Ontario MTO Driver’s Handbook – Traffic Signs

Vocabulary flashcards covering the categories and specific examples of Ontario traffic signs, their symbols, colours and meanings to aid exam preparation.

Stop Sign

Eight-sided red sign with white letters; requires a complete stop and proceeding only when the way is clear.

Yield Sign

White triangle with red border; give right-of-way to traffic in or near the intersection, stopping if necessary.

School Zone Sign

Five-sided fluorescent yellow-green sign; warns drivers to slow down and watch for children near a school.

Railway Crossing Sign

White X with red outline; indicates railway tracks cross the road—slow, look both ways, be ready to stop.

Regulatory Sign

Sign that states a rule of the road that MUST be obeyed (e.g., speed limits, no entry, turn restrictions).

Warning Sign

Diamond-shaped yellow sign alerting to dangerous or unusual conditions ahead (curves, intersections, hills).

Temporary Condition Sign

Orange diamond sign warning of short-term conditions such as construction zones, detours, or lane closures.

Information & Direction Sign

Green rectangular sign giving distances, destinations, or directions to services and attractions.

Green Circle Symbol

On regulatory signs, indicates an action you may or must do (e.g., permitted turn or lane use).

Red Circle with Slash

On regulatory signs, indicates the depicted action is NOT allowed (e.g., no U-turn, no bicycles).

Official Bicycle Route

Regulatory sign showing a bicycle in a green circle; alerts to share the road with cyclists.

Permitted Parking Sign

Regulatory sign showing ‘P’ in green circle and time limits; parking allowed between paired signs at stated times.

Snowmobile Route Sign

Regulatory sign indicating snowmobiles may legally use the road.

Do Not Enter Sign

White square with red circle and bar; prohibits entry to that road or lane.

No Stopping Zone

Red circle-slash with ‘STOPPING’; vehicles may not stop even momentarily between paired signs.

No Standing Zone

Red circle-slash with ‘STANDING’; stopping only allowed while actively loading/unloading passengers.

No Parking Zone

Red circle-slash with ‘PARKING’; stopping allowed only for loading/unloading passengers or goods.

No Left Turn

Red circle-slash over left arrow; left turns prohibited at the intersection.

No Through Road

Red circle-slash over straight arrow; vehicles may not drive straight through the intersection.

No U-Turn

Red circle-slash over curved arrow; making a U-turn is prohibited.

No Right Turn on Red

Red circle-slash with right arrow and ‘RED’; right turn on a red signal prohibited.

Timed Left-Turn Restriction

Sign stating ‘No Left Turn’ with specific hours/days; restriction applies only at those times.

Accessible Parking Space

Blue/white sign; parking only for vehicles displaying a valid Accessible Parking Permit.

No Bicycles Allowed

Red circle-slash over bicycle; bicycles prohibited on the road or path.

No Pedestrians Allowed

Red circle-slash over pedestrian symbol; pedestrians prohibited on roadway.

Keep Right of Island

Black arrow curving right around a vertical block; drive to the right of traffic island or obstruction.

Speed Limit Changes Ahead

Regulatory sign with upcoming limit (e.g., ‘50’); warns drivers to prepare to adjust speed.

Do Not Pass

White rectangular sign stating ‘DO NOT PASS’; passing other vehicles is prohibited.

Slower Traffic Keep Right

White rectangular sign instructing slower vehicles to remain in right lane on multi-lane roads.

Community Safety Zone

White sign with ‘COMMUNITY SAFETY ZONE – FINES INCREASED’; offences here carry higher fines.

Flashing 40 km/h School Zone

White sign with yellow lights; speed limit applies when lights flash during school hours.

Stop for School Bus (Both Directions)

White sign reminding drivers on undivided roads to stop from either direction when bus signals flash.

Lane Use Control Sign

Overhead or pavement arrows showing required movement for each lane (left, straight, right).

One-Way Traffic Sign

Black arrow on white rectangle; traffic on the road travels in one direction only.

Pedestrian Crossover Sign

White sign with ‘PEDESTRIAN X’; drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians at crossover.

Two-Way Left-Turn Lane

White sign with opposing arrows and left-turn symbols; center lane reserved for left turns from either direction.

Accessible Curb Standing Zone

White sign reserving curb space for vehicles with Accessible Permit picking up/dropping off passengers.

Reserved Lane Sign

White sign with vehicle symbols (bus, HOV, bicycle, taxi) and hours; lane reserved for specified vehicles.

Keep Right Except to Pass (Hill Zone)

Regulatory sign on two-lane sections with climbing lane, instructing slower traffic to keep right.

Bus Re-Entry Yield Sign

Yellow ‘YIELD / CÉDEZ’ sign on back of transit bus; drivers must allow bus to re-enter lane after stop.

Road Forks Right

Black fork symbol; road splits with branch to the right ahead.

School Bus Loading Zone

White sign marking area where school buses load/unload without using flashing lights.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane

White diamond sign; lane reserved for buses or vehicles with minimum passenger number (e.g., 2+).

HOV Lane Boundary – Do Not Cross

White sign saying ‘Do Not Cross’; vehicles may not change in/out of HOV lane at that section.

Narrow Bridge Ahead

Yellow diamond sign showing roadway narrowed between lines; bridge width less than approach road.

Road Branches Off

Yellow diamond with Y-shape; indicates a side road joins main road ahead.

