PermitoWarning signs
Warning signs tell you about a hazard or a change in the road ahead, such as a curve, a merge, a crossing or a slippery road.
How to tell them apart
Permito covers 52 warning signs. They are diamond, rectangle and pennant signs in yellow, black, red and green. Examples are Right Turn, Left Turn and Right Curve.
What to do
A warning sign tells you what to expect so you can slow down and get ready before you reach it.
The signs in this group
Right Turn
The road ahead makes a sharp turn to the right.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that bends sharply right.
MUTCD code W1-1R
Left Turn
The road ahead makes a sharp turn to the left.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that bends sharply left.
MUTCD code W1-1L
Right Curve
The road ahead curves to the right.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that curves right.
MUTCD code W1-2R
Left Curve
The road ahead curves to the left.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that curves left.
MUTCD code W1-2L
Reverse Turn
Two turns in opposite directions are ahead. The first is to the right.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a thick black arrow that steps right, then back to straight, and points up.
MUTCD code W1-3R
Reverse Curve
Two curves in opposite directions are ahead. The first is to the right.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that makes an S shape.
MUTCD code W1-4R
Winding Road
The road ahead has three or more curves in a row.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow that winds from side to side.
MUTCD code W1-5R
One-Direction Large Arrow
A wide black arrow shows drivers which way the road turns at a sharp curve.
What it looks like: A wide yellow rectangle with one big black arrow pointing left.
MUTCD code W1-6
Two-Direction Large Arrow
A black arrow with two heads shows drivers they can only go left or right at a T-shaped end.
What it looks like: A wide yellow rectangle with a black arrow that points both left and right.
MUTCD code W1-7
Chevron Alignment
Chevrons placed along a curve show the path of the road. They help drivers see the curve at night.
What it looks like: A tall yellow rectangle with one big black chevron pointing left.
MUTCD code W1-8
Crossroad
A road crosses this road ahead, so there is an intersection with four ways.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black plus sign.
MUTCD code W2-1
Side Road
A smaller road joins this road from the right ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black vertical line and a short branch to the right.
MUTCD code W2-2R
Side Road (Left)
A smaller road joins this road from the left ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black vertical line and a short branch to the left.
MUTCD code W2-2L
T Intersection
The road you are on ends at another road. You must turn left or right.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black letter T shape.
MUTCD code W2-4
Y Intersection
The road ahead forks into two roads that angle away from each other.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black Y shape.
MUTCD code W2-5
Circular Intersection
A circular intersection (roundabout) is ahead. Traffic moves around a center island.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with three black arrows chasing each other in a circle.
MUTCD code W2-6
Stop Ahead
A stop sign is coming up that you may not see in time.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a small red eight-sided stop sign picture.
MUTCD code W3-1
Yield Ahead
A yield sign is coming up.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a small red and white triangle picture pointing down.
MUTCD code W3-2
Signal Ahead
A traffic signal is coming up that you may not see in time.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black traffic light picture.
MUTCD code W3-3
Reduced Speed Limit Ahead
The posted speed limit will be lower ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow pointing up above a small white speed limit sign.
MUTCD code W3-5
Merge
A lane from the right joins your road ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black arrow pointing up and a thinner line that curves in from the lower right.
MUTCD code W4-1R
Lane Ends
The right lane will end, and traffic in it must move left.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black bars where the right bar slants toward the left bar, with dashes between them.
MUTCD code W4-2R
Added Lane
A lane is added on the right, and traffic from a side road may use it.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black arrows pointing up, a dashed line between them and a second lane joining from the right.
MUTCD code W4-3R
Road Narrows
The pavement becomes narrower ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words ROAD NARROWS.
MUTCD code W5-1
Narrow Bridge
The bridge ahead is not as wide as the road.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words NARROW BRIDGE.
MUTCD code W5-2
One Lane Bridge
Traffic from both directions must take turns to cross the bridge.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words ONE LANE BRIDGE.
MUTCD code W5-3
Divided Highway
Ahead, the road splits into two roadways separated by a median.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black arrows going opposite ways beside a black divider that starts at the top.
