# Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking territories

This is a comparison of road signs in countries and regions that speak majorly English, including major ones where it is an official language and widely understood (and as a lingua franca).
Among the countries listed below, Liberia, Nigeria, and the Philippines have ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, while the United Kingdom has signed the convention but not yet ratified it. Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are all Southern African Development Community (SADC) members who drive on the left and use the SADC Road Traffic Signs Manual. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) used in the United States has also influenced signing practices in other countries.

## Differences between traffic signs in English-speaking countries/regions

| | Australia | Bahamas | Belize | Canada | Hong Kong | Ireland | Jamaica | Liberia | Mauritius | New Zealand | Nigeria | Philippines | South Africa | Malta | Singapore | United Kingdom | United States | U. S. Virgin Islands | Zimbabwe |
| Drives on... | Left | Left | Right | Right | Left | Left | Left | Right | Left | Left | Right | Right | Left | Left | Left | Left | Right | Left | Left |
| Speed units | km/h | mph | mph | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h or mph | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h | km/h | mph | mph | mph | km/h |
| Sign typeface | AS1744 (Highway Gothic) | Highway Gothic | Highway Gothic | Highway Gothic or Clearview | Transport or Helvetica | Transport and Motorway | Highway Gothic | Highway Gothic | Transport | Highway Gothic or Transport | Highway Gothic | Highway Gothic or Clearview | DIN 1451 | Transport | Local variety or DIN 1451 | Transport and Motorway | Highway Gothic or Clearview | Highway Gothic or Clearview | DIN 1451 |

### Differences in units

* All main countries/regions, except for the United States and the United Kingdom, use the metric system. Some mark this fact by using units on various signs. Note that some smaller English-speaking countries in the Caribbean also use miles per hour.
** Advisory speed limit signs in most countries list units, although New Zealand does not. The US lists units in mph.
** Height, weight, and width restrictions are almost always accompanied by units (tonnes or metres); in the US, the short ton is used with no distinction from metric tonnes.
** Signs in some parts of Canada near the US border often include both metric and Imperial units, to remind American drivers that they are entering metric countries. No such equivalent exists in the US.
* The US was, at one time, planning a transition to the metric system. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 started the process, but the abolition of the United States Metric Board in 1982 significantly hampered conversion. Nevertheless, the MUTCD specifies metric versions of speed limit signs. Furthermore, Interstate 19 in Arizona is partially signed in metric.

### Color differences
#### Warning signs

* Most warning signs are diamond-shaped and yellow or red-bordered triangular warning signs; some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow-green in order to draw extra attention. There are a few exceptions to this:
** Pentagonal signs are used in school zones in the United States, Liberia, and many areas in Canada. In the Philippines, pentagonal signs are permanently used for pedestrian crossings.
* Warning signs may be text-only.

#### Road works and construction

* Most countries use orange or yellow diamond-shaped signs or yellow, orange or white red-bordered triangular warning signs for construction zones. Australia and the Philippines use rectangular signs that fit into temporary casings.

#### Regulatory signs

* Prohibitory and restrictive signs are classified as regulatory signs.
* Almost all prohibitory signs use a red circle with a slash. Restrictive signs typically use a red circle, as in Europe. Some may be seated on a rectangular white background.
** The original MUTCD prohibitory and restrictive signs were text-only (i.e. NO LEFT TURN). Some of these signs continue to be used in the US.
* Yield signs can be blank or have text with the legend "YIELD" or "GIVE WAY" depending on which country it is.
* The No Entry / Do Not Enter sign may or may not feature text. In Ireland, an upwards-pointing arrow contained within a slashed red circle is used instead. Some countries have those two signs separated.
** The Latin American-style do not proceed straight sign may take a different meaning in countries with standard No Entry signs. Typically, it indicates an intersection where traffic cannot continue straight ahead, but where cross-traffic may enter the street from the right (or left). Thus, it is distinguished from a No Entry (for all vehicles) sign.

