Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs tell you what the law requires: stop, yield, how fast to go, which turns are allowed, which way traffic moves. Ignoring one can get you a ticket.
Most are white rectangles or squares with black or red lettering. Stop and yield have their own shapes so you can recognize them from any angle, and red on a regulatory sign means stop, yield or something is not allowed.
Every regulatory sign, and what to do
23 signs · MUTCD codes shown for reference
StopMUTCD R1-1
Come to a complete stop. Do: Stop completely at the line, crosswalk or intersection edge, then go only when the way is clear.
All Way (plaque)MUTCD R1-3P
Every direction at this intersection must stop. Do: Stop, then go in the order you arrived; if you arrive together, yield to the driver on your right.
YieldMUTCD R1-2
Slow down and give the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians. Do: Slow down, and stop if needed, so cross traffic and pedestrians can go first.
Speed LimitMUTCD R2-1
The maximum legal speed on this road in good conditions. Do: Do not drive faster than the number shown, and slower when conditions are poor.
No Right TurnMUTCD R3-1
Right turns are not allowed here. Do: Do not turn right at this intersection.
No Left TurnMUTCD R3-2
Left turns are not allowed here. Do: Do not turn left at this intersection.
No TurnsMUTCD R3-3
No turns of any kind are allowed here. Do: Go straight through; do not turn left or right.
No U-TurnMUTCD R3-4
U-turns are not allowed here. Do: Do not turn around to go back the way you came.
Right Lane Must Turn RightMUTCD R3-7R
The right lane is for right turns only. Do: If you are in the right lane you must turn right; move left early if you want to go straight.
Center Lane Left Turn OnlyMUTCD R3-9b
The center lane is shared by left-turning traffic from both directions. Do: Use the center lane only to make a left turn, never to pass or to drive along.
Do Not PassMUTCD R4-1
Passing other vehicles is not allowed from here on. Do: Stay in your lane until a Pass With Care sign or the end of the zone.
Pass With CareMUTCD R4-2
The no-passing zone has ended; you may pass when it is safe. Do: Pass only when you can see enough of the road ahead to do it safely.
Keep RightMUTCD R4-7
Keep to the right of the island or obstruction ahead. Do: Drive on the right side of the median, island or barrier.
Do Not EnterMUTCD R5-1
You may not drive into this road or ramp from here. Do: Do not enter; you would be driving against traffic.
Wrong WayMUTCD R5-1a
You are going the wrong way, into oncoming traffic. Do: Stop safely, pull over and turn around.
One WayMUTCD R6-1R
Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow. Do: Drive or turn only in the direction the arrow points.
No Turn on RedMUTCD R10-11
You may not turn while the traffic signal is red. Do: Wait for a green light before turning, even after stopping.
Left Turn Yield on GreenMUTCD R10-12
On a solid green light you may turn left, but oncoming traffic has the right-of-way. Do: Turn left on green only when there is a safe gap in oncoming traffic and the crosswalk is clear.
Stop Here on RedMUTCD R10-6
Shows where to stop when the signal is red. Do: When the light is red, stop behind the line the arrow points to.
No ParkingMUTCD R8-3
Parking is not allowed here. Do: Do not leave your vehicle parked in this area.
Road ClosedMUTCD R11-2
The road is closed to traffic beyond this point. Do: Do not drive past the sign; follow the detour.
Bike LaneMUTCD R3-17
Marks a travel lane reserved for bicycles. Do: Keep out of the bike lane except where markings allow, and check for cyclists before crossing it.
Bicycles Yield to PedestriansMUTCD R9-6
People riding bikes must yield to people on foot here. Do: If you are on a bike, let pedestrians go first.
Regulatory signs quiz
Question 1 of 10Regulatory
What does this sign mean?
Tip: press 1–4 to answer.
Questions people ask
What is a regulatory sign?
A sign that states a traffic law or rule you must obey, such as Stop, Yield, Speed Limit, No U-Turn or One Way.
What color are regulatory signs?
Mostly white with black letters. Red is used for stop, yield and prohibitions like Do Not Enter; One Way signs are black with a white arrow.
What is the difference between a regulatory and a warning sign?
A regulatory sign is a rule (for example, a speed limit). A warning sign tells you about a hazard ahead; it does not set a rule by itself.