Georgia Road Signs (A Complete Guide)

These signs are placed to keep drivers aware and safe.

Sadly, a lot of people don’t know, or care, about these signs. In turn, it could lead to traffic tickets, or worse, accidents, injuries, or even death.

This is why it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Georgia road signs. Not just know them, but actually follow them, too.

And this is why, here, we’re going to give you a complete guide to Georgia road signs. We’ll look at:

The road signs in Georgia
The traffic signals in Georgia
The pavement markings in Georgia

We’ll show what the sign/signal/marking looks like and give the meaning behind it.

So shall we?

The Georgia Road Signs

In Georgia, there are different road signs with different purposes.

Regulatory signs restrict your actions
Warning signs alert you to a specific road condition ahead
Guide signs help you reach your destination
Construction/maintenance signs give you a heads up
Service signs help you find a needed service

Before we get into these different road signs, let’s talk a bit about the sign shapes.

There are 7 shapes that each have a specific meaning.

Now that you know the shapes, let’s start by looking at the regulatory signs in Georgia.

Regulatory Signs

As we said, regulatory signs indicate what you can or cannot do along a roadway. These apply to everyone who operates a vehicle, including bicyclists.

Here are examples of common regulatory signs in Georgia:

Warning Signs

As the name implies, warning signs call your attention to road conditions ahead. It’s best to be alert when you encounter a warning sign because it usually means you’ll experience potential hazards.

These signs are yellow with black markings, making it easier for you to see them from a distance.

Here are the common warning signs in Georgia:

Guide Signs

Next on the list are guide signs. These help you find your destination (or at least figure out where you are).

Most guide signs are rectangular and green, but you may also see other shapes and colors.

Here are common guides signs in Georgia:

You may see an arrow or the word “To” on a guide sign. This refers to the highway, location, or facility you’ll reach by following.

Construction/Maintenance Signs

The name is pretty self-explanatory. These signs are typically orange signs with black markings.

You’ll find these signs before the actual area, giving you enough time to adjust your speed.

Here are some examples in Georiga:

Service Signs

If you’re looking for service facilities such as hospitals or camping sites, blue signs with white markings can help.

Some examples of service signs in Georgia are as follows:

The Georgia Traffic Signals

Whether you’re a driver or not, you probably already know the meaning of traffic signals.

So let’s just go over them quickly.

Remember, all motorists and bicyclists must adhere to traffic signals. However, if an officer directs traffic, you follow him, not the light.

Another thing. If the traffic signal isn’t working, you won’t see any lights. In these situations, assume that there’s a stop sign for all possible directions. So you must do a complete stop before proceeding carefully.

Pedestrian Signals

In Georgia, there are traffic signals for pedestrians, too.

Here’s what you should do when you see these pedestrian signals:

Georgia also uses a PHB (Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon), which helps pedestrians cross busier streets. With this, you activate the system by pushing a button, which stops the traffic. Pedestrians can begin crossing when the WALK signal appears.

Now, when you’re behind the wheel, it’s crucial to understand the various lights you might see from the PHB. These are as follows:

The Georgia Pavement Markings

Last but not least, let’s look at the Georgia pavement markings.

Stop Lines are solid white lines painted across the pavement at intersections, usually four feet before the crosswalk. These indicate the farthest point you can stop if there are traffic signals.

Crosswalk Lines are white lines painted across (either entirely or partially) the pavement. Sometimes, you’ll see a ladder pattern marking the space.

Pedestrians on the crosswalk have the right-of-way, so drivers must yield to them. You don’t just find them at intersections — sometimes, you’ll encounter one in the middle of the block in a residential area.

There are also cases where you’ll find a pedestrian crossing signal at the white line.

Railroad Crossings, as the name indicates, can be found when a railroad crossing crosses the road. It looks like an X with two Rs. Sometimes, there are control arms with emergency lights that alert drivers when a train is approaching.

There is also always a solid yellow line on the right side of the center to let drivers know that passing is prohibited.

Center Lines separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. A broken yellow line indicates that you can pass in either direction.

