Keep right sign: what it means
The Keep Right sign means you must pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction it stands on.
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What it means
MUTCD Section 2B.39: the Keep Right sign may be used where traffic must pass only to the right-hand side of a roadway feature or obstruction. It should be mounted on, or just in front of, the obstruction, so traffic has to pass to the right of the sign.
A Keep Left sign is used where traffic must pass only on the left.
Where you see it
On the approach ends of medians and traffic islands, and at median openings on divided highways.
A common mistake
Reading the arrow as a turn instruction. It does not tell you to turn right at the next street; it tells you which side of the island to drive on.
Quick quiz
A sign on the end of a median shows a black arrow curving up past the right side of an island. Where should you drive?
- To the right of the median
- To the left of the median
- On either side
Show answer
A. To the right of the median. Section 2B.39: traffic must pass only to the right-hand side of the obstruction. Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.39, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Compare with
Divided highway signA median will split the two directions.
One way signAll traffic moves in the arrow’s direction.
Do not enter signTraffic comes toward you here; do not go in.
Next in regulatory signs: Do not pass sign. See all regulatory signs or the full road signs list.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.39, 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.