Comparison of MUTCD-influenced traffic signs

Map showing world adoption of the MUTCD^{[citation needed]}

  Adopted national MUTCD

  Adopted national MUTCD with state supplement

  Adopted state-specific MUTCD

  Adopted a country-specific equivalent to the MUTCD

  Adopted a mixture of the Vienna Convention and MUTCD

Road signs used by countries in the Americas are significantly influenced by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), first released in 1935, reflecting the influence of the United States throughout the region.^[1] Other non-American countries using road signs similar to the MUTCD include Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand. They, along with the US Virgin Islands, are also the only countries listed here which drive on the left—with the exception of Liberia and the Philippines (though partial), both of which drive on the right.

There are also a number of American signatories to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, and Suriname. Of those, only Chile, Cuba, and French Guiana have ratified the treaty.

Mandatory action signs in the Americas tend to be influenced by both systems. Nearly all countries in the Americas use yellow diamond warning signs. Recognizing the differences in standards across Europe and the Americas, the Vienna convention considers these types of signs an acceptable alternative to the triangular warning sign.^[2] However, UN compliant signs must make use of more pictograms in contrast to more text based US variants. Indeed, most American nations make use of more symbols than allowed in the US MUTCD.

Unlike in Europe, considerable variation within road sign designs can exist within nations, especially in multilingual areas.

Trilingual stop sign in Mistissini, Quebec, Canada. Languages are Cree, English, and French.

Differences between MUTCD-influenced traffic signs

The main differences between traffic signs influenced by the MUTCD relate to:

• Graphic design and symbological details
• The use of square-bordered or circular regulatory signs
• Local languages (signs may be bilingual or trilingual)
  • Most notable is the text on stop signs. Unlike in Europe, the text on stop signs in the Americas varies depending on language, and may be multilingual.

Languages

Below is a table of the main languages used. (In non-English speaking countries, English is frequently included on signs near airports and tourist areas.)

						Canada
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Anglophone Canada	Quebec	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	SICA	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Drives on the…	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right							Left				Right	Left	Right	Left	Right				Left	Right		Left	Right
Primary language	Spanish	English	Portuguese	Brunei Malay	Khmer	English	French	Spanish	Chinese	Spanish	Spanish	Indonesian	Irish and English[3]	English	Japanese	English	Malay	Spanish	English	Spanish		English	Spanish	English, Malay, Tamil and Chinese	Korean	Chinese	Thai	English	Spanish	Vietnamese
Secondary language(s)					English	French Alongside English in New Brunswick and other Francophone regions,[4] as well as on federally administered land. Indigenous languages On Indian reserves and some majority-Native-inhabited lands.	Indigenous languages On Indian reserves and some majority-Native-inhabited lands. English Rare; used in Anglophone regions e.g. Montreal West and Nunavik.		English			Indigenous languages Rare; used on guide signs around popular tourist areas. English On guide signs around popular tourist areas.			English Especially on guide signs.				Māori Used for bilingual place names, as defined by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[5]			Filipino			English	English	English	Indigenous languages On some native reservations. Spanish In Puerto Rico.
Typical typeface(s)	FHWA (modified)	FHWA	Clearview, formerly FHWA	DIN 1451 (modified)	Helvetica (English)	Clearview, FHWA (varies by province)	FHWA, Clearview (different fonts specified for different signs)	Ruta CL, formerly FHWA	FHWA, Helvetica (English)	FHWA (modified)	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, formerly FHWA	Transport	FHWA	Hiragino (Japanese) & Vialog (English), formerly Helvetica (English)	Clearview, formerly FHWA	LLM (for expressways) and Transport (for federal & state highways), formerly FHWA	Tipografía México, formerly FHWA	FHWA	FHWA	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, formerly FHWA (still used on expressway sections)	FHWA (modified)	Unknown	Panno, formerly Helvetica (English)	FHWA, Arial (English)	FHWA (English)	FHWA, Clearview (varies by state)	FHWA	DIN 1451 (modified)

Differences in units

Road sign used in British Columbia, Canada, near the Canada–US border to remind US drivers that Canada uses the metric system.

Metric signage reminder in Quebec, Canada often found after ports of entry from the US.