Intersection Ahead (Right-of-Way)

Yellow diamond with arrow and side bar; arrow indicates road with priority at upcoming intersection.

Roundabout Ahead

Yellow diamond with circular arrows; reduce speed and prepare for counter-clockwise traffic flow.

Hidden Intersection

Yellow diamond with ’T’ and cross marks; side road drivers have limited sight lines.

Pavement Narrows

Yellow diamond showing converging lines; road width decreases ahead.

Curve Ahead (Gentle)

Yellow diamond with slight curved arrow; bend or curve in road ahead.

Advisory Speed Tab

Yellow rectangular tab under curve sign displaying maximum safe speed (e.g., 60 km/h).

Sharp Turn Ahead

Yellow diamond with sharp arrow; dramatic change in direction ahead.

Chevron Alignment Sign

Black arrow on yellow rectangle; multiple signs guide drivers around sharp curve.

Winding Road Ahead

Yellow diamond with three curves; series of bends along upcoming stretch.

Movable Bridge Ahead

Yellow diamond with bridge/boat symbol; bridge lifts or swings for boat passage.

Pavement Ends

Yellow diamond with ‘loose gravel’ symbol; paved surface changes to gravel or earth.

Bicycle Crossing Ahead

Yellow diamond with bicycle; expect cyclists crossing road.

Stop Sign Ahead

Yellow diamond with stop-sign symbol; prepare to stop soon.

Two-Way Traffic Ahead

Yellow diamond with opposing arrows; share road with oncoming traffic after divided section ends/begins.

Share the Road Sign

Yellow diamond with bicycle/car and text; motorists must provide space and be cautious around cyclists.

Slippery When Wet

Yellow diamond with skid marks; road surface slippery during rain—slow down.

Hazard Marker (Pass Side)

Black-yellow stripes pointing down; indicates safe side to pass obstruction.

Divided Highway Begins

Yellow diamond with divided lanes symbol; traffic separated by median ahead.

Right Lane Ends

Yellow diamond with right lane taper; merge left safely.

Traffic Lights Ahead

Yellow diamond with signal icon; traffic lights coming up—prepare to stop.

Steep Hill Ahead

Yellow diamond with truck descending and grade (e.g., 18%); use lower gear.

Road Merge (Equal Responsibility)

Yellow diamond with merging arrows; two parallel roads join—both streams must merge cooperatively.

Snowmobile Crossing

Yellow diamond with snowmobile; sleds cross roadway ahead.

Divided Highway Ends

Yellow diamond showing median ending; two-way traffic resumes on single roadway.

Low Clearance Sign

Yellow diamond with height (e.g., 3.9 m); warns tall vehicles of underpass height.

Bump / Uneven Pavement

Yellow diamond with bump symbol; slow to maintain control.

Angle Railway Crossing

Yellow diamond with tracks crossing road at angle; be alert for trains.

Checkerboard Hazard Sign

Red-yellow checkerboard with arrow; sharp turn/road ends—slow and proceed carefully.

Deer Crossing

Yellow diamond with deer; animals often cross—stay alert.

Truck Entrance Ahead

Yellow diamond with truck entering; heavy vehicles may enter roadway from side.

Ramp Advisory Speed

Yellow square with speed (e.g., 50 km/h); maximum safe speed on exit/entrance ramp.

Pedestrian Warning

Yellow diamond with walking figure; watch for pedestrians—share the road.

Falling Rock

Yellow diamond with rocks; watch for debris on roadway.

Water Over Road

Yellow diamond with waves; road may flood—drive with caution.

Hidden School Bus Stop

Yellow diamond with school bus; slow, watch for stopped bus and children.

Bus Entrance Ahead

Yellow diamond with bus merging; prepare to yield to buses entering road.

Fire Truck Entrance Ahead

Yellow diamond with fire truck; be ready to yield to emergency vehicles.

School Crossing Ahead

Fluorescent pentagon with children and crosswalk lines; obey crossing guard directions.

Construction Ahead (1 km)

Orange diamond with ‘CONSTRUCTION 1 km’; expect work zone soon.

Road Work Ahead

Orange diamond; workers or equipment on roadway—slow down.

Survey Crew Ahead

Orange diamond with surveyor; be prepared for people near roadway.

Traffic Control Person

Orange diamond with flagger symbol; drive slowly and follow flagger instructions.

Construction Zone Begins

Orange rectangular sign; entering work zone—lower speed, extra caution.

Temporary Detour

Orange diamond with detour arrow; follow indicated route around obstruction.

Flashing Arrow Board

Electronic sign with flashing arrows guiding traffic into correct lane past work zone.

Grooved/Milled Pavement

Orange diamond; surface rough—longer stopping distance, reduced traction for motorcycles.

Lane Closed Ahead

Orange diamond; merge into open lane before closure.

Pilot Vehicle – Do Not Pass

Sign on lead vehicle in work convoy; stay behind until cleared to pass.

Stop / Slow Paddle

Hand-held board used by flagger; alternates STOP and SLOW to control traffic.

Detour Marker

Orange sign with black arrow and code (e.g., D-1); follow series to return to normal route.

Speed Fines Doubled in Work Zone

Orange regulatory sign; speeding penalties doubled when workers present.

Distance & Destination Sign

Green sign listing towns/cities and kilometres to each.

Freeway Exit Sign

Green sign indicating upcoming exit name, number, and lane arrows.

Advance Exit Lane Sign

Green overhead sign showing which lanes leave freeway via exit ramp.