Traffic signsUnited States

51. No stopping

No stopping means that vehicles are not permitted to stop voluntarily at the indicated location, even briefly for picking up or dropping off passengers or loading or unloading goods. It is a stricter restriction than a no-parking rule.

A no-stopping restriction may be indicated by a traffic sign, road marking or local traffic regulation. Drivers should continue to a place where stopping is permitted unless they are forced to stop by traffic conditions, an emergency or another legal requirement.

52. Parallel parking

Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle parallel to the edge of the road, usually in a space between two parked vehicles. It is commonly used where parking spaces are arranged along the side of a street.

Parallel parking normally involves positioning the vehicle beside the available space and reversing into it while carefully checking mirrors, blind spots and surrounding traffic. The vehicle should finish within the permitted parking area and close enough to the road edge without obstructing other road users.

53. Park and ride

Park and ride is a parking facility where drivers leave their vehicle and continue their journey using public transport, a bicycle or another mode of transport. These facilities are commonly located near the edge of a city or close to major transport routes.

Park-and-ride facilities can reduce traffic and parking demand in busy urban areas by encouraging drivers to complete part of their journey without a car. Parking charges, maximum stay and public transport connections vary between locations.

54. Kiss and ride

A Kiss and Ride area is a designated place where drivers may stop briefly to drop off or pick up passengers. These areas are commonly provided near schools, railway stations, airports and other busy destinations to allow passengers to enter or leave a vehicle without occupying ordinary parking spaces.

A Kiss and Ride area is intended for very short stops rather than waiting or parking. Drivers should remain only as long as necessary for passengers to get in or out and must follow any traffic signs, time limits, road markings or local regulations applying to the area.

55. Disabled parking

Disabled parking refers to parking spaces and parking privileges reserved for people with disabilities who meet the applicable eligibility requirements. Reserved spaces are normally identified by the international wheelchair symbol and are positioned to provide easier access to nearby facilities.

Use of a disabled parking space generally requires a valid disabled parking permit or card. The permit normally belongs to the eligible person rather than to a particular vehicle and may only be used when that person is driving or travelling in the vehicle.

56. Traffic management

Traffic management is the organised control, regulation and guidance of road users to improve safety, traffic flow and the efficient use of roads. It can include traffic lights, road signs, road markings, lane controls, variable speed limits, diversions and directions given by authorised persons.

Traffic management may be permanent or temporary. Temporary measures are commonly introduced during roadworks, congestion, collisions, public events or other incidents. Drivers and other road users must follow the signs, signals and instructions applying at the location, even when they differ from the normal traffic arrangement.

57. Reversing

Reversing means driving a vehicle backwards. It is commonly used when parking, leaving a confined space or repositioning a vehicle where forward movement is not practical.

Before reversing, the driver should check mirrors and blind spots, look carefully around the vehicle and make sure the area behind is clear. Reversing should be performed slowly and only for as long as necessary because visibility behind the vehicle is often limited.

58. U-turn

A U-turn is a driving manoeuvre in which a vehicle turns around to travel in the opposite direction. It normally involves crossing part of the roadway and re-entering traffic facing the direction from which the vehicle came.

Before making a U-turn, the driver should check surrounding traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, signal when required and make sure there is enough visibility and space to complete the manoeuvre safely. U-turns may be prohibited by traffic signs or on particular types of roads.

59. Carpool

Carpool means sharing a car journey with one or more other people who are travelling in the same direction. The occupants may share travel costs or simply travel together to reduce the number of separate vehicles making the same journey.

Carpooling is commonly used for commuting, school journeys and longer-distance travel. Some road networks provide dedicated carpool parking areas where travellers can meet, leave one vehicle and continue their journey together.

60. Detour

A detour, also called a diversion, is a temporary alternative route used when the normal road is closed, blocked or unavailable. Detours are commonly introduced during roadworks, accidents, public events, flooding or other disruptions. Drivers should follow the temporary direction signs carefully, reduce speed where necessary and expect unfamiliar roads, changed priorities or additional traffic along the alternative route.

61. Uncontrolled crossroad

An uncontrolled crossroad is an intersection where traffic priority is not specifically regulated by traffic lights, an authorised person or signs assigning priority to particular approaches. Drivers must therefore determine who has priority using the default traffic rules that apply in that country.

The applicable rule varies between countries and may include priority from the right, priority from the left or another default right-of-way rule. Drivers should approach an uncontrolled crossroad carefully, observe traffic from every direction and never assume that a wider or busier road automatically has priority.

62. Ramp

A ramp is a connecting road that allows vehicles to enter or leave another road, especially a motorway, expressway or other grade-separated road. Ramps are commonly used at interchanges to connect roads without requiring traffic to cross directly at the same level.

An entrance ramp leads traffic onto the main road, while an exit ramp leads traffic away from it. Drivers should follow the signs and road markings, adjust their speed and watch carefully for merging or diverging traffic.

63. Exit

An exit is a designated route or point where traffic leaves a road, motorway, expressway or other major route. On high-speed roads, an exit usually leads from the main carriageway onto an exit lane or ramp that connects with another road or destination.

