Comparison of MUTCD-influenced traffic signs

Road signs used by countries in the Americas are significantly influenced by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), first released in 1935, reflecting the influence of the United States throughout the region.[1] Other non-American countries using road signs similar to the MUTCD include Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand. They, along with the US Virgin Islands, are also the only countries listed here which drive on the left—with the exception of Liberia and the Philippines (though partial), both of which drive on the right.

There are also a number of American signatories to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Suriname. Of those, only Chile, Cuba, and French Guiana have ratified the treaty.

Mandatory action signs in the Americas tend to be influenced by both systems. Nearly all countries in the Americas use yellow diamond warning signs. Recognizing the differences in standards across Europe and the Americas, the Vienna convention considers these types of signs an acceptable alternative to the triangular warning sign. [2] However, UN compliant signs must make use of more pictograms in contrast to more text based US variants. Indeed, most Pan-American nations make use of more symbols than allowed in the US MUTCD.

It is also worth noting that, unlike in Europe, considerable variation within road sign designs can exist within nations, especially in multilingual areas.

Trilingual stop sign in Mistissini, Quebec, Canada. Languages are Cree, English, and French.

Differences between MUTCD-influenced traffic signs

The main differences between traffic signs influenced by the MUTCD relate to:

• Graphic design and symbological details
• The use of square-bordered or circular regulatory signs
• Local languages (signs may be bilingual or trilingual)
  • Most notable is the text on stop signs. Unlike in Europe, the text on stop signs in the Americas varies depending on language, and may be multilingual.

Languages

Below is a table of the main languages used. Note that in non-English speaking countries, English is frequently included on signs near airports and tourist areas.

				Canada
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Anglophone Canada	Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	United States	Uruguay
Drives on the…	Right	Left	Right	Right	Right	Right	Right	Left	Left	Left	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Right	Right	Left	Right	Right
Primary language	Spanish	English	Portuguese	English	French	Spanish	Spanish	Indonesian	Irish and English[3]	English	Japanese	English	Malay	Spanish	English	Spanish	Spanish	English	Thai	English	Spanish
Secondary language(s)				French Alongside English in New Brunswick and other Francophone regions,[4] as well as on federally administered land. Indigenous languages On Indian reserves and some majority-Native-inhabited lands.	Indigenous languages On Indian reserves and some majority-Native-inhabited lands. English Rare; used in Anglophone regions e.g. Montreal West and Nunavik.			English On guide signs in and around popular tourist areas.			English Especially on guide signs.				Maori Used for bilingual place names, as defined by the New Zealand Geographic Board.[5]			Filipino	English	Indigenous languages On some native reservations. Spanish In Puerto Rico.
Typical typeface(s)	Helvetica, FHWA	FHWA	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, FHWA (varies by province)	FHWA, Clearview (different fonts specified for different signs)	Ruta CL, formerly FHWA	Helvetica, FHWA	Clearview, formerly FHWA	Transport	FHWA	Hiragino (Japanese) & Vialog (English), formerly Helvetica (English)	Clearview, formerly FHWA	LLM (for expressways) & Transport (for federal & state highways), formerly FHWA	FHWA	FHWA	Helvetica	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, formerly Arial Bold and FHWA (still used on expressway sections)	FHWA (English)	FHWA, Clearview (varies by state)	Helvetica

Differences in units

Metric signage reminder in Quebec, often found after ports of entry from the US

Road sign used in British Columbia, Canada, near the Canada–US border to remind American drivers that Canada uses the metric system.

• All countries, with the exception of the United States and Great Britain, use the metric system. Some countries mark this fact by using units on various signs.
  • Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and parts of Canada (British Columbia, parts of Ontario, and Yukon) list units (km/h) on their maximum speed limit. In Canada and Ireland, this is a reflection of (somewhat) recent transitions from Imperial to metric.
  • The US territory of Puerto Rico uses a mix - speed limits are in mph but distance signs are marked in km.
  • Advisory speed limit signs in most countries list units, although New Zealand does not. The US lists units in mph.
  • Height, weight, and width restrictions are almost always accompanied by units (tonnes or metres); in the US, the short ton is used with no distinction from metric tonnes.
  • Signs in some parts of Canada and Mexico near the US border often include both metric and Imperial units, to remind American drivers that they are entering metric countries. In Canada, these signs display the imperial speed limit using a Canadian-style sign, rather than an MUTCD-standard used in the US. No such equivalent exists in the US.[6]
• The US was, at one time, planning a transition to the metric system. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 started the process, but it was halted in 1982. The MUTCD has guidelines for posting metric versions of speed limit signs on roads.
• The SI standard unit of speed, meter per second, is not used on road signs anywhere in the world. All countries that use the metric system measure speeds in kilometers per hour.

