Road narrows sign: what it means

Road narrows sign: a yellow diamond with two black lines that come closer together
Drawing: Drivoku, based on MUTCD sign W5-1. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

The Road Narrows sign warns that the road ahead suddenly becomes narrower, so two vehicles may not be able to pass each other at normal speed.

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What does the road narrows sign mean?

MUTCD Section 2C.17 says the ROAD NARROWS sign should be used before a point on two-lane roads where the pavement becomes so narrow that vehicles in opposite directions cannot pass at the same time without slowing.

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

  1. One lane ends; move over in good time.
  2. The divided highway ends; two-way traffic ahead.
  3. The road gets narrower ahead.

Show answer

C. The road gets narrower ahead. The road ahead narrows, so opposing vehicles may need to slow to pass (MUTCD Section 2C.17). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Sections 2C.17, 2C.18, 2C.19, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Where will you see it?

Before narrow bridges and underpasses, and where the road loses width on two-lane roads.

What should you do?

Slow down, keep right and watch for oncoming vehicles. If a wide vehicle is coming, be ready to wait.

What do people get wrong?

Holding your speed into the narrow part when a truck is coming the other way.

Common questions

Is there a separate sign for narrow bridges?

Yes. NARROW BRIDGE and ONE LANE BRIDGE signs are used for bridges (MUTCD Sections 2C.18 and 2C.19).

Does the sign mean the road ends?

No. The road continues, but it is narrower.

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Sources

Checked on 3 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Sections 2C.17, 2C.18 and 2C.19.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Sections 2C.17, 2C.18, 2C.19, FHWA
  2. 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.

This text was written with AI help, checked against the MUTCD and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

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