Regulatory signs in Tennessee
The Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual shows or names everything on this page: 47 in all, on pages 35–37, 57, 60–62, 65, 72–73, 106.
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Regulatory signs
REGULATORY (Vertical Rectangle)
BLACK-WHITE is used for regulatory signs. Regulatory signs are used to inform road users of selected traffic laws or regulations.
Manual page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
STOP
This sign is the only eight-sided sign on the roadway. It always means that there is danger. It will always be red with white lettering. It tells you that you are approaching an important street or highway and that you must bring your car to a complete stop
Manual page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
ALL WAY Plate under STOP
ALL WAY: Red Rectangle –Added below a stop sign. It means all traffic approaching this intersection must stop.
Manual page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
YIELD
This three-sided sign means that you are approaching an intersection and must stop and wait when other vehicles are approaching from the right or left on the other roadway. If you are sure no other cars are coming you need not come to a complete stop but you must slow down and enter the intersection with caution. Always stop when traffic is heavy.
Manual page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
TRUCK LANE 500 FEET
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
TRUCKS USE RIGHT LANE
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
SPEED LIMIT 70
Speed Control: These signs show the maximum speed allowed, the minimum speed required or a change in speed limit.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
SPEED LIMIT 55
Speed Control: These signs show the maximum speed allowed, the minimum speed required or a change in speed limit. (p47: In the more congested urban or metropolitan areas of Tennessee interstates, the limit is typically 55 m.p.h.)
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 15 WHEN FLASHING
The sign on the far right is used whenever children are within walking distance of school. It tells you that children may be crossing the street on their way to and from school. This type of sign is controlled by a time clock and flashes yellow lights while illuminating the speed limit.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
STOP FOR SCHOOL BUS LOADING OR UNLOADING
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
PEDESTRIANS BICYCLES MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES PROHIBITED
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES EXCLUDED
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
WEIGHT LIMIT (*T Truck Silhouettes)
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES PROHIBITED
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
Keep Right (Median Island)
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
NO PARKING 8:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
ONE WAY (Left Arrow)
The manual does not state it
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT
This sign is used on a highway that has more than one lane going each direction. It means that you must drive in the extreme right lane unless you want to pass a slower moving car or make a left turn. Never straddle lanes or drive in the center lane when moving more slowly than other traffic around you.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
DO NOT PASS
No Passing Signs: These signs tell you where passing is not permitted. Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead. They consider unseen hazards such as hills and curves, intersections, driveways and other places a vehicle may enter the roadway.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
NO PASSING ZONE
A triangular No Passing Zone sign can also be used. These signs are yellow or orange and placed on the left side of the roadway.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
No Trucks
NO TRUCKS. Signs having a white background and a red circle and a line diagonally through them mean “NO” according to what is shown behind the red symbol.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
No Bicycles
NO BICYCLES. Signs having a white background and a red circle and a line diagonally through them mean “NO” according to what is shown behind the red symbol.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
No Left Turn
NO LEFT TURN. Signs having a white background and a red circle and a line diagonally through them mean “NO” according to what is shown behind the red symbol.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
No U-Turn
NO U TURN. Signs having a white background and a red circle and a line diagonally through them mean “NO” according to what is shown behind the red symbol.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER
This sign tells you that, in the area where this sign is placed, parking is forbidden.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
DO NOT ENTER
This sign tells you that you are approaching a one-way street and that you must not enter from the direction you are traveling.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
No Hitchhiking
Signs having a white background and a red circle and a line diagonally through them mean “NO” according to what is shown behind the red symbol. In Tennessee, it is illegal to stand on a roadway to solicit a ride.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
NO TURN ON RED
The manual does not state it
Manual page 57 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 57)
ONE WAY (Black, Right Arrow)
One Way: A one-way highway is generally composed of two or more lanes restricted to moving in one direction. There should not be any vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on these roads.
Manual page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
WRONG WAY
If you see red reflectors facing you on the lane lines, or red “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs, you are on the wrong side of the road. Turn off of a one-way street or get into the proper lane of a two-way street immediately!
Manual page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
PASS WITH CARE
With a solid yellow line in oncoming lane, Car A may pass if way is clear.
Manual page 62 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 62)
No Parking (P with Slash)
Signs or yellow painted curbs usually mark a “NO PARKING ZONE” in cities and towns.
Manual page 65 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 65)
STATE LAW MOVE OVER FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLES
The manual does not state it
Manual page 72 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 72)
MOVE DAMAGED VEHICLES TO SHOULDER
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has placed signs along the state’s interstate system reminding motorists to move their damaged vehicles to the shoulder if no serious injury has occurred.
Manual page 73 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 73)
Lane-use control signals
Two-Way Left Turn Arrows ONLY
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
Left Turn ONLY
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
Straight ONLY
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
Through or Left Turn (Combined Arrow)
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT
The signs below are examples of lane control signs. Some indicate that certain vehicles (trucks) must use specific lanes. While others indicate that traffic in the respective lanes must either move straight through or turn left.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
LEFT LANE HOV-2 ONLY
This sign (High Occupancy Vehicle) indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with the minimum number of occupants specified on the sign.
Manual page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
LEFT ONLY / Straight or Left Lane Control
Dual Use Lanes: These have both a turn arrow and a straight arrow. You can proceed straight or make the indicated turn from these lanes as shown by the pavement markings and/or signs found at the intersection.
Manual page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
CENTER LANE ONLY (Two-Way Left Turn)
Shared Center Turn/Two-Way Left Turn Lane: These center lanes are reserved for vehicles making left turns in either direction from or into the roadway. These lanes cannot be used for passing and cannot be used for travel farther than 300 feet.
Manual page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
RESTRICTED LANE AHEAD
Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use, and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road and/or painted on the pavement surface. Do NOT travel in one of these lanes unless operating the type of vehicle indicated, or unless you must turn across the reserved lane in the next half block distance.
Manual page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
RIGHT LANE BICYCLE ONLY
Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use, and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road and/or painted on the pavement surface. Do NOT travel in one of these lanes unless operating the type of vehicle indicated, or unless you must turn across the reserved lane in the next half block distance. Bikes means the lane is reserved for bicycles.
Manual page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
BUSES AND 2 PERSON CAR POOLS (Overhead HOV Sign)
HOV: High Occupancy Vehicle lanes are reserved for car pools and vehicles with more than one person in them. Signs indicate how many people must be in the vehicle, as well as the days and hours to which the reserved use applies. For example, “HOV 2” means there must be at least two people in the vehicle for you to legally drive in that lane.
Manual page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
BIKE LANE
If the lane is marked and signed (as shown at right) for bicycle use only, drivers must NEVER use this lane as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking.
Manual page 106 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 106)