Sign at the Republic of Ireland–United Kingdom border indicating that limits in the Republic are shown in km/h.

Blue metric conversion reminder sign used in Ontario, Canada near the US border.

• All countries, with the exception of the United States and the United Kingdom, use the metric system. Some countries mark this fact by using units on various signs.
  • Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and parts of Canada (British Columbia, parts of Ontario, and Yukon) list units (km/h) on their maximum speed limit.
  • In Canada and Ireland, this is a reflection of a (somewhat) recent transition from imperial to metric, which first took effect in Canada, starting on 1 April 1971, but its speed limit conversion didn't take full effect until September 1977.^[6] Meanwhile, in Ireland, its recent speed limit transition from miles per hour to kilometres per hour didn't take effect until 20 January 2005, although distance road signs had already been labelled in metric since the 1970s.^[7]
  • The US territory of Puerto Rico uses a mix – speed limits are in mph but distance signs are marked in km.
  • Advisory speed limit signs in most countries list units, although New Zealand does not. The US lists units in mph.
  • Height, weight, and width restrictions are almost always accompanied by units (tonnes or metres); in the US, the short ton is used with no distinction from metric tonnes.
  • Signs in some parts of Canada and Mexico near the US border often include both metric and Imperial units, to remind US drivers that they are entering metric countries. In Canada, these signs display the imperial speed limit using a Canadian-style sign, rather than an MUTCD-standard used in the US.^[8] No such equivalent exists in the US.^{[citation needed]}
• The US was, at one time, planning a transition to the metric system. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 started the process, but it was halted in 1982. The MUTCD has guidelines for posting metric versions of speed limit signs on roads.
• The SI standard unit of speed, meter per second, is not used on road signs anywhere in the world. All countries that use the metric system measure speeds in kilometers per hour.

Color differences

Warning signs

Countries in yellow use MUTCD-style diamond warning signs. See image description page for large image and legend.

• Nearly all MUTCD-influenced warning signs are diamond-shaped and yellow; some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow-green to draw extra attention. There are a few exceptions to this:
  • Pentagonal signs are used in school zones in the United States, Liberia, Mexico, Malaysia and many areas in Canada. In Japan and the Philippines, pentagonal signs are permanently used for pedestrian crossings.
  • Argentina employs European-style red-bordered triangular warning signs in certain instances where extra attention is required. The Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam uses this style for most warning signs, though some highways like the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway and the Manila–Cavite Expressway use MUTCD-style yellow diamond-shaped warning signs.
• Warning signs may be text-only.

Road works and construction

• Most countries use orange diamond-shaped signs for construction zones. Australia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and sometimes Canada instead use rectangular signs that fit into temporary casings. Warnings for construction zones, however, are not marked at all in Japan and are always yellow.
• In the USA, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines the temporary Road Closed sign is instead always a rectangular sign that can either be used as a standalone or fit into a temporary casing.

Regulatory signs

• Prohibitory and restrictive signs are classified as regulatory signs, as per the MUTCD.
• Almost all prohibitory signs use a red circle with a slash. Restrictive signs typically use a red circle, as in Europe. Some may be seated on a rectangular white background.
  • The original MUTCD prohibitory and restrictive signs were text-only (i.e. NO LEFT TURN).^[9] Some of these signs continue to be used in the US.
• The No Entry / Do Not Enter sign may or may not feature text. In some Latin American countries, an upwards-pointing arrow contained within a slashed red circle is used instead. Some countries have those two signs separated.
  • The Latin American-style 'do not proceed straight' sign may take a different meaning in countries with standard No Entry / Do Not Enter signs. Typically, it indicates an intersection where traffic cannot continue straight ahead (often involving a one-way street to be exact), but where cross-traffic may enter the street from the right (or left). Thus, it is distinguished from a No Entry / Do Not Enter (for all vehicles) sign.

Mandatory or permitted-action signs

Various color schemes for mandatory signs. See image description page for large image and legend.

