Traffic Signs Chart: Symbols, Signals & Rules (India)& Road Signs in India

We’ve discussed traffic rules and regulations in detail here before, as well as fines and penalties that are associated with violations. Now it’s time to look at the other side of the equation and discuss one of the most important markers for road safety: Traffic signals.

Traffic signals dictate the flow of traffic, and their proper functioning and installation is just as important as other road safety technology. After all, to expect people to follow traffic procedure can’t be done if the daily traffic isn’t orderly and organised itself. 

What are traffic signals? Let’s answer what everyone already knows first. 

They are light-based control systems installed at junctions and crossings to manage when road users must stop, slow down, or move. Road signs are fixed boards placed along the road to regulate, warn, or inform drivers, riders, cyclists, and pedestrians about how to use that stretch of road safely.

Then we come to traffic signs. In India, most traffic signs in India follow standards issued by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), and broadly align with global patterns like the Vienna Convention. (Source: pwddelhi.gov.in+1)

You will find them placed in various capacities in the road on your personal and professional commutes.

(For official reference, see: MoRTH’s Traffic Signs PDF and Road Safety book. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways)

To start with, let’s explore the various types of traffic signs.

All road signs in India broadly fall into three categories. If you’re preparing a traffic rules chart, road signs and meanings chart, or traffic signs chart for learners, this is the core that you need to understand.:

Category	Shape / Colour	One-line purpose
Regulatory / Mandatory	Mostly circular with a red border	Tells you what is compulsory or prohibited (Stop, No Entry, Speed Limit, etc.).
Warning / Cautionary	Mostly triangular with a red border	Warns of hazards ahead (sharp bend, hump, junction, school zone, etc.).
Informational / Guide	Rectangular or square	Gives directions, distances, services, and lane information to road users.

Let’s understand the basics.

Regulatory or mandatory road signs tell you what you must do or must not do. These are heavily tested in learner’s licence exams and are critical for everyday driving.

Here are 12 key traffic symbols in India that show up in most charts:

1. Stop: You must come to a complete halt at the line or before the junction.

2. Give Way: Slow down and yield priority to traffic on the main road, usually from your right.

3. No Entry:  Entry is prohibited for all vehicles from that direction; choose an alternative route.

4. No U-Turn: You cannot reverse direction at this point; taking a U-turn here is a violation.

5. Speed Limit: Maximum permitted speed on that stretch; crossing it can attract fines and increase crash risk.

6. No Parking: You cannot park vehicles here; parking may lead to towing or penalties.

7. No Overtaking: Do not pass other vehicles; overtaking here is dangerous due to limited sight distance.

8. One Way: Traffic is allowed to move in only one direction; never drive against the arrow.

9. Keep Left / Keep Right: Stay on the indicated side of a traffic island, median, or obstruction.

10. Turn Prohibition (Left / Right): You are not allowed to turn in the indicated direction at this junction.

11. Pedestrian Prohibited: Pedestrians are not allowed on this stretch, typically on expressways or certain bridges. (Source: marutidrivingschool)

12. Compulsory Direction (Straight Only / Turn Only): You must follow the indicated direction (go straight, or only turn left/right, etc.).

Warning signs help you anticipate hazards. Every time you travel or commute, make sure to keep an eye out for these:

1. Sharp Bend (Left / Right): A sudden curve is ahead; slow down and keep to your lane.

2. Double Bend: Two bends in quick succession; reduce speed and avoid overtaking.

3. Crossroads: A full intersection is coming up; traffic may join from left and right.

4. Junction Ahead (T / Y / staggered): Road merges or splits; be ready for vehicles entering or leaving.

5. Steep Ascent / Descent: Road climbs or drops sharply; use lower gear and control speed.

6. Hump / Speed Breaker: Raised hump on the road; slow down to avoid loss of control.

7. Slippery Road: Surface can be slick (rain, oil, loose gravel); drive gently and avoid sudden braking.

8. Narrow Bridge: Narrowing at a bridge; slow down, give way to oncoming traffic as needed.

9. Pedestrian Crossing: Marked crossing; expect people crossing and slow down.

10. School Ahead: Area with children crossing and school buses; strictly reduce speed and be extra cautious.

 

Informational or guide signs support navigation and services. They appear in blue, green, white or brown panels depending on context. Here’s a list that describes them in detail.

