US regulatory signs and their meanings
Regulatory signs tell you about traffic laws and rules. Every state’s signs follow the national sign manual (MUTCD), so their shapes and colors mean the same everywhere.
US road signs follow the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration. Regulatory signs are rectangular unless the manual says otherwise (Section 2B.02). In its color code, black and white both mean regulation, and red means stop or prohibition (Section 1D.05).
A few shapes are reserved for one sign each: the octagon for STOP, the downward-pointing triangle for YIELD and the crossbuck for railroad crossings (Section 2A.05). The traffic laws behind each sign are state laws, so your state’s driver handbook is the final word on what they require.
US regulatory signs
Stop signCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe.
Yield signSlow down and let other traffic go first.
All-way stop signEvery approach to the intersection has a STOP sign.
Do not enter signTraffic comes toward you here; do not go in.
Wrong way signYou are going against traffic: turn around safely.
Speed limit signThe maximum speed allowed on this road.
No U-turn signDo not turn around here.
No turn on red signWait for the green before turning.
One way signAll traffic moves in the arrow’s direction.
Keep right signPass to the right of the island or obstacle.
Do not pass signPassing is not allowed here.
Railroad crossbuck signA railroad crossing: yield to trains.
Test yourself
In the MUTCD color code, what does white mean on a sign?
- Regulation
- Warning
- Services
Show answer
A. Regulation. Section 1D.05: white, like black, is a color for regulation. Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.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, Chapter 2A, General (signs): Section 2A.05, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.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.