• The design of mandatory signs varies widely, since the MUTCD does not specify their use.^[1] Rather, the MUTCD's equivalent are classified as regulatory signs.
  • Some countries use simple arrows with the text "ONLY" or its equivalent underneath. This is the MUTCD standard.
  • Some countries use European-style white-on-blue circular signs. These are "Type A Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention.
  • Some Latin American countries (and formerly Thailand) use red-bordered circular signs, in the same style as regulatory signs. These are "Type B Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention. In cases relating to particular types of vehicle traffic (e.g. buses), these signs are identical to some European prohibitory signs.^[a]
  • Canada uses a unique style of mandatory sign that features a green circle.

Highway and wayfinding signs

• Most countries use white-on-green signs on highways and to indicate location, direction, freeway name, exit numbers, etc.
  • The exact style of these signs varies widely, although many are influenced by the MUTCD standard.
  • Chile, Ireland, Japan, and New Zealand use both white-on-green and white-on-blue guide signs, as does the Northwest Territories and Ontario in Canada. Parts of Australia use yellow-on-blue guide signs for certain road classes.
  • Malaysia uses both black-on-yellow and white-on-green guide signs.
  • White-on-blue signs are sometimes used at airports and for rest areas.
  • White-on-brown signs are sometimes used to indicate park areas.

Gallery of guide signs

• 
  Argentina
• 
  Australia (Queensland)
• 
  Brazil (São Paulo)
• 
  Brunei
• 
  Cambodia
• 
  Canada (British Columbia)
• 
  Canada (Ontario)
• 
  Canada (Ontario) Hwy Toll Blue Signage
• 
  Canada (Quebec)
• 
  Chile
• 
  China
• 
  Colombia
• 
  Ecuador
• 
  Indonesia
• 
  Ireland
• 
  Japan
• 
  Malaysia
• 
  Mexico (Veracruz)
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Panama
• 
  Peru
• 
  Philippines
• 
  Singapore
• 
  South Korea
• 
  Taiwan
• 
  Thailand
• 
  United States (New Jersey)
• 
  Vietnam

