Prohibitory traffic sign


Prohibitory traffic signs are used to prohibit certain types of manoeuvres or some types of traffic.

Modern prohibitory traffic signs

No entry

No admittance to unauthorised personnel, usually shown as a red circle with a white rectangle across its face. It is often used for one-way traffic.

Wrong way

These signs denote that the road is only for traffic coming in the opposite direction. Used at intersections to roads with one-way traffic or ramps.

Road closed

No admittance for vehicles. It is used on closed roads.

No straight ahead

Traffic is not permitted to continue straight, and must usually turn. These may occur at an intersection with incoming one-way traffic.

No motor vehicles

Motor vehicles are not permitted in this region.

No motorcycles

Motorcycles are not permitted in this area.

No heavy goods vehicles

Heavy goods vehicles are not allowed.

No buses

Buses are not permitted.

No pedestrians

Pedestrians are not allowed on the road, but may use a footpath instead.

No pedestrians or bicycles

Pedestrians and bicycles are not permitted, but may be allowed on a footpath.

No right, left, or U-turn

Either for all vehicles or with some exceptions. These are usually to speed up traffic through an intersection or due to street cars or other right of ways or if the intersecting road is one-way. Indicated near-universally by an arrow making the prohibited turn overlaid with a red circle with an angular line crossing it.

No right turn signs

No left turn signs

No turn signs

No U-turn signs

No left or U-turn signs

Other turn prohibition signs

No overtaking

Either overtaking is prohibited for all vehicles or certain kinds of vehicles only. In the USA, this is usually phrased as "no passing zone" and indicated by a rectangular, black-on-white sign on the right side of the road that says "DO NOT PASS" and/or by a solid yellow line painted on the roadway marking the left limit of traffic, and sometimes supplemented by a yellow sign on the opposite side of the road. Conversely, when the passing restriction is lifted, a rectangular, black-on-white sign that says "PASS WITH CARE" is placed on the right side of the road and/or the yellow centerline changes from solid to broken.

No overtaking or passing signs

End of overtaking signs

Limits

Speed limits

See: Speed limit
Used to indicate a maximum speed limit. The indicated limit is in mph in the USA and the UK, and in km/h in all other countries. Motorists are generally expected to be aware of this, as the majority of regulatory speed limit signs only list a number and no specific units.
Speed limit signs
End of speed limit signs; used to denote a previously posted speed limit that is no longer in effect on a road. State, local, or national">Speed limits by country">State, local, or national speed limits usually govern speed after this point, unless another limit is posted.

Weight limits

Used denote maximum weight for bridges.

Width limits

Used to denote maximum width on narrow roadways.

Height limits

Used to denote height limit on bridges and underpasses

Length limits

Used to denote maximum length.

No horns

Sounding your horn is not allowed for vehicles in some areas, most commonly in school zones, villages, or near hospitals or churches.

No parking

Amongst one of the most familiar signs, this sign is used where parking is prohibited. Usually shown as a red diagonal bar inside a blue circle with a red ring in Europe and parts of Asia, and a 'P' in a red circle with a cross through in North and South America, elsewhere in Asia, Australia, Africa and Ireland. The no parking sign is a part of controlled parking zone sign, which is obsolete in Belgrade from 1997.

No stopping

This sign is used where parking and stopping is prohibited. Usually shown as a red cross inside a blue circle with a red ring in Europe and parts of Asia, and a 'E' in a red circle with a X through in South America.

Stop at customs

Stop at customs that are used at border crossings, toll roads or police.

End of restrictions

These are the signs that end restrictions.

Other