Comparison of MUTCD-influenced traffic signs

Most road signs used by countries in the Americas are generally 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, and New Zealand. They are also the only countries listed here which drive on the left.

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, and Suriname. Of those, only Chile, Cuba, and Guyana have ratified the treaty; nonetheless, nearly all countries in the Americas use MUTCD-style yellow diamond warning signs.

It is also worth noting that, unlike in Europe, considerable variation within road sign designs can exist within nations, especially in multilingual areas. A notable example of this is Quebec, which uses a substantially different symbology than the rest of Canada.

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	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	United States	Uruguay
Drives on the…	Right	Left	Right	Right	Right	Right	Right	Left	Left	Left	Left	Right	Left	Right	Right	Right	Right	Right
Primary language	Spanish	English	Portuguese	English	French	Spanish	Spanish	Indonesian	Gaelic and English^[2]	Japanese	Malay	Spanish	English	Spanish	Spanish	English	English	Spanish
Secondary language(s)				French Alongside English in New Brunswick and other Francophone regions,^[3] 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.	English Especially on guide signs.		Maori Used for bilingual place names, as defined by the New Zealand Geographic Board.^[4]			Filipino	Spanish In Puerto Rico.
Typical typeface(s)	Helvetica	FHWA	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, FHWA (varies by province)	Clearview, formerly FHWA	Ruta CL, formerly FHWA	Helvetica	Clearview, formerly FHWA	Transport	新ゴ (Shingo) (Japanese), Vialog (English)	LLM, formerly FHWA	FHWA	FHWA	Helvetica	FHWA (modified)	Clearview, formerly FHWA	FHWA, Clearview (varies by state)	Helvetica

Differences in units

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, Ontario, and Yukon) list units (km/h) on their maximum speed limit signs. In Canada and Ireland, this is a reflection of (somewhat) recent transitions from Imperial to metric.
- 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 Canada and Mexico near the US border often include both metric and Imperial units, to remind American drivers that they are entering metric countries. No such equivalent exists in the US.^[5]
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. Nevertheless, the MUTCD specifies metric versions of speed limit signs. Furthermore, Interstate 19 in Arizona is partially signed in metric.

Color differences

Warning signs

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, Mexico, Malaysia and many areas in Canada. In Japan and the Philippines, pentagonal signs are 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 all warning signs.
Warning signs may be text-only.

Road works and construction

Most countries use orange or yellow diamond-shaped signs for construction zones. Australia and the Philippines 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).^[6] 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.
- The Latin American-style do not proceed straight sign may take a different meaning in countries with standard No Entry signs. Typically, it indicates an intersection where traffic cannot continue straight ahead, but where cross-traffic may enter the street from the right (or left). Thus, it is distinguished from a No Entry (for all vehicles) sign.

Mandatory or permitted-action signs

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.^[a]
- 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
United States (New Jersey)

