Every sign on an Indian road, explained.
Signs, markings and signals follow the Motor Vehicles Rules and IRC:67 standards used by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Here is what each family means, and how to read it in traffic.
Mandatory / regulatory signs
Circular, red border (blue circle for positive commands)
These carry the force of law. Ignoring one is a traffic offence under the Motor Vehicles Act and is now mostly captured by automated e-challan cameras.
- Stop and Give Way
- No Entry / One Way
- Speed Limit (numeral in a red circle)
- No Parking and No Stopping
- No Overtaking
- Horn Prohibited
- Compulsory Turn Left / Ahead Only
- Vehicles Prohibited in Both Directions
Cautionary / warning signs
Triangular, red border, white background
A warning of what is ahead. Slow down, cover the brake and increase your following distance the moment you see one.
- Right / Left Hand Curve and Hairpin Bend
- Narrow Road and Narrow Bridge Ahead
- Pedestrian Crossing and School Ahead
- Cycle Crossing and Cattle Crossing
- Slippery Road and Loose Gravel
- Steep Ascent / Steep Descent
- Unguarded Level Crossing
- Men at Work and Road Works Ahead
Informatory signs
Rectangular, blue or green background
Guidance rather than instruction: services, directions and facilities. Green boards are used on national highways for destinations.
- Parking (P) and Public Telephone
- Petrol Pump, Hospital and First Aid Post
- Eating Place, Rest Area and Toilets
- Destination and Distance boards
- Reassurance and route number markers
- Pedestrian Subway / Foot Over Bridge
Road markings you must obey
Solid white centre line
Do not cross and do not overtake. Common on curves, bridges and ghat sections.
Broken white line
Lane divider. You may change lanes or overtake when it is safe to do so.
Solid yellow line
Separates opposing traffic. Overtaking by crossing it is prohibited.
Double lines, one solid one broken
Vehicles on the broken-line side may overtake; those on the solid side may not.
Zebra crossing
Pedestrians have right of way. Stop behind the stop line, never on the stripes.
Yellow box junction
Do not enter unless your exit is clear, even if the signal is green.
Rumble strips
Raised transverse strips warning of a junction, village or hazard - reduce speed.
Chevron and hazard markers
Black and yellow boards on sharp curves show the direction the road bends.
Traffic signals
Red
Stop behind the stop line. Turning left on red is allowed only where a 'Free Left' board is displayed.
Amber
Prepare to stop. Cross only if stopping safely is no longer possible.
Green
Go, after checking that pedestrians and the junction ahead are clear.
Flashing amber
Proceed with caution - the signal is not in normal operation.
Flashing red
Treat exactly as a Stop sign, then proceed when safe.
Green arrow
You may move only in the direction of the arrow.
Hand signals still count
Traffic police signals override signs and signals. Learn the four you will see most: palm raised in front of you means stop, an extended arm to the side means proceed from that direction, an arm swung across the body waves your line forward, and a raised hand with a whistle means stop immediately wherever you are.