Oregon Road Signs (A Complete Guide)

Are you about to take your Oregon permit test?

Do you need a refresher on the road signs?

Maybe you want to avoid getting a traffic ticket.

Whatever the case, this Oregon road signs guide will go over all the traffic signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings.

This way, you know exactly what these mean when you encounter them.

So let’s begin!

Oregon Traffic Signs

Traffic signs use colors, shapes, symbols, and words to tell you their meaning.

Let’s go over the traffic signs you’ll see on Oregon’s roadways.

Regulatory Signs

Regulatory signs mostly tell you what is not allowed in a certain area. These are prohibitive regulatory signs.

However, there are other regulatory signs, such as speed limits — which we’ll look at here.

Prohibitive Regulatory Signs

These signs are easy to spot because they’ll be in red.

Other Regulatory Signs

Other regulatory signs will be black and white.

Warning Signs

Like prohibitive regulatory signs, warning signs are easily recognizable – these are yellow and diamond-shaped.

When you see these signs, that means there’s a hazard ahead and you have to slow down.

Route, Guide, and Information Signs

Route signs may look different – some are colored while others are black and white.

These signs will have numbers indicating the interstate, US, or state highway you are on.

On the other hand, guide signs will be green and will tell you about directional information and the number of miles before you arrive there.

Brown signs give directions and information on historical landmarks, cultural sites, and parks.

Service Signs

Blue signs inform you of services in the area, such as rest areas, handicapped parking, phones, hospital, etc.

Work Zone Signs

Finally, orange signs are for work zones.

It works like warning signs — but warning signs about temporary construction or maintenance work ahead.

When you see these signs, slow down and be cautious when you enter the road. Some areas will show you a detour and you must take it to avoid the hazards ahead.

You may also see flaggers that will help direct the flow of traffic. Again, you must always obey them — even if it’s contrary to the sign posted.

Oregon Traffic Signals

Okay, let’s move on to more common ground.

As you probably know (I hope you do), traffic signals manage the flow of traffic and the right of way.

These lights are often seen at intersections. They make it much safer for drivers that come in all directions.

Oregon Pavement Markings

Unlike signs or signals, pavement markings are painted on the roads.

This will help you identify the direction of the traffic, as well as when you can or cannot pass.

Be alert to these markings so you know when you can pass and change lanes.

Conclusion

There you go — all the Oregon road signs you’ll encounter.

Don’t worry if you can’t memorize them in one go.

You can always just remember the colors and shapes and you’ll already have a good idea of what it means.

Or, if you want, you can always go back here to check the meaning of these signs, signals, and markings.

Good luck!

Sign:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Stop		You must come to a complete stop before the sign, marked or unmarked crosswalk, or intersection.
Yield		Reduce speed and yield the right of way. You may have to stop.
Do Not Enter		Do not enter the road ahead.
No Left Turn		You are not allowed to make a left turn at the intersection.
No Right Turn		You are not allowed to make a right turn at the intersection.
No U-Turn		You are not allowed to make a U-turn at the intersection.

Sign:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Speed Limit		This shows the max speed in miles per hour that you are allowed on the roadway.
One Way		The road ahead is a one-way street and the arrow shows you the direction of traffic.
Right Turn Permitted Without Stopping		This is usually found under stop signs. Those turning right can make a turn without stopping.
Lane-Use Control		These signs show when you are required to make a turn.
Keep Right		Keep right of the medium or island.
Center Lane Turn Only		The center lane is strictly for making left turns.
Do Not Pass		You are not allowed to pass.
No Turn on Red		You can’t make a turn when the red traffic light is on.
High Occupancy Vehicle		This lane is reserved for vehicles carrying at least two or more persons (or as written on the sign). The lane may also have a white diamond marking.

