US guide and service signs
Guide signs show you the way and how far you have to go; service signs point to help such as hospitals. Their color tells you which is which.
In the MUTCD color code (Section 1D.05), green shows direction guidance and blue shows road user services, tourist information and evacuation routes. Brown is for recreational and cultural sites, such as parks.
General information signs, such as mile markers, have white legends and borders on green (Section 2H.01). General service signs, such as the hospital sign, have white legends and borders on blue (Section 2I.02).
US guide and service signs
Hospital signThe way to a hospital open 24 hours.
Mile marker signShows where you are along the highway.
Test yourself
What does a blue background mean on a guide sign?
- Services for road users
- Directions to a city
- A recreation area
Show answer
A. Services for road users. Section 1D.05: blue is used for road user services guidance. Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapters 2H to 2N, General Information and Service Signs: Sections 2H.01, 2I.02, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Every sign page has its own quick question. Then see what to expect on the permit test.
More signs and markings
Sources
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapters 2H to 2N, General Information and Service Signs: Sections 2H.01, 2I.02, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.