Warning road signs help you anticipate a hazard or change ahead. Learn to recognize crossings, merging traffic and slippery surfaces.
Sign explanations are currently available in English.
Explore these signs
114 signs in this collection. Every sign’s meaning is free to read; a free account opens the full explanation. Study counts cover unique published English materials across all states; availability depends on your state and access plan.
114 signs
Pedestrian crossing
W11-2
13 handbook slides
1 question
Meaning & what to do
Merging traffic
W4-1
0 handbook slides
2 questions
Meaning & what to do
Slippery when wet
W8-5
3 handbook slides
2 questions
Meaning & what to do
Railroad crossing ahead
W10-1
4 handbook slides
3 questions
Meaning & what to do
Truck escape ramp
W7-4c
Meaning & what to do
Type 1 object marker (yellow)
OM1-1
Meaning & what to do
Type 1 object marker (black)
OM1-2
Meaning & what to do
270-degree loop
W1-15
Meaning & what to do
Sharp turn
W1-1
Meaning & what to do
Curve with side road
W1-10
Meaning & what to do
Curve with crossroad
W1-10a
Meaning & what to do
Curve with straight-ahead road
W1-10b
Meaning & what to do
Reverse curve with side road
W1-10d
Meaning & what to do
Reverse curve with crossroad
W1-10e
Meaning & what to do
Hairpin curve
W1-11
Meaning & what to do
Truck rollover
W1-13
Meaning & what to do
Curve
W1-2
Meaning & what to do
Reverse turn
W1-3
Meaning & what to do
Reverse curve
W1-4
Meaning & what to do
Reverse curve (2 lanes)
W1-4b
Meaning & what to do
Reverse curve (3 lanes)
W1-4c
Meaning & what to do
Winding road
W1-5
Meaning & what to do
One-direction large arrow
W1-6
Meaning & what to do
Two-direction large arrow
W1-7
Meaning & what to do
Chevron alignment
W1-8
Meaning & what to do
Storage space
W10-11
Meaning & what to do
Skewed crossing
W10-12
Meaning & what to do
Crossroad with railroad crossing
W10-2
Meaning & what to do
Side road with railroad crossing
W10-3
Meaning & what to do
T-intersection with railroad crossing
W10-4
Meaning & what to do
Low ground clearance crossing
W10-5
Meaning & what to do
Trains may exceed 80 mph
W10-8
Meaning & what to do
Bicycle crossing
W11-1
Meaning & what to do
Truck
W11-10
Meaning & what to do
Golf cart
W11-11
Meaning & what to do
Horse-drawn vehicle
W11-14
Meaning & what to do
Trail crossing
W11-15
Meaning & what to do
Deer crossing
W11-3
Meaning & what to do
Cattle crossing
W11-4
Meaning & what to do
Farm vehicle
W11-5
Meaning & what to do
Snowmobile crossing
W11-6
Meaning & what to do
Emergency vehicle
W11-8
Meaning & what to do
Wheelchair crossing
W11-9
Meaning & what to do
Double arrow
W12-1
Meaning & what to do
Low clearance
W12-2
Meaning & what to do
Advisory speed
W13-1P
Meaning & what to do
Ramp advisory speed
W13-3
Meaning & what to do
Exit loop advisory speed
W13-6
Meaning & what to do
Ramp loop advisory speed
W13-7
Meaning & what to do
Dead end
W14-1
Meaning & what to do
No outlet
W14-2
Meaning & what to do
No passing zone
W14-3
Meaning & what to do
Playground
W15-1
Meaning & what to do
Distance (ft)
W16-2aP
Meaning & what to do
Distance (feet)
W16-2P
Meaning & what to do
Directional arrow plaque
W16-5P
Meaning & what to do
Advance turn arrow plaque
W16-6P
Meaning & what to do
Downward diagonal arrow
W16-7P
Meaning & what to do
Crossroad
W2-1
Meaning & what to do
Side road
W2-2
Meaning & what to do
Side road at an angle
W2-3
Meaning & what to do
T-intersection
W2-4
Meaning & what to do
Y-intersection
W2-5
Meaning & what to do
Circular intersection
W2-6
Meaning & what to do
Two side roads
W2-8
Meaning & what to do
Stop ahead
W3-1
Meaning & what to do
Yield ahead
W3-2
Meaning & what to do
Signal ahead
W3-3
Meaning & what to do
Be prepared to stop
W3-4
Meaning & what to do
Reduced speed limit ahead
W3-5
Meaning & what to do
Speed zone ahead
W3-5a
Meaning & what to do
Drawbridge
W3-6
Meaning & what to do
Ramp meter ahead
W3-7
Meaning & what to do
Ramp metered when flashing
W3-8
Meaning & what to do
Lane ends
W4-2
Meaning & what to do
Added lane
W4-3
Meaning & what to do
Entering roadway merge
W4-5
Meaning & what to do
Entering roadway added lane
W4-6
Meaning & what to do
Road narrows
W5-1
Meaning & what to do
Narrow bridge
W5-2
Meaning & what to do
One-lane bridge
W5-3
Meaning & what to do
Divided highway begins
W6-1
Meaning & what to do
Divided highway ends
W6-2
Meaning & what to do
Two-way traffic
W6-3
Meaning & what to do
Hill
W7-1
Meaning & what to do
Hill with grade
W7-1a
Meaning & what to do
Trucks use lower gear
W7-2bP
Meaning & what to do
Use low gear
W7-2P
Meaning & what to do
Next miles
W7-3aP
Meaning & what to do
Grade and distance
W7-3bP
Meaning & what to do
Grade percentage
W7-3P
Meaning & what to do
Runaway truck ramp ahead
W7-4
Meaning & what to do
Runaway truck ramp entrance
W7-4b
Meaning & what to do
Sand
W7-4dP
Meaning & what to do
Gravel
W7-4eP
Meaning & what to do
Paved
W7-4fP
Meaning & what to do
Hill blocks view
W7-6
Meaning & what to do
Bump
W8-1
Meaning & what to do
Uneven lanes
W8-11
Meaning & what to do
No center line
W8-12
Meaning & what to do
Bridge ices before road
W8-13
Meaning & what to do
Fallen rocks
W8-14
Meaning & what to do
Grooved pavement
W8-15
Meaning & what to do
Metal bridge deck
W8-16
Meaning & what to do
Shoulder drop-off
W8-17
Meaning & what to do
Road may flood
W8-18
Meaning & what to do
Dip
W8-2
Meaning & what to do
Pavement ends
W8-3
Meaning & what to do
Soft shoulder
W8-4
Meaning & what to do
Truck crossing
W8-6
Meaning & what to do
Loose gravel
W8-7
Meaning & what to do
Rough road
W8-8
Meaning & what to do
Low shoulder
W8-9
Meaning & what to do
Right (left) lane ends
W9-1
Meaning & what to do
Combined turn and advisory speed sign
W1-1a Outdated standard
What changed
Combined curve and advisory speed sign
W1-2a Outdated standard
What changed
Farm machinery warning sign
W11-5a Outdated standard
What changed
Lane ends merge left sign
W9-2 Outdated standard
What changed
Warning signs
Use a warning as time to prepare. Look for the condition shown, adjust speed smoothly and leave room to react. A warning sign does not normally assign the right-of-way or replace a regulatory control at the hazard itself. At a railroad crossing, for example, the advance warning and the controls at the tracks do different jobs.
Sources & scope
Independent educational summaries by DMV One Way. Sign designs follow MUTCD conventions; state and local rules can add restrictions. Use your current state handbook and the signs on the road for the rules that apply to your trip.
