Louisiana Road Signs (A Complete Guide)

It’s important to know and obey the road signs in Louisiana.

But how can you do that if you don’t understand half of them?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Today, we’re going to give you a complete guide to all the Louisiana road signs, traffic signals, and lane markings.

So whether you’re preparing for the permit test, want to avoid tickets, or just want to be the safest driver, this guide is for you.

Let’s begin!

Louisiana Traffic Signs

Traffic signs help manage and regulate traffic. These also include warning signs that will alert you of any hazards ahead.

Now, each traffic sign will have a different meaning depending on the color, shape, and type.

Let’s take a close look at these.

Sign Shapes

Sign Colors

Color:	Sample:	Meaning:
Red		Used for stop and yield signs.
Orange		Used for construction zones and temporary traffic control signs.
Yellow		Used for warning signs and school signs; means to be alert and drive with caution.
Black		Used to indicate one-way roads, night speed limits, and truck regulatory signs.
White		Used as a background color for regulatory signs.
Blue		Used to indicate travel services ahead such as gasoline stations and emergency evacuation signs.
Green		For guide and information signs.
Fluorescent Yellow-Green		For pedestrian, bicycle, and school warning signs.
Brown		For guide and information signs; also used to indicate parks and recreational areas nearby.
Fluorescent Pink		For incident management signs caused by bad weather or road closure.

Warning Signs

Warning signs give you a heads up on what hazard lies ahead. All of these signs will be in yellow.

If you see a warning sign, slow down and be extra alert. Drive cautiously and always look out for pedestrians, vehicles, and animals.

Here are all the warning signs you will meet in Louisiana:

Construction Signs

Orange warning signs are often used to indicate construction areas. Most of the time, there will be barriers and flaggers that will help manage the traffic in these areas.

When you see a construction zone ahead, start slowing down and obey the signs telling you where to go.

Regulatory Signs

Guide Signs

In Louisiana, there are several guide signs. Let’s look at each one.

Destination Signs

Destination signs can be green or brown. Green signs will often tell you about places ahead, exits, and distances from other cities or counties.

Brown signs, on the other hand, will indicate national parks or cultural destinations.

Service Signs

Service signs indicate highway services ahead. It is usually colored blue.

Route Number Signs

Route signs vary in shape and color. These indicate the interstate, US state, city, or county. To know which route you’re in, always consult with a map or a GPS.

Incident Signs

Incident signs are temporary and are placed when there are construction or hazards ahead. When you see these signs, always slow down and take caution.

Louisiana Traffic Signal

Traffic signals are lights that tell you to stop or go. They are often found at intersections or roads that turn right or left.

Here’s what different traffic signals mean:

Steady green light – you can pass through the intersection when it is clear. Yield to pedestrians or emergency vehicles. You can also turn when it is clear to do so.

Green arrow – you can safely turn. You should still yield to pedestrians and pass only when the road is clear.

Steady yellow light – the traffic light is about to turn red. If you see this light, do not cross the intersection; be prepared to stop before the entrance of the intersection. If you are inside the intersection by the time the traffic light turns yellow, pass the intersection quickly.

Yellow arrow – the red arrow is about to turn on. Prepare to stop.

Steady red light – stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.

Flashing red light – make a full stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection and check if there are other cars at the intersection. Follow the right-of-way when it is clear to pass.

Red arrow – you are not allowed to turn in the direction of the arrow.

Louisiana Lane Markings

Conclusion

That was your complete guide to the Louisiana road signs.

Now that’s a lot.

However, you can get along fine if you just remember the basics, such as the shapes, colors, what each sign type is for, etc.

And if you know this, then you will be a better and safer driver. You can also avoid getting ticketed or be able to pass your permit test with flying colors.

Whatever the case, we hope that this guide has helped you out!

