Do You Know the Meaning of All of These International Road Signs?

By: J.P. Naomi
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know the Meaning of All of These International Road Signs?
Image: Wiki Commons by Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD

About This Quiz

Ready to drive around the world? Hop in and let's see how well you know the rules of the road!

Chances are, if you know them here, you will know them anywhere! Want to know why? Because on November 8, 1968, the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals was signed into action. This is a multi-nation treaty that was created in an effort to help increase road safety throughout the world. As such, it works to standardize the signage system for road traffic. This includes everything from road signs to traffic lights and even road markings - all of which are used internationally.

Though there are slight variations from country to country, the same categories of road signs exist. Danger signs are still danger signs; prohibitory signs are still prohibitory signs. In different countries, however, these signs might just vary in shape or color. And while not every nation has signed on to the Vienna Convention, there are 69 nations that have. Now wouldn't you say that is a step, or shall we say drive, in the right direction?

You see, road signs and rules are essential to the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians no matter where you live in the world. It's time to put your car in drive and see if you have what it takes to enter the no speed limit zone or if your parking meter is about to run out!

Expressway AT AT
Wiki Commons by Malarz pl
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Expressway
Bicycle lane/path
Crossroads
Minimum speed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An expressway is known as a controlled-access highway. It is known as a freeway in some countries ​and a motorway in others. Similar terms include interstate and parkway.

Steep_Hill_Up
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Minimum speed
No entry
Steep hill
Pedestrians have priority on this crossing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The steep hill is a type of warning sign that indicates a hazard ahead on the road. In this case, drivers should use caution as they may not be able to see over the hill, or during inclement weather, they may lose control of their vehicle on the hill.

Priority Road
Wiki Commons by Basher Eyre
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Priority over opposing traffic
Superhighway exit
Priority road
Entering a two-way street
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In most countries, the priority lane tends to be depicted as a white arrow, whereas the opposing traffic shows as a red arrow. In some locations, the words, "Priority over opposing traffic" are shown below the sign, but not always, so you better know its meaning!

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YIELD ONCOMING TRAFFIC
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Entering a two-way street
Uneven road
Camping
Yield to oncoming traffic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries caused an estimated 1.25 million deaths worldwide in 2010. That statistic means that one person is killed every 25 seconds.

End of Expressway
Wiki Commons by Woodennature
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Camping
No parking
Hospital
End of expressway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sometimes the expressway just... ends. It could turn into a one-lane road or it could merge into another local route. Don't fret though, where one road ends, another begins.

Priority_sign_in_Constantine_Avenue_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1621734
Wiki Commons by Basher Eyre
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Hospital
Priority road
Footpath
Hostel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Did you know the highest annual death toll for traffic-related incidents is in Africa? In 2015, Africa had 1.25 million deaths, while Europe came in last place with just 84,500.

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Road Bumps Ahead
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Hostel
No trucks
Bumps
Roundabout
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Traffic signs for bumps are often found near construction or road work zones. They warn drivers to slow down because the bumps could cause loss of control or, in some cases, vehicle damage.

Closed to automobiles
Wiki Commons by Ministry of Transportation And Communications and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of China
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Roundabout
Beware of pedestrians
Closed to certain types of motorized vehicles
End of speed limit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "closed to automobiles" sign is known as a prohibitory traffic sign. These signs are used in certain areas to prohibit certain types of maneuver or types of traffic. In this case, no cars, but perhaps trucks, are allowed!

Snow Chains Obiligatory
Wiki Commons by Harry-C
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Snow chains obligatory
End of speed limit
Parking area/Rest stop
Bicycle lane/path
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though you may not find these signs in countries closest to the equator, you will certainly find them in colder areas where residents and tourists enjoy winter sports. Austria is an example of a country where snow chains are a requirement, not just a suggestion.

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Yield
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Yield
Bicycle lane/path
Dead end
Road narrows
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In road transport, a yield sign indicates that each driver must prepare to stop, if necessary, to let a driver on another approach proceed. A driver who stops or slows down to let another vehicle through has yielded the right of way to that vehicle.

Deer Crossing
Wiki Commons by Dickelbers
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Road narrows
Deer crossing
Train crossing with barrier
Crossroads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Deer crossing signs are intended to warn drivers about deer in the vicinity. These signs are often seen around wooded areas. Drivers should exercise caution and slow down.

Closed To Motorcycles
Wiki Commons by Government of Slovenia
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Crossroads
Road narrows
No bicycles
Closed to motorcycles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is no mistaking the meaning of this sign. No motorcycles allowed! According to the United States Department of Transportation, the number of fatalities per mile traveled was 37 times higher for motorcycles than for cars.

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Minimum Speed
Wiki Commons by Paweł Grzywocz
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No bicycles
Minimum speed
Train crossing without barrier
End of no passing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Believe it or not, some roads require you to travel at LEAST a certain speed. In some cases, the maximum and minimum speed limits are displayed on a single sign.