Sign / Panel	Meaning (one line)
Motorway / Expressway	Indicates entry to a high-speed corridor; pedestrians and slow vehicles are usually prohibited. (Source: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways )
National Highway (NH) marker	Identifies the NH number (e.g., NH 48) for direction and navigation.
Distance board	Shows distances to upcoming towns and cities so you can plan fuel and stops.
Lane-use signs	Indicate which lane is for straight, turn, or specific vehicle types.
Hospital sign	A nearby medical facility; often used to mark silence zones.
Petrol pump / fuel station	Denotes fuel availability ahead; critical on highways and remote stretches.
Parking (P)	Shows designated parking areas; use these instead of random roadside parking.
Bus stop	Location where buses stop; expect frequent stopping and pedestrian movement.
Tourist information / attraction	Highlights tourist points and information centres; common on inter-city routes.

Now that we’ve discussed traffic signs in detail, let’s move to the other most important aspect of road safety organisation: traffic signals (as we discussed in our introduction).

So how to understand them? At a basic level, traffic signals work the same everywhere:

Signal	Action
Red	Stop completely behind the stop line and wait for green.
Amber	Prepare to stop if you haven’t entered; clear the junction if you are already inside it.
Green	Proceed through the intersection only if the path is clear and safe.

These core traffic signal rules are part of every official driver handbook.

Special cases to know for any traffic signals chart:

• Green Arrow: You may move only in the direction of the arrow, even if the main signal is red.

• Flashing Amber: Proceed with caution; the signal is warning-based, not a full stop.

• Pedestrian Signals (Walk / Don’t Walk):  “Walk” (green person symbol) means pedestrians can cross; “Don’t Walk” (red person) means wait.

• Dedicated Turn Signals (e.g., for buses/trams):  Some intersections provide separate phases for buses, trams, or specific lanes; obey only the signal meant for your lane.
  

Let’s not talk about road markings.

Road markings are the “floor layer” of road safety signs and symbols and often appear alongside traffic symbols on exam charts:

• Single continuous white line: No overtaking or lane changing; stay in your lane.

• Broken white line: Lane changes are allowed when safe; check mirrors and blind spots.

• Double solid lines: Strict division; overtaking or crossing is prohibited for safety reasons. (Source: Delhi Traffic Police)

• Yellow box junction:  Keep clear; do not stop inside the box even if the signal is red.

• Zebra crossings:  Marked pedestrian right-of-way; vehicles must slow down and yield to crossing pedestrians.

• Cycle lane markings: Reserved space for cycles; motor vehicles should not encroach.
  

These will usually appear in any road signs chart or traffic rules chart used for training.

1. What do traffic signals mean?
   Standard traffic signals use red for stop, amber for prepare-to-stop/clear junction, and green for go if safe, plus arrows and pedestrian phases at complex junctions.
2. What are the three main categories of road signs in India?
   Most traffic signs in India are grouped as regulatory/mandatory, warning/cautionary, and informational/guide signs, each with distinct shapes and colours.
3. Which sign means No Entry?
   The No Entry sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar; it means vehicles cannot enter from that direction. Always look for it at one-way streets and restricted roads.
4. What does a flashing amber light mean?
   A flashing amber signal tells you to proceed with caution, slow down, and give way to pedestrians or conflicting traffic where necessary; it does not mean “go fast”.
5. Where can I download the official road signs chart?
   You can download official road signs chart PDFs from the MoRTH “Traffic Signs” page and from state traffic police sites like Delhi and Maharashtra.
6. What are mandatory road signs?
   These are circular (often red-bordered) signs that tell you what you must do or must not do, such as Stop, No Entry, No Parking, or Speed Limit.
7. Why are road safety signs and symbols important?
   They communicate critical safety information quickly, reduce confusion, and help prevent crashes by standardising behaviour across all road users.
8. Are road signs the same across all states in India?
   Core traffic signs in India follow national IRC/MoRTH standards, but states may add language variants or local informational signs while keeping basic shapes and meanings intact.

Always 

• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways – Traffic Signs page. Visit:  Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
• MoRTH Road Safety book – Road signs & markings overview. Visit: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
• Delhi Traffic Police – New Road Signs PDF. Visit:  Delhi Traffic Police
• Maharashtra Highway Police – Road Signs & Road Safety Book. Visit: highwaypolice.maharashtra.gov.in
• IRC:67 Code of Practice for Road Signs in India (IRC reference). Visit: pwddelhi.gov.in

As we’ve mentioned before, being a responsible road user goes far beyond owning a vehicle and carrying the right documents. What truly matters is staying aware of the latest traffic signals, road signs, and lane markings, and making sure we follow them consistently every single day.

Clear, predictable behaviour on the road creates safer streets:  not just for us, but for every rider, driver, and pedestrian around us. When we respect traffic signals, obey mandatory signs, and understand the meanings behind everyday symbols, we help build smoother traffic flow and safer commutes for all.

For more helpful guides on traffic signs, signals, and road safety, keep following Ecozaar.