#### Mandatory or permitted-action signs

* The design of mandatory signs varies widely, since the MUTCD does not specify their use. Rather, the MUTCD's equivalent are classified as regulatory signs.
** Some countries use simple arrows with the text "ONLY" or its equivalent underneath. This is the US and Australian standard.
** Some countries use European-style white-on-blue circular signs. These are "Type A Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention.
** Some Latin American and Caribbean countries use red-bordered circular signs, in the same style as regulatory signs. These are "Type B Mandatory Signs" as prescribed by the Vienna Convention. In cases relating to particular types of vehicle traffic (e.g. buses), these signs are identical to some European prohibitory signs.
** Canada uses a unique style of mandatory sign that features a green circle.

## Table
### Warning

| | Australia | Canada | Hong Kong | Ireland | Jamaica | Liberia | New Zealand | Nigeria | Philippines | SADC | Singapore | United Kingdom | United States |
| Stop sign ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Yield / Give Way sign ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Traffic signals ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Roundabout ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Two-way traffic ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Uncontrolled railroad crossing ahead | | | Not used | | | | | | | | Not used | | |
| Level railroad crossing with barriers ahead | | | | or | | | | | | | Not used | | |
| Tram / streetcar crossing | | Not used | | | Not used | Not used | | | Not used | | Not used | | |
| Railroad crossbuck | or | | Not used | Not used | | | or | | or | | Not used | | |
| Level crossing (multiple tracks) | or | | Not used | Not used | | | or | | Not used | | Not used | Not used | |
| Crossroads ahead | | | | | | | | | | or or | | | |
| Junction with a side road ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Traffic merges ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Staggered crossroads ahead | | | | | | | | | | or | | | |
| Added lane | | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Divided highway ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Divided highway ends | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lane ends ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Road narrows ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Narrow bridge ahead | | | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Dangerous crosswinds | | | Not used | | | | | | Not used | | Not used | | |
| Low-flying aircraft | | | | | | | or | | | | | or | |
| Steep hill downwards | | | | | | | or | | and | | | | |
| Steep hill upwards | | | | | | | or | | and | | | | |
| Uneven surface | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bump in road | | | | | | or | | | | | | | |
| Dip in road | | | Not used | | | | | | | | Not used | | |
| Ford | | | Not used | | or | | | | | | | | |
| Snow / ice | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fog | Not used | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Slippery road surface | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Loose road surface | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Dangerous shoulder | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pavement ends | | | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Gentle curve ahead | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sharp curve ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Double gentle curve ahead | | | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Double sharp curve ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Series of curves ahead | | | Not used | | | | | | | or or or | | | |
| Hairpin curve ahead | | | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Loop curve ahead | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Chevron (short turn) | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Chevron (sharp turn) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| School zone | or or or | | | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Children / playground ahead | or | | | | or | | | | | | | | |
| Pedestrian crossing ahead | | | | | | | or | or | | | | | |
| Pedestrian crossing | | | | or | | or | | | | | | | |
| Disabled / elderly pedestrian crossing | or | or | or | Not used | | | | | | | or | | |
| Domesticated animals | | | | | | | | | | or or | | or | |
| Wild animals | | | | | | | | | Not used | or or or | | or or | |
| Cyclists crossing | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Equestrians | | | Not used | | | | | | Not used | | | | |
| Emergency vehicles | | | Not used | Not used | | | | | Not used | | | | |
| Farm vehicles | | | Not used | | | | | | Not used | | | | or |
| Falling rocks or debris | | | | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Opening or swing bridge | | | Not used | | | | Not used | | | | Not used | | |
| Quay or riverbank | Not used | | | | | | | | | | | or | |
| Tunnel ahead | Not used | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Height restriction ahead | | | | | | | | | | | | or or | |
| Width restriction ahead | Not used | | Not used | | | | Not used | | | | | | |
| Length restriction ahead | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weight restriction ahead | Not used | | Not used | | | | Not used | | | | | | |
| Roadworks | | | | | | | | | Not used | | | | |
| Flagman ahead | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| Traffic congestion | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other danger | Not used | | | | | | | | | | | | |

