Road Signs & Their Meanings

Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Look both ways. Proceed only when completely safe — there is no right-of-way assumption at a Stop sign.

Reduce speed significantly. If traffic is present on the main road, stop and wait. Enter only when the way is completely clear.

Do not enter under any circumstances. Turn around and find the correct route. If you have entered accidentally, exit safely at the earliest point.

Reduce speed to the posted limit before reaching the sign. Maintain that speed until you see an "End Restriction" sign or a new speed limit sign.

Do not park. Move on to the nearest designated parking area. Brief stops for pick-up/drop are generally permitted if the driver remains.

Keep moving at all times. In a breakdown, move to the nearest emergency stopping zone or hard shoulder.

Continue to the next legal U-turn point or intersection. Plan your route to avoid needing a U-turn.

Stay behind the vehicle ahead. Do not cross the centre line. Wait for the sign to end (End Restriction sign) before overtaking.

Pass the obstruction or stay on the left side as directed. Do not attempt to pass on the right of any obstacle marked with this sign.

Enter from the correct end only. Verify direction from the arrow before entering. If you realise you are going wrong way, stop immediately and carefully reverse out.

Switch off the horn relay or simply refrain from honking. Drive extra attentively — you cannot use the horn to warn pedestrians, so slow down and maintain greater caution.

Do not enter with any motorised vehicle. Reverse or turn around before the sign. If you see pedestrians ahead on a marked path, yield completely.

Turn left as directed. If your intended route requires going straight or right, plan an alternate route before reaching this point.

Turn right as directed. Signal your right turn well in advance.

Continue straight ahead. Do not turn into any side road or take any exit at this point.

Go straight or turn right as permitted. Find an alternate left turn further ahead.

Continue straight or turn left. Use a U-turn point further ahead if you need to go right.

You may resume normal permitted speeds and manoeuvres. Do not treat this as an invitation to speed — the general road speed limit still applies.

Do not enter with any motorised vehicle, including motorcycles. Even push-starting a vehicle through is prohibited.

Cyclists must use an alternate route such as service roads or dedicated cycle paths if available.

Heavy vehicle drivers must plan alternate routes. Night-time entry is typically permitted in cities with daytime bans — check local traffic authority advisories.

Maintain at least the minimum posted speed. If your vehicle cannot do so safely, do not enter the road.

Reduce speed immediately — ideally to 30 km/h or below. Watch both sides carefully. Be prepared to stop at any moment. Never overtake near a school sign.

Slow down. If a pedestrian is waiting at or on the crossing, stop and let them cross. Do not honk at pedestrians on a crossing.

Reduce speed. Move towards your side of the road. If oncoming traffic is present, one vehicle may need to slow and pull slightly off the road to allow passage.

Shift to a lower gear before the ascent begins — do not wait until speed drops. Heavy vehicles should not attempt overtaking. Maintain steady throttle.

Engage a lower gear before the descent. Do not ride the brake continuously. If brakes overheat, pull over at the nearest escape ramp or wide shoulder.

Reduce speed significantly. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or steering inputs. Increase following distance. In rain, check if tyres have adequate tread depth.

Reduce speed to 5–10 km/h before the hump. Cross at a slight angle if the hump is on a narrow road (to avoid both wheels hitting simultaneously). Resume speed after.

Increase speed (within limits) to spend minimum time under the rock face. Do not stop under the slope for any reason — not for a photo, phone call, or break. Look up and watch for movement.

Reduce speed and scan ahead. At night, use high beams but switch to low beam when the road appears clear — high beam illuminates cattle reflections further out. Never try to pass cattle at speed.

Reduce speed. Cover the brake. Check both sides carefully. At equal-priority crossroads, give way to vehicles approaching from your right.

Reduce speed before the curve — not during it. Braking in a curve is dangerous. Stay on your side of the road. Never overtake on or near a curve.

Brake before the curve, not during. Enter wide if safe to do so (stay fully in your lane). Look through the curve to spot oncoming headlights.

Approach very slowly. For large vehicles: consider whether a multi-point turn is needed. Sound horn on blind hairpins to warn oncoming traffic. Never overtake near a hairpin.

Reduce speed dramatically. Stay in your lane even if the outer edge looks intimidating. Sound horn before blind sections. In mist or rain, speed must be near walking pace.

Reduce speed. Prepare to turn left or right as appropriate. Do not enter the junction at speed expecting to make a late decision.

Slow down. Give way to all traffic already in the roundabout. Enter when there is a safe gap. Travel anti-clockwise. Signal left before your exit.

Reduce speed in preparation for stopping. Begin looking for the signal and prepare to stop at red.

Reduce speed to the posted works-zone limit. Watch for workers, equipment, and temporary lane markings. Follow flagmen or marshals if present.

Slow down. Do not enter a flooded dip — "turn around, don't drown." Check for oncoming vehicles emerging from the dip before you start descending into it.

Reduce speed significantly. Heighten alertness. Observe all advisory signs in the zone. Do not use mobile devices.

Reduce speed to 20–30 km/h. Avoid sudden braking or steering. Accelerate gently. Motorcyclists should be extra cautious and reduce lean angle in turns.

Reduce speed to 20–40 km/h. Increase alertness for individual potholes. Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Do not swerve suddenly to avoid potholes — check mirrors first.

Reduce speed. Approach the dock slowly. Follow ferry operator instructions. Engage handbrake on the ferry. Do not remain in the vehicle on smaller ferries.

Slow down. Check for cyclists before turning. Do not overtake a vehicle near a cycle crossing — the overtaking creates a blind spot that can hide cyclists.

Stop using horn. Reduce speed. Give absolute priority to ambulances and emergency vehicles entering or exiting.

Park within the marked space. Check supplementary plates for time limits. Pay parking charges if applicable. Do not block other parked vehicles.

If you need fuel, prepare to exit or turn. Switch off engine before reaching the pump bay. No smoking. Keep mobile phone away.

In an accident, note the nearest first aid post. Call 112 (national emergency) or 1033 (NHAI highway emergency). Good Samaritans are protected by law if they stop to help.

Use rest areas. If you feel drowsy, pull over immediately — even a 15-minute nap significantly restores alertness. Never drive drowsy.

Do not park or stop in a bus bay (blocking buses). When a bus is stopped at a stop, slow down significantly before overtaking — watch for passengers crossing from the front of the bus.

If you need a break or food, look for a safe entry to the facility. Do not make sudden lane changes to reach the exit.

If your vehicle requires repair, look for this sign to find the nearest facility. In a breakdown, pull completely off the road, engage hazard lights, and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle.

Use the facility if needed. Dehydration worsens fatigue — drink water regularly on long journeys.

Do not enter unless your destination is on that road. If you have entered by mistake, reverse slowly and carefully, checking traffic on the main road before emerging.

In an emergency without mobile signal, look for this sign. NHAI emergency call boxes connect directly to the nearest patrol post.

Begin reducing speed. Ensure FASTag lane balance is sufficient. Move to your correct lane (FASTag vs cash) well in advance. Approach at 10–20 km/h through the toll.

Use designated areas for overnight stops. Avoid sleeping in vehicles parked on road shoulders or in unlit areas.

Follow airport signage for the correct terminal and zone (domestic/international/cargo). Use designated drop-off zones. Do not stop on approach roads or terminal frontages.

Slow down as you approach. Never attempt to cross after the gate has begun to close or the signal is ringing. Stop at the gate. Ensure complete clearance before moving when the gate opens.