PermitoRegulatory signs
Regulatory signs state a rule for that stretch of road, such as stop, yield, speed limit, turns and passing.
How to tell them apart
Permito covers 39 regulatory signs. They are octagon, triangle and rectangle signs in red, white, black and blue. Examples are Stop, Yield and All Way plaque.
What to do
Read the whole sign. The words and the symbol together tell you what you must do and what you may not do. Follow the sign as posted.
The signs in this group
Stop
Drivers must come to a complete stop and wait until it is safe and their turn to go.
What it looks like: A red eight-sided sign with white letters.
MUTCD code R1-1
Yield
Drivers must slow down, give way to traffic and pedestrians that have the right of way, and stop if needed.
What it looks like: A red and white triangle with one point facing down.
MUTCD code R1-2
All Way plaque
This plaque under a stop sign tells drivers that traffic from every direction must stop.
What it looks like: A small red rectangle with white letters under a stop sign.
MUTCD code R1-3P
Speed Limit
This sign shows the maximum speed allowed on that road in good conditions.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with black letters and a number.
MUTCD code R2-1
No Right Turn
Drivers may not turn right at this place.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black arrow that bends right.
MUTCD code R3-1
No Left Turn
Drivers may not turn left at this place.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black arrow that bends left.
MUTCD code R3-2
No U-Turn
Drivers may not turn around to go back the way they came.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black U-shaped arrow.
MUTCD code R3-4
No U-Turn or Left Turn
Drivers may not make a U-turn and may not turn left at this place.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over two black arrows, one bending left and one making a U.
MUTCD code R3-18
No Turns
Drivers may not turn left or right at this place.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words NO TURNS.
MUTCD code R3-3
Bike Lane
A lane marked for bicycle riders. Other drivers should not use it for driving.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with a black band holding a white bicycle, and the black words BIKE LANE below it.
MUTCD code R3-17
Do Not Pass
Drivers may not pass other vehicles in this zone.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with the black words DO NOT PASS.
MUTCD code R4-1
Pass With Care
The no-passing zone has ended. Drivers may pass if it is safe.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with the black words PASS WITH CARE.
MUTCD code R4-2
Slower Traffic Keep Right
Slower vehicles should stay in the right lane so faster traffic can pass on the left.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with the black words SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT.
MUTCD code R4-3
Keep Right Except to Pass
On a road with two lanes in one direction, drive in the right lane except when passing another vehicle.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with the black words KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.
MUTCD code R4-16
Keep Right
There is an obstacle or island ahead. Drivers must pass it on the right side.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with a black divider and a black arrow that goes up and passes it on the right.
MUTCD code R4-7
Keep Left
There is an obstacle or island ahead. Drivers must pass it on the left side.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with a black divider and a black arrow that goes up and passes it on the left.
MUTCD code R4-8
Stay in Lane
Drivers must stay in their lane and not switch lanes in this area.
What it looks like: A tall white rectangle with the black words STAY IN LANE.
MUTCD code R4-9
Do Not Enter
Drivers may not enter this road or ramp from this direction.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle, a white bar across the middle and the words DO NOT ENTER.
MUTCD code R5-1
Wrong Way
Drivers are heading the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp.
What it looks like: A red rectangle with the white words WRONG WAY.
MUTCD code R5-1a
No Trucks
Trucks may not use this road.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black truck.
MUTCD code R5-2
No Motor Vehicles
Cars, trucks and other motor vehicles may not use this road or path.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words NO MOTOR VEHICLES.
MUTCD code R5-3
No Bicycles
Bicycle riders may not use this road or path.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black bicycle.
MUTCD code R5-6
No Pedestrian Crossing
Pedestrians may not cross the road at this place.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black walking person.
MUTCD code R9-3
No Hitchhiking
People may not stand in the road to ask drivers for a ride.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black hand with the thumb out.
MUTCD code R9-4
One Way
Traffic on this road may move only in the direction of the arrow.
What it looks like: A wide black rectangle with a white arrow and the white words ONE WAY.
MUTCD code R6-1
Reserved Parking
This space is reserved for vehicles with a disability permit or plate.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with green words RESERVED PARKING, a blue wheelchair symbol and a green arrow.
MUTCD code R7-8
No Parking
Drivers may not park in this area. The sign may show times or limits.
What it looks like: A white square with a red circle and slash over a black letter P.
MUTCD code R8-3
No Stopping on Pavement
Drivers may not stop on the pavement. Use the shoulder if you must stop.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with red letters saying NO STOPPING ON PAVEMENT.
MUTCD code R8-5
Stop Here on Red
When the signal is red, drivers must stop at the stop line and not go past it.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words STOP HERE ON RED and an arrow.
MUTCD code R10-6
No Turn on Red
Drivers may not turn on a red light at this place, even if turns on red are normally allowed.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words NO TURN ON RED and a red circle.
MUTCD code R10-11
Left Turn Yield on Green
A driver turning left on a green light must give way to oncoming traffic.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN and a green circle.
MUTCD code R10-12
Turning Traffic Must Yield to Pedestrians
Drivers who turn must give way to people walking in the crosswalk.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with a yellow-green band that reads TURNING VEHICLES with a turn arrow, above a yield triangle, the word TO and a walking person.
MUTCD code R10-15
Road Closed
The road is closed to all traffic.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words ROAD CLOSED.
MUTCD code R11-2
Road Closed to Through Traffic
The road is closed to through traffic. Only people going to places along it may enter.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with black words saying ROAD CLOSED TO THRU TRAFFIC.
MUTCD code R11-4
Sidewalk Closed
People on foot may not use this sidewalk.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words SIDEWALK CLOSED.
MUTCD code R9-9
Weight Limit
Vehicles heavier than the posted weight may not use this road or bridge.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words WEIGHT LIMIT and a number of tons.
MUTCD code R12-1
Truck Weigh Station
Trucks and commercial vehicles must pull into the weigh station ahead.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with black words about trucks over 10 tons entering the weigh station.
MUTCD code R13-1
Two-Way Left Turn Only
The center lane is shared by traffic from both directions and is used only for left turns.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with black arrows for left turns from both directions and the word ONLY.
MUTCD code R3-9a
Yield to Bikes at Turn Lane
Where a right-turn lane starts, drivers must yield to bicycle riders going straight.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with black words about a right turn lane and yielding to bikes.
MUTCD code R4-4
Common questions
What does the Stop sign mean?
Drivers must come to a complete stop and wait until it is safe and their turn to go. In the MUTCD it is sign R1-1.
What does the No Trucks sign mean?
Trucks may not use this road. In the MUTCD it is sign R5-2.
What does the Yield to Bikes at Turn Lane sign mean?
Where a right-turn lane starts, drivers must yield to bicycle riders going straight. In the MUTCD it is sign R4-4.
What do regulatory signs look like?
In Permito’s set, regulatory signs are octagon, triangle and rectangle signs in red, white, black and blue.
Where can I practice regulatory signs?
In the Permito app, which has road sign questions in every state’s question set. The free plan includes every road sign. This website only explains them.
Other sign groups
Practice the rest in the app
Permito has a much larger question set for every state listed here, mock exams, a readiness score and an explanation for every answer. It is free to start and needs no account.
The app is not in the App Store or Google Play yet. These buttons will link to it when it is.