Emergency stopping only sign: what it means
The EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY sign means you may stop on the shoulder only in an emergency, not to rest or look at the view.
What does the EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY sign mean?
MUTCD Section 2B.55 says the EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY (R8-7) or EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY (R8-4) sign may be used to discourage or prohibit shoulder parking, especially where scenic or other attractions tempt people to stop.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- No parking here.
- Stop on the shoulder only in an emergency.
- Do not use the shoulder as a lane.
Show answer
B. Stop on the shoulder only in an emergency. It discourages or prohibits stopping on the shoulder except in an emergency (MUTCD Section 2B.55). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.55, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
On highways and freeways, often near views, landmarks and bridges.
What should you do?
Keep going unless you have a real emergency. Use a rest area or parking lot to stop.
What do people get wrong?
Pulling over for a photo. A stopped car on the shoulder is a hazard.
Common questions
What counts as an emergency?
A breakdown, a medical problem or a crash. Check your state handbook for details.
What color are these signs?
Section 2B.55 says they are rectangular, with a black legend and border on white.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 4 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 2B.55.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.55, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.