Shape:	Sample Sign:	Meaning:
Octagon		Used for stop signs.
Vertical rectangle		Used for regulatory signs like school, park, and loading zones.
Diamond		Used for warning and hazard signs. When you see these types of signs, slow down and always proceed with caution.
Inverted triangle		Used for yield signs. Yield signs mean that you should stop and let oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or bicyclists pass first.
Pennant		Indicates no passing zones.
Circle / X-sign		Specifically used to identify and mark railroads.
Horizontal rectangle		Used for guide signs, warning signs, and temporary traffic control measures.
Other shapes		Signify route markers.

Name:	Sample Sign:	Meaning:
Flagger Ahead		There are flaggers ahead that are directing the traffic. Follow their direction on where to go.
Workers Ahead		There are maintenance workers on the job ahead. Reduce speed and stay on your lane or change lanes if directed by the signs.
Low Shoulder		There is a sharp drop on the pavement edge straight ahead.
Highway Work Zone		There is a construction zone straight ahead. Slow down and drive with caution.
Diagonal stripes on a barricade		The slant of the diagonal stripes of a barricade indicates where you are supposed to pass. If the diagonal lines are slanted to the left (top picture), pass to the left. If the slant is to the right (bottom picture), pass to the right.
Flashing arrow panels		One arrow – move left/right depending on the direction of the arrow. Multiple arrows – lane closed.

Name:	Sign:	Meaning:
Signs with slashes		Tells you not to go in the direction the sign is showing.
Speed limit signs		Show the maximum and minimum legal speed limits.
School speed limit with flashing sign		Found before a school zone and tells you to reduce speed to match the number on the sign.
Lane use control signs		These signs tell you where you can go and the direction of the road you’re on.
Stop sign		Stop when you see this sign. A “4-way” or any variation of the sign might be added to indicate an intersection ahead.
Yield sign		This means that you have to stop and let other vehicles or pedestrians pass. Only cross when it is safe to do so.
Shared center lane left turn only		The center lane is only reserved for left-turning vehicles from both roads.
No turn on red		You are not allowed to turn right when the traffic light is red. Only make a turn when the traffic light is green.
Stop here on red		Stop where the sign is when the traffic light is red.
Do not block the intersection		Do not block the intersection at any time.
Left turn yield on green		You can make a left turn but always yield to pedestrians.
One-way street		Indicates a one-way street where the direction of the lane is based on the arrow on the sign.
Do not pass		You are not allowed to pass where the sign is.
Pass with care		You are allowed to pass but take caution when passing.
Keep right		Keep to the right of the lane; usually found when there is an island or divider ahead.
Slower traffic keeps right		Found on multilane highways and tells drivers that drive slower to stay on the right.
Do not enter		Do not enter the road where this sign is indicated.
Wrong way		You are passing the wrong way. Make a turn and leave the road.
Highway evacuation route		This road is meant for emergency evacuation.

Name:	Markings:	Meaning:
Single broken yellow line		Marks the center of two lanes traveling in opposite directions.
Double solid yellow line		Used to mark the center of a roadway. You are not allowed to pass these lines except when making a turn.
No passing line		Indicated by a solid yellow line found between two opposite direction lanes. The dotted yellow lines indicate where you can pass.
Single dashed white line		Separate two lanes where vehicles go in the same direction. You may pass if it is safe.
Single solid white line		Movement from lane to lane is dangerous. The thickness of the lane marking indicates how hazardous passing is.
White edge lines		Used to indicate the edge of the roadway.
Double solid white line		These separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. You are not allowed to cross/pass through these lines.
Red pavement marking		Red markings are used as reflectors. You should not pass a line with red markings.
Railroad crossing		Indicate where railroads are. There will be a large ‘x’ or two ‘R’s’. There will also be a thick solid yellow line.
Two-way left turn		Made up of a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line at the center of the roadway. It is used for left turns only. You are not allowed to pass on this road.
Stop lines / crosswalks		Crosswalks are where pedestrians cross the road. when stopping, always stop before the line of the crosswalk.
Directional markings		Directional markings tell you the direction of the roads. Always follow the direction indicated on the lane.