Read a sign by its shape and colour
You can often tell what a sign means before you can read it. The shape and colour give you the first clue. Learn these and the symbols become much easier.
Canada uses many symbol signs because drivers read English, French and many other languages. The yield sign has no words, and the one-way sign is just an arrow. In bilingual areas you may also see signs with both English and French words.
Shapes
| Shape | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Octagon (8 sides) | Stop | STOP or ARRÊT |
| Triangle pointing down | Yield | Red border, no words |
| Diamond | Warning: a hazard or change ahead | Curve, merge, deer |
| Pentagon (5 sides) | School zone or school crossing | Two children walking |
| X shape | Railway crossing | White with a red border |
| Rectangle or square | Rules (regulatory signs) and information | Maximum speed, no parking |
| Triangle pointing up | Slow-moving vehicle (on the back of the vehicle) | Orange with a red border |
Octagon: stop Triangle: yield Diamond: warning Pentagon: school zone X: railway crossing Rectangle: a rule
Colours
| Colour | Used for |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop, yield, and the circle and line that ban an action |
| Green circle | The activity shown is allowed |
| White or black background | Regulatory signs: rules you must obey |
| Yellow | Warning signs |
| Fluorescent yellow-green | School zones and other school signs |
| Orange | Temporary conditions, such as construction and detours |
| Green | Information and direction signs |
| Blue and other colours | Services, facilities and attractions |
Red circle and line: not allowed Green circle: allowed
Regulatory signs: rules you must obey
Regulatory signs give rules you must obey. Most are rectangles or squares with a white or black background.
Stop Stop (in French) Yield Do not enter
At a stop sign, stop completely at the stop line. If there is no line, stop at the crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, stop at the edge of the sidewalk or the intersection. Go only when the way is clear. In Quebec and some bilingual areas, the sign may say ARRÊT. It means exactly the same thing.
The Canadian yield sign has no words. Slow down and let traffic in or near the intersection go first, and stop if you need to.
Speed and turns
Maximum speed 50 km/h No left turn No right turn No U-turn No straight through One way
The MAXIMUM sign shows the highest speed allowed in good conditions, in kilometres per hour. Drive slower in rain, snow, fog or heavy traffic. Turn signs use an arrow inside a red circle with a line to show what you may not do.
Lanes and passing
Keep right of the island Do not pass Two-way left-turn lane HOV lane: 2 or more people
The keep right sign tells you to pass on the right side of a traffic island or median. Do not pass where the do not pass sign is posted. The two-way left-turn lane in the centre of the road is shared by traffic from both directions, only for left turns. HOV lanes are for public vehicles and for vehicles carrying at least the number of people shown.
Stopping and parking
No stopping between the signs No parking between the signs Accessible parking permit only
Under a no stopping sign you may not stop at all. Under a no parking sign you may stop only to load or unload passengers or goods. The arrows show the area where the rule applies. Accessible parking spaces are only for vehicles showing a valid accessible parking permit.
Warning signs: hazards ahead
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols. They tell you about hazards or changes ahead so you can slow down in time.
Curves and road conditions
Curve to the right Sharp turn to the right Winding road Safe speed for the curve Slippery when wet Steep hill Narrow bridge
Slow down before a curve, not in it. A yellow tab under a curve sign shows the safe speed for that curve. On a steep hill you may need a lower gear. On wet roads, brake and steer gently.
Intersections and traffic flow
Stop sign ahead Yield sign ahead Traffic lights ahead Roundabout ahead Merging traffic Right lane ends Divided highway begins Divided highway ends Two-way traffic
Advance signs warn that a stop sign, yield sign or traffic lights are coming up. At a roundabout, traffic moves counter-clockwise; yield to vehicles already in it. When roads merge, drivers on both roads share the job of merging smoothly. If your lane ends, signal and move over when there is a safe gap.
Animals and slow vehicles
Deer crossing Snowmobile crossing Slow-moving vehicle
Watch for deer, moose and other animals, especially at dawn and dusk. In winter, snowmobiles may cross where you see the snowmobile sign. The orange triangle with a red border is on the back of slow vehicles such as farm machinery. In Ontario it is used on vehicles that travel at 40 km/h or less.
School, playground and pedestrian signs
School signs use a bright fluorescent yellow-green colour. The five-sided school zone sign means you are entering a school zone: slow down and watch for children.
School zone School crosswalk Playground ahead School bus stop ahead
At a school crosswalk, stop for children and obey the crossing guard. In Ontario you must wait until the children and the guard have crossed the whole road before you go. Near playgrounds, children may run into the road without looking.
When a school bus has its red lights flashing on a road with no median, traffic in both directions must stop. Wait until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves.
Ontario signs
Pedestrian crossover Community safety zone
A pedestrian crossover is a marked crossing with these signs and road markings. Drivers and cyclists must stop and yield to pedestrians, then wait until they have crossed the whole road. In a community safety zone, fines for traffic offences are higher, so take extra care.
Construction and temporary condition signs
Temporary condition signs are usually orange. They warn of construction, road work, detours and traffic control people.
Road work ahead Traffic control person ahead Detour
In a construction zone, slow down, expect a lower speed limit and watch for workers and equipment. A traffic control person (flagger) uses a STOP or SLOW sign; follow their directions. Follow detour markers until you are back on your regular route. In Ontario, speeding fines are doubled in designated construction zones when workers are present.
Information and service signs
Information and direction signs are usually green with white letters. They show routes, destinations and distances in kilometres. Other colours, such as blue, point to services and facilities like hospitals.
Places and distances Hospital Bicycle route
A bicycle route sign marks an official route for cyclists. Watch for people on bicycles and share the road with them.
Railway crossings
Trains cannot stop quickly and always have the right-of-way. Railway signs give you time to slow down, look and listen.
Railway crossing ahead Railway crossing
The yellow advance sign warns that a crossing is coming. At the crossing, the white X-shaped sign with a red border tells you that tracks cross the road. Slow down, look both ways and be ready to stop. If a train is coming, or lights are flashing or gates are down, stop before the tracks and wait.
Never stop on the tracks. Start across only when there is room for your whole vehicle on the other side.