MUTCD code W6-1
Divided Highway Ends
The divided road ends, and traffic will use one two-way road.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black arrows going opposite ways beside a black divider that ends at the bottom.
MUTCD code W6-2
Two-Way Traffic
A one-way road or divided road ahead becomes a road with traffic in both directions.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black arrows pointing in opposite directions.
MUTCD code W6-3
Hill
A steep downgrade is ahead, so trucks and other vehicles may need low gears.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black truck on a steep downward slope.
MUTCD code W7-1
Bump
A bump or raised spot is in the road ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black word BUMP.
MUTCD code W8-1
Dip
The road dips down ahead, and water may collect there.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black word DIP.
MUTCD code W8-2
Pavement Ends
The paved surface ends ahead and the road becomes gravel or dirt.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words PAVEMENT ENDS.
MUTCD code W8-3
Soft Shoulder
The shoulder is soft and may not hold a vehicle.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words SOFT SHOULDER.
MUTCD code W8-4
Slippery When Wet
The road becomes slippery when it is wet.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black car and wavy skid marks behind it.
MUTCD code W8-5
Loose Gravel
The road surface has loose gravel that can make tires slip or throw stones.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words LOOSE GRAVEL.
MUTCD code W8-7
Low Shoulder
The shoulder is lower than the road surface.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words LOW SHOULDER.
MUTCD code W8-9
Uneven Lanes
The surface of one lane is higher than the next lane.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words UNEVEN LANES.
MUTCD code W8-11
Bicycle Crossing
Bicycle riders may be in or crossing the road ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black bicycle picture.
MUTCD code W11-1
Pedestrian Crossing
Pedestrians may cross the road ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black walking person.
MUTCD code W11-2
Deer Crossing
Deer often cross the road in this area.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black deer.
MUTCD code W11-3
Cattle Crossing
Farm animals such as cattle may cross or be on the road.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black cow.
MUTCD code W11-4
Farm Machinery
Slow farm equipment may be on or crossing the road.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black tractor.
MUTCD code W11-5
Fire Station
A fire station is ahead, so emergency vehicles may enter the road.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black fire truck.
MUTCD code W11-8
Truck Crossing
Trucks often enter or cross the road ahead.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with a black truck.
MUTCD code W11-10
Double Arrow
The road is split by an obstacle. Traffic may pass on either side.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with two black arrows pointing down and apart, one left and one right.
MUTCD code W12-1
Advisory Speed
This plaque under a warning sign gives the speed that is comfortable for the hazard ahead. It is advice, not the speed limit.
What it looks like: A small yellow square with a speed number and the letters MPH.
MUTCD code W13-1P
Dead End
The road has no through route at its end.
What it looks like: A yellow rectangle with the black words DEAD END.
MUTCD code W14-1
No Outlet
The side road does not connect to any other road.
What it looks like: A yellow rectangle with the black words NO OUTLET.
MUTCD code W14-2
No Passing Zone
This pennant on the left side of the road marks the start of a zone where passing is not allowed.
What it looks like: A yellow triangle lying on its side, pointing right, with black words.
MUTCD code W14-3
Speed Hump
A speed hump is ahead to slow traffic.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words SPEED HUMP.
MUTCD code W17-1
No Traffic Signs
The road ahead has no traffic signs or signals, so drivers must use extra care.
What it looks like: A yellow diamond sign with the black words NO TRAFFIC SIGNS.
MUTCD code W18-1
Common questions
What does the Right Turn sign mean?
The road ahead makes a sharp turn to the right. In the MUTCD it is sign W1-1R.
What does the Divided Highway sign mean?
Ahead, the road splits into two roadways separated by a median. In the MUTCD it is sign W6-1.
What does the No Traffic Signs sign mean?
The road ahead has no traffic signs or signals, so drivers must use extra care. In the MUTCD it is sign W18-1.
What do warning signs look like?
In Permito’s set, warning signs are diamond, rectangle and pennant signs in yellow, black, red and green.
Where can I practice warning 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.