Ontario road signs: meanings and categories
Learn the sign family first, then read the symbol and the safe response. This reference uses original DrivingDecoded artwork and links back to the official MTO handbook.
Recognize the sign family
Use shape and colour as a first clue to the message.
Read every detail
Check symbols, arrows, numbers, and supplementary tabs.
Respond safely
Match the sign to the road condition and required action.
How to read Ontario signs
Shapes and colours offer a fast clue. Read the full symbol and any accompanying tab before you act, then check the road and traffic around you.
Regulatory signs
Rules, restrictions, and directions drivers must follow.
Accessible passenger loading zone - no standing except by permit in both directions
Accessible passenger loading zone - no standing except by permit in both directions
Accessible parking permit required
Accessible parking permit required
Advisory maximum safe speed 50 kilometres per hour
Advisory maximum safe speed 50 kilometres per hour
Advisory maximum safe speed 60 kilometres per hour
Advisory maximum safe speed 60 kilometres per hour
Right-pointing chevron for a sharp change in road direction
Right-pointing chevron for a sharp change in road direction
Community Safety Zone - fines increased
Community Safety Zone - fines increased
Do not drive straight through the intersection
Do not drive straight through the intersection
Do not enter sign
Do not enter sign
Do not pass the pilot or pace vehicle when its signal is flashing
Do not pass the pilot or pace vehicle when its signal is flashing
High-occupancy vehicle lane - two or more persons
High-occupancy vehicle lane - two or more persons
Keep right except when passing where a climbing or passing lane is provided
Keep right except when passing where a climbing or passing lane is provided
Keep right of the traffic island or obstruction
Keep right of the traffic island or obstruction
Long commercial vehicle placard
Long commercial vehicle placard
No bicycles allowed
No bicycles allowed
Do not cross the striped HOV-lane buffer
Do not cross the striped HOV-lane buffer
No left turn
No left turn
No left turn during the posted weekday and time periods
No left turn during the posted weekday and time periods
No parking sign with arrows
No parking sign with arrows
Do not pass
Do not pass
No pedestrians allowed
No pedestrians allowed
No right turn on a red light
No right turn on a red light
No standing sign with arrows
No standing sign with arrows
No U-turn
No U-turn
One-way traffic to the right
One-way traffic to the right
Reserved lane for the vehicle classes shown during posted hours
Reserved lane for the vehicle classes shown during posted hours
Slow-moving vehicle travelling 40 kilometres per hour or less
Slow-moving vehicle travelling 40 kilometres per hour or less
Slower traffic keep right
Slower traffic keep right
Stop sign
Stop sign
Thirty minute parking sign
Thirty minute parking sign
Two-way left-turn lane only
Two-way left-turn lane only
Variable traffic-message sign reporting express and collector conditions
Variable traffic-message sign reporting express and collector conditions
Yield sign
Yield sign
Warning signs
Conditions and hazards ahead that call for a safe response.
Bus entrance on the right ahead
Bus entrance on the right ahead
Divided highway begins
Divided highway begins
Divided highway ends
Divided highway ends
Fallen or falling rock hazard ahead
Fallen or falling rock hazard ahead
Fire-truck entrance on the right ahead
Fire-truck entrance on the right ahead
Hazard marker - pass to the right of the obstruction
Hazard marker - pass to the right of the obstruction
Hidden right-side intersection ahead with restricted sideroad view
Hidden right-side intersection ahead with restricted sideroad view
Intersection ahead
Intersection ahead
Lift or swing bridge ahead
Lift or swing bridge ahead
Low underpass ahead - 3.9 metre maximum clearance shown
Low underpass ahead - 3.9 metre maximum clearance shown
Narrow bridge ahead
Narrow bridge ahead
Right lane ends ahead
Right lane ends ahead
Road branches off ahead to the right
Road branches off ahead to the right
Road forks to the right
Road forks to the right
Roads or traffic lanes merge ahead
Roads or traffic lanes merge ahead
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout ahead
Share the road with cyclists
Share the road with cyclists
Share the road with oncoming traffic
Share the road with oncoming traffic
Sharp right turn ahead
Sharp right turn ahead
Sharp right turn at the hazard marker
Sharp right turn at the hazard marker
Slight bend or curve to the right ahead
Slight bend or curve to the right ahead
Slippery when wet
Slippery when wet
Snowmobiles cross this road
Snowmobiles cross this road
Maximum speed changes to 50 kilometres per hour ahead
Maximum speed changes to 50 kilometres per hour ahead
Steep downgrade ahead - 18 percent grade shown
Steep downgrade ahead - 18 percent grade shown
Stop sign ahead
Stop sign ahead
Truck entrance on the right ahead
Truck entrance on the right ahead
Water may flow over the road ahead
Water may flow over the road ahead
Winding road ahead
Winding road ahead
Temporary-condition signs
Work-zone and short-term road-condition guidance.
