Philippine road signs and what they mean
Philippine road signs come in three kinds. Regulatory signs (white with a red border, plus STOP and GIVE WAY) set rules you can be fined for ignoring. Warning signs (yellow diamonds) flag a hazard ahead. Guide signs (blue and green) show where exits, services and places are. The 36 signs below are the ones you meet most, drawn to the Philippine convention, with the meaning and where you see each.
Regulatory signs
Tell you what you must or must not do; ignoring one is a ticketable violation.
16 signs
Warning signs
Warn of a hazard or change in the road ahead so you can slow down in time.
14 signs
Guide and information signs
Tell you where things are: exits, services, facilities and directions.
6 signs
Regulatory signs
White disc with a red border, a red bar for prohibitions; STOP is a red octagon and GIVE WAY an inverted triangle.
Stop(Hinto)
Come to a complete stop at the line, look both ways, and go only when the way is clear. Rolling through counts as disregarding the sign.
Seen at: Intersections without traffic lights, side-street exits onto main roads.
Give Way (Yield)(Magbigay-daan)
Slow down and let traffic on the crossing or merging road go first. You stop only if someone is coming.
Seen at: Merge lanes, roundabouts, minor-road entries.
No Entry
Do not enter this road from here. Usually the wrong end of a one-way street.
Seen at: One-way streets, expressway exit ramps.
No U-Turn
U-turns are banned at this point. Use the next U-turn slot or the intersection.
Seen at: Divided roads, EDSA, C5, Commonwealth.
No Left Turn
Left turns are banned here, usually to keep the intersection moving.
Seen at: Major intersections at rush hour, some all day.
No Right Turn
Right turns are banned here.
Seen at: Intersections with a pedestrian crossing or a bus lane on the right.
No Overtaking
Stay in your lane; do not pass the vehicle ahead until the restriction ends.
Seen at: Bridges, curves, two-lane provincial roads, expressway work zones.
No Parking
You may stop briefly to load or unload, but you may not leave the vehicle parked.
Seen at: City streets, near driveways and intersections.
No Stopping
Stricter than No Parking: you may not stop at all, even to drop someone off.
Seen at: Bus lanes, tunnels, expressway shoulders.
Speed Limit
The maximum speed in km/h from this sign onward. Expressways post 100 km/h maximums and 60 km/h minimums.
Seen at: Every expressway, school zones (20 to 30 km/h), city streets.
Minimum Speed
Do not drive slower than this unless traffic forces you to. Expressways use it to keep the fast lane moving.
Seen at: NLEX, SLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX.
One Way
Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Seen at: City streets, service roads.
Keep Right
Pass this obstruction or island on the right.
Seen at: Traffic islands, road dividers, work zones.
No Blowing of Horns
Do not sound the horn except in an emergency.
Seen at: Hospitals, schools, churches, residential zones.
No Trucks
Trucks are banned on this road, often only during posted hours (Metro Manila's truck ban windows).
Seen at: EDSA, C5 and city roads during truck-ban hours.
No Pedestrians
Walking is not allowed here. Use the footbridge or underpass.
Seen at: Expressways, flyovers, tunnels.
Warning signs
Yellow diamond with a black symbol.
Curve Ahead
The road bends ahead; slow down before the curve, not in it.
Seen at: Provincial roads, expressway ramps, Marcos Highway climbs.
Winding Road
A series of curves follows. Keep to your lane and do not overtake.
Seen at: Mountain roads to Baguio, Tagaytay ridge, Marilaque.
Crossroad Ahead
A road crosses ahead. Expect vehicles entering from both sides.
Seen at: Rural roads without signals.
T-Junction Ahead
The road ends at a crossing road; you must turn left or right.
Seen at: End of side streets and service roads.
Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
A marked crossing is ahead. Slow down and stop for people on it.
Seen at: Near markets, schools, transit stations.
School Zone
Children cross here; the posted limit is usually 20 to 30 km/h during school hours.
Seen at: Within 100 to 200 m of any school.
Slippery When Wet
The surface loses grip in rain. Ease off the accelerator and brake early.
Seen at: Bridges, freshly paved stretches, Skyway ramps.
Road Narrows
A lane ends or the road gets tighter ahead. Merge early.
