PermitoWork zone signs
Work zone signs tell you that road work is ahead and how traffic is being moved around it.
How to tell them apart
Permito covers 16 work zone signs. They are diamond and rectangle signs in orange, black, red and white. Examples are Road Work Ahead, Detour Ahead and Road Closed Ahead.
What to do
Slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and follow the signs and any flagger through the work zone.
The signs in this group
Road Work Ahead
A work zone is ahead, with workers and equipment near the road.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words ROAD WORK and a distance.
MUTCD code W20-1
Detour Ahead
The usual road is closed ahead and traffic is sent along another route.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black word DETOUR and a distance.
MUTCD code W20-2
Road Closed Ahead
The road is closed ahead, so drivers need to plan another route.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words ROAD CLOSED and a distance.
MUTCD code W20-3
One Lane Road Ahead
Only one lane is open ahead, and traffic from both directions takes turns.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words ONE LANE ROAD and a distance.
MUTCD code W20-4
Right Lane Closed Ahead
The right lane is closed ahead, so those drivers must move left.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words RIGHT LANE CLOSED and a distance.
MUTCD code W20-5R
Flagger Ahead
A person with a flag or paddle is directing traffic ahead.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with a black person holding a flag.
MUTCD code W20-7
Workers
Road workers are close to the traffic lanes.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with a black person digging with a shovel.
MUTCD code W21-1
Fresh Oil
The road has been treated with fresh oil or tar and may be slippery or messy.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words FRESH OIL.
MUTCD code W21-2
Road Machinery Ahead
Heavy road machines are working ahead.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words ROAD MACHINERY AHEAD.
MUTCD code W21-3
Right Shoulder Closed
Work is taking place on the right shoulder, so it is not available.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words RIGHT SHOULDER CLOSED.
MUTCD code W21-5R
Utility Work Ahead
Crews who fix power or water lines are working ahead.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words UTILITY WORK AHEAD.
MUTCD code W21-7
Blasting Zone Ahead
Explosives are used ahead. Radio transmitters can set them off.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words BLASTING ZONE AHEAD.
MUTCD code W22-1
Slow Traffic Ahead
Traffic ahead is slow or stopped because of work.
What it looks like: An orange diamond sign with the black words SLOW TRAFFIC AHEAD.
MUTCD code W23-1
End Road Work
This sign marks the end of the work zone.
What it looks like: A wide orange rectangle with the black words END ROAD WORK.
MUTCD code G20-2
Pilot Car Follow Me
A pilot car leads traffic through a single lane in the work zone.
What it looks like: A wide orange rectangle with the black words PILOT CAR FOLLOW ME.
MUTCD code G20-4
Road Closed, Local Traffic Only
The road ahead is closed, except for people who live or work along it.
What it looks like: A white rectangle with the black words STREET CLOSED, a distance and LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY.
MUTCD code R11-3a
Common questions
What does the Road Work Ahead sign mean?
A work zone is ahead, with workers and equipment near the road. In the MUTCD it is sign W20-1.
What does the Road Machinery Ahead sign mean?
Heavy road machines are working ahead. In the MUTCD it is sign W21-3.
What does the Road Closed, Local Traffic Only sign mean?
The road ahead is closed, except for people who live or work along it. In the MUTCD it is sign R11-3a.
What do work zone signs look like?
In Permito’s set, work zone signs are diamond and rectangle signs in orange, black, red and white.
Where can I practice work zone 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.