### Regulatory
#### Priority

| | Australia | Hong Kong | Ireland | United Kingdom |
| Stop | | | | |
| Yield / Give Way | | | or | or |
| Yield to oncoming traffic | | Not used | Not used | |
| Priority over oncoming traffic | Not used | Not used | Not used | |
| Priority road | Not used | Not used | Not used | |
| End of priority road | Not used | Not used | Not used | |

#### Prohibitory signs

| | Australia | Hong Kong | Ireland | Jamaica | Liberia | New Zealand | Nigeria | Philippines | SADC | Malta | Singapore | United States |
| No entry | or | | or | | or | | or | | | | | |
| Road closed | or | | | | | | | | | | | |
| No motor vehicles | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | Not used | |
| No motorcycles | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No mopeds | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No bicycles | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| No pedestrians | | | | | | | | | | | | or |
| No heavy goods vehicles | | | | | | | | | or | | | or |
| No buses | | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No trailers | Not used | Not used | Not used | or | or | | | | | | | |
| No farm vehicles | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No animal-drawn vehicles | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| No vehicles carrying dangerous goods | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No vehicles carrying explosives or inflammables | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | | |
| No vehicles carrying water pollutants | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No handcarts | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| Maximum speed limit | | | | | or | | | | | | | |
| Speed restriction ends | | Not used | Not used | | | | | | Not used | | | |
| Maximum height | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maximum width | Not used | | | | | Not used | | | | | | Not used |
| Maximum length | | or | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maximum weight | | | | | | | or | | | | | |
| Maximum weight per axle | | | | | | | or | | | | | |
| No left turn | or | | | | | | | or | or | Not used | | |
| No right turn | or | | | | | | | or | or | Not used | | |
| No U-turn | or | | | | | | | or | | | Not used | |
| No overtaking | | | | | | | | | | | | and |
| Minimum following distance between vehicles | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No honking | Not used | | Not used | | | | | | | | | |
| No parking | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| No stopping | or | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Mandatory or permitted actions

Mandatory signs indicating an obligation to turn left do exist, but are not included in the list below since they are functionally mirror versions of signs indicating an obligation to turn right.
| | Australia | Hong Kong | Ireland | Liberia | New Zealand | Nigeria | Philippines | SADC | United Kingdom | United States |
| Proceed straight (no turns) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Turn right | Not used | | | | Not used | | | | | |
| Turn right ahead | | | | | | | | | | |
| Proceed straight or turn right | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | Not used | | | |
| Keep right (or left) | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Pass on either side | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Route for heavy goods vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | and |
| Roundabout | | Not used | | | | | | | | or |
| Minimum speed limit | Not used | Not used | Not used | | Not used | | | | | |
| Seatbelts required | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | |
| Living street | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | | |
| Overtaking permitted | | | Not used | | | | Not used | | | |
| Shared use path | | | or or | or | | or | Not used | or | or or | |
| Bicycles only | | | | | | | | | | |
| Transit only | | | Not used | | | | | | | |
| Equestrians only | Not used | Not used | Not used | | | | | | | |

### Other

| | Australia | Canada | Hong Kong | Ireland | Jamaica | Mauritius | New Zealand | Nigeria | Philippines | SADC | Malta | United Kingdom | United States |
| Speed camera | or | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One-way street | | | | | | | | or | | | | | or |
| Two-way traffic | | | Not used | | | | Not used | | | Not used | | | |
| Dead end | | or | | | | | | | | | | | or |
| Parking zone | | or | | or | | | | | | | | | |
| Taxi stand | | | | | | | or | | | | | | |
| Hospital | | | | | | | | | | | | or | |
| Bus lane | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bus stop | | | and | or | | | | | | | | | |
| Train station | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Airport | | | | | | | | or | | | | | |
| Electric vehicle charging station | | | Not used | or | | | | | | | | | |
| Freeway begins | or or | | | | | | or | | | | | | |
| Freeway ends | or or | | | | | | or | | | | | | |
| Customs post | | | | | | | | | | | | | Not used |
| National highway shield(s) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| National border signs or speed limits | Not used | | | Not used | Not used | Not used | Not used | | Not used | - | Not used | | varies |