Single solid yellow line, indicating that passing isn’t allowed. If it’s on the side of the road that you’re on, it means you can’t pass.

Edge Lines serve as safety guides, particularly at night. They’re the white lines along the side of the pavement.

Sometimes, you’ll encounter a yellow edge line. You can usually find these on the left side, indicating the presence of narrow or raised medians.

Lane Lines separate individual lanes where traffic flows in the same direction. These are the white dashed lines you often see on the road. You are allowed to pass when the lines are dashed.

Solid white lines indicate you cannot pass or overtake.

In some situations, two solid yellow lines mark the center of the roadway. You’ll often find these when there are four or more lanes with traffic going in opposite directions. Generally, you cannot cross these lines except when turning left into or out of an alley, driveway, private road, or a different street.

Traffic Striping is diagonal yellow lines that indicate the narrowing of a road or the presence of obstruction. It usually creates a triangular area with solid yellow lines within the perimeter lines. Remember to keep to the right of these markings when you see them.

Turn Lanes are where you position yourself when you’re preparing to make a left turn. You’ll often find it in the center of streets, bordered by yellow lines, which can be solid or broken.

If you stay in a turn lane, you cannot NOT turn.

Bicycle Lanes are solid white lines between the farthest right lane and the curb. You may also see a painted symbol of a bicycle. As the name implies, these are where cyclists pass.

You cannot use this lane or park in it unless you’re on a bicycle. However, you can cross over it if you’re turning, as long as you yield the right-of-way to bicyclists on the road.

The Wrap Up

And there you have it — your complete guide to Georgia road signs.

Remember, all these signs are for your safety or guidance, so it’s wise to get to know them.

If you can’t exactly memorize ALL the signs, then at least familiarize yourself with the shapes and colors.

And, if you forget anything, you can always come back here to check.

Drive safe!

	Vertical Rectangles: Regulatory signs usually have this shape. You must obey them as you would any other traffic law.
	Diamond-Shaped Signs: When you see signs in this shape, expect to encounter existing or possible hazards in your path. These are usually yellow with black text or markings describing the potential dangers.
	Horizontal Rectangle: This shape indicates guide signs. They usually show locations or directions. You may also find special instructions on them.
	Round Signs: When you see one of these, know that you’re approaching a railroad crossing. You’ll see it about a hundred feet before the actual crossing, allowing you to prepare yourself. It’s best to slow down, look, listen, and, if necessary, stop. Sometimes, it’s best to open a window and listen if you can hear a train approaching. If you can, do not try to see if you can “make it.” The safest possible thing for you to do is stop.
	Octagon: When you see an eight-sided road sign, it is always a stop sign. Ensure a complete stop at the marked stop line when you encounter it. There may be situations when a stop line isn’t present. If there’s a crosswalk on your side of the intersection, stop before that. You’ll have to use your best judgment if there’s no crosswalk. Ideally, you stop at a point that gives you the best view of oncoming traffic. You can proceed with driving after all pedestrians have crossed. It’s essential that you also yield the right-of-way to approaching traffic.
	Triangle: If eight sides always pertain to stop, three sides mean yield. You must slow down to a reasonable speed or even stop if the situation calls for it. Give way to other vehicles in the intersection once you’ve stopped or slowed down.
	Pentagon: Five-sided signs are specifically for school crossings or school zones. You’ll find them anywhere between 150 feet to 700 feet before the said areas. Although they’re usually yellow with black markings, you may also encounter some that are fluorescent green.

Do not continue along a road if you encounter this sign.	Usually seen when you’re about to reach a one-way highway or ramp. The direction you’re currently driving isn’t allowed.	Traffic only flows in the direction of the arrow.
The flow of traffic is restricted to the right of an obstruction or medians.	Turning around to go in the opposite direction at an intersection is not allowed.	You cannot turn right at the intersection.
You can only go up to 55 miles per hour	The area you’re about to enter requires you to slow down	If you’re on a road with two or more lanes, keep to the right if you’re traveling at a slower speed
You cannot turn right at an intersection when the traffic light is red	You must slow down to 20mph when the yellow lights of a school zone are flashing	Bicycles are not allowed to enter the roadway
	Trucks are prohibited from entering the roadway.

