Prohibitory signsUnited States

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United States. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Prohibitory signs

A prohibitory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what is not allowed on that specific road or in that situation. These signs impose restrictions such as no entry, no overtaking, no parking, speed limits, or bans on certain types of vehicles. Their purpose is to clearly indicate actions that are forbidden to ensure safety, maintain traffic flow, and protect vulnerable road users.

How are prohibitory signs classified in the United States?

Regulatory signs include entry bans, prohibited turns and speed limits. They are not all circular signs.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

What do NO LEFT TURN and NO RIGHT TURN signs mean in the United States?

They prohibit the specified turn at the controlled intersection. The US MUTCD identifies R3-1 as No Right Turn and R3-2 as No Left Turn. States and local authorities apply and enforce the restrictions.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

Can a no-turn restriction apply only to certain vehicles or hours in the United States?

Yes, where the local sign system provides a supplementary condition or exemption, such as a vehicle class, time or authorised access. Without a valid exception, comply with the prohibited movement shown.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

1. No entry

This traffic sign means no entry. Drivers may not enter from the direction in which the sign is placed.

English • R5-1 • Do not enter. Prohibits entering the road from this direction.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page150

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2025-01-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. Pedestrians prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that pedestrians are prohibited. Pedestrians may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • R9-3 • No pedestrians. Prohibits pedestrians from using the indicated road or area.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page1093

SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2026-07-26. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. Cyclists prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that cyclists are prohibited. Cyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • R5-6 • No bicycles. Prohibits bicycles from using the indicated road or area.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page1093

SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2023-10-18. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. Trucks prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that trucks are prohibited. Trucks covered by the sign may not enter or continue beyond it. Any applicable weight threshold or vehicle-category limitation is determined by the sign, supplementary information and local rules.

English • R5-2 • No trucks. Prohibits trucks from using the indicated road or area.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page148

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2023-08-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Turning left prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is prohibited. A left turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • R3-2 • No left turn. Prohibits turning left at the indicated location.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Turning right prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is prohibited. A right turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • R3-1 • No right turn. Prohibits turning right at the indicated location.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. Turning around prohibited (U-turn)

This traffic sign indicates that turning around (making a U-turn) is prohibited. A U-turn may not be made where the prohibition applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • R3-4 • No U-turn. Prohibits turning around in a U-turn at the indicated location.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page131

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2024-08-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Start of a speed limit

This traffic sign indicates the start of a speed limit. The displayed value is the maximum permitted speed from this point. The limit remains in force until it ends or is replaced according to the applicable traffic signs and local rules.

English • R2-1 • Speed limit. Sets a maximum speed of 50 mph, as shown in the illustration. Drive more slowly when conditions require it.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page127

SVG source: Federal Highway Administration – United States Department of Transportation • Public domain • Original revision 2025-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. End of the speed limit

This traffic sign indicates the end of the previously indicated speed limit. From this point, follow any newly posted limit or the applicable default speed rules for the road and vehicle category.

English • NYR2-11 • End of posted speed limit. Marks the end of the posted 35 mph limit. Follow the speed limit that applies beyond this point; it does not mean that no speed limit applies. New York design, documented as NYR2-11 in the state supplement.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Dot.ny.gov • NYSDOT: state supplement, SD-R1, page194

SVG source: No machine-readable author provided. Overpush~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2012-09-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

10. Parking prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that parking is prohibited. Vehicles may not be parked in the area covered by the sign unless an exception applies. Brief stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods may still be permitted where local rules allow it.

English • R8-3 • No parking. Prohibits parking in the indicated area. This sign alone is not a no-stopping instruction.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA: MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision1, PDF page165

SVG source: Author not stated on source page • Public domain • Original revision 2025-08-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.