Closed lane - merge right as indicated
Closed lane - merge right as indicated
Speeding fines doubled in construction zones when workers are present
Speeding fines doubled in construction zones when workers are present
Construction work one kilometre ahead
Construction work one kilometre ahead
Construction zone begins
Construction zone begins
Traffic-control person ahead
Traffic-control person ahead
Flashing arrow board directing traffic left
Flashing arrow board directing traffic left
Milled or grooved pavement ahead
Milled or grooved pavement ahead
Road work ahead
Road work ahead
STOP and SLOW traffic-control paddles - reduce speed and prepare to stop
STOP and SLOW traffic-control paddles - reduce speed and prepare to stop
Survey crew working ahead
Survey crew working ahead
Temporary detour from the normal traffic route
Temporary detour from the normal traffic route
Temporary right lane ends or is closed ahead - merge left
Temporary right lane ends or is closed ahead - merge left
Information and direction signs
Routes, exits, destinations, and services.
Advance exit-lane guide for Cedar Avenue
Advance exit-lane guide for Cedar Avenue
Advance two-lane exit guide for Morning Avenue
Advance two-lane exit guide for Morning Avenue
Bicycle route sign
Bicycle route sign
Directions to Northhaven, Cedarvale and Lakeborough
Directions to Northhaven, Cedarvale and Lakeborough
Distances to Mapleford and Pinehaven
Distances to Mapleford and Pinehaven
Mandatory lane directions: left, left or straight, and right
Mandatory lane directions: left, left or straight, and right
No parking in either direction from the sign
No parking in either direction from the sign
Off-road facilities guide for police, hospital, information and airport services
Off-road facilities guide for police, hospital, information and airport services
Roundabout destination guide for Northhaven, Westford and Eastvale
Roundabout destination guide for Northhaven, Westford and Eastvale
Route guide to London via Highway 401 and Hamilton via QEW and Highway 403
Route guide to London via Highway 401 and Hamilton via QEW and Highway 403
Route to an airport
Route to an airport
Route to a passenger railway or transit station
Route to a passenger railway or transit station
Snowmobile route sign
Snowmobile route sign
Cedarview Road street-name and civic-number sign
Cedarview Road street-name and civic-number sign
Wheelchair-accessible facility or service
Wheelchair-accessible facility or service
Yield to a transit bus re-entering traffic
Yield to a transit bus re-entering traffic
School and railway signs
Extra attention around children, buses, and rail crossings.
Bicycle crossing ahead
Bicycle crossing ahead
Deer crossing area
Deer crossing area
Hidden school-bus stop ahead
Hidden school-bus stop ahead
No passing from here to the pedestrian crossing
No passing from here to the pedestrian crossing
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Railway crossing crossbuck
Railway crossing crossbuck
Railway crossing ahead
Railway crossing ahead
School bus loading zone to the right
School bus loading zone to the right
School-bus turning warning and bilingual no-standing restriction in both directions
School-bus turning warning and bilingual no-standing restriction in both directions
School crossing sign
School crossing sign
School-crossing warning-sign variants
School-crossing warning-sign variants
School-zone maximum speed 40 kilometres per hour when flashers are operating
School-zone maximum speed 40 kilometres per hour when flashers are operating
Stop for a school bus with signals flashing in both directions
Stop for a school bus with signals flashing in both directions
Stop for a school bus when signals are flashing
Stop for a school bus when signals are flashing
Traffic-control signs
Signs that work with signals and lane-control information.
Bump or uneven pavement ahead
Bump or uneven pavement ahead
Pavement narrows ahead
Pavement narrows ahead
Traffic signals ahead
Traffic signals ahead
Official reference and next steps
The official MTO handbook remains the source for Ontario sign rules and meanings. Continue with sign shapes and colours, warning signs, or the free G1 diagnostic.
Reviewed .
Small steps. Safer roads.
Study today for a more confident tomorrow.