Sharp turn to the right	Curve to the right	Sharp turn to the right then to the left
Winding road ahead	A side road enters the highway	A side road enters the highway at an angle
Another road crosses the highway	The road you’re on ends ahead. Prepare to reduce speed and yield before turning left or right.	The bridge ahead only accommodates two lanes of traffic
Reduce speed in preparation for a dip in the road ahead	Slow down because there is a bump on the road ahead	The shoulder on the road is soft and should only be used in emergencies
The highway divides ahead. Prepare to change lanes	Divided highway ends. Be ready to shift lane positions	You’re leaving a one-way highway and will soon encounter oncoming traffic
Low underpass ahead. If your vehicle’s height exceeds the limit indicated on the sign, do not enter	Steep hill ahead. Prepare to reduce speed and shift to a lower gear.	Traffic signals at the intersection ahead
You will see a yield sign ahead. Prepare to slow down and stop if necessary	Usually found on the left side of the highway. Once you pass it you cannot overtake another vehicle.	Road is slippery when wet.
There is a stop sign ahead. Begin reducing speed in preparation.	Advises the maximum speed you can use on roundabouts, turns, and curves.	Traffic merges ahead.
Indicates that you may encounter pedestrians or animals on the road ahead	Drivers must stop and continue to do so while pedestrians are on the crosswalk	The number of lanes ahead is reduced

Indicates specific interstates, exits, or highways	Indicates that these roads (U.S. Route 47 and Ga. Highway 38) are going to meet or cross the road you’re currently on.	Marks a route specifically designated for bicycles. If you’re in the area, watch out for cyclists.
A milepost marker indicates how far along the road you’ve traveled. Zero begins at the state’s south or west border.	Slow-moving vehicles (those moving less than 25 mph) display this	Following the direction of the arrow leads to a public parking lot
	You’ll find this sign at railroad crossings, so please prepare to yield when a train approaches. The number below the cross-buck refers to the number of tracks in the crossing. You must make a complete stop if you see a red light flashing.

You must make a full stop before entering an intersection or a crosswalk if the signal is a steady red light.	A yellow light means the traffic signal is shifting from green to red. You must reduce your speed to prepare for a stop.	You can proceed with caution. However, you must prioritize yielding to pedestrians and vehicles.
You can proceed carefully in the direction the green arrow is pointing. For this example, you can only go straight.	Similarly, a green arrow pointing left indicates this is the only way you can go. You must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians first.	You may see a yellow arrow after a green one, which serves as a warning to clear the intersection.
A flashing yellow light indicates you can turn in the arrow’s direction, but you must proceed with caution. You also have to give priority to oncoming traffic (if they have a green light).	A flashing red light means you must stop completely like you would for a stop sign. You can proceed with caution only after giving way to pedestrians and other vehicles.	You can proceed through an intersection, but with caution. It’s also best that you slow down.

	You can step off the curb and cross to the other side of the street.
	If you see this and you haven’t begun crossing, do not leave your side of the street.
	You can do two things if the don’t walk sign begins flashing. If you’re still at the curb, stop — don’t even attempt to cross. However, if you’re already crossing, hurry to the other side of the street.

	Stage 1: DARK PHB A PHB system that doesn’t show any lights is inactive. It will remain that way until a pedestrian pushes the activation button.
	Stage 2: Flashing Yellow Light Once someone presses the button, the PHB activates. The first indicator is a flashing yellow light. It’s the first thing you’ll see as you approach.
	Stage 3: Solid Yellow Light After a few seconds, the flashing yellow light becomes steady. You should begin reducing speed and prepare to stop.
	Stage 4: Solid Red Light Two steady red lights follow the solid yellow light. You need to stop when you see it.
	Stage 5: Flashing Red Lights The solid red light begins to flash after a couple of seconds, indicating that you should come to a complete stop. You can only proceed once pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk. The PHB will go dark and remain that way until someone activates it again.