Warning signs

Countries in yellow use MUTCD-style diamond warning signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.

• Nearly all MUTCD-influenced warning signs are diamond-shaped and yellow; some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow-green in order to draw extra attention. There are a few exceptions to this:
  • Pentagonal signs are used in school zones in the United States, Liberia, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand and many areas in Canada. In Japan and the Philippines, pentagonal signs are permanently used for pedestrian crossings.
  • Argentina employs European-style red-bordered triangular warning signs in certain instances where extra attention is required. The Philippines uses this style for most warning signs, though some highways like the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway and the Manila–Cavite Expressway use MUTCD-style yellow diamond-shaped warning signs.
• Warning signs may be text-only.

Road works and construction

• Most countries do not use orange or yellow diamond-shaped signs for construction zones. Australia and the Philippines instead use rectangular signs that fit into temporary casings.

Regulatory signs

• Prohibitory and restrictive signs are classified as regulatory signs, as per the MUTCD.
• Almost all prohibitory signs use a red circle with a slash. Restrictive signs typically use a red circle, as in Europe. Some may be seated on a rectangular white background.
  • The original MUTCD prohibitory and restrictive signs were text-only (i.e. NO LEFT TURN).[7] Some of these signs continue to be used in the US.
• The No Entry / Do Not Enter sign may or may not feature text. In some Latin American countries, an upwards-pointing arrow contained within a slashed red circle is used instead. Some countries have those two signs separated.
  • The Latin American-style 'do not proceed straight' sign may take a different meaning in countries with standard No Entry / Do Not Enter signs. Typically, it indicates an intersection where traffic cannot continue straight ahead (often involving a one-way street to be exact), but where cross-traffic may enter the street from the right (or left). Thus, it is distinguished from a No Entry / Do Not Enter (for all vehicles) sign.

Mandatory or permitted-action signs

Various color schemes for mandatory signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.

• The design of mandatory signs varies widely, since the MUTCD does not specify their use.[1] Rather, the MUTCD's equivalent are classified as regulatory signs.
  • Some countries use simple arrows with the text "ONLY" or its equivalent underneath. This is the MUTCD standard.
  • Some countries use European-style white-on-blue circular signs. These are "Type A Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention.
  • Some Latin American countries use red-bordered circular signs, in the same style as regulatory signs. These are "Type B Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention. In cases relating to particular types of vehicle traffic (e.g. buses), these signs are identical to some European prohibitory signs.[lower-alpha 1]
  • Canada uses a unique style of mandatory sign that features a green circle.

Highway and wayfinding signs

• Most countries use white-on-green signs on highways and to indicate location, etc.
  • The exact style of these signs varies widely, although many are influenced by the MUTCD standard.
  • Chile, Ireland, Japan, and New Zealand use both white-on-green and white-on-blue guide signs, as does the Northwest Territories and Ontario in Canada.
  • Malaysia uses both black-on-yellow and white-on-green guide signs.
  • White-on-blue signs are sometimes used at airports and for rest areas.
  • White-on-brown signs are sometimes used to indicate park areas.

Gallery of Guide Signs

• 
  Argentina
• 
  Australia (Queensland)
• 
  Brazil (São Paulo)
• 
  Canada (British Columbia)
• 
  Canada (Ontario)
• 
  Canada (Quebec)
• 
  Chile
• 
  Colombia
• 
  Indonesia
• 
  Ireland
• 
  Japan
• 
  Malaysia
• 
  Mexico (Veracruz)
• 
  New Zealand
• 
  Panama
• 
  Peru
• 
  Philippines
• 
  Thailand
• 
  United States (New Jersey)

