Ontario road signs and what they mean

Four signs have a shape no other sign uses, so you can tell what they mean before you can read them.

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  StopRa-1Missed by 43%Come to a complete stop. Stop at the stop line. If there is none, stop at the crosswalk, then the edge of the sidewalk, then the edge of the intersection. Go only when the way is clear.
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  School zoneWc-1Five-sided and fluorescent yellow-green. You are coming to a school zone. Slow down, take extra care and watch for children.
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  YieldRa-2Let traffic in the intersection, or close to it, go first. Stop if you need to and go only when the way is clear.
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  Railway crossingRa-6Railway tracks cross the road here. Slow down, look both ways for trains and be ready to stop.

These give an order you must obey. Most are rectangles or squares with a white or black background. A green circle means you may or must do what is shown inside it. A red circle with a line through it means the thing shown is not allowed.

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  Bicycle routeRb-69This road is an official bicycle route. Expect cyclists and share the road with them.
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  Parking at posted timesRb-53You may park between the signs, but only during the times shown. These signs come in pairs or groups.
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  Snowmobiles allowedRb-64Snowmobiles may use this road.
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  Do not enterRb-19You may not drive into this road.
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  No stoppingRb-55Do not stop your vehicle between the signs, not even for a moment.
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  No standingRb-54Do not stop between the signs except to pick up or drop off passengers.
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  No parkingRb-51Do not stop between the signs except to load or unload passengers or goods.
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  No left turnRb-12Do not turn left at this intersection.
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  No straight throughRb-10Do not drive straight through the intersection.
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  No U-turnRb-16Do not turn around to go back the way you came.
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  No right turn on redRb-79Missed by 34%Do not turn right while you are facing a red light at this intersection.
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  No left turn at posted timesRb-12ALeft turns are not allowed during the hours shown.
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  Accessible parkingRb-93Only vehicles displaying a valid Accessible Parking Permit may park here.
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  No bicyclesRb-67Bicycles are not allowed on this road.
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  No pedestriansRc-12Pedestrians are not allowed on this road.
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  Keep right of the islandRb-25Drive on the right side of the traffic island.
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  Maximum speedRb-1The highest speed allowed, in km/h, from this sign until a different limit is posted.
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  Speed limit changes aheadRb-5Missed by 38%The speed limit changes ahead to the number shown. Be ready to adjust your speed.
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  Do not passRb-31Passing is not allowed on this road.
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  Slower traffic keep rightRb-34On a road with more than one lane in your direction, slower vehicles must stay in the right lane.
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  Community safety zoneRc-9Missed by 31%The community has marked this area as a special risk to pedestrians. Fines for traffic offences inside the zone are increased.
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  School zone speed limitRb-6AThe speed limit is lower here during school hours. Obey the limit shown whenever the yellow lights are flashing.
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  Stop for school busRb-37You must stop for a school bus when its signal lights are flashing.
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  Stop for school bus, both directionsRb-37 + Rb-37tUsed on multi-lane highways with no centre median. Drivers coming from both directions must stop for a school bus when its signal lights are flashing.
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  Lane useRb-41 / Rb-43 / Rb-42Posted above the road or before an intersection, these show which way each lane must go. Here the left lane must turn left, the middle lane may turn left or go straight, and the right lane must turn right.
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  One wayRb-21Traffic may travel in the direction of the arrow only.
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  Pedestrian crossoverRa-4 / Ra-10This is a pedestrian crossover. Be ready to stop and let pedestrians cross. The second sign means no passing on the approach to it.
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  Two-way left-turn laneRb-48This centre lane is only for left turns, by traffic from either direction.
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  Accessible pick-up and drop-offRb-95This curb area is reserved for vehicles with a valid Accessible Parking Permit picking up or dropping off passengers with disabilities.
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  Reserved laneRb-87AThis lane is only for the vehicles shown, such as buses, taxis, cyclists or cars carrying three or more people, either all the time or during the hours posted.
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  Keep right except to passRb-30AMissed by 40%Where a climbing or passing lane is added to a two-lane road, stay in the right lane unless you are passing.
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  Yield to busSeen on the back of transit buses. When a bus stopped at a bus stop signals that it is pulling back into your lane, you must let it in.
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  School bus loading zoneRb-89School buses load and unload passengers in this zone without using their red flashing lights and stop arm.
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  High occupancy vehicle (HOV) laneOnly buses, or passenger vehicles carrying at least the number of people shown, may use this lane.

These warn you about dangerous or unusual conditions ahead, such as a curve, a hill or a side road. Most are yellow diamonds with black symbols.