Table of traffic signs comparison

Warning

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	United States (Graphical and textual— used interchangeably)	Uruguay
Stop ahead				File:Canada - stop ahead.svg					?		Not used
Yield ahead			?						?		Not used								?
Traffic signals ahead		or
Roundabout ahead										or								^[b]
Two-way traffic ahead		File:Australia W4-11.svg															Not used
Uncontrolled railroad crossing ahead		File:Australia road sign W7-7 (L).svg
Level railroad crossing with barriers ahead	^[c]	File:Australia W7-4.svg		^[c]	^[c]	^[c]				or	^[c]		^[c]		or			^[c]
Tram / streetcar crossing				Not used	Not used	N/A ^[d]	N/A ^[d]	N/A ^[d]	Not used			N/A ^[d]	Not used		N/A ^[d]	N/A ^[d]	N/A ^[d]	^[e]
Railroad crossbuck										Not used
Level crossing (multiple tracks)				^[f]	^[f]	^[f]				Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
Crossroads ahead
Junction with a side road ahead		File:Australia road sign W2-4 (L).svg
Traffic merges ahead		File:Australia W5-34 (L).svg
Divided highway ahead		File:Australia W4-4.svg					?				Not used			?
Divided highway ends	?	File:Australia W4-6.svg					?				Not used			?			?
Lane ends ahead		File:Australia road sign W4-9 (L).svg
Road narrows ahead		File:Australia W4-3.svg
Narrow bridge ahead		File:Australia W4-1.svg								?	Not used
Dangerous crosswinds					?								?		?	?	?	^[g]
Low-flying aircraft		File:Australia W5-30.svg			?			?			?	?	?
Steep hill downwards		File:Australia W5-12.svg
Steep hill upwards		File:Australia W5-13.svg			Not used	^[h]							Not used			Not used	?	Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
Uneven surface																	?
Bump in road		File:Australia W5-10.svg
Dip in road					?	^[i]					Not used	Not used	?				?
Slippery road surface
Loose road surface		^[j]		^[j]	^[j]	^[j]			^[j]	^[j]	?	Not used					?
Pavement ends	?	File:Australia W5-19.svg					?		?	?	Not used	Not used					?
Gentle curve ahead		File:Australia W1-3 (L).svg
Sharp curve ahead		File:Australia W1-1 (L).svg
Double curve ahead		File:Australia W1-4 (L).svg
Series of curves ahead		File:Australia W1-5 (L).svg
Hairpin curve ahead	?	File:Australia W1-7 (L).svg	?	(B.C.)					?	?	Not used	Not used
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
School zone												or							or
Children / playground ahead
Pedestrians / crossing ahead	?	or File:Australia W6-2 (fluorescent).svg	or		or		or	or			Not used			or		or
Pedestrian crossing										or	or
Cyclists crossing												?					?
Falling rocks or debris		File:Australia road sign W5-42 (L).svg																^[g]
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
Opening or swing bridge		File:Australia W5-2.svg					?	?			?	?		?		?	?
Emergency vehicles			?				?			?	Not used	Not used					Not used		?
Farm vehicles		File:Australia W5-50.svg							?		Not used	Not used		?			Not used
Domestic animals											?
Wild animals													?			?	?
Equestrians			?				?	?	?		Not used	?	?		?	?	Not used
Tunnel ahead		?	?		?	?			?		Not used	Not used	?		?		?		?
Height restriction ahead											Not used	Not used	?		?		Not used
Width restriction ahead		Not used		Not used	Not used	^[j]					Not used	Not used	?	Not used			Not used	Not used
Weight restriction ahead		Not used		Not used		Not used			Not used		Not used	Not used	?	Not used	?	?	Not used		?
Roadworks ^[j]	?			or	or	or							?				?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay

Regulatory

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	United States	Uruguay
Stop
Yield / Give Way				File:Canada - yield sign.svg	File:Canada - yield sign.svg					or							or
Yield to oncoming traffic		?	?							Not used	Not used		?		?	?	?		?
No entry	or	or		File:Canada - do not enter.svg						or					or	or	or		or
Road closed	?	or	?		^[j]	^[j]	?			?		?	?		?	?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
No motor vehicles		?											or	?			?
No motorcycles		?								Not used							?
No bicycles
No pedestrians
No heavy goods vehicles									?						?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
Maximum speed limit				(B.C., Yukon)		(rest of Canada)				File:Ireland road sign RUS 043.svg								^[k]
Minimum speed limit		?	?		Not used					Not used		Not used	?	Not used	?	?		^[k]	?
Speed restriction ends	?		Not used		Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used			Not used		?	?			?
Maximum height		File:Australia R6-12.svg
Maximum width		Not used		Not used	Not used									Not used				Not used
Maximum weight		File:Australia R6-4.svg												?
Maximum weight per axle		File:Australia R6-17.svg		?				?			?	Not used	?	?			?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay
No left turn		File:Australia road sign R2-6-AS (L).svg or File:Australia road sign R2-6-RTA (L).svg		File:Canada - No Left Turn.svg							Not used ^[l]						or
No right turn		File:Australia road sign R2-6-AS (R).svg or File:Australia road sign R2-6-RTA (R).svg		File:Canada - No Right Turn.svg							Not used ^[l]						or
No U-turn		File:Australia road sign R2-5-AS.svg or File:Australia road sign R2-5-RTA.svg														File:Peru road sign R-10.svg	or
No parking																	or
No stopping
No overtaking				File:Canada - No Overtaking.svg										?	and ^[m]	and ^[m]	or	^[m]
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay

Mandatory or permitted actions

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	United States	Uruguay
Proceed straight (no turns)		File:Australia R2-7.svg			Not used ^[n]		Not used						?				or
Turn right ahead		File:Australia R2-14 (R).svg			Not used ^[n]		Not used					?					or
Proceed straight or right		Not used			Not used		Not used	Not used		Not used			?		Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used
Turn right		?		?	?	?		?			?	?		?				?
Keep right (or left)																	or
Pass on either side											Not used				?
Roundabout entrance																Not used	or
Overtaking permitted ^[o]		File:Australia R6-29.svg		File:Canada - Overtaking Permitted.svg						File:Ireland road sign P 010.svg		or	?		?	?	Not used		?
Shared use path		File:Australia R8-2.svg			?							?	?		?	?	Not used		?
Bicycles only		File:Australia R8-1.svg											?				?
Transit only								?		?		?	?		?		?		?
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay

Other (indication)

	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada - Ontario	Canada - Quebec	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	United States	Uruguay
One-way street		File:Australia R2-2 (L).svg	?							Not used			?
Two-way traffic									Not used	Not used	Not used	Not used		Not used			or	Not used
Freeway begins		File:Australia R6-19.svg	?	Not used	Not used	Not used		?			Not used		?	or	?
Freeway ends		File:Australia R6-21.svg	?	?	?	?		?			Not used		?	?	?
Dead end				File:Canada - Cul-de-sac (PEI).svg or			?	?		File:Ireland road sign F 350.svg	Not used		?			?			?
Parking zone	or										or		or		or	or
Bus stop		?		?	?	?	?			?								?
Train station		?								?		?		?		?	?		?
Airport										?	Not used			?		?	?
Hospital											Not used			?
Customs post		N/A ^[p]		Not used	Not used					Not used	N/A ^[p]	?		N/A ^[p]			?	Not used
National highway shield(s)										File:N1 national IE.png
	Argentina	Australia	Brazil	Canada	Canada (Ontario)	Canada (Quebec)	Chile	Colombia	Indonesia	Ireland	Japan	Malaysia	Mexico	New Zealand	Panama	Peru	Philippines	USA	Uruguay

Notes

^ Compare Bicycles Only (Ciclovia) sign in Brazil: with No Bicycles (Verbot für Radfahrer) sign in Germany:
^ In the US, "roundabout" and "traffic circle" are used interchangeably, along with "rotary". See Roundabout terminology.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g No distinction between controlled and uncontrolled railroad crossings is made.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g There are no operating tram or streetcar systems in this jurisdiction.
^ Used in California only. Shared grade tram or streetcar crossings are typically unsigned in other jurisdictions.
^ ^a ^b ^c Text is superseded by graphic of tracks - red for CN-owned tracks, black for CP-owned tracks.
^ ^a ^b Text varies.
^ Not in use for road vehicles
^ Off-road tracks only
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Temporary use only.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ ^a ^b Japan only uses mandatory signs to indicate movement:
^ ^a ^b ^c 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.
^ ^a ^b Ontario only uses prohibitory signs to indicate movement:
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c This country has no land borders.

References

[regu-7] Compare Bicycles Only (Ciclovia) sign in Brazil: with No Bicycles (Verbot für Radfahrer) sign in Germany:

[rt-8] In the US, "roundabout" and "traffic circle" are used interchangeably, along with "rotary". See Roundabout terminology.

[rr-9] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g No distinction between controlled and uncontrolled railroad crossings is made.

[lr-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g There are no operating tram or streetcar systems in this jurisdiction.

[uslr-11] Used in California only. Shared grade tram or streetcar crossings are typically unsigned in other jurisdictions.

[cd-12] Text is superseded by graphic of tracks - red for CN-owned tracks, black for CP-owned tracks.

[text-13] Text varies.

[14] Not in use for road vehicles

[15] Off-road tracks only

[temp-16] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Temporary use only.

[met-17] 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.

[japman-18] Japan only uses mandatory signs to indicate movement:

[pass-19] 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.

[onman-20] Ontario only uses prohibitory signs to indicate movement:

[nopass-21] 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.

[island-22] This country has no land borders.

[mutcd-1] Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition

[ie-2] Ireland Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport – Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 1

[onlang-3] Ontario Ministry of Transportation – Bilingual Signing Policy

[maolang-4] New Zealand Ministry of Transport – Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings, Sec. 7.7

[bc-5] British Columbia Manual of Standard Traffic Signs & Pavement Markings

[mutcdhist-6] MUTCD History

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

[e]

[f]

[g]

[h]

[i]

[j]

[k]

[l]

[m]

[n]

[o]

[p]