Table of traffic signs comparison

Warning

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	United States (Graphical and textual— used interchangeably)	Uruguay
Stop sign ahead													Not used
Yield/Give Way sign ahead			?										Not used										?
Traffic signals ahead		or
Roundabout ahead											or											[lower-alpha 2]
Two-way traffic ahead
Uncontrolled railroad crossing ahead
Level railroad crossing with barriers ahead	[lower-alpha 3]			[lower-alpha 3]	[lower-alpha 3]	[lower-alpha 3]	[lower-alpha 3]				or		[lower-alpha 3]			[lower-alpha 3]		or
Tram / streetcar crossing				Not used	Not used	Not used	N/A [lower-alpha 4]	N/A [lower-alpha 4]	N/A [lower-alpha 4]	Not used		N/A [lower-alpha 4]		N/A [lower-alpha 4]	Not used	N/A [lower-alpha 4]		Not used	N/A [lower-alpha 4]	N/A [lower-alpha 4]	Not used	[lower-alpha 5]
Railroad crossbuck											Not used
Level crossing (multiple tracks)											Not used	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay
Crossroads ahead
Junction with a side road ahead
Traffic merges ahead												?
Added lane	?		?			?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?	?		?
Divided highway ahead					Flip sign below upside down			?					Not used				?
Divided highway ends	?							?					Not used				?
Lane ends ahead
Road narrows ahead
Narrow bridge ahead											?		Not used							or
Dangerous crosswinds						?										?		?	?	Not used	?	[lower-alpha 6]
Low-flying aircraft						?			?				Not used		?	?
Steep grade downwards																				and		or
Steep grade upwards						Not used	[lower-alpha 7]									Not used			Not used	and
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay
Uneven surface
Bump in road
Bump Ahead		Sign used
Dip in road						?	[lower-alpha 8]					?	Not used		Not used	?				?
Slippery road surface																				or
Loose road surface		[lower-alpha 9]		[lower-alpha 9]		Not used	[lower-alpha 9]			[lower-alpha 9]	[lower-alpha 9]		Not used		Not used					?
Pavement ends	?							?		?	?	?	Not used	?	Not used					?	?
Gentle curve ahead
Sharp curve ahead												?
Double gentle curve ahead
Double sharp curve ahead
Series of curves ahead														Not used
Hairpin curve ahead	?		Not used	Not used						?	?	?	Not used	Not used	Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay
School zone
Children / playground ahead				or	or
Pedestrians / crossing ahead	?	or	or			or		or	or				Not used				or
Pedestrian crossing													or						Not used	or
Cyclists crossing				or											?						?
Falling rocks or debris																						[lower-alpha 6]
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay
Opening or swing bridge	Not used							?	?				Not used		?		?		?
Emergency vehicles			Not used					?		Not used	?	N/A	Not used		Not used	Not used		Not used		Not used	Not used		?
Farm vehicles										?		N/A	Not used		Not used		?			Not used	Not used
Domestic animals												?	?
Wild animals												?				?			?	Not used	?
Equestrians			Not used					?	?	?		N/A	Not used		?	?		?	?	Not used	Not used
Tunnel ahead		?	Not used			?				?			Not used		Not used	?		?		?	?		?
Height restriction ahead												N/A	Not used		Not used			?
Width restriction ahead		Not used		Not used		Not used	[lower-alpha 9]					?	Not used		Not used		Not used					N/A
Length restriction ahead	?	?		?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?		?	?	?
Weight restriction ahead		Not used		Not used						Not used		N/A	Not used	Not used	Not used	?	Not used	?	?		Not used		?
Roadworks [lower-alpha 9]	?			or	or	or	or									?				Not used
Flagman Ahead			Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Jamaica	Japan	Liberia	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay

Regulatory

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	United States	USA - Puerto Rico	Uruguay
Stop				Everywhere (MB) (N.B)
Yield / Give Way											or							or
Yield to oncoming traffic		or [8]	?								Not used	Not used		?		?	?	?			?	?
No entry	or	or			or						or					or	or	or				or
Road closed	?	or	?			[lower-alpha 9]	[lower-alpha 9]	?			?		?	?		?	?				?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	USA (Puerto Rico)	Uruguay
No motor vehicles		?												or	?						?
No motorcycles		?			Not used						Not used										?
No bicycles																					?
No pedestrians																					?
No heavy goods vehicles																?					?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	USA (Puerto Rico)	Uruguay
Maximum speed limit						(optional)														[lower-alpha 10]	?
Minimum speed limit		Not used	?		Not used	Not used					Not used		Not used	?	Not used	?	?			[lower-alpha 10]	?	?
Speed restriction ends	?		Not used	Not used		Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used	or		Not used		?	?				?	?
Maximum height																					?
Maximum width		Not used		Not used	Not used	Not used									Not used					Not used	?
Maximum weight															?
Maximum weight per axle									?			Not used	Not used	?	?			Not used	?		?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	USA (Puerto Rico)	Uruguay
No left turn		or										Not used [lower-alpha 11]						or			?
No right turn		or										Not used [lower-alpha 11]						or			?
No U-turn		or																or			?
No parking																		or			?
No stopping																					?
No overtaking [lower-alpha 12]																and [lower-alpha 13]	and [lower-alpha 13]	or	or	or [lower-alpha 13]
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	USA (Puerto Rico)	Uruguay

