Montana Road Signs (A Complete Guide)

Need some help figuring out Montana road signs?

We’ve got you covered.

Searching the internet for each road sign is hard, not to mention the time you waste just by jumping from one website to the next.

To make it easier for you, we put ALL the road signs in one place — from the signs to signals to markings.

So here is your complete guide to Montana road signs!

Montana Traffic Signs

Traffic signs help you understand what to do, where you are, and the regulations in the area.

Each element of a traffic sign has its meaning, whether it’s the color, shape, or text.

Sign Colors

The color will help you identify what the sign is even if you haven’t seen the details on the sign. Here is what each color means:

Color:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Red		Tells you to stop or yield to pedestrians or other vehicles. It also tells you that you’re going the wrong way or you’ve entered a prohibited road.
Yellow		Used in warning signs and school signs.
Fluorescent pink		Used in incident management signs.
Fluorescent yellow-green		Used in pedestrian, bicycle, and school warning signs.
White		Used in regulatory signs (such as speed limits) and route markers.
Orange		Used in temporary traffic control signs.
Green		Used in directional and guide signs. Also used on parking signs.
Blue		Used in informational signs indicating services nearby (e.g. gasoline station, lodging). Also used in emergency evacuation route signs and route markers.
Brown		Used on signs indicating recreational and cultural locations.
Black		Background color for the one-way, night speed limit, and truck signs.

Sign Shapes

The shape also helps you identify a sign. Now, depending on the shape, you might be required to stop, yield, or slow down.

Traffic Control Signs

Traffic control signs are often found at the intersection or a few meters from it. These help manage traffic by telling you when you should stop, yield, and turn.

Regulatory Signs

As the name suggests, regulatory signs tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. It informs you of the road rules in the area.

Warning Signs

These signs tell you of a hazard ahead. As we saw, in general, these are yellow or fluorescent yellow-green.

When you encounter a warning sign, you are required to slow down and be more alert to your surroundings.

Name:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Crossroad		A four-way intersection is ahead. Follow the traffic signs and be alert for incoming traffic.
Winding Road		Winding road ahead.
T Intersection		No straight roads ahead. You need to make a right or left turn.
Side Road (angled)		There is a side road that enters the highway at an angle.
Side Road		There is a side road on the right that enters the highway.
Sharp Right Turn		There is a sharp right turn ahead.
Sharp Left and Right Turn		There is a sharp left turn followed by a sharp right turn ahead.
Right and Left Curves		The road ahead has a right and left curve.
Railroad Crossing		There is a railroad crossing ahead.
Narrow Bridge		There is a part of the bridge that is narrower than the one you are on. Passing is allowed but takes caution.
School Ahead		School zone ahead. You need to slow down and be alert for crossing children.
Loose Gravel		There is loose gravel on the highway ahead.
One Lane Bridge		The bridge ahead only has one lane – passing is not possible.
Range Cattle		Cattle and horses may be on the highway due to the lack of fences.
Road Narrows		The road ahead narrows, but there is still room for passing.
Icy Road		Icy road ahead, slow down, and take caution.
Stop Ahead		There is a stop sign ahead, start slowing down.
Right Curve (with safe speed indication)		There is a right curve ahead. Follow the speed suggestion.
School Crossing Ahead		You are approaching a school zone. Slow down and be alert for pedestrians.
Pedestrian Crossing		Pedestrian crossing ahead. Slow down and make a full stop if there are people crossing.
Low Clearance		The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is tall.
Hill		You are approaching a steep grade ahead. Check your brakes and shift into a lower gear if necessary.
Divided Highway Begins		You are approaching a divided highway. Keep right.
Divided Highway Ends		You are leaving a divided highway.
Deer Crossing		Deer often cross this area. Be alert and stop if you see a deer crossing.
Cattle Crossing		Cattle often cross this area because a farm was split by a roadway. Be cautious when passing.
Slippery When Wet		The road becomes slippery when wet. Reduce your speed and do not step hard on your brakes. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead.

Construction and Maintenance Signs

Whenever there is construction or temporary maintenance on the roads ahead, you will often see orange warning signs, devices, panels, and flaggers on the road.