Drivers approaching an exit should follow the direction signs and road markings, move into the appropriate lane in good time and adjust their speed as necessary after leaving the main traffic flow.

64. Horse riding

Horse riding includes activities involving horses and riders. In road traffic, an equestrian or horse rider may use roads, bridleways or specially designated routes, depending on the rules and infrastructure provided.

Drivers approaching horses and riders should reduce speed, leave sufficient space and avoid sudden noise or movements that could frighten the animal. Riders must also follow the traffic rules that apply to them.

65. Emergency exit

An emergency exit is a marked escape route that allows road users to leave a tunnel or other enclosed traffic facility during a serious incident such as a fire, smoke development or another emergency. Emergency exits lead towards a safer area separated from the immediate danger.

In an emergency, occupants should leave their vehicle when evacuation is necessary and follow the emergency-exit signs and instructions. They should move away from the danger rather than remaining inside the tunnel or returning to their vehicle.

66. Runaway truck ramp

A runaway truck ramp, also called an emergency escape lane, is a specially constructed lane designed to stop a vehicle that has lost effective braking, particularly a heavy vehicle descending a steep hill. The ramp may use an uphill gradient, deep gravel or another energy-absorbing surface to slow and stop the vehicle.

A driver who has lost braking ability should enter the escape ramp as early and safely as possible rather than trying to continue down the hill. Escape ramps are emergency facilities and must not be used for ordinary stopping, parking or turning.

67. Oversize load

An oversize load is a load that causes a vehicle or vehicle combination to exceed the normally permitted dimensions for road traffic, such as maximum length, width or height. Oversize loads often involve large machinery, construction components or other items that cannot reasonably be divided into smaller loads.

Transporting an oversize load may require a special permit, an approved route, warning signs, lights or escort vehicles. Drivers must comply with the conditions imposed by the authorities responsible for the roads on which the transport takes place.

68. City limit

A city limit is a boundary or roadside indication showing that a driver is entering or leaving a named city, town, village, locality or municipality. It is commonly marked by a place-name or boundary sign.

The meaning of these signs varies between countries. A city-limit or locality sign may identify an administrative boundary, a named settlement or a traffic-related boundary. It does not necessarily mark the beginning or end of a legally defined built-up area, and passing the sign does not always change the applicable speed limit or other traffic rules.

69. Tourist attraction

A tourist attraction is a place of interest that visitors may travel to for cultural, historical, recreational, natural or entertainment purposes. Examples include monuments, castles, museums, scenic sites, amusement parks and other notable destinations.

Tourist attractions may be indicated by tourist or direction signs that help travellers find the destination. The colours, symbols and types of attractions shown vary between countries.

70. Horn

A horn is a sound-producing device used to warn other road users of danger or to attract their attention when necessary for safety. Most motor vehicles are equipped with an electric horn operated from the steering wheel. Traffic laws generally restrict unnecessary or excessive horn use, especially in built-up or residential areas. The horn should therefore be used as a warning device rather than as a way to express frustration or greet other road users.

71. Axle weight limit

An axle weight limit is the maximum permitted weight or load carried by a single axle of a vehicle. It limits how much force an axle and its wheels may transmit to the road, independently of the vehicle's total weight.

Axle weight limits help protect bridges and road surfaces from excessive loads and contribute to safe vehicle operation. A vehicle can comply with an overall weight limit while still exceeding an axle limit if its load is distributed incorrectly.

72. Licence plate

A licence plate, also called a registration plate or number plate, is a plate displaying a unique registration identifier assigned to a vehicle by the competent registration authority. It allows the vehicle to be identified for purposes such as registration, traffic enforcement, taxation, insurance and parking control.

The appearance, format, placement and number of plates required vary between countries and vehicle categories. Drivers must ensure that required licence plates are correctly fitted, clearly visible and legible and must follow the local rules when a plate is lost, stolen, damaged or replaced.

73. Charging station

A charging station is a location equipped with one or more charging points where the battery of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can be connected to an electricity supply and recharged. Charging stations may be located along public roads, in car parks, at service areas or on private property.

Charging spaces may be reserved for vehicles that are charging and can be subject to parking restrictions, time limits, payment requirements or other conditions. Drivers must follow the traffic signs, parking regulations and charging instructions applying at the location.

74. Flooding

Flooding occurs when water covers or threatens a road because of heavy rain, overflowing rivers, poor drainage, storm surges or other causes. Flooded roads can become dangerous very quickly because water can reduce tyre grip, hide potholes or debris and make it difficult to judge the depth or strength of the current.

Drivers approaching flooding should slow down, assess the situation carefully and obey any warning signs or road closures. If the depth or condition of the water is uncertain, the safer option is to avoid entering the flooded section and use another route.

75. Dip

A dip is a low or sunken section of the road where the surface drops and then rises again over a relatively short distance. A dip can reduce visibility, affect vehicle stability and sometimes collect water, making it more difficult for drivers to judge the road ahead.

Drivers approaching a dip should reduce speed when necessary, maintain control and watch for hidden vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or standing water beyond or within the depression.