Mandatory or permitted actions

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	United States	Uruguay
Proceed straight (no turns)						Not used [lower-alpha 14]		Not used						?				or
Turn right		Not used				Not used	?		?			Not used	?		Not used		?
Turn right ahead					Not used	Not used [lower-alpha 14]		Not used					?					or
Proceed straight or right		Not used			Not used	Not used [lower-alpha 14]		Not used	Not used		Not used			?		Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used
Keep right (or left)																	Not used	or
Pass on either side												Not used				?			or
Roundabout	Not used																Not used	or
Overtaking permitted [lower-alpha 12]		or											or	?	or	?	?	Not used			?
Shared use path													?	?		?	?	Not used	?		?
Bicycles only														?
Transit only									?		?		?	?		?		?			?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay

Other (indication)

	Argentina	Australia	Bolivia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - British Columbia	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Paraguay	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	United States	Uruguay
One-way street			?			or						Not used			?			?
Two-way traffic			?								Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used		?		or	Not used	[lower-alpha 9]
Freeway begins			?	Not used	Not used		Not used	Not used		?			Not used		?	or	?	?
Freeway ends			?	Not used	?		?	?		?			Not used		?	?	?	?
Dead end			?		or				?	?			Not used		?			?	?				?
Parking zone	or		?					or				or (limited)	or		or		or	?	or		?
Bus stop			?		Some-places?		?	?	?			?						?
Train station			?									?		?		?		?	?	?			?
Airport			?									?	Not used			?		?	?	?
Hospital			?										Not used			?		?
Customs post		N/A [lower-alpha 15]	?		Sometimes I think?	Not used	Not used					Not used	N/A [lower-alpha 15]	?		N/A [lower-alpha 15]		?		?		Not used
National highway shield(s)																					(national highway) (tolled motorway) (free motorway)
	Argentina	Australia	Bolivia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (British Columbia)	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Paraguay	Peru	Philippines	Thailand	USA	Uruguay

See also

• Comparison of European road signs
• Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking countries
• Glossary of road transport terms
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Traffic sign
• Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals

Notes

1. Compare Bicycles Only (Ciclovia) sign in Brazil: with No Bicycles (Verbot für Radfahrer) sign in Germany:
2. In the US, "roundabout" and "traffic circle" are used interchangeably, along with "rotary". See Roundabout terminology.
3. No distinction between controlled and uncontrolled railroad crossings is made.
4. There are no operating tram or streetcar systems in this jurisdiction.
5. Used in California only. Shared grade tram or streetcar crossings are typically unsigned in other jurisdictions.
6. Text varies.
7. Not in use for road vehicles
8. Off-road tracks only
9. Temporary use only.
10. The metric version of the sign is not in general use—it is included to show the use of the more internationally recognized circle used in speed limit signs. One example of use is on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, north of the Canada–US border but south of Canada Customs.
11. Japan indicates movement restrictions by means of mandatory signs only:
12. In many jurisdictions, "Overtaking Permitted" is indicated solely through a change in road markings, e.g. a solid center line changing to a dashed center line. In such jurisdictions, signs in this category are only posted in locations where a change in road markings is deemed insufficient notice for drivers. This is in contrast to "No Overtaking" signs, which are almost always posted alongside changes in road markings to indicate the end of an overtaking zone.
13. Pennant signs are placed facing traffic in the passing lane, i.e. on the left side of the road for right-hand driving countries. They are used in conjunction with standard-shaped signs placed facing traffic in the travel lane, i.e. on the right side of the road.
14. Ontario indicates movement restrictions by means of prohibitory signs only:
    
15. This country has no land borders.

References

1. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition
2. "Part I: Convention on Road Signs and Signals – Annex 3" (PDF). United Nations. p. 83.
3. Ireland Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport – Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 1
4. Ontario Ministry of Transportation – Bilingual Signing Policy
5. New Zealand Ministry of Transport – Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings, Sec. 7.7
6. British Columbia Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings
7. MUTCD History
8. "QLD regulatory signs". Queensland Government. Government of Queenland.