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  Narrow bridgeWa-24There is a narrow bridge ahead.
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  Road branches offWa-12ARA road branches off ahead.
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  Intersection aheadWa-11AMissed by 36%There is an intersection ahead. The arrow shows which road has the right-of-way.
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  Roundabout aheadWa-39Slow down for a roundabout ahead. The arrows show that traffic moves counter-clockwise inside it.
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  Hidden intersectionWa-13ARMissed by 42%Drivers on the side road ahead cannot see approaching traffic clearly.
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  Road narrowsWa-28The pavement gets narrower ahead.
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  CurveWa-3RThere is a slight bend or curve in the road ahead.
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  Advisory speedWa-7tPosted under a curve sign, this shows the highest safe speed for the curve.
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  Sharp turnWa-1RThere is a sharp bend or turn in the road ahead.
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  ChevronWa-9RPosted in groups on sharp curves to guide you around the bend.
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  Winding roadWa-6RThe road ahead has a series of curves.
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  Opening bridgeWa-30The bridge ahead lifts or swings to let boats through.
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  Pavement endsWa-25The paved surface ends ahead.
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  Bicycle crossingWc-14Cyclists cross the road ahead.
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  Stop sign aheadWb-1A stop sign is coming up. Slow down.
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  Two-way trafficWb-4You are about to share the road with oncoming traffic.
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  Share the roadGive cyclists and other road users a safe amount of space on the road ahead, and take extra care there.
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  Slippery when wetWc-5The pavement is slippery when wet. Slow down and drive with care.
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  Hazard markerWa-33LThere is an object close to the edge of the road. The stripes slope down toward the side you can safely pass on.
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  Divided highway beginsWa-34The road ahead splits into two separate one-way roads. Keep to the right-hand road.
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  Right lane endsWa-23RThe right lane ends ahead. If you are in it, merge safely into the lane to your left.
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  Traffic lights aheadWb-2There are traffic lights ahead. Slow down.
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  Steep hillWa-21There is a steep hill ahead. You may need a lower gear.
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  Merging trafficWa-16RTwo roads heading the same way join into one ahead. Drivers on both roads share responsibility for merging smoothly.
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  Snowmobile crossingWc-18Snowmobiles cross this road.
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  Divided highway endsWa-35The two roads join again ahead and traffic travels both ways on one road. Keep to the right.
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  Low clearanceWa-26There is an underpass ahead. The sign shows how much height you have, which matters in a tall vehicle.
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  BumpWa-22AThere is a bump or uneven pavement ahead. Slow down and keep control of your vehicle.
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  Railway crossing aheadWc-4Railway tracks cross the road ahead, at the angle shown. Watch for trains.
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  Sharp turn, checkerboardWa-8RThe road turns sharply in the direction of the arrow. The checkerboard border means danger, so slow down.
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  Deer crossingWc-11Deer often cross this road. Watch for animals.
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  Truck entranceWc-8RTrucks enter the road ahead from the right. If the truck on the sign is on the left, the entrance is on the left.
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  Ramp speedWa-32Missed by 49%The highest safe speed on this ramp.
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  PedestriansWc-7Watch for pedestrians and be ready to share the road with them.
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  Falling rockWc-6RWatch for fallen rock on the road and be ready to avoid it.
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  Water over roadWc-21Water may be flowing over the road ahead.
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  Hidden school bus stopWc-26There is a school bus stop ahead that you may not see in time. Slow down and watch for children and a bus with flashing red lights.
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  Bus entranceWc-10RBuses enter the road ahead from the right. Be ready to yield to them.
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  Fire truck entranceWc-25RFire trucks enter the road ahead from the right. Be ready to yield to them.
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  School crossingWc-2 + Wc-2t / Wc-2AChildren cross here. Watch for them and follow the directions of the crossing guard or school safety patroller.

These mark road work, lane closures, detours and people directing traffic. Most are orange diamonds with black symbols. In a designated construction zone, speeding fines double when workers are present.

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  Construction aheadTC-1AConstruction work starts one kilometre ahead.
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  Road work aheadTC-2APeople are working on the road ahead.
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  Traffic control person aheadTC-21Someone is directing traffic ahead. Drive slowly and watch for their instructions.
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  Construction zone beginsRb-90AYou are entering a construction zone. Drive with extra care and expect a lower speed limit.
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  Temporary detourTC-9RTraffic is detoured off its normal route for now. Follow the road the way the arrow shows.
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  Flashing arrow boardTC-12LThe flashing lights on the arrow show which way to go.
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  Grooved pavementTC-19The pavement has been milled or grooved, which can affect how well you stop. Obey the speed limit and drive with care. Motorcycles may have less grip.
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  Lane closed aheadTC-3RA lane ahead is closed for road work. Obey the speed limit and merge into the open lane.
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  Closed lane, mergeTC-4RYour lane is closed. Adjust your speed and merge into the lane the arrow points to.
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  Do not pass when flashingTC-27Do not pass the pilot or pace vehicle carrying this sign.
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  Stop and slow paddleTC-22Held by a traffic control person. Obey the side facing you: STOP means stop, and SLOW means reduce speed and be ready to stop.
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  Follow detourTC-10Follow the detour markers until you are back on your regular route.

These tell you about destinations, distances and facilities. Most are green rectangles with white letters. Other colours point you to services and attractions.

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  DestinationG130Shows the direction to nearby towns and cities.
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  DistanceG302Shows how many kilometres it is to the towns and cities along this road.
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  Freeway exit lanesG106Shows which lanes lead off the freeway at an exit with more than one lane. A split arrow means that lane can exit or stay on the freeway. A curved arrow on its own means that lane exits.
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  Advance exit signG108Posted before a freeway exit to show which lanes lead off. An arrow above the yellow EXIT box marks a lane that leaves the freeway.
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  Exit numberMissed by 44%Freeway exits are numbered by their distance in kilometres from where the freeway begins. Exit 204 on Highway 401 is 204 km from Windsor, so subtract one exit number from another to get the distance between them.
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  Changeable message signElectronic signs over the road that change with traffic conditions to tell you about delays, collisions and lane closures ahead.
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  Off-road facilitiesPoints the way to facilities off the road, such as hospitals, airports, universities or carpool lots.
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  AirportShows the route to an airport.
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  Accessible facilityThe facility is accessible by wheelchair.

Signs you will see on vehicles, on detour routes and in bilingual areas.

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  Slow-moving vehicleShown on the back of farm tractors and other vehicles that travel at 40 km/h or less. Slow down when you come up behind one.
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  School bus stop armWhen the arm is out and the red lights are flashing, traffic behind the bus must stop. Oncoming traffic must stop too, unless the road has a median.
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  Emergency detour routeG707When police close a provincial highway without warning, these markers guide you along the detour and back onto the highway.
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  Bilingual signRb-54In designated bilingual areas, read the message in the language you understand best. English and French may share one sign or appear on two signs in a row.