8 Series: Parking and Emergency Restrictions edit

The MUTCD's R8 series of signs is for parking restriction and emergency restriction signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R9 Series: Bicycles and Pedestrians edit

The MUTCD's R9 series of signs is for bicycle and pedestrian signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R10 Series: Traffic Signal edit

The MUTCD's R10 series of signs is for traffic signal related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R11 Series: Road Closed edit

R12 Series: Weight Limits edit

The MUTCD's R12 series of signs is for weight limit related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R13 Series: Weight Stations edit

The MUTCD's R13 series of signs is for weight station related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R14 Series: Truck Routes edit

R15 Series: Rail and Light Rail edit

The MUTCD's R15 series of signs is for rail and light rail related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

R16 Series: Seat Belts edit

The MUTCD's R16 series of signs is for seat belt related signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

Other Local and State Series edit

The MUTCD does not cover all situations, so states and local governments have developed their own regulatory signs. In these, the sign categories are assigned series either using the MUTCD style, but higher than 16 (as done in Texas), or use a unique series nomenclature system (as done in California).

Schools edit

The S series of signs is specially designated by the MUTCD for use around schools. Some states have additional school warning related signs in the S series, as well as in the W series of warning signs and/or the R series of regulatory signs of the state supplement or state MUTCD. The MUTCD as of 2009 requires school warning signs to have fluorescent yellow-green background color.

Warning edit

Warning signs are found in the W series of the national MUTCD. They highlight existing conditions, such as a curve, school, dead end street, or traffic signal. They can also warn possible danger such as bumps, bicycles, low flying aircraft or emergency vehicles. These signs are either yellow or fluorescent yellow in color and with the exception of a few signs are usually diamond shaped and sometimes have square or rectangular smaller signs or plaques associated with them. Most W series signs can also be found in with orange backgrounds, for temporary use in situations such as construction zones. Some of the temporary use signs are only for use in temporary situations.

W1/2 Series: Turns, Curves, Intersections edit

The MUTCD's W1/2 series of signs is for warning signs relating to curves, turns and intersections. As not all situations are covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W3 Series: Advance Traffic Control edit

The MUTCD's W3 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

W4 Series: Lanes and Merges edit

The MUTCD's W4 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls such as speed limits and signals. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W5 Series: Road Width Restrictions edit

W6/7 Series: Divided Highways and Hills edit

The MUTCD's W6/7 series of signs is for warning signs relating to divided highways, hills, and grades. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

W8 Series: Pavement and Roadway Conditions edit

The MUTCD's W8 series of signs is for warning signs relating to pavement and roadway conditions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W9/10 Series: Lane Transitions edit

The MUTCD's W9/10 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane transitions. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W11 Series: Advance Warnings and Crossings edit

The MUTCD's W11 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance warnings and crossings. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

Emergency Vehicles edit

The MUTCD only provides for a warning of fire stations in the W11 series. Most states have their own signs for other emergency vehicle types which may enter the road.

Children edit

The MUTCD specifies no children related signs in the W11 series. Several states have signs for situations as children at play as well as deaf and blind children. Some of these signs vary from state to state as there is no federal standard.

Bicycles edit

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series warning of bicycles and for signing bicycle facilities. Several states and localities have their own specific bicycle related signs as well.

Vehicles edit

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with vehicles. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.

Pedestrians, Transit, and Aviation edit

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with pedestrians, transit, and aviation. Several states have additional signs for other types of vehicles and situations regarding vehicles not covered by the MUTCD.

Animals edit

The MUTCD provides several signs in the W11 series dealing with animals. Several states have additional signs for other types of animals not covered by the MUTCD.

Driveways and Entrances edit

The MUTCD does not provide signs in the W11 series dealing with driveways and entrances. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations that they place in their own W11 series.

W12 Series: Low Clearances edit

The MUTCD's W12 series of signs is for warning signs relating to low clearances. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W13 Series: Advisory Speeds edit

The MUTCD's W13 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advisory speeds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W14 Series: Dead End Streets and No Passing Zones edit

The MUTCD's W14 series of signs is for warning signs relating to dead end streets and no passing zones. As all situations are not covered, several states and local governments have additional signs for other types of situations not covered by the MUTCD.

W15 Series: Playgrounds edit

The MUTCD's W15 series of signs is for warning signs relating to playgrounds. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W16 Series: Supplemental Plaques edit

The MUTCD's W16 series of signs is for supplemental plaques for warning signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W17 Series: Speed Humps edit

The MUTCD's W17 series of signs is for warning signs relating to speed humps. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W18 Series: No Traffic Signs edit

The MUTCD's W18 series of signs is for warning signs relating to the lack of traffic signs. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W19 Series: End of Controlled Access Highway edit

The MUTCD's W19 series of signs is for warning signs relating to the end of a controlled access highway. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

W20 Series: Road Ends edit

W21 Series: Work Zones edit

W22 Series: Blasting Zones edit

W23 Series: Slow Traffic edit

W24 Series: Double Reverse Curves edit

W25 Series: Oncoming Traffic Has Extended Green edit

The MUTCD's W25 series of signs is for warning signs oncoming traffic having an extended green signal at a traffic light. As all situations are not covered, several states have their own standards in addition to the MUTCD.

Miscellaneous edit

The MUTCD does not provide signs dealing with some other road and highway situations. Many states have their own sign standards dealing with these situations.

Guide edit

Guide signs include highway route markers (shields), street signs, mile markers, and exit signs.


Interchange signs edit

Toll Road Signs edit

Chapter 2F of the MUTCD deals with signs for toll roads.

Shield markers edit

Note: State markers are illustrative examples; all states may select their own marker shapes or use the default circle For more route shields go to [1] archive copy at the Wayback Machine.

Street Signs edit

For more information about highway shields by Kendrick archive copy at the Wayback Machine and AARoads Shield Gallery.

Hospital edit

Library edit

Airport edit


General information edit

Motorist services edit

Bump edit

Non Compliant to MUTCD Signs edit

There are many signs that are non-compliant to MUTCD and/or state MUTCD standards seen in actual use on public roads and more often on semi-public roads such as shopping centers and parking lots.

Superseded signs edit

These signs have been superseded, but can still be seen in some places.

References edit

  1. a b http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter07-manual.htm archive copy at the Wayback Machine NYS DMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 7 Parallel Parking