When approaching these areas, always slow down and take caution. Do not stay too close to the barriers.

Here are some signs you’ll see in the area.

You will also see barriers and panels that will help manage traffic.

Sometimes, there will be flaggers to give you directions on where to go. The directions the flaggers tell you will precede any road sign placed.

Railroad Crossing Signs

There will be a lot of signs indicating a railroad ahead. When you see these signs, prepare to slow down and make a complete stop, especially if there is a train approaching.

Never beat a train. In most cases, there will be a gate that is lowered to prevent you from passing.

Montana Traffic Signals

Now that we’ve seen the traffic signs, let’s move on to the signals.

Traffic signals are often found at intersections. Now, there are signals for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Name:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Don’t Walk (pedestrian signal)		Do not cross. Stop by the side of the road.
Walk (pedestrian signal)		You can now cross the street. Make sure to look at both sides to check if there are oncoming vehicles.
Steady red signal		Stop at the stop line before the intersection. You can make a right turn if there is no sign or police officer prohibiting the turn. However, you still have to yield to pedestrians.
Steady red arrow		Stop. Only make a turn when the green arrow is showing.
Flashing red signal		Make a complete stop. You are only allowed to proceed if it is safe to do so.
Steady yellow signal		The signal is about to turn red. Slow down and be ready to make a stop before the intersection.
Steady yellow arrow		The red arrow is about to turn on. Slow down and stop right before the intersection.
Flashing yellow arrow		Left turns are allowed, but you have to yield to oncoming vehicles. Turn left only when it is safe to do so.
Flashing yellow signal		Proceed with caution as you pass the intersection.
Steady green signal		Go. Pass the intersection cautiously.
Steady green arrow		You can turn left safely.

Montana Pavement Markings

Last, we have pavement markings. These markings are painted on the road and they give additional guidance on which lane you should be on.

Conclusion

And there you have it — ALL the Montana road signs in one place.

Sure, there’s a lot! But if you can understand the colors, the shapes, and the general meaning, then you’ll know what to do.

Drive safely!

Shape:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Octagon		Stop sign. You need to make a complete stop.
Triangle		Yield sign. You need to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians/bicyclists.
Diamond		Indicates a warning sign. You need to slow down as hazards are ahead.
Pentagon		School zone ahead/you are entering a school zone.
Pennant		No passing zone/a warning sign.
Horizontal Rectangle		Indicates a directional or guide sign.
Vertical Rectangle		Indicates a regulation and a route marker.
Irregular Shapes		Used as route markers.
Round		Warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
Crossbuck		Railroad crossing ahead.

Name:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Stop		Make a complete stop before entering the intersection. Only pass when it is safe or if the traffic light is green.
Yield		Slow down and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Do Not Enter		You are not allowed to enter the roadway ahead.
No Right/Left/U-Turn		Do not turn in the direction that the sign shows.

Name:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Do Not Pass		You must not pass any vehicles when you are on the road where these signs are.
Pass with Care		You are allowed to pass but must be extra careful.
Keep Right		You are required to keep right of the median/construction.
Speed Limit		Shows the maximum speed limits allowed in the area.
Speed Zone Ahead		The area ahead has a reduced speed limit.

Name:	Symbol:	Meaning:
Railroad Crossing		Railroad crossing ahead. Start slowing down.
Railroad Crossbuck Sign		You’re at a railroad crossing. Make a full stop if the light is flashing. This means a train is approaching.
Railroad Gates		Make a full stop before the gate. Wait for the gate to go up before proceeding.

Name:	Markings:	Meaning:
White lane markings Yellow lane markings		Dashed white line – separates traffic lanes going in the same direction. You are allowed to pass. Solid white line – separate traffic lanes going in the same direction but you are not allowed to pass Dashed yellow line – separates traffic lanes going in opposite directions. Solid yellow line – passing in the opposite lane is not allowed Dashed yellow line with a solid yellow line – the lane near the solid line is not allowed to pass.

Reversible lanes		Marked by double dashed yellow lines, these lanes indicate that its directions can change depending on the traffic. There will be a traffic signal indicating the lane direction – an X means you are traveling in the wrong direction.
Shared Center lane		These lanes are for making left turns only.