Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking countries

Differences in units

Metric signage reminder in Quebec, posted near US border

Road sign used in British Columbia, Canada, near the Canada–US border to remind American drivers that Canada uses the metric system.
Note that the imperial speed limit (left) is shown using a Canadian-style sign, rather than an MUTCD-standard one as would be used in the US

• All countries, with except for the United States, and the United Kingdom, use the metric system. Some countries mark this fact by using units on various signs.
  • Ireland, and parts of Canada (British Columbia, parts of 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 some parts of Canada 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.^[1]
• 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

Sheep road sign in the United Kingdom.

Countries in yellow use MUTCD-style diamond warning signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.

• Most warning signs are diamond-shaped and yellow or red-bordered triangular warning signs; 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, Liberia, and many areas in Canada. In the Philippines, pentagonal signs are permanently used for pedestrian crossings.
• Warning signs may be text-only.

Mandatory or permitted-action signs

Various color schemes for mandatory signs. Click for large image and detailed info key.

• The design of mandatory signs varies widely, since the MUTCD does not specify their use.^[3] 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 US and Australian 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.^{[lower-alpha 1]}
  • Canada uses a unique style of mandatory sign that features a green circle.

Priority

	Australia	Canada	Hong Kong	Ireland	Jamaica	Liberia	Mauritius	NZ	Nigeria	Philippines	SADC	Sierra Leone	Singapore	UK	USA
Stop
Yield / Give Way				or										or
Yield to oncoming traffic			?

Prohibitory

	Australia	Canada	Hong Kong	Ireland	Jamaica	Liberia	Mauritius	NZ	Nigeria	Philippines	SADC	Sierra Leone	Singapore	UK	USA
No entry	or[lower-alpha 7]			(no exceptions:) (exceptions apply:)
Road closed/Vehicles prohibited	or										?
No motor vehicles													Not used
No motorcycles
No bicycles
No pedestrians
No heavy goods vehicles											or				or
No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
No vehicles carrying explosives															Not used
Minimum safe following distance between vehicles															Not used
Maximum speed limit
Speed restriction ends
Maximum height
Maximum width
Maximum length
Maximum weight
Maximum weight per axle
No left turn	or[lower-alpha 7]									or	or
No right turn	or[lower-alpha 7]									or	or
No U-turn	or[lower-alpha 7]									or			Not used[lower-alpha 8]
No overtaking								?		or
No parking
No stopping

Mandatory or permitted actions

Mandatory signs indicating an obligation to turn left do exist, but are not included in the list below since they are functionally mirror versions of signs indicating an obligation to turn right.

	Australia	Canada	Hong Kong	Ireland	Jamaica	Liberia	Mauritius	NZ	Nigeria	Philippines	SADC	Sierra Leone	Singapore	UK	USA
Proceed straight (no turns)
Turn right
Turn right ahead
Proceed straight or turn right
Keep right (or left)
Pass on either side
Roundabout
Minimum speed limit
Overtaking permitted [lower-alpha 9]
Pedestrians only
Bicycles only
Shared use path
Transit only

Other

	Australia	Canada	Hong Kong	Ireland	Jamaica	Liberia	Mauritius	NZ	Nigeria	Philippines	SADC	Sierra Leone	Singapore	UK	USA
One-way street
Two-way traffic
Pedestrian crossing
Bump in road
Dead end
Escape lane
Tunnel
Speed limit zone
No parking zone
Parking zone
Hospital
Bus stop
Train station
Airport
Freeway begins
Freeway ends
Customs post
National highway shield(s)