No Passing By Goods Vehicles
Wiki Commons by F l a n k e r
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No passing by goods vehicles
Priority road
Expressway
Stop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vehicles carrying goods are at a higher risk for accidents because of their weight. It is not safe for these types of heavy vehicles to speed up in order to pass a smaller vehicle, and most countries prohibit it.

Road Narrows
Wiki Commons by Woodennature
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Stop
No bicycles
Road narrows
End of parking disc restriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the road narrows, this tends to mean that the "shoulder" is eliminated. The shoulder is a buffer zone where cars may pull over for various reasons.

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Stop
Wiki Commons by Government of Israel
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
End of parking disc restriction
Stop
Speed limit
No entry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

No matter what language you speak, when you see this sign, you know exactly what it means. So be sure to follow it! In the United States, drivers are required to come to a complete stop for three seconds before proceeding.

Train Crossing Without Barrier
Wiki Commons by Юкатан
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Train crossing without barrier
No entry
Hostel
Go to the right
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A train crossing without barrier sign indicates what is known as a level crossing. When approaching a train crossing without a barrier, cars must give way to trains or else!

Parking Area Rest Stop
Wiki Commons by Nepali Department of Roads
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Parking area/Rest stop
Go to the right
Footpath
Hospital
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Parking areas or rest stops are designated areas off of a highway intended for motorists to take a break from driving. These areas generally come equipped with restrooms, information and maps, as well as a variety of food options.

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No Bicycles
Wiki Commons by Google
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Hospital
Crosswind
Camping
No bicycles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though bicycles can travel around a city quite easily, there are certain areas where they are not permitted. This is usually for a very good reason - areas where their safety would be compromised due to high traffic or uneven roads.

Bicycle lane path
Wiki Commons by P.Ctnt
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Camping
Bicycle lane/path
Entering a two-way street
No passing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bike lanes have become more and more available throughout the world. They provide a safe path of travel for cyclists because cars and trucks are prohibited on them.

No entry for vehicles weighing over 2.4 tons per axle
Wiki Commons by SriLanka1234567890
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No passing
Go to the right
No entry for vehicles weighing over 2 tons per axle
Speed limit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

2 tons per axle is a LOT of weight! This is not exactly the type of vehicle you'd want driving over a bridge with you, right?!

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Dead end
Wiki Commons by Transportstyrelsen
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Speed limit
Dead end
Train crossing with barrier
No vehicles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dead end signs mean exactly what they say. You have nowhere to go but turn around. Often these signs are seen with, or in place of, 'No O​utlet' signs.

Pedestrians have priority on this crossing
Wiki Commons by Southern African Development Community
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No vehicles
Parking with meters
Pedestrians have priority on this crossing
No entry for vehicles over 3.5 meters high
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it's true a good motorist should always yield to pedestrians, in some cases, it is the law. Not all crossings are at traffic lights, so it's up to the motorists to stop for the safety of the pedestrians.

Traffic Signals Ahead
Wiki Commons by Government of Ukraine
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Stop
Traffic signal ahead
No entry for vehicles over 3.5 meters high
No trucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The meaning of this sign is for motorists to slow down and be prepared to come to a complete stop on the yellow or red signal. Of course if the light is green...

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Speed Limit
Wiki Commons by Standards Australia
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No trucks
Uneven road
Speed limit
Camping
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Speed limits are determined based on a number of factors - the width of the road, the curvature of the road, the number of vehicles that travel the road. All of these factors are taken into consideration when determining the safest speed at which vehicles can travel.

End of Minimum Speed
Wiki Commons by Mediatus
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
End of minimum speed
Camping
Roundabout
Crosswind
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The end of minimum speed sign generally means that you have come into a more dense or populated area where you should now use common sense as your guide to how fast or slow you should travel. In some countries, this is known as a 'thickly settled' area.

End of no passing
Wiki Commons by Mediatus
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Crosswind
End of no passing
Parking with meters
Uneven road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On a long stretch of open and straight roadway, cars may be permitted to pass one another. As soon as the characteristics of the roadway allow safe passing, this sign is sure to be posted.

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Crossroads
Wiki Commons by Monaneko
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Crossroads
Uneven road
Crosswind
No trucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crossroads are also known as a junction - where two or more roads meet. Crossroads began forming as more and more roads were built throughout history. They are a place for motorists to decide if they want to stay the course, or change direction.

Superhighway exit
Wiki Commons by Mediatus
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No trucks
Stop
Superhighway exit
Beware of pedestrians
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A superhighway is defined as a highway designed for travel at high speeds, having more than one lane for each direction of traffic, a safety strip dividing the two directions, and cloverleaves to route the traffic on and off the highway.

Train crossing
Wiki Commons by Sarah777
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Beware of pedestrians
Train crossing
Bicycle lane/path
No bicycles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Modern train crossings come equipped with warning bells as well as safety gates to prevent motorists from accidentally driving through while a train is approaching or crossing. This is known as a train crossing with barrier.