Sign:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Pedestrian Crossing		Be alert for pedestrians crossing ahead. These signs may have a flashing yellow beacon that indicates that someone is crossing.
Multi-Use Path Crossing		Bicyclists and pedestrians regularly cross the road in the area.
Curve		There is a curve ahead.
Sharp Turn		There is a sharp turn on the road ahead.
Chevron		There is a sharp curve or a change in the direction of the road where the sign is at.
Winding Road		The road ahead has several turns or curves. Slow down and do not pass vehicles.
Reversing Curves		The road ahead curves to the right and then to the left.
Crossroad		There is a four-way intersection ahead. Follow the traffic lights and go only when it is safe.
Side Road		Traffic may enter the road from the left or right.
Merge		Traffic is going to merge with your lane.
Lane Reduction		The number of lanes will be reduced ahead. Merge carefully or be careful of merging vehicles.
Two-Way Traffic Ahead		The one-way road you are currently on turns into a two-way road ahead.
Divided Highway Begins or Ends		Divided highway begins (left sign) and ends (right sign) ahead. Always keep to the right.
Stop Ahead		Stop sign ahead. Slow down and prepare to stop.
Signal Ahead		There’s a traffic signal ahead.
Reduced Speed Limit Ahead		The speed limit is reduced on the road ahead. Start slowing down to meet the speed limit.
Roundabout Ahead		There is a roundabout ahead.
Railroad Advance		There is a railroad crossing ahead. Prepare to stop if there is an approaching train.
Low Clearance		The overpass has low clearance. If your vehicle is above the height limit, do not pass.
Hill		There is a steep grade ahead.
Advisory Speed		This is the recommended speed when entering or exiting the freeway ramps.
Slippery When Wet		The road becomes slippery when wet.
Deer		Deer often cross the road in this area. Be alert. Slow down for wildlife crossing.

Sign:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Steady Red		Stop and remain stopped until the signal changes. You must stop before the intersection or before the crosswalk (if any). In general, you are allowed to make a turn on red unless a sign or police officer tells you not to.
Flashing Red		Stop before the intersection, look around, and pass if it is safe to do so.
Red Arrow		Stop and do not make a turn unless the light changes.
Steady Yellow		The signal is about to turn red. If you haven’t entered the intersection, slow down and prepare to stop.
Flashing Yellow		Slow down and proceed with caution.
Yellow Arrow		The turn signal is about to turn red. Prepare to stop.
Flashing Yellow Arrow		You may make a turn but you have to yield to pedestrians or oncoming traffic first.
Steady Green		Going straight, left, or right is permitted.
Green Arrow		You may turn in the direction of the arrow.

Sign:	Visual Aid:	Meaning:
Solid yellow line on the left side		Marks the left edge of one-way roads and ramps.
Broken yellow center line		Divides a two-way road where traffic is traveling in opposite directions. Passing is allowed for both lanes.
Double center line with broken yellow lines and solid yellow lines		Passing is permitted to the lane beside the broken yellow line. Passing is not allowed on the side with the solid yellow line.
Double solid yellow line		Passing is not permitted for both sides of the line. However, you may turn left or enter/exit the roadway.
Two-way special left turn lane		The lane marked with yellow lines and turning arrows is reserved for vehicles that are making a left turn. Enter the lane only when you are about to make a turn.
Painted median with double solid yellow lines on both sides		You may make a left turn across the painted media after waiting for oncoming traffic to clear. You are not allowed to use this area unless making a turn.
Yellow diagonal stripes		Painted across a median to inform you of areas where vehicles are not allowed. It’s illegal to drive across these stripes.
Solid white line on the right side		Indicates the edge of the roadway.
Wide solid white lines		Are used to direct traffic into specific lanes, especially when making turns.
Broken white lines		Separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Passing is allowed.
Dotted white line		Short dotted lines are placed closer to show that crossing is permitted. These dotted lines are also seen on exit ramps telling you that the road you are on will not continue on the same route.
Double solid white line		These lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. You are not allowed to change lanes.
Marked crosswalk		This is where pedestrians are allowed to cross. Stop before the crosswalk.
Stop line		Make a stop before this line when there is a stop sign or the traffic signal is red.
Bike lane		The lane is reserved for bikes only.
Yield line		Yield before these lines.
White chevrons		Inform you of fixed objects on the road ahead. Vehicles are not allowed to cross these lines.