No passing zone sign: what it means
The pennant-shaped NO PASSING ZONE sign marks the start of a stretch where you must not pass. It stands on the left side of the road.
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What it means
MUTCD Section 2C.53: the sign is a pennant-shaped triangle pointing to the right, installed on the left-hand side of the road at the start of no-passing zones marked by pavement markings or DO NOT PASS signs.
The pennant shape is used only for this sign (Section 2A.05), so you can recognize it before you can read it.
Where you see it
On the left side of two-lane roads, where a no-passing zone starts, so drivers thinking of passing see it.
A common mistake
Only checking the right side of the road for signs. This one is on the left, where you look when you are thinking about passing.
Quick quiz
On which side of the road is the NO PASSING ZONE sign placed?
- The left side
- The right side
- Above the road
Show answer
A. The left side. Section 2C.53: it is installed on the left-hand side of the roadway. Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.53, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Compare with
Do not pass signPassing is not allowed here.
Yellow center linesYellow lines separate opposite directions.
Curve ahead signThe road curves ahead.
Next in warning signs: Railroad crossing ahead sign. See all warning 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 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.53, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, 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.