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End of parking disc restriction
Wiki Commons by Alex:D
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
End of parking disc restriction
No bicycles
Uneven road
Priority over opposing traffic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Disc parking is a system of allowing time-restricted free parking through display of a parking disc or clock disc showing the time at which the vehicle was parked. The system is common in Europe.

No Entry
Wiki Commons by Sn1per
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Entering a two-way street
Minimum speed
No entry
End of expressway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"No entry" is a prohibitory traffic sign. It could mean one of three things: wrong way, road closed or no straight ahead.

Footpath 2
Wiki Commons by Brookie
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
End of expressway
Parking area/Rest stop
Footpath
End of minimum speed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A footpath road sign indicates the sidewalk or designated area where pedestrians should walk. On occasion, a footpath is under construction or closed - in which case city officials will designate an alternate safe route for pedestrians.

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No entry for vehicles over 3.5 meters high
Wiki Commons by Finnish Transport Agency
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No entry for vehicles over 3.5 meters high
Train crossing with barrier
Priority road
Stop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your vehicle or truck is too tall, you better heed the sign! Oftentimes, drivers who do not pay attention to this sign will get stuck beneath an overpass or in a tunnel - causing a lot of traffic behind them!

Beware of pedestrians
Wiki Commons by Government of Queensland
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Speed limit
Priority road
Beware of pedestrians
Hostel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the biggest rules of the road - beware of pedestrians! Using caution and being aware of the car's surroundings, not just in front, are crucial to successful driving.

No stopping
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Hostel
No stopping
Hospital
Parking with meters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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

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Hostel
Wiki Commons by No name is good name
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Parking with meters
Hostel
Roundabout
Uneven road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hostls are establishments that provide inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers. They can be found in almost every city around the world.

Entering a two-way street
Wiki Commons by Monaneko
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Entering a two-way street
Uneven road
Speed limit
Train crossing with barrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When entering a two-way street, slow down and be aware of oncoming traffic. There may or may not be a dividing barrier in the road on a two-way street.

End of speed limit
Wiki Commons by Peeperman
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Train crossing with barrier
Footpath
End of speed limit
Priority road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The end of speed limit sign does not mean, "Go as fast as you want." It simply means that the local speed limit applies unless otherwise noted. Most states in the United States designate 55 mph as the general speed limit.

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No passing
Wiki Commons by Finnish Transport Agency
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No passing
Expressway
Snow chains obligatory
Bicycle lane/path
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This pennant-shaped yellow and black traffic sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. The sign is placed on the left side of the road, facing the driver. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.​

Roundabout
Wiki Commons by Nepali Department of Roads
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Bicycle lane/path
Roundabout
Parking area/Rest stop
Speed limit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The proper way to drive through a roundabout is: Yield to drivers in the roundabout; stay in your lane; do not change lanes; do not stop in the roundabout; and avoid driving next to oversize vehicles.

Uneven road
Wiki Commons by Nepali Department of Roads
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Speed limit
Snow chains obligatory
No passing by goods vehicles
Uneven road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This sign warns you of an uneven road ahead. It might have multiple severe bumps and general uneven surfaces that could throw your vehicle off its line. Therefore, please slow down!

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Camping
Wiki Commons by UK Government
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
No passing by goods vehicles
End of expressway
Camping
Speed limit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The camping road sign indicates that you are near or approaching a campsite or camping area. Here you will find many RVs, pick-up trucks and excited vacationers.

Parking with meters
Wiki Commons by Government of Slovenia
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Yield
Closed to motocycles
Parking with meters
Traffic signals ahead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sign for parking with meters indicates that you may park in these spots but it will cost you. Generally, the meters are coin operated and may only be used for about two hours per vehicle. After that time is up, you must move your car.

No trucks
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Traffic signals ahead
Road narrows
No trucks
Pedestrians have priority on this crossing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most trucks are considered commercial vehicles. Trucks are often unfit for traveling on certain roads for safety reasons. When these signs are posted, truck drivers must avoid the road and take an alternate route.

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Go To The Right
Wiki Commons by Fry1989
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Camping
End of minimum speed
Footpath
Go to the right
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

What else could an arrow to the right possibly mean? Be sure to follow the signs or you'll end up on the wrong side of the road!

Crosswind
Wiki Commons by Peeperman
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Crosswind
Footpath
Dead end
End of parking disc restriction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A crosswind is any wind that has a perpendicular component to the line or direction of travel. This affects the aerodynamics of many forms of transport, including trucks and airplanes.​

No parking
Wiki Commons by Mediatus
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
End of parking disc restriction
No parking
Snow chains obligatory
Priority road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is one of the most recognizable road signs in the world. It is 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, as well as Asia, Australia, Africa and Ireland.

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Hospital
Wiki Commons by Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD
What is the meaning of the road sign seen here?
Priority road
Hospital
Camping
Hostel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hospital road sign is a highly recognizable sign around the world. It indicates that you may seek medical attention nearby, usually within several miles of the sign.

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Wiki Commons by Federal Highway Administration - MUTCD