Seen at: Bridge approaches, work zones, expressway lane drops.
Steep Descent
A long downhill grade. Shift to a lower gear and avoid riding the brakes.
Seen at: Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, Tagaytay ridge roads.
Falling Rocks
Rockfall risk, worst after heavy rain. Do not stop under the slope.
Seen at: Mountain cuts on Kennon Road and Marilaque.
Railway Crossing
Tracks cross the road ahead. Slow down, look and listen; stop if a train is coming.
Seen at: PNR line crossings in Metro Manila and Laguna.
Traffic Lights Ahead
A signalised intersection follows, often hidden by a curve or crest.
Seen at: Provincial highways entering towns.
Hump Ahead(Humps)
A speed bump or raised crossing. Slow to walking pace.
Seen at: Subdivisions, school zones, barangay roads.
Road Work Ahead
Workers and equipment ahead. Follow the flagman and the temporary lane markings.
Seen at: Any road under repair; expressway rehabilitation stretches.
Guide and information signs
Blue rectangles for services, green for expressway guidance.
Hospital
A hospital is nearby; keep the horn quiet and give way to ambulances.
Seen at: Near any hospital entrance.
Gas Station
Fuel is available ahead or at this exit.
Seen at: Expressway service areas, provincial highways.
Parking
Parking is allowed or provided here.
Seen at: Public car parks, lay-bys, stations.
Toll Plaza Ahead
A toll plaza follows. Slow to the posted RFID lane speed and keep to your lane.
Seen at: Every expressway entry and exit plaza.
Exit
The named exit leaves the expressway here; move to the right lane early.
Seen at: Expressway exits, with the exit name and distance.
Rest Area
A service area with fuel, food and toilets is ahead.
Seen at: NLEX Marilao and Bocaue, SLEX Shell and Petron, SCTEX Mabalacat.
The fine for disregarding a sign
Disregarding a traffic sign is ₱1,000 under LTO Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, the same tier as illegal parking and illegal turns; a second offence within a year can bring a licence suspension. MMDA and city enforcers ticket under their own ordinances. Every LTO fine, by violation, expressway speed limits and number coding today.
Questions people ask
What are the three types of road signs in the Philippines?
Regulatory signs (what you must or must not do: STOP, GIVE WAY, No U-Turn, speed limits), warning signs (a hazard ahead: curves, crossings, slippery road) and guide or information signs (where things are: exits, hospitals, gas stations). The DPWH manual groups Philippine signs this way.
What does a yellow diamond road sign mean?
A yellow diamond is a warning sign: something ahead needs your attention, such as a curve, an intersection, a pedestrian crossing, a school zone or a slippery surface. It tells you to slow down before the hazard; it does not by itself set a rule you can be fined for.
What does a red circle road sign mean?
A white sign with a red border is a regulatory sign: it sets a rule, such as a speed limit or no entry. When a red bar cuts across the symbol, the action is prohibited, as in No U-Turn, No Left Turn, No Parking or No Overtaking. Disregarding one is a ticketable violation.
What is the fine for disregarding a traffic sign?
₱1,000 under LTO Joint Administrative Order 2014-01, the same tier as illegal parking and illegal turns. City enforcers under the MMDA or an LGU ordinance may issue their own ticket with a different amount. The full LTO schedule is on our traffic violation fines page.
Ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga road sign?
May tatlong uri: regulatory (utos o bawal, tulad ng STOP at No U-Turn), warning (babala sa kalsada sa unahan, dilaw na diamante) at guide (impormasyon, asul o berde). Ang hindi pagsunod sa regulatory sign ay may multang ₱1,000 sa LTO.
Where does Philippine road sign design come from?
Regulatory signs follow the Vienna Convention style used across Asia and Europe (white discs with red borders), while warning signs follow the yellow diamond style. The Department of Public Works and Highways sets the standard in its Road Signs and Pavement Markings Manual; RA 4136 makes signs erected by the proper authority binding on drivers.
Sign shapes and colours follow the DPWH Road Signs and Pavement Markings Manual; the graphics on this page are drawn in code to that convention and are not official reproductions. Signs erected by the proper authority are binding on drivers under RA 4136. Fine amounts come from JAO 2014-01, sourced on our fines page.