Table of traffic signs comparison

Warning

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Stop sign ahead				?							?			?			Not used								?	?	?				?
Yield / Give Way sign ahead			Not used	?							?			?			Not used								?	?	?			?
Traffic signals ahead
Roundabout ahead																													[b]
Two-way traffic ahead
Uncontrolled railroad crossing ahead				Not used																					Not used
Level railroad crossing with barriers ahead	[c]			Not used		[c]	[c]	[c]	[c]						or	[c]	[c]			[c]		or			Not used	[c]
Tram / streetcar crossing				Not used [d]	Not used [d]	Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used [d]	Not used [d]	Not used	Not used [d]	[e]	Not used		Not used [d]		Not used [d]	Not used	Not used [d]		Not used	Not used [d]	Not used [d]	Not used [d]			Not used	[f]
Railroad crossbuck		or		Not used											Not used				Not used		or			or	Not used
Level crossing (multiple tracks)		or		Not used									?		Not used	?	Not used		Not used	Not used	or	Not used		Not used	Not used	?		?		Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Crossroads ahead
Junction with a side road ahead
Traffic merges ahead					?	or										?
Staggered crossroads ahead	?					?		?	?		?					?	?				?		?			?	?
Added lane	?		?	?	?			?		?	?	?		Not used	Not used [g]	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?
Divided highway ahead										?	?						Not used				?						?
Divided highway ends										?	?						Not used				?						?
Lane ends ahead
Road narrows ahead																													or
Narrow bridge ahead					?										Not used		Not used									?
Dangerous crosswinds								?														?	?	Not used	?			?	[h]
Low-flying aircraft								?			?	?					Not used		?	Not used
Steep hill downwards																				and				and
Steep hill upwards								Not used	[i]											and			Not used	and
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Uneven surface																				Not used
Bump in road																		or [10]
Dip in road				?	?			?	[j]								Not used		Not used	?				?	?	?					?
Ford	?		?	?	?					?		?	?	?		or	?	?	?			?	?		?	?	?	?		?
Snow / ice	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	or [k]	?	?
Fog	?	Not used	?	?	?	?		?		?		?	?		Not used	?	?				?	?	?	?	?	?		?		?	?
Slippery road surface																				and
Loose road surface		[l]		?	or [l]	[l]		Not used	[l]		?				[l]		Not used		Not used					?	?	Not used	?
Dangerous shoulder	?	Not used	?		?	[l]	[l]		[l]		?		?			?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?
Pavement ends	?			?	?					?	?			?	Not used	?	Not used	?	Not used					?	?	?	?	?			?
Gentle curve ahead											?															?
Sharp curve ahead				?												?									?		?				?
Double gentle curve ahead				?	?		?				?				Not used	?		?	?						?	?	?				?
Double sharp curve ahead
Series of curves ahead																?		?								?	?				?
Hairpin curve ahead	?		Not used		Not used	Not used					?			?	Not used [m]	?	Not used	?	Not used	?		?				?	?				?
Loop curve ahead	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?				?	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?
Chevron (short turn)			?	?						?			?			?	?	?		?		?				?				?
Chevron (sharp turn)			?	?						?		?	?	?		?	?	?	?	?		?	?			?				?	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
School zone		or[n] or or																											or
Children / playground ahead		or				or	or		or							or
Pedestrian crossing ahead								or									Not used				or
Pedestrian crossing								or							or			[13] or [14]		?			Not used				?
Disabled / elderly pedestrian crossing	?	or	?	?			?		or	?		?	?		Not used	?	?	?	or or	?		?	?			?		?		?	?
Cyclists crossing				?		or													?						?			?
Falling rocks or debris																									?				or [k]
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Opening or swing bridge				?	Not used					?	?	?	?				Not used				?		?		?	?	?
Quay or riverbank	?	Not used	?			?	?	?	?			?					?		?	?	?	?	?	?				?	Not used	?	or
Emergency vehicles			Not used	?	Not used					?	?			?	Not used	?	Not used		Not used	or or		Not used		Not used	?	?	?	Not used		?	?
Farm vehicles				?	Not used	or					?			?		?	Not used		Not used		?			Not used	?	?	?	Not used	or		?
Domesticated animals																	Not used								?	?
Wild animals													?			?							?	Not used			?	?
Equestrians			Not used	?	Not used					?	?	?	?	?		?	Not used		?	?		?	?	Not used	?	?	?	Not used			?
Tunnel ahead		Not used	Not used		Not used			?						Not used			Not used					?		?				?		?
Height restriction ahead					Not used						?					?	Not used	?	Not used			?				?	?				?
Width restriction ahead		Not used		?	Not used	Not used		Not used	[l]		?					?	Not used	?	Not used		Not used				?	?	?		Not used		?
Length restriction ahead	?	Not used		?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?		?		?	?	?	?		?	?	?		?	?	?	?	Not used	?	?
Weight restriction ahead	?	Not used		?	Not used	Not used					?			?		?	Not used	?	Not used		Not used	?	?		?	?	?	Not used		?	?
Roadworks [l]	?				or																			Not used
Flagman ahead [l]	?		?	?	?											?	?	?				?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?
Traffic congestion	?		?	?	?	?		?		?		?	Not used	Not used		?	?		?	?		?	?	?			?	?		?
Other danger		Not used	?			Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used			?	Not used							?				?					Not used	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam

Regulatory

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Stop					or	Varies by Province
Yield / Give Way															or		Not used
Yield to oncoming traffic			?	?									?		Not used	?	Not used			?		?	?	?	?	?				?
Priority over oncoming traffic	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?		?	?		Not used	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?		?	?	?	?
Priority road	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?	Not used	?			?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
End of priority road	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	Not used	?			?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
No entry	or	or[o]					or								or			[15]				or								or
Road closed	?	or	?	?				[l]	[l]	?			?		[l]				?	?		?	?		?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
No motor vehicles		Not used		?				?							Not used				?		?				?
No motorcycles		Not used					Not used	?							Not used
No mopeds	?	Not used	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?		?	?	Not used					?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?		?
No bicycles
No pedestrians					?														?						?				or
No heavy goods vehicles																													or
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
No buses	?		?	?				?							Not used	?		?	?			?	?		?			?		?
No trailers		Not used	?	?				?		?		?	?	?	Not used	or	?	or	?	?	?	?	?		?	?				?	or
No farm vehicles		Not used		?		?	?		?					Not used	Not used		?		?		?	?		?	?		?		?
No animal-drawn vehicles		Not used		?		?	?	?	?					?			?		?		?				?	Not used			?
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods	?	Not used	?	?	?					?	?	?	?	?	Not used	?			?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?			?
No vehicles carrying explosives or inflammables	?	Not used	?			?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?			?	?		?	?
No vehicles carrying water pollutants	?	Not used	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
No handcarts		Not used		?		?	?	?	?					Not used	Not used				?	?	?	?	?		?	Not used	?		?	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Maximum speed limit						Varies by Province												or [p]
Minimum speed limit		Not used	Not used [q]	?			Not used	Not used					?		Not used	?		?	Not used	?	Not used	?	?		?					?
Speed restriction ends			Not used	?		Not used		Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used	Not used		Not used	?	or	?		Not used		?	?		?	?	?			?
Maximum height
Maximum width		Not used				Not used	Not used	Not used													Not used								Not used
Maximum length				?		?	?				?	?					?		?			?	?		?	?					or
Maximum weight																					?
Maximum weight per axle				?								?					Not used		Not used	?					?	?	?	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
No left turn		or[o]															Not used [r]							or
No right turn		or[o]															Not used [r]							or
No U-turn		or[o]																[26]						or	?
No parking
No stopping		or[s]
Restricted parking zone	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?
No overtaking [t]																					?	and [u]	and [u]					and [u]	and [u]
Minimum following distance between vehicles	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?		or	?	?	Not used	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?			?	?	?
No honking		Not used				?	?	?	?						Not used		?				?					Not used	?		Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam

Mandatory or permitted actions

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
Proceed straight (no turns)								Not used [v]		Not used
Turn right		Not used						Not used [v]	?		?	?	?				Not used				Not used					?
Turn right ahead							Not used	Not used [v]		Not used																	?
Proceed straight or turn right		Not used		?			Not used	Not used [v]		Not used		Not used			Not used					Not used		Not used	Not used	Not used	?		Not used	Not used		Not used
Seatbelts required	?	Not used	?	?	?		?			?		?		?	Not used	?	?	?	?		?	?	?		?	?	?	?			?
Living street	?	Not used	?	?	?					?	?	?	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?
Keep right (or left)						or							or										Not used						or
Pass on either side					Not used												Not used	?	or			?				or		or	or [w]		or
Route for heavy goods vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods	?	Not used	?	?	?		?	?		?	?	?	?	?	Not used	?	?		?		?	?	?	?	?	?		?	and	?	?
Roundabout	Not used			?											[x]								Not used		?				or
Overtaking permitted [t]				?									?		Not used				or	?		?	?	Not used	?	?	?			?
Shared use path				?		or	?												?	?		?	?	Not used	?			?		?
Bicycles only																				?											?
Transit only				?								?			Not used	?		?	?			?		?	?					?	?
Equestrians only		Not used	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		Not used		?		?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam

Other (indication)

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam
One-way street						or	or																						or
Two-way traffic				?	?						?			Not used			Not used	?	Not used		Not used				?	?	?	Not used	[l]		?
Freeway begins		or or	Not used			Not used		Not used	Not used			?	?			?	Not used			?	or	?					?			?
Freeway ends		or or	Not used			?		?	?			?	?			?	Not used			?	or	?					?			?
Dead end						or		or		?		?					Not used						?			?			or	?
Parking zone	or					or	or	or	or				or		or [y]	?				or		or	or		?				or	or
Parking garage	?	Not used	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?	Not used	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?
Taxi stand			?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?		?			?	?	?	?	?	or	?		?	?	?	?	?		?	?
Bus stop			?	?	?	Varies by Province		or or	or	?	?				or	?									?	?			or
Train station			?	?	?						?		?			?		?	?		?		?	?	?	?				?	?
Airport			?	?									?			?	Not used	?			?		?	?	?	?					?
Hospital			?	?						or	?		?				Not used				?				?	?
Electric vehicle charging station	?		?	?	?	?		?		?	?	?	?	?	or [y]	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?				?	?
Customs post		[z]		?			Not used	Not used							[aa]	Not used [ab]	Not used [ab]		?		Not used [ab]			?		?			Not used
National highway shield(s)				?		(National Hwy across Canada)	(Provincial Hwy)	(Provincial Hwy) (Toll Hwy) (Regional Route)	(Provincial Hwy) (Regional Route)									?							?			(National highway) (Tolled motorway) (Free motorway)
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Brunei	Cambodia	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	China	Colombia	Ecuador	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Singapore	South Korea	Taiwan	Thailand	United States	Uruguay	Vietnam

See also

• Comparison of European road signs
• Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking territories
• Glossary of road transport terms
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Traffic sign
• Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Notes

1. Compare Bicycles Only (Ciclovia) sign in Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Uruguay: with No Bicycles sign in Continental Europe:
2. In the US, "roundabout" and "traffic circle" are used interchangeably, along with "rotary". See Roundabout terminology.
3. No distinction between controlled and uncontrolled railroad crossings is made.
4. There are no operating tram or streetcar systems in this jurisdiction.
5. Only used in the Cuenca Tramway, see this photo. The design of a tram road sign is the same as in Spain.
6. Used in California only. Shared grade tram or streetcar crossings are typically unsigned in other jurisdictions.
7. Similar signs exist as indication signs (signs F-300 – F-308).
8. Text varies.
9. Not in use for road vehicles.
10. Off-road tracks only.
11. Used only in California.
12. Temporary use only.
13. Unofficial versions exist.^[11][12]
14. Top sign used in Victoria. Middle-top sign used in New South Wales. Middle-bottom sign used in Queensland.
15. Top sign used in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Bottom sign used in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.
16. Some speed limit signs are explicitly labeled in miles per hour,^[16] but most are either explicitly^{[17][18][19][20]} or implicitly measured in kilometers per hour.^[21][22] Some signs use the MUTCD's metric speed limit design.^[23][24][25]
17. By law the Minimum Speed for a given road is half of Maximum Speed set for thia same road
18. Japan indicates movement restrictions by means of mandatory signs only:
19. Top sign used everywhere but New South Wales. Bottom sign used only in New South Wales.
20. In many jurisdictions, "Overtaking Permitted" is indicated solely through a change in road markings, e.g. a solid center line changing to a dashed center line. In such jurisdictions, signs in this category are only posted in locations where a change in road markings is deemed insufficient notice for drivers. This is in contrast to "No Overtaking" signs, which are almost always posted alongside changes in road markings to indicate the end of an overtaking zone.
21. Pennant signs are placed facing traffic in the passing lane, i.e. on the left side of the road for right-hand driving countries. They are used in conjunction with standard-shaped signs placed facing traffic in the travel lane, i.e. on the right side of the road.
22. Ontario indicates movement restrictions by means of prohibitory signs only:
    
23. Used only in New York.
24. Mini-roundabouts only.
25. The circular sign is used to indicate on-street parking, while the square-shaped sign indicates off-street parking.
26. Australia has no land borders. The sign is used when interstate borders are closed (e.g. during COVID-19 restrictions).
27. For ferry terminals and ports only.
28. This country has no land borders.

References

1. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition
2. "Part I: Convention on Road Signs and Signals – Annex 3" (PDF). United Nations. p. 83.
3. Ireland Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport – Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 1
4. "Ontario Ministry of Transportation – Bilingual Signing Policy". Archived from the original on 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
5. New Zealand Ministry of Transport – Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings, Sec. 7.7
6. "Metric usage and metrication in other countries". U.S. Metric Association. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010.
7. Road Traffic (Speed Limit - Traffic Signs) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 10 of 2005). Signed on 12 January 2005 by Martin Cullen. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 24 April 2022.
8. British Columbia Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings
9. MUTCD History
10. "Image by draperc". Mapillary. August 18, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
11. "N72 - Google Maps". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
12. "R676 - Google Maps". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
13. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 10, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
14. "Image by draperc". Mapillary. February 25, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
15. Joseph, Dan B. (April 14, 2016). "Image by danbjoseph". Mapillary. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
16. "Image by draperc". Mapillary. September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
17. "Image by draperc". Mapillary. September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
18. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
19. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
20. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
21. Joseph, Dan B. (April 14, 2016). "Image by danbjoseph". Mapillary. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
22. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
23. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
24. "Image by mkanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
25. "Image by kanyala". Mapillary. September 11, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
26. "Image by